2)I enjoy a range of different holidays (vacations)! However the sea and ships dohave a charm all of their own.

I prefer cruising because I get more bang for my buck. It is also the closest form instant gratification in terms of vacation venues I can think of. I don't have to deal with traffic, maps, itineraries... I just buy my ticket and show up. The biggest decisions are what to eat and wear.

Other than health care costs for my pets, cruising is it. The house is in good shape and paid for, I have a newish car also paid for. Just can't think of anything else I'd spend my money on.

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Originally posted by Ryndam:
1) Generally speaking, why do you like travelling?

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2) Why do you prefer cruising against other types of vacations?

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I like the ships themselves not just as a means of transport/bed for the night, so if feasible I choose a trip with a nice ship. But this wouldn't have to be a 'cruise' ship, I don't need all the entertainment, shops etc, just food and open deck.

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3) Have you ever considered buying something instead spending money for a cruise?

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I buy different holidays, touring, skiing etc yes, but if you mean do I buy a new set of drapes, or remodel the kitchen instead of having a cruise or another type of holiday, the answer is no Memories of good times are not in the kitchen, but on the high seas or a distant land. Judging by the number of friends who forego an annual holiday for a new kitchen, I suspect many disagree with me.
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2]
Some people will never take a cruise no matter what. Some get seasick at the slightest vibration. Many are afraid of getting locked up with 1000-2000 people they may hate for 7 days. How many of you have had table mates you could not stand? You can always leave a resort. Many do not understand that a ship is a floating city with many many activities.
I can do about 7 days.

Many people do not want a regimented time limit in ports. Some want to change itinerary on the spur of the moment. Travelling on your pwn makes it easier to meet locals who are not connected with the tourist industry.

For myself, I would not want to cruise Europe. I like to explore the great cities by myself at my own pace. Finding my own hotel and meals helps me absorb the culture. Using maps to get around is a fun game.
Much of Europe that interests me is inland.

The Carribean islands I have little interest in except for the beaches and some natural fauna which can be done in a day. St Thomas to me is the Asbury Park of the Carribean, especially when descended upon by 15,000 cruise passengers at once. Martinique has a beautiful rainforest, Aruba landscape is surreal. The New England Canadian coast is close enough by car for me on an in-depth tour. However, I enjoy it by ship as well.

My cruise desires are just to enjoy the water and the feel of a classic liner.
Wood, brass, and etched glass have a scent of their own, especially when aged.
Sheer, camber and the other quirks put me in a ZEN mode. Nothing like sitting on the foredeck seeing, smelling, and hearing the ocean while de-fragmenting the hard drive in my head. The rocking motions help me sleep. I do not gamble, care little for Elvis impersonators, hate kareoke, and dislike shopping malls-floating or land based.

I would like cruis ships to be a floating 'off-broadway' for up and coming entertainers.

When visiting LA, I always stay at the Queen Mary. Nothing like ending your day and waking up to the Mahogany, brass and birds-eye maple that adorns the staterooms. She relaxes me-even though she is immobile.

A cruise is appropriate for a certain type of vacation:-turn off the world and not lift a finger, shop till you drop, and eat till you burst.

For the more adventurous kind of traveler who does not require luxury for enjoyment and does not get bent out of shape by lack of structure or surprises:

Driving across America in a convertible, especially the 'big sky country' of the West or Eurailpassing through Europe are both institutions.

Modern cars have comfortable seats with many adjustments, so the hours go by in a blink. The European trains are a good way to meet the locals and other travelers from all over the world.

For either Europe or America, it is the best way to see those places, meet the people and absorb the culture.

I alternate vacations: Backpack Europe, drive the American West, and cruise a classic liner.

3] Travelling is a major priority for me. The memories and influences are there forever. Buying stuff just remains in my closets when the novelty wears off.

Your first question, re: traveling, sums up our travel desires, which I, have happily shared with my wife for almost fifty years. Your second questions may be summed up as "second best."

We like traveling by ship. Not specifically "cruising." We took a "Cruise" on "le France" and bemoaned the time we spent at shlocky Caribbean islands - the ship was the experience.

We traveled by MM Ships ("Cambodge," "Laos," et "Vietnam") on leaves from our service in Southeast Asia, whenever we could.

We enjoyed the beauty of coming into Colombo, mid the dhows; of creeping into Hong Kong on a foggy morning (see Midships Lounge entry); and coming up Manila Bay past Corrigidor and envisioning the battle there.

On "le France," we enjoyed steaming proudly of of Le Harve under the Tricolor as the sound system played Napoleonic Music!

We traveled QE2 until we were priced out of their market. Transatlantic only!!

Most recently we sailed on "Rembrandt" and had booked again when it was removed from service. Yes, it was a 'cruise," but it was also a proud ship!

Destinations? No. Travel on a real ship? Emphatically yes.

My definiton of a real ship is that it must have a real fantail, where one can watch the sea birds dive into the following waves in the ship's wake, and watch them all the way to the horizon.

We care not for the "entertainment" offered by the floating shoeboxes of today.

But, on the " le Vietnam" on a memorable moonlit night, while crossing the Bay of Bengal, we, the passengers, danced on the hatch covers, to the ship's (not great) record player. "Le Capitaine" prefered tangos - eh bien. And a young Vietnamese-French ship's officer did the "Java" in a way that we had only seen in films of the Left Bank. Wow. Now that's ship'e entertainment!!

And there is something about the passengers gathering at the rail to try to catch the "green flash" at sunset; sailing silently on the South China Sea under a full moon and watching the reflections of silvery flying fishes as they broke from the bow wave and glided for what seemed to be hundreds of feet; and so much, much more.

And from nights on tropic seas to North Atlantic storms, we consider this mode to be the best expenditure of our admittedly limited fiscal resources that has ever taken place! No other "vacations" can compare

But it was fun, far better than the stale comedians and "Las Vegas-type" entertainment which seem to be de rigeur worldwide, I fear.

Maybe we can do it again some day. But if not....?

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Originally posted by PamM:
Pam..who desperately needs a new fireplace, but just booked another short cruise instead

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To see new places and meet interesting people.

2) Why do you prefer cruising against other types of vacations?

It's the only vacation where you can be waited on hand and foot, set your own pace, relax when the mood takes you or participate in the many activities available on board.

Once on board you hang up your clothes - no thoughts of packing until the last night. It's the only way to go!

Invariable you can dine well and I don't have to worry about food shopping, preparation and clean up!

3) Have you ever considered buying something instead spending money for a cruise?

(2) Cruising is cost effective. Land-based vacations are more costly: hotels, food, transportation and entertainment. I also dislike packing and unpacking multiple times. Also, when you're out at sea and can't see any land, you are removed from everything; there is nothing you can do about anything.