# Why do people take cruise ship vacations over and over again? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [February 8, 2017, 1:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-people-take-cruise-ship-vacations-over-and-over-again/779292 "2017-02-08T01:17:15Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Mr\_Quatro](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/bc8723/32.png) [@Mr\_Quatro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mr_Quatro)\ **Post date:** [February 8, 2017, 1:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-people-take-cruise-ship-vacations-over-and-over-again/779292/1 "2017-02-08T01:17:15Z")
Do they enjoy them that much? Do they really give you a rest? Does the 5k to 10k missing in your bank account hurt? Do you like the staff waiting on you? Do you lose money in the casino? Do you really enjoy the modern huge cruise ship experience with it’s shopping malls and restaurants? Is sex better at sea? Come on you can tell me that much, right? ---
**Author:** ![Der\_Trihs](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/der_trihs/32/233_2.png) [@Der\_Trihs](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Der_Trihs)\ **Post date:** [February 8, 2017, 1:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-people-take-cruise-ship-vacations-over-and-over-again/779292/2 "2017-02-08T01:20:52Z")
Given that airplanes are _much_ faster, the only reason to take a cruise ship instead is if you like the experience of being on one. So it makes sense that someone who likes being on a cruise ship would go on one over and over. Some people even retire to a cruise ship. ---
**Author:** ![Count\_Blucher](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/c5a1d2/32.png) [@Count\_Blucher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Count_Blucher)\ **Post date:** [February 8, 2017, 1:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-people-take-cruise-ship-vacations-over-and-over-again/779292/3 "2017-02-08T01:28:46Z")
Sleeping on a quiet ship over calm seas can be very restful… but yeah. Too expensive. ---
**Author:** ![snfaulkner](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/snfaulkner/32/433_2.png) [@snfaulkner](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/snfaulkner)\ **Post date:** [February 8, 2017, 1:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-people-take-cruise-ship-vacations-over-and-over-again/779292/4 "2017-02-08T01:30:34Z")
> [@Mr\_Quatro](#): > > Do they enjoy them that much? I don’t I’d qualify as “again and again” but I’ve been on a few and I’d go again. > [@](#): > > Do they really give you a rest? Sure, if you want them to. > [@](#): > > Does the 5k to 10k missing in your bank account hurt? I would say yes to this but i haven’t had a bank account in over a decade. Also, you can do it for a lot less. Also, most of the cruises I’ve been on were gifts, which made the “worth it” factor very high. > [@](#): > > Do you like the staff waiting on you? Sure, it’s cool. But not anything I really care about > [@](#): > > Do you lose money in the casino? Yes. Yes I did. > [@](#): > > Do you really enjoy the modern huge cruise ship > experience with it’s shopping malls and restaurants? Restaurants, yes. Shopping malls can all go to hell, on land OR sea (or air? space?) > [@](#): > > Is sex better at sea? Come on you can tell me that much, right? Not sure about “better”, but certainly more likely to happen. ---
**Author:** ![SpoilerVirgin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/4491bb/32.png) [@SpoilerVirgin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SpoilerVirgin)\ **Post date:** [February 8, 2017, 1:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-people-take-cruise-ship-vacations-over-and-over-again/779292/5 "2017-02-08T01:33:50Z")
> [@Mr\_Quatro](#): > > Do they enjoy them that much? I’ve only been on one cruise, but I would really like to go on another. > [@](#): > > Do they really give you a rest? Absolutely. Not only are you away from your daily routine, but if you just want to sit out on your balcony and read, or lie in the sun by the pool all day, there’s nothing stopping you. > [@](#): > > Does the 5k to 10k missing in your bank account hurt? Well the one I went on was paid for, but I would consider it a good way to spend my saved up vacation fund. > [@](#): > > Do you like the staff waiting on you? I don’t remember much staff waiting on me, other than having general housekeeping service, and waiters in the fancier restaurants. I guess I liked it as much as I like going to a restaurant or staying in a hotel. > [@](#): > > Do you lose money in the casino? No. I don’t like to gamble, and never went to the casino. > [@](#): > > Do you really enjoy the modern huge cruise ship > experience with it’s shopping malls and restaurants? Yes! I love shopping, so the mall experience was great. Even though I didn’t buy much, I enjoyed window shopping ( I felt the same way about the shopping arcades in the big Las Vegas hotels). I don’t each much, so restaurants aren’t that big a deal for me, but it was nice to have so much choice within easy reach, much of it at no additional charge. > [@](#): > > Is sex better at sea? Come on you can tell me that much, right? I wish I could tell, but that was one experience I missed. ---
