Just returned from cruise - don't get it...

I just returned from a 7 day western Caribbean cruise on Celebrity Century.
I guess it is me but I don't get it. Although this was my first cruise, I
have traveled extensively (25+ European trips, 5 trips to Far East,
Hawaii...). I really did not enjoy the cruise. The food was OK but seemed
to emphasize quantity over quality. I saw people ordering 3 shrimp
cocktails each dinner even though it wasn't a menu option. I definitely do
not care for the "all you can eat" mentality.

I had to start thinking about wardrobe options about a month prior and
needed $700 worth of clothes to fulfill the requirements of the evening
dress code. I followed the guidelines but was in the top 5-10% in terms of
actually wearing what was "required".

The port destinations were far too short to accomplish anything. All ports
(Ocho Rios, Jamaica, Grand Cayman, Cozamel and Key West) left you in the
most touristy areas which gave little ability to get to see the country.

I ended up with the $3000+ cruise price plus an additional $1600 spend on
board for shore excursions, drinks, spa treatments, bingo and very light
gambling.

I don't need that much structure to relax. I know people who rave about
cruising but give me a condo on just about any beach and the ability to pick
which restaurant I eat at in the evening and I will save thousands and be
much happier.

Am I alone here?

Yes, lovebucket, you are!
"deedee_tv" wrote in message
. ..
I just returned from a 7 day western Caribbean cruise on Celebrity
Century.
I guess it is me but I don't get it. Although this was my first cruise, I
have traveled extensively (25+ European trips, 5 trips to Far East,
Hawaii...). I really did not enjoy the cruise. The food was OK but
seemed
to emphasize quantity over quality. I saw people ordering 3 shrimp
cocktails each dinner even though it wasn't a menu option. I definitely
do
not care for the "all you can eat" mentality.

I had to start thinking about wardrobe options about a month prior and
needed $700 worth of clothes to fulfill the requirements of the evening
dress code. I followed the guidelines but was in the top 5-10% in terms
of
actually wearing what was "required".

The port destinations were far too short to accomplish anything. All
ports
(Ocho Rios, Jamaica, Grand Cayman, Cozamel and Key West) left you in the
most touristy areas which gave little ability to get to see the country.

I ended up with the $3000+ cruise price plus an additional $1600 spend on
board for shore excursions, drinks, spa treatments, bingo and very light
gambling.

I don't need that much structure to relax. I know people who rave about
cruising but give me a condo on just about any beach and the ability to
pick
which restaurant I eat at in the evening and I will save thousands and be
much happier.

Am I alone here?

If you spent $4,600 on a seven night Caribbean cruise on Celebrity.....

Never mind, you were taken from the get go.

Cruising obviously isn't for you, it's not for everybody. But you need a
better travel agent, you spent way too much unless you were in a suite.



"deedee_tv" wrote in message
. ..
I just returned from a 7 day western Caribbean cruise on Celebrity
Century.
I guess it is me but I don't get it. Although this was my first cruise, I
have traveled extensively (25+ European trips, 5 trips to Far East,
Hawaii...). I really did not enjoy the cruise. The food was OK but
seemed
to emphasize quantity over quality. I saw people ordering 3 shrimp
cocktails each dinner even though it wasn't a menu option. I definitely
do
not care for the "all you can eat" mentality.

I had to start thinking about wardrobe options about a month prior and
needed $700 worth of clothes to fulfill the requirements of the evening
dress code. I followed the guidelines but was in the top 5-10% in terms
of
actually wearing what was "required".

The port destinations were far too short to accomplish anything. All
ports
(Ocho Rios, Jamaica, Grand Cayman, Cozamel and Key West) left you in the
most touristy areas which gave little ability to get to see the country.

I ended up with the $3000+ cruise price plus an additional $1600 spend on
board for shore excursions, drinks, spa treatments, bingo and very light
gambling.

I don't need that much structure to relax. I know people who rave about
cruising but give me a condo on just about any beach and the ability to
pick
which restaurant I eat at in the evening and I will save thousands and be
much happier.

Am I alone here?

