WHY DO YOU CRUISE? WHAT IS THE DRAW?

[Moby Dick]

For me, it's easy:

 

[leesam82]

I specifically cruise for two reasons. 1) I love the fact that I do not need to plan too many things in additional to the cruise itself. I don't need to call and figure out what restaurants to eat at etc. I don't need to worry if the restaurant is accessible. For me cruising is very convenient. Everything is right there. Essentially its a traveling all inclusive resort that moves to different ports. 2) I love the mulit-generational activities on board. I do a lot of traveling with grand parents, kids, other parents. It is nice knowing that there is something for everyone no matter the age. I personally think RCL has done a pretty good job of emphasizing this. I have family members that want to just do nothing and enjoy the sea breeze and read, while others want to go to the casino, and others who love the onboard shows. Cruises have a good mix of things for everyone in the family. 

[Jolly Ogre]

Nobody asks me any questions other than what would I like and would I like any more and they do it with a smile.

[jabberwk]

The water brings me peace.

[Moby Dick]

Seriously, and that's hard for me to do, I cruise for the SHIP and the ocean.  I grew up in S. Florida, (Dania, FL) about a mile from the ocean, so I love the ocean.  The cruise ship's are amazing to me, especially the super huge Oasis Class ships.  So, I cruise for those two things, the ship and the ocean, I really don't care if I actually go to a Port of Call, I'm as happy as can be just watching the ocean go by and exploring the ship.  

[Sweety]

8 minutes ago, jabberwk said:

The water brings me peace.

We will be on the Grandeur 4/2-4/7/2023. 

[Neesa]

I like to escape reality for a bit. We keep the news off. We wake up in new location's and share family time making memories. It's a great mix of quiet reflection on the mornings balcony to celebrating milestones in our lives. We choose joy, sailing gives us joy. Time is something I cherish, can't get it back. I hope my daughter has lifetime memories of our time at sea. That's why we love it.

[OCSC Mike]

The (mostly) all-inclusive nature that includes food, beverage, entertainment, and travel... plus I only have to drive an hour to my home port.

[Vancity Cruiser]

I love the open ocean! For this reason river cruising is not appealing to me. The open ocean helps me feel disconnected. Ports of call are secondary to me. I love that the room, activities, dining, and entertainment is all within easy distance. There are not a lot of decisions to be made once on board.

[Moby Dick]

19 minutes ago, OCSC Mike said:

The (mostly) all-inclusive nature that includes food, beverage, entertainment, and travel... plus I only have to drive an hour to my home port.

As stated above, I grew up in Dania, FL (it's now officially called Dania Beach), the Ft. Lauderdale/Hollywood International Airport (FLL) and Port Everglades are, at least partially, in Dania.  After retiring from the U.S. Army, and doing a few other things, I went to work at FLL managing the parking facilities, eventually moved over to Port Everglades managing the parking facilities there, where I retired in 2005.  I never wanted to cruise.  I was retired from Port Everglades for several years and living in Indiana before I decided it was time to cruise, thanks to my wife.  It took me moving several hundreds of miles away from a port to get interested in cruising.  You're the lucky one, you're only an about an hour away.  I'm now in Oxford, AL and even to get to Canaveral, it's about a 9 hour drives, Port Everglades is about a 12 hour drive. 

[CruizIan]

Definitely everyone has mentioned the All-inclusive nature of cruising. Additionally I love that you can do the multigeneration while appealing to different family members budgets. When we do land based vacations with 20+ family members and get like a big beach house or something I know that it can put a strain on a lot of people that attend and the additional dining costs and entertainment. Not to mention that we are all usually under one roof so you tend to get a bit too close for comfort.

[Traveling Mike]

I do not have to make plans or decisions.  The cruise ship gives me lots of things to do and if I feel like it I do them.  If I do not feel like it I don't.  When doing a vacation on land I am stuck to planning everything and need to stick with the plan.  On a cruise ship I can do anything that I feel like doing.  

[Moby Dick]

24 minutes ago, CruizIan said:

Definitely everyone has mentioned the All-inclusive nature of cruising. Additionally I love that you can do the multigeneration while appealing to different family members budgets. When we do land based vacations with 20+ family members and get like a big beach house or something I know that it can put a strain on a lot of people that attend and the additional dining costs and entertainment. Not to mention that we are all usually under one roof so you tend to get a bit too close for comfort.

Okay, now I'm pissed.  You are from Foley, AL.  You are close to Lambert's.  Nothing beats their potatoes and the rolls they throw at you, the rolls that is.   I love that place.  I think my wife and I are going to have to take a day trip to go there again, real soon.  Also, just down the street about a half mile, Culver's.  Love that fast food place too, their frozen custard is the best and they, at least my experience, know how to hire young people that actually care and do a great job.  

