Why are cruises relaxing?

[Anonymous]

https://youtu.be/3Kxewe2-ucs?si=mymXQ85Ew8G8pZ96

This is a link to a one-hour video that is simply a view of the ocean from a cruise ship balcony.

This is just one of the reasons I find cruises relaxing: sitting on my quiet balcony reading or just listening to the ocean as we sail. It’s blissful.

I sometimes play this link on my biggest tv as I fold laundry or tackle mundane tasks. It’s very relaxing.

Do other cruisers feel the same?

To the haters: please don’t feel compelled to make fun or criticize cruises and those of us who enjoy cruising. Thanks!

[Anonymous]

Hell no! I've been on many and there is nothing relaxing about them.

Crowds, constant movement on and off ship, etc is not relaxing and most people have cabins with no view.

[Anonymous]

I am NOT a cruiser. Did it once and never again. However, I agree with you about how peaceful I found sitting on the balcony. I have always found bodies of water relaxing and my favorite is getting an ocean front beach unit and just sitting outside listening to the waves and smelling the sea.

[Anonymous]

Lots of people? Especially drunk people? No nature? Stuck in the middle of nowhere and you can't escape?

There is nothing relaxing about cruises.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:https://youtu.be/3Kxewe2-ucs?si=mymXQ85Ew8G8pZ96

This is a link to a one-hour video that is simply a view of the ocean from a cruise ship balcony.

This is just one of the reasons I find cruises relaxing: sitting on my quiet balcony reading or just listening to the ocean as we sail. It’s blissful.

I sometimes play this link on my biggest tv as I fold laundry or tackle mundane tasks. It’s very relaxing.

Do other cruisers feel the same?

To the haters: please don’t feel compelled to make fun or criticize cruises and those of us who enjoy cruising. Thanks!

I also find cruises relaxing. I’ve only been on one, thought I would hate it, but found it one of the most relaxing vacations ever. To those who say cruises are too crowded- yes, the boat is full of people, but 90% of the people on the ship go to 10% of the boat. There are lots of quiet spaces that afford relaxation.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Lots of people? Especially drunk people? No nature? Stuck in the middle of nowhere and you can't escape?

There is nothing relaxing about cruises.

In my experience, we have amazing days on empty beaches thanks to hiring a driver or boat. We get local food at off the beaten path spots. Driving through mountains or lush green jungles is always beautiful.

I don’t hang out by the pool on sea days—unless there’s a band. Then I’ll position myself within earshot but not in the thick of the crowd.

Every ship has quiet spots. If you know, you know.

[Anonymous]

I find it relaxing because I do not have to feed or clean up after anyone. If my kids don't like their dinner, then they can get something else to eat without it costing me anything. Everyone gets to eat just what they want and at the end of the meal we just leave--there's no tip or bill to settle.

My kids are big enough that they can also keep themselves happy and busy on a cruise, but we're still in enough proximity that we get to spend quality time together. We're a rather tightly wound bunch so on other vacations someone is always hungry, tired or bored and thus unhappy. But on a cruise everyone chills out because they know they can do whatever they want. For example, when my 10 yo finishes dinner she's allowed to get up and go to the kids club to see friends. She doesn't get bored and complain at us while we enjoy our multi course meal and after dinner coffee. Or when someone decides they're done swimming, they can just head to the room for a shower or to go get food, without needing the whole family to decide together to leave because we have to drive back to our rental. All those small preferences being respected add up to a really relaxed, happy family.

[Anonymous]

To me cruises are relaxing because I feel more remote and unreachable almost instantly.

[Anonymous]

I find it relaxing bc nothing is required of me - no meal planning/prep/clean up, built in entertainment galore, food galore, mixed drinks to try-out rhymatic waves, places I've never been nor could I plan/afford on my own, excursions vetted/planned, etc.

I like all-inclusives, whether via cruise or island resort abd we save/budget all year for the premium and convenience of it.

People outsource things all the time for ease. For us, we outsource vacation.
Ymmv.

[Anonymous]

Cruises are trash.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I find it relaxing because I do not have to feed or clean up after anyone. If my kids don't like their dinner, then they can get something else to eat without it costing me anything. Everyone gets to eat just what they want and at the end of the meal we just leave--there's no tip or bill to settle.

My kids are big enough that they can also keep themselves happy and busy on a cruise, but we're still in enough proximity that we get to spend quality time together. We're a rather tightly wound bunch so on other vacations someone is always hungry, tired or bored and thus unhappy. But on a cruise everyone chills out because they know they can do whatever they want. For example, when my 10 yo finishes dinner she's allowed to get up and go to the kids club to see friends. She doesn't get bored and complain at us while we enjoy our multi course meal and after dinner coffee. Or when someone decides they're done swimming, they can just head to the room for a shower or to go get food, without needing the whole family to decide together to leave because we have to drive back to our rental. All those small preferences being respected add up to a really relaxed, happy family.

This!

When you have multiple kids—particularly at different ages with different interests and food preferences—cruises make it so easy.

On sea days you can sleep in or go do something. My husband usually gets up early to work out while I sleep in a bit. He brings coffee, fruit, and breakfast pastries to the cabin so I can enjoy it on the balcony. Big kids sleep in late while the younger ones join us for a proper sit down breakfast (not buffet—in the dining room). We find a quiet spot with lounge chairs and everyone decides what they want to do. Some are busy with activities, others hang out. I love having long talks with my teens on vacations kid this. Lots of family time as well as one on one moments.

If anyone wants a drink or snack, they can get it.

Never having to pull out a credit card is magical.

Beach days are always awesome. I’ve found quiet beaches thanks to local drivers and captains who take us off the beaten path.

[Anonymous]

It is relaxing because there are no logistics once you are on. You don't have to fight with your spouse or kids about restaurant choices, or travel distance between hotel and restaurant or hotel and activities. The trip is mostly all paid for so you don't have to think about whether something is worth x,y,z (I say that with the caveat that there is more nickel on diming now on cruises). You are handed an itinerary with things to do for all ages and you can chose to attend or not attend with a max walk of 5 minutes between things to do. I hate crowds and I still like cruises. Its possible to avoid crowds. You can be entertained 24x7 or you can read a book on the balcony. I like the later and my kids and spouse like the former and so we each come away with a successful vacation. Depending on the cruiseline the evening entertainment (Broadway style shows, etc.) can be really incredibly good and I say that as a theater snob. And its not true that most rooms are indoors. Newer cruise ships are making the preponderance of their rooms balcony rooms.

[Anonymous]

I'll add that I don't get the argument that you aren't really seeing your stops. There are very few cruise ports in the Caribbean or Bahamas that I feel the need to visit for more than a day.

[Anonymous]

Depends how you cruise. I've been on ones that feel chaotic and ones that are relaxing. A balcony is a must for me. And I find quiet places to sit all over even the loudest of ships. I don't have to cook or make decisions. The service is usually good. The food is usually good enough. I upgrade to the private areas on occasion (some have separate upgrades sections with private restaurants and butlers, most have spa passes or adult only pool passes).

I usually do some kind of evening music or comedy show, but otherwise I just avoid the crowds.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I'll add that I don't get the argument that you aren't really seeing your stops. There are very few cruise ports in the Caribbean or Bahamas that I feel the need to visit for more than a day.

That’s just because you are simple minded and unimaginative. And cruises go far beyond the Caribbean. Do you really think eight hours in a lot of European ports is a proper visit?! What a joke.