Ok, I looked it up:
Double occupancy Concierge Class stateroom: 2356
Insurance: 186
Parking: 89
Onboard Expenses 1600 (drinks, bingo, spa, tips...)
Boarding animals while away: 227
Outside ship meals and rentals: 160

This is well over $3000 but is just the cruise itself, it does not include
presents.

I just do not fathom doing 25-30 cruises like some folks that are always
planning. I guess the cruising type probably wouldn't like to my boring
existense. Vacations are a time to relax and unwind. I wasn't able to
begin to unwind on this trip.


"Mike Cordelli" wrote in message
m...
If you spent $4,600 on a seven night Caribbean cruise on Celebrity.....

Never mind, you were taken from the get go.

Cruising obviously isn't for you, it's not for everybody. But you need a
better travel agent, you spent way too much unless you were in a suite.



"deedee_tv" wrote in message
. ..
I just returned from a 7 day western Caribbean cruise on Celebrity
Century.
I guess it is me but I don't get it. Although this was my first cruise,
I
have traveled extensively (25+ European trips, 5 trips to Far East,
Hawaii...). I really did not enjoy the cruise. The food was OK but
seemed
to emphasize quantity over quality. I saw people ordering 3 shrimp
cocktails each dinner even though it wasn't a menu option. I definitely
do
not care for the "all you can eat" mentality.

I had to start thinking about wardrobe options about a month prior and
needed $700 worth of clothes to fulfill the requirements of the evening
dress code. I followed the guidelines but was in the top 5-10% in terms
of
actually wearing what was "required".

The port destinations were far too short to accomplish anything. All
ports
(Ocho Rios, Jamaica, Grand Cayman, Cozamel and Key West) left you in the
most touristy areas which gave little ability to get to see the country.

I ended up with the $3000+ cruise price plus an additional $1600 spend
on
board for shore excursions, drinks, spa treatments, bingo and very light
gambling.

I don't need that much structure to relax. I know people who rave about
cruising but give me a condo on just about any beach and the ability to
pick
which restaurant I eat at in the evening and I will save thousands and
be
much happier.

Am I alone here?

"deedee_tv" wrote in message
. ..

Vacations are a time to relax and unwind. I wasn't able to
begin to unwind on this trip.


I'm curious. Why couldn't you unwind?

Would you have preferred more quiet days at sea? Or more time in ports?

--Tom

"Tom & Linda" wrote in message
et...

"deedee_tv" wrote in message
. ..

Vacations are a time to relax and unwind. I wasn't able to
begin to unwind on this trip.


I'm curious. Why couldn't you unwind?

Would you have preferred more quiet days at sea? Or more time in ports?

I'm not the OP, but I know on a land vacation I sleep in, and know
breakfast will still be somewhere when I wake up. If I want to head
out and see waterfalls, or whatever I leave when I'm ready. If I don't
get back until late I eat out near where I am. I don't have to worry that
the hotel will be gone if I'm out late. Also, the size of the ships make it
harder to get away from people. The size of the pool deck is small
compared to the pool deck at a resort. People are closer to you, so
if you are like me, having people in close proximity make it harder to
relax, then it's harder to relax on a cruise. (So sea days actually
make it worse, it's harder to get away from people on sea days.)


--Tom

I agree with this....I tend to hunt out more remote deck spaces, by
either going higher up, or further back away from the main pool area.
Like to have some space and a nice breeze....and don't like too much
chit chat! Of course, I have the iPod strapped on with my tunes...

Jeff



Cathy Kearns wrote:
Also, the size of the ships make it
harder to get away from people. The size of the pool deck is small
compared to the pool deck at a resort. People are closer to you, so
if you are like me, having people in close proximity make it harder to
relax, then it's harder to relax on a cruise. (So sea days actually
make it worse, it's harder to get away from people on sea days.)

I agree with this....I tend to hunt out more remote deck spaces, by
either going higher up, or further back away from the main pool area.
Like to have some space and a nice breeze....and don't like too much
chit chat! Of course, I have the iPod strapped on with my tunes...

