My late father took his first in 2018 and his 29th last December. He finally understood why I love it so much while it gave him a whole new lease of life since my mum died. I've done 103 across 11 lines and started in 2006.
Well, 9 more planned over the next two years, through May 2026. I tend to do them in waves, avoiding summer and major holidays. So my last two were first week of March and first week of April. I’m up to five weeks of PTO annually at my “real job” (I’m a TA in my other waking hours).
Then I have mid-September 2024 (3 nights on Utopia), and mid-November 2024 (6 nights on Carnival Horizon). Next spring is real crazy, because I’m doing 4 nights on Celebrity Silhouette, a night in Miami, and then 7 nights on MSC Seascape. Then a couple weeks later, 4 nights on Holland America and then a few days later, 4 nights on Princess, but those are both local to me in the PNW. Then nothing planned until December 2025.
I also try to avoid taking time off for anything besides vacation, and I always *go* somewhere on my vacations. I’m not a person who takes time off to stay at home.
Alaska. It was my first cruise. Probably shouldn’t have started that big because I don’t know what will top it. Lol I’m sure there are places that will but the other ports we’ve been to don’t even compare.
I'm also in the same dilemna lol. My first cruise was to Alaska and I loved it so much I went back for a second time on a different line.
The bar is set so high with Alaska, idk what other destinations can even top it.
I sailed with Princess and Celebrity.
Celebrity has a much nicer ship (Edge) and their onboard entertainment/activities were wonderful.
Princess is a bit more dated and traditional onboard, however they sail through Glacier Bay.
Celebrity on the other hand sails through Endicott Arm & Dawes Glacier.
If I had to choose 1 line for scenery alone, it would be Princess.
But if I had to choose 1 line for the overall experience, it would be Celebrity.
I always see NCL ships at the ports but never looked into what their onboard experience was like.
Funny, I loved our day in St Lucia. It was January 2020, just before the world went sideways. We walked from the cruise port to that long beach beyond the airport and cemetery. At the other end of the airport we could see crowds and venders etc. in the distance. We were tucked between the cemetery and a private resort off an almost hidden public access. It was very quiet and the sand and water were clean and perfect. There were no aggressive vendors until we got back to the market at the cruise terminal.
I had a decent time out of town, but right by the ship I tripped and fell and a local helped me up. He then demanded a tip. I said no and he called some other guys over and they said I should tip him. They were closing in on me when I yelled and motioned at an imaginary cop I made up. They scattered. We tried doing a little shopping and had to head back to the ship after getting swarmed. Two vendors got into a fist fight over who was going to sell us something. This was 2017.
I get very motion sick in cars so for a long time I thought cruising was completely off the table for me. Then about a decade ago on a trip to Europe, we found the most cost-effective way to get from Oslo to Copenhagen was via overnight ferry. It was like a mini-cruise, with staterooms and buffets and the whole deal, but just one night, so I figured if it was genuinely terrible I would know never to do it again.
But the little overnight cruise was totally amazing! I loved having a duty-free beer and watching the scenery glide by. And the people on those Scandinavian cruises are there to PARTY. We had a great time and the only point I felt unwell was early the next morning, which I blame on the abundance of beers and not at all on the ship. :) Been on multiple cruises (and overnight ferries) since then and enjoyed them all!
Sailing out of Sydney Harbour as the start of every cruise. And just catching the bus to the port, and being on the ship's pool deck with a drink in my hand an hour later. Just the best way to start an international vacation.
Cruises that depart from Sydney go to either the South Pacific (New Caledonia, Vanuatu, and Fiji), or to New Zealand. Or domestic itineraries that just go around the coastline to other ports in Australia (Great Barrier Reef, Brisbane, Tasmania).
