Cruises for people who hate cruises

[Anonymous]

I didn't think I would like a cruise, but I am a total Disney World lover so we decided to take 1 Disney cruise when our kids were 6 and 9. It was just ok. Ship was pretty and in great shape, staff was very friendly, food was surprisingly good. But the kids club (although awesomely decorated) was frankly boring to my kids. It was basically supervised free play. The scheduled "classes" and "activities" were very far apart and only lasted 30-60 minutes. So my kids wanted to be dropped off for X activity and then immediately be picked up. The only pool was so mobbed it was unusable. The wait for a ride on the AquaDuck was routinely 30 minutes. On port days, the pool and aquaduck don't open until at least noon. The nighttime shows were really late - didn't usually start until 8:15/8:30 but you had to get there really early or there were literally no seats, even though people are assigned a showtime.

And all of this might have been fine if the cost wasn't $$$$$. We can (and do) do a week at WDW for much much less. From now on I think we'll separate Disney trips from beach/Caribbean trips. I doubt we'd do another cruise, and if we ever did, I doubt it would be Disney.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Op here. Thanks! I think Alaska sounds like the way to go although the gulet awesome, it would be too big for our group of 5.

Disney cruises with shows sound exactly what we don’t like although I suppose the kids might. But my kids have never seen frozen and barely know who Mickey Mouse is so I am guessing it would be lost on them. Truth be told it is both of us that don’t like cruise shows, joint meals, overrun Caribbean islands and “fun” activities (we prefer art museums or camping as solo introvert types) but I am more willing to flex because I want to make my mom happy.

All inclusive resorts also have the same problem of no new sites and too many people. Crowded beaches also sound unfun and no sightseeing really there either. Alaska sounds more quiet and adventurous so perhaps that would be good for all of us. Any other destinations like that (Although one is probably enough)

And thanks again.

They skew old, but is a European river cruise a potential option?

I feel the same way you do--and I've actually been on a couple cruises! Just doesn't do it for me. And there's no way on God's green earth that I would ever do a (ridiculously, outrageously overpriced) Disney cruise.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Op here. Thanks! I think Alaska sounds like the way to go although the gulet awesome, it would be too big for our group of 5.

Disney cruises with shows sound exactly what we don’t like although I suppose the kids might. But my kids have never seen frozen and barely know who Mickey Mouse is so I am guessing it would be lost on them. Truth be told it is both of us that don’t like cruise shows, joint meals, overrun Caribbean islands and “fun” activities (we prefer art museums or camping as solo introvert types) but I am more willing to flex because I want to make my mom happy.

All inclusive resorts also have the same problem of no new sites and too many people. Crowded beaches also sound unfun and no sightseeing really there either. Alaska sounds more quiet and adventurous so perhaps that would be good for all of us. Any other destinations like that (Although one is probably enough)

And thanks again.

They skew old, but is a European river cruise a potential option?

I feel the same way you do--and I've actually been on a couple cruises! Just doesn't do it for me. And there's no way on God's green earth that I would ever do a (ridiculously, outrageously overpriced) Disney cruise.

Even if Grandma paid?

Don't knock it until you've tried it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Op here. Thanks! I think Alaska sounds like the way to go although the gulet awesome, it would be too big for our group of 5.

Disney cruises with shows sound exactly what we don’t like although I suppose the kids might. But my kids have never seen frozen and barely know who Mickey Mouse is so I am guessing it would be lost on them. Truth be told it is both of us that don’t like cruise shows, joint meals, overrun Caribbean islands and “fun” activities (we prefer art museums or camping as solo introvert types) but I am more willing to flex because I want to make my mom happy.

All inclusive resorts also have the same problem of no new sites and too many people. Crowded beaches also sound unfun and no sightseeing really there either. Alaska sounds more quiet and adventurous so perhaps that would be good for all of us. Any other destinations like that (Although one is probably enough)

And thanks again.

They skew old, but is a European river cruise a potential option?

I feel the same way you do--and I've actually been on a couple cruises! Just doesn't do it for me. And there's no way on God's green earth that I would ever do a (ridiculously, outrageously overpriced) Disney cruise.

Even if Grandma paid?

Don't knock it until you've tried it.

Especially is grandma paid! Dear god, a Disney cruise with my mom or MIL? Pretty sure Dante wrote about that particular circle of hell.

[Anonymous]

While pricey, a European barge cruise is the only cruise that sounds remotely interesting to me. You can get a small boat that's just for your family, plus staff to drive the boat & cook. Although, not sure I would want to do it with such little kids.

Why is your mom set on a cruise? If she just wants a vacation together, that's reasonable, but it should be something everyone wants to do. Was this cruise idea something that a friend did and she's trying to recreate?

[Anonymous]

NP here, if your family isn't into Disney Disney Disney all Disney All the Time, and seeing characters, etc., then I wouldn't do a Disney cruise. You're paying for the Disney premium, entertainment, costumed characters, etc. We love Disney cruises, but we are a Disney family. But my MIL is not and would not have enjoyed all the hoopla around that. So if your DH doesn't like cruises and if he doesn't like Disney commercialism, then this would be hellish for him.

We have also cruised on Royal Caribbean, and found that to be better balanced for all types of people. More varied entertainment and food, and more grown up activities.

Please also keep in mind that Alaska Cruises are wreaking havoc on the environment up there. We were considering a Disney Alaska Cruise until a read up on what the cruise ships are doing to the pristine waters, ecosystems, etc. It made me want to pass altogether.

[Anonymous]

This looks cool

http://www.discoveryvoyages.com/ship-sound/alaska-eco-friendly-cruising/

[Anonymous]

I did an Alaskan cruise with my mom and it was nice. We sent on Norwegian which is pretty family friendly. The town's we stopped in had hiking trails within walking distance of the cruise ship dock. The kid oriented shore excursions like dog sledding could be fun too but pricy. There are a ton of options. If your husband doesn't want to do any "cruise " activities, he doesn't have to.

[Anonymous]

Hate Disney cruises. Small, food is not great.

I wouldn't take kids on an Alaska cruise. They're oriented towards older folks.

I'd go on one of the bigger Royal Caribbean ships, regardless of itinerary (prob Carib.). They have the most to do, great food, etc. They changed my mind about cruising.