Jeff



Cathy Kearns wrote:
Also, the size of the ships make it
harder to get away from people. The size of the pool deck is small
compared to the pool deck at a resort. People are closer to you, so
if you are like me, having people in close proximity make it harder to
relax, then it's harder to relax on a cruise. (So sea days actually
make it worse, it's harder to get away from people on sea days.)

Seems a little steep, like you said. But it's a mid summer sailing, which
because of families, makes it a peak time sailing. Easter, Xmas and Summer
are when families can go, so prices can be much higher than an off week in
October or December.

--Tom


"Mike Cordelli" wrote in message
m...
If you spent $4,600 on a seven night Caribbean cruise on Celebrity.....

Never mind, you were taken from the get go.

Cruising obviously isn't for you, it's not for everybody. But you need a
better travel agent, you spent way too much unless you were in a suite.



"deedee_tv" wrote in message
. ..
I just returned from a 7 day western Caribbean cruise on Celebrity
Century.
I guess it is me but I don't get it. Although this was my first cruise,
I
have traveled extensively (25+ European trips, 5 trips to Far East,
Hawaii...). I really did not enjoy the cruise. The food was OK but
seemed
to emphasize quantity over quality. I saw people ordering 3 shrimp
cocktails each dinner even though it wasn't a menu option. I definitely
do
not care for the "all you can eat" mentality.

I had to start thinking about wardrobe options about a month prior and
needed $700 worth of clothes to fulfill the requirements of the evening
dress code. I followed the guidelines but was in the top 5-10% in terms
of
actually wearing what was "required".

The port destinations were far too short to accomplish anything. All
ports
(Ocho Rios, Jamaica, Grand Cayman, Cozamel and Key West) left you in the
most touristy areas which gave little ability to get to see the country.

I ended up with the $3000+ cruise price plus an additional $1600 spend
on
board for shore excursions, drinks, spa treatments, bingo and very light
gambling.

I don't need that much structure to relax. I know people who rave about
cruising but give me a condo on just about any beach and the ability to
pick
which restaurant I eat at in the evening and I will save thousands and
be
much happier.

Am I alone here?

Ok, I looked it up:
Double occupancy Concierge Class stateroom: 2356
Insurance: 186
Parking: 89
Onboard Expenses 1600 (drinks, bingo, spa, tips...)
Boarding animals while away: 227
Outside ship meals and rentals: 160

This is well over $3000 but is just the cruise itself, it does not include
presents.

I just do not fathom doing 25-30 cruises like some folks that are always
planning. I guess the cruising type probably wouldn't like to my boring
existense. Vacations are a time to relax and unwind. I wasn't able to
begin to unwind on this trip.


"Mike Cordelli" wrote in message
m...
If you spent $4,600 on a seven night Caribbean cruise on Celebrity.....

Never mind, you were taken from the get go.

Cruising obviously isn't for you, it's not for everybody. But you need a
better travel agent, you spent way too much unless you were in a suite.



"deedee_tv" wrote in message
. ..
I just returned from a 7 day western Caribbean cruise on Celebrity
Century.
I guess it is me but I don't get it. Although this was my first cruise,
I
have traveled extensively (25+ European trips, 5 trips to Far East,
Hawaii...). I really did not enjoy the cruise. The food was OK but
seemed
to emphasize quantity over quality. I saw people ordering 3 shrimp
cocktails each dinner even though it wasn't a menu option. I definitely
do
not care for the "all you can eat" mentality.

I had to start thinking about wardrobe options about a month prior and
needed $700 worth of clothes to fulfill the requirements of the evening
dress code. I followed the guidelines but was in the top 5-10% in terms
of
actually wearing what was "required".

The port destinations were far too short to accomplish anything. All
ports
(Ocho Rios, Jamaica, Grand Cayman, Cozamel and Key West) left you in the
most touristy areas which gave little ability to get to see the country.

I ended up with the $3000+ cruise price plus an additional $1600 spend
on
board for shore excursions, drinks, spa treatments, bingo and very light
gambling.

I don't need that much structure to relax. I know people who rave about
cruising but give me a condo on just about any beach and the ability to
pick
which restaurant I eat at in the evening and I will save thousands and
be
much happier.

Am I alone here?