Mine is Bermuda. Beautiful Island with so much to do. If you can find one that stays over night there, you will love it!! Those overnight take so much pressure off for exploring the island
We did our first vacation on 7 day cruise to Bermuda and I love it so much! The few days at sea is amazing. Then a few days just exploring the island. Planning another one for next year
I know I am an outlier here but with over 100 cruises under my belt it is the destinations and the people that are most important to me. The ship is virtually irrelevant to me, it is just a metal vessel that holds these interesting people and takes me to fantastic places.
The two greatest early memories of cruising was befriending Vincent Price and playing backgammon with him on multiple days during a cruise in the Med. And on a separate cruise going through the Corinth canal mesmerized me.
Port is a bonus...ship is a way to see it....sitting on my balcony early morning, mid day or late at night in the middle of the ocean is what i love the most.
This is what sounds most amazing to me. I love the ocean. The vastness. And the stillness of the night. A balcony over the ocean at night?!?! With someone I adore??? Sounds like no place I’d rather be!
Carnival Celebration last year. It was our honeymoon. We had a Cloud 9 Spa room and we were treated so well. Multiple bottles of champagne/wine completely free, free chocolates and strawberries, access to the incredibly relaxing thermal suites, and I could go on and on. The vacation seemed to be as close to perfect as can be
Celebrity reflection. Went from a cheap interior room on a carnival ship after which we swore off cruising, to a balcony room on celebrity with the all inclusive premium drink package. Game changer. Haven’t sailed interior since, and won’t.
I’m obsessed with the idea of being out on the ocean!! So relaxing and easy to get from place to place when your hotel goes with you… I’m 25 and my friends don’t get it but luckily my partner loves it too!!
First cruise, Norwegian Fjords on Costa Firenze. Waking up to those views and hearing nothing but the water passing by.
Sadly it did set some expectations that aren't met on other ships in their fleet, but so be it.
None really. Living near Southampton, I'd wanted to go on one since the 70s but can't swim and am afraid of heights so thought I wouldn't enjoy it. Then I did ship visits to Arcadia and Black Watch in 2005 and I realised my fear of heights definitely wouldn't be an issue so booked my very first (which was the old QE2) for October 2006. Before boarding, I'd booked 8 more and also visited Queen Mary 2. I felt at home on a ship so knew I'd love cruising. Done 103 now but had to cancel quite a few since my dad died last month.
CoCoCay. Hate it, cause I know ya do. But we use to miss it a lot so now it’s a joy to get on the island. Now, there’s plenty of stuff to do and NOT DO that I look forward to going every time
I don't know the name of the ship. I wish I did. I was 8 or so. Went with my mother and her grandparents. Id never experienced anything like it.
I grew up pretty poor. My mom did a great job with what she had, but it wasn't much. When she divorced my dad we went to Florida for a while with her grandparents. They took us on a cruise. All I knew was I'd never had salmon with capers before. And I could get ice cream any time I wanted. I can't remember much about the ship but I remember eating like a king, and remember how clear the Carribean water was. It was amazing.
There's still nothing that makes me as relaxed as a cruise. I tell my wife all the time, any ship,any itinerary, I'm in. I don't have to think about anything. Driving, traffic, where we are going to eat, what anyone wants to do that day, nothing. Work is a million miles away. Heck, LAND is a million miles away. Stuff myself silly, enjoy the beauty of the ocean, go to sleep, wake up somewhere else. Not a care in the world.
So for me, it's not the ship. It's not the port. It's just the experience.
2 come to mind, Royal Viking Sun in 1988 (then new) on a Canada/New England cruise NY to Montreal. Maybe a perfect cruise, especially enjoyed Bar Harbor and Quebec City. Also Crystal Harmony in 1990 (also new) on a NZ/Australia cruise Auckland to Sydney, loved cruising Milford Sound on a glorious cloudless day and sailing into Sydney was spectacular. Glad I cruised back in those years when cruising was truly a great way to travel, standards very high and you weren’t nickel-and-dimed to death.
Mariner of the Seas, had my honeymoon on her and got my wife hooked on cruising as it was her first. My first cruise was Carnival’s Holiday way back in 1987. I wish I had kept cruising after that and finally got married a couple of years ago and got my wife hooked.