[CrznTxn]

Wake up when I want .... sleep when I want .... lay out by the pool when I want .... eat when I want. Hmmmm I think I see a trend here. Vacations before I was the elected "activities" director and had to plan for everyone else with no one being happy about the choices. Now my wife is happy she can do the things she wants to do, so am I, and I can go off and do what I want to do. We still do a lot together but having choices with no pressure of time is what keeps us coming back, plus the free Diamond+ drinks.

[CrimsonCruiser]

1. Gives me a chance to visit places in an "appetizer" fashion that I might have otherwise not have gone to.
2. All-inclusive.
3. Pretty pretty sea.

[ChessE4]

Similar to others, for us it is the total value proposition - all the things we like to do with great service, and we more or less just choose from a vacation menu.  I will call out two particular items important to me:  live music and dancing.  Cruising lacks the intensity of a week-long land trip to a foreign country, but it offers variety; you aren't betting all of your vacation dollars on a single experience.

[FireFishII]

I like it to test out the waters. With the shore excursions, I can just get a taste of what a country is like.  If I enjoyed my time, I will look into doing a land vacation in that country.  But I relax better on a cruise than anywhere else. No worries!

 

[Srp431]

No driving anywhere . I drive 1 hour each way to work and look forward to no time behind the wheel. Also, I do all the menu planning and cooking, so it's nice to not worry about meals for a change.

[AandD]

2 hours ago, CrimsonCruiser said:

1. Gives me a chance to visit places in an "appetizer" fashion that I might have otherwise not have gone to.
2. All-inclusive.
3. Pretty pretty sea.

I like how you said number 1. We have been to a lot of places as an appetizer while cruising. We would have never thought about spending a vacation in Puerta Rico or even Panama. But we are talking about it now.

[FoxboroCruiser]

I can pay for the vacation over time. I can pay almost 100% of what it will cost me ahead of time so don’t have to count every dollar for the duration of the vacation.  The service is better than most resorts, the ocean is great, entertainment is included, and I unpack once to visit multiple places. Most of that stuff is unique to cruising (most). Royal has a lot of ships in multiple ports, there’s always a new experience to be had.

[HeWhoWaits]

Cruising appeals to us for the following reasons (in order):

1 - Sea Days - nothing is more relaxing than just watching the water, especially in an aft-facing stateroom

2 - Multiple places to visit while only unpacking/repacking once

3 - We can each do as much or as little as we want, and there's no concern about whether we do it together or not

[SPS]

I don't even know where to start, but all of the reasons above and more.

1. We like the ability to book well in advance and pay over time before the cruise. It's nice after a great vacation to not have large credit card bill or have a considerably lower bank balance.
2. It's much less stressful than a typical land vacation. I don't have to rent a car and get us from place to place on a daily basis. Our "Hotel" takes us from place to place with spectacular views along the way.
3. Other than the occasional specialty dining experience, we don't have to worry about shelling out money for restaurant food several times each day. And where else am I going to be able to try caviar and escargot for no additional charge?
4. So many activities that would cost so much extra on land that are included; Entertainers, Theater shows, Flowrider, iFly Skydiving sim, the North Star, and so much more.
5. We have been able to visit destinations that we had never even thought we would be able to see.
6. We like being able to do "as much" or "as little" as we want. Particularly on sea days. Nothing better than having a cocktail out on the deck while the waves roll by OR while soaking in the hot tub in the Solarium.
7. SERVICE: Sometime during the first day of each cruise, I'm reminded of just how much the crew and staff spoil us! They crew on each ship we've sailed on aims to please.
8. The chance to "unplug".  We purposely do NOT buy internet service so we can get away from the usual noise of our daily lives and live more in the moment.

THERE'S MORE BUT THIS POST IS GETTING TOO LONG! 

[PatsFanBrian]

For all the reasons already mentioned.  Not sure how many more I could add.

Cruising is definitely not for everyone.  We took our first cruise back in '06 and fell in love with it.  Others we know have been on one and told us that once was enough.  There's a vacation style for everyone, this is the one that works for us.

[Funeegal]

We cruise because we get assistance with our special needs kids/teens.  We travel with Autism on the Seas (AOTS) and they provide volunteers to provide assistance with our kids so we can enjoy and have a vacation.  It can be difficult traveling with special needs guests and parents need a break, too!  Cruising gives us a chance to travel safely and be able to relax.  RCL staff is fantastic with our kiddos and it provides the kids with opportunities to see the world and experience things they may not have a chance to do.

If you ever see a bunch or orange shirts that say STAFF on the back, pop on over and say hi!  That is what we call TeamOrange and they are the amazing volunteers that help families.

AOTS doesn't just help those who have autism or are autistic.  They deal with all specials needs individuals needing assistance from age 3 to adult.

[LovetoCruise87]

Do what ever I want, or do nothing. Sleep in. Sit on the balcony on sea days and enjoy the view. Spend great time with my wife. Enjoy great food and amazing shows. Disconnect from the world for a week.