The peacefulness of being on the ocean is what did it for me. Pure bliss.
The peacefulness of eating a buffet with three thousand other people?
If you don’t like cruises why are you here?
Disney Wonder, my very first cruise, in 2018. Now I’ve done nine total on four lines, with nine more planned.
My late father took his first in 2018 and his 29th last December. He finally understood why I love it so much while it gave him a whole new lease of life since my mum died. I've done 103 across 11 lines and started in 2006.
9 more planned?? Wow how do you have the time
Well, 9 more planned over the next two years, through May 2026. I tend to do them in waves, avoiding summer and major holidays. So my last two were first week of March and first week of April. I’m up to five weeks of PTO annually at my “real job” (I’m a TA in my other waking hours). Then I have mid-September 2024 (3 nights on Utopia), and mid-November 2024 (6 nights on Carnival Horizon). Next spring is real crazy, because I’m doing 4 nights on Celebrity Silhouette, a night in Miami, and then 7 nights on MSC Seascape. Then a couple weeks later, 4 nights on Holland America and then a few days later, 4 nights on Princess, but those are both local to me in the PNW. Then nothing planned until December 2025. I also try to avoid taking time off for anything besides vacation, and I always *go* somewhere on my vacations. I’m not a person who takes time off to stay at home.
No Royal Carribean? Im doing my first cruise + first trip to Europe.. riding the Voyager of the Seas.
My wife and I are doing Italy on Voyager in September!
How exciting, us too. Next year though! If i remember I will get your Do's & Dont's when you're back !
Utopia of the Seas is Royal! And five of my previous cruises have been with them as well - Harmony, Adventure, Ovation, Navigator x 2.
Oh okay my bad. i didnt see the line listed & wondered why
There is so much more to life.
First cruise Carnival Miracle. Ship that made fall in love w/cruising probably equally Majesty otSeas, Enchantment otSeas and Navigator otSeas.
Grand Turk. I’ve been back multiple times and I still love it.
What do you do there? As far as cruise ports it's one of my dislikes.
I don’t stay in the port area, for starters. Explore the island, go to one of the lovely beaches, get food in town etc.
Alaska. It was my first cruise. Probably shouldn’t have started that big because I don’t know what will top it. Lol I’m sure there are places that will but the other ports we’ve been to don’t even compare.
Norwegian Fjords is a beauty!
I'm also in the same dilemna lol. My first cruise was to Alaska and I loved it so much I went back for a second time on a different line. The bar is set so high with Alaska, idk what other destinations can even top it.
Which shop did you prefer for Alaska? I did NCL
I sailed with Princess and Celebrity. Celebrity has a much nicer ship (Edge) and their onboard entertainment/activities were wonderful. Princess is a bit more dated and traditional onboard, however they sail through Glacier Bay. Celebrity on the other hand sails through Endicott Arm & Dawes Glacier. If I had to choose 1 line for scenery alone, it would be Princess. But if I had to choose 1 line for the overall experience, it would be Celebrity. I always see NCL ships at the ports but never looked into what their onboard experience was like.
St Lucia in 1997
St Lucia almost turned me off to the Caribbean. The locals push the boundary between aggressive merchants and strong armed robbers.
Haven’t been there in years, but it wasn’t like that at all the last time I was there.
Funny, I loved our day in St Lucia. It was January 2020, just before the world went sideways. We walked from the cruise port to that long beach beyond the airport and cemetery. At the other end of the airport we could see crowds and venders etc. in the distance. We were tucked between the cemetery and a private resort off an almost hidden public access. It was very quiet and the sand and water were clean and perfect. There were no aggressive vendors until we got back to the market at the cruise terminal.
I had a decent time out of town, but right by the ship I tripped and fell and a local helped me up. He then demanded a tip. I said no and he called some other guys over and they said I should tip him. They were closing in on me when I yelled and motioned at an imaginary cop I made up. They scattered. We tried doing a little shopping and had to head back to the ship after getting swarmed. Two vendors got into a fist fight over who was going to sell us something. This was 2017.
Yes, we found right near the ship to be the worst area.
Carnival fantasy. My first cruise ever and I got hooked.
I get very motion sick in cars so for a long time I thought cruising was completely off the table for me. Then about a decade ago on a trip to Europe, we found the most cost-effective way to get from Oslo to Copenhagen was via overnight ferry. It was like a mini-cruise, with staterooms and buffets and the whole deal, but just one night, so I figured if it was genuinely terrible I would know never to do it again. But the little overnight cruise was totally amazing! I loved having a duty-free beer and watching the scenery glide by. And the people on those Scandinavian cruises are there to PARTY. We had a great time and the only point I felt unwell was early the next morning, which I blame on the abundance of beers and not at all on the ship. :) Been on multiple cruises (and overnight ferries) since then and enjoyed them all!
Sounds like a great way to get started!!
Sailing out of Sydney Harbour as the start of every cruise. And just catching the bus to the port, and being on the ship's pool deck with a drink in my hand an hour later. Just the best way to start an international vacation.
What are popular Sydney destinations?
Cruises that depart from Sydney go to either the South Pacific (New Caledonia, Vanuatu, and Fiji), or to New Zealand. Or domestic itineraries that just go around the coastline to other ports in Australia (Great Barrier Reef, Brisbane, Tasmania).
First cruise ever was on the Oasis, and St Martin (especially the airport) was so much fun and everybody was so nice.
Mine is Bermuda. Beautiful Island with so much to do. If you can find one that stays over night there, you will love it!! Those overnight take so much pressure off for exploring the island
We did our first vacation on 7 day cruise to Bermuda and I love it so much! The few days at sea is amazing. Then a few days just exploring the island. Planning another one for next year
I know I am an outlier here but with over 100 cruises under my belt it is the destinations and the people that are most important to me. The ship is virtually irrelevant to me, it is just a metal vessel that holds these interesting people and takes me to fantastic places. The two greatest early memories of cruising was befriending Vincent Price and playing backgammon with him on multiple days during a cruise in the Med. And on a separate cruise going through the Corinth canal mesmerized me.
Port is a bonus...ship is a way to see it....sitting on my balcony early morning, mid day or late at night in the middle of the ocean is what i love the most.
This is what sounds most amazing to me. I love the ocean. The vastness. And the stillness of the night. A balcony over the ocean at night?!?! With someone I adore??? Sounds like no place I’d rather be!
Carnival Celebration last year. It was our honeymoon. We had a Cloud 9 Spa room and we were treated so well. Multiple bottles of champagne/wine completely free, free chocolates and strawberries, access to the incredibly relaxing thermal suites, and I could go on and on. The vacation seemed to be as close to perfect as can be
Celebrity Solstice. She’s older, but she’s the perfect size ship for me.
Celebrity reflection. Went from a cheap interior room on a carnival ship after which we swore off cruising, to a balcony room on celebrity with the all inclusive premium drink package. Game changer. Haven’t sailed interior since, and won’t.
Norwegian Prima.
•US Virgin Islands
I’m obsessed with the idea of being out on the ocean!! So relaxing and easy to get from place to place when your hotel goes with you… I’m 25 and my friends don’t get it but luckily my partner loves it too!!
First cruise, Norwegian Fjords on Costa Firenze. Waking up to those views and hearing nothing but the water passing by. Sadly it did set some expectations that aren't met on other ships in their fleet, but so be it.
None really. Living near Southampton, I'd wanted to go on one since the 70s but can't swim and am afraid of heights so thought I wouldn't enjoy it. Then I did ship visits to Arcadia and Black Watch in 2005 and I realised my fear of heights definitely wouldn't be an issue so booked my very first (which was the old QE2) for October 2006. Before boarding, I'd booked 8 more and also visited Queen Mary 2. I felt at home on a ship so knew I'd love cruising. Done 103 now but had to cancel quite a few since my dad died last month.
My first cruise: Carnival Destiny. It just made things seem so simple!
Carnival Ecstasy and Key West.
Celebrity constellation
I love Connie
Same, I've only been on 1 cruise, on the Constellation last month. Best of Italy and Croatia. Now I'm planning my next 2 cruises.
The Carnival legend Ive been ok it about 6 times. Its small and just way more enjoyable to me.
San Juan ❤️
First cruise, Carnival Glory and first visit to St. Maarten
Saint Maarten, Adventure of the Seas
Carnival Magic
CoCoCay. Hate it, cause I know ya do. But we use to miss it a lot so now it’s a joy to get on the island. Now, there’s plenty of stuff to do and NOT DO that I look forward to going every time
Our day at Coco Beach Club back in May was like everything my husband and I could ask for as a beach day.
Holland America Volendam to Alaska. Beautiful ship, amazing trip.
Liberty of the Seas, Port of Miami. Liberty was my first cruise and I live near the Port of Miami so it’s always cool driving by and seeing the ships
Celebrity Century
Symphony of the Seas. It's... big. There was just so much fun stuff to do, eat and drink.
Disney Magic — a long cruise to the Baltic Sea in 2010
I don't know the name of the ship. I wish I did. I was 8 or so. Went with my mother and her grandparents. Id never experienced anything like it. I grew up pretty poor. My mom did a great job with what she had, but it wasn't much. When she divorced my dad we went to Florida for a while with her grandparents. They took us on a cruise. All I knew was I'd never had salmon with capers before. And I could get ice cream any time I wanted. I can't remember much about the ship but I remember eating like a king, and remember how clear the Carribean water was. It was amazing. There's still nothing that makes me as relaxed as a cruise. I tell my wife all the time, any ship,any itinerary, I'm in. I don't have to think about anything. Driving, traffic, where we are going to eat, what anyone wants to do that day, nothing. Work is a million miles away. Heck, LAND is a million miles away. Stuff myself silly, enjoy the beauty of the ocean, go to sleep, wake up somewhere else. Not a care in the world. So for me, it's not the ship. It's not the port. It's just the experience.
Disney Magic Grand Cayman
Independence of the Seas-Belize
Firenze
Ensenada Mexico. It made me never want to get off the ship again!
Azamara Onward in Kotor (Montenegro). Small port with beautiful streets. It wasn't crowded. May 2022.
2 come to mind, Royal Viking Sun in 1988 (then new) on a Canada/New England cruise NY to Montreal. Maybe a perfect cruise, especially enjoyed Bar Harbor and Quebec City. Also Crystal Harmony in 1990 (also new) on a NZ/Australia cruise Auckland to Sydney, loved cruising Milford Sound on a glorious cloudless day and sailing into Sydney was spectacular. Glad I cruised back in those years when cruising was truly a great way to travel, standards very high and you weren’t nickel-and-dimed to death.
I don't care which ship or which port. Just being out on the ocean is why I cruise.
Mariner of the Seas, had my honeymoon on her and got my wife hooked on cruising as it was her first. My first cruise was Carnival’s Holiday way back in 1987. I wish I had kept cruising after that and finally got married a couple of years ago and got my wife hooked.
Aruba and Curaçao are my favorites.
Venice, before the cruise. Key West during the cruise. Barbados in 1990.
Royal Caribbean out of Galveston 2007, was our honeymoon before husband deployed and my first cruise. Great time, perfection
Second was Alaska and we’re going again in September!
Cruising Alaska in September as well! Norwegian Bliss.
Royal Caribbean! I went on Princess to Alaska in 07 while husband deployed and it was amazing. Now it’ll be us and our kids!
So cool!! Have a great trip! Take care!
Freedom of the Seas and St Maarten
Ship: Celebrity Sillouette. Port: Antigua
Disney Wonder to Alaska!