**Author:** ![Shagnasty](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/9dc877/32.png) [@Shagnasty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shagnasty)\ **Post date:** [February 8, 2017, 1:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-people-take-cruise-ship-vacations-over-and-over-again/779292/6 "2017-02-08T01:52:34Z")
I have never been on a cruise and doubt I ever will but I know a whole lot of people that love them. I noticed a huge overlap between them and the people that like all-inclusive resorts, prepackaged attractions and lots of food. That is really all they are except they change locations. Of course, I am talking about the really large cruise ships that are floating hotels/restaurants/malls. There are lots of specialty cruises as well. I probably would like one of the special interest academic lecture ones or a European river cruise on a small ship. You are not ever going to catch me standing in line with several thousand other people just to get a tiny cabin and endless buffets though. > **[New Royal Caribbean Cruise Just 12-Day Buffet On Floor Of Empty Dockside...](https://www.theonion.com/new-royal-caribbean-cruise-just-12-day-buffet-on-floor-1819578766)** > > MIAMI—Telling members of the media Wednesday that the all-inclusive package has already proven popular with American vacationers, Royal Caribbean International discussed the launch last month of its newest cruise, a 12-day-long continuous buffet set... ---
**Author:** ![Balthisar](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/balthisar/32/2825_2.png) [@Balthisar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Balthisar)\ **Post date:** [February 8, 2017, 1:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-people-take-cruise-ship-vacations-over-and-over-again/779292/7 "2017-02-08T01:53:51Z")
How are all of you people getting paid-for cruises? I’ve decided that I’ll never pay for a cruise (no free booze like a resort, can’t even bring your own), but if someone comped one, I’d be game. Edit: because of the near simulpost, I’m reminded that I’ve been on a river cruise that I paid for, but it was in China and included booze and I could bring anything I wanted on. So, good attitudes on the cruise company’s part. ---
**Author:** ![snoe](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/43a26b/32.png) [@snoe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/snoe)\ **Post date:** [February 8, 2017, 1:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-people-take-cruise-ship-vacations-over-and-over-again/779292/8 "2017-02-08T01:54:41Z")
David Foster Wallace wrote an excellent essay about cruising (heh) that comes down against the practice but also addresses some positives. [https://harpers.org/wp-content/uploads/2008/09/HarpersMagazine-1996-01-0007859.pdf](https://harpers.org/wp-content/uploads/2008/09/HarpersMagazine-1996-01-0007859.pdf) Myself? I like exploring a floating hotel that’s also going somewhere I get to explore. I like eating all I want, when I want, at no extra charge. I like having decent coffee on tap at all hours. I like looking out at the ocean, trying to spot dolphins or bears or whatever. Cruising is like a trip to the spa, I think. You aren’t going to do or see as much as you would on a regular vacation, but by committing yourself to that limitation, you also remove the pressure to do and see a lot. ---
**Author:** ![suranyi](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/e36b37/32.png) [@suranyi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/suranyi)\ **Post date:** [February 8, 2017, 2:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-people-take-cruise-ship-vacations-over-and-over-again/779292/9 "2017-02-08T02:16:27Z")
> [@Balthisar](#): > > How are all of you people getting paid-for cruises? I’ve decided that I’ll never pay for a cruise (no free booze like a resort, can’t even bring your own), but if someone comped one, I’d be game. > > Edit: because of the near simulpost, I’m reminded that I’ve been on a river cruise that I paid for, but it was in China and included booze and I could bring anything I wanted on. So, good attitudes on the cruise company’s part. Well, in my case my dad is 85 years old and loves cruises. So he regularly spends money to take us with him. He figures we’re going to inherit his money anyway so we all may as well enjoy it together while he’s still alive. We really enjoy them. They can be relaxing, but they are also a way to see multiple places while sleeping in the same room every night. ---
**Author:** ![The\_Stainless\_Steel\_Rat](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/the_stainless_steel_rat/32/5727_2.png) [@The\_Stainless\_Steel\_Rat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Stainless_Steel_Rat)\ **Post date:** [February 8, 2017, 2:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-people-take-cruise-ship-vacations-over-and-over-again/779292/10 "2017-02-08T02:29:03Z")
I’ve probably been on over a dozen cruises, from 40-passenger ships (Galapagos) to 160,000 ton behemoths that would make the _Titanic_ look like a tugboat. And come June, I’m taking another one. > [@Mr\_Quatro](#): > > Do they enjoy them that much? Obviously. But I enjoy the most recent (at least the last half-dozen) because I am with a group of friends (20-30 depending on the trip) so there is time for socializing and fun with the group. > [@](#): > > Do they really give you a rest? Yes. You can watch TV these days or use wifi, but if you really don’t want to know what is happening in the world for 6-8 days, it’s easy to do. And lying around and/or eating at your leisure is something most people don’t get to do much, and should do more, IMHO (I’m retired now, so leisure time is not a problem). But yeah, they are restful. > [@](#): > > Does the 5k to 10k missing in your bank account hurt? Never had a cruise cost me $10K; I admit some of the specialty cruises get closer to the $5K, but those are like the Galapagos, small ships and/or longer trips. As I mentioned above, I’m going on a 7-night Baltic cruise this June from Stockholm, airfare plus stateroom (w/balcony) is running me about $2,700. There are definitely cheaper options, too. > [@](#): > > Do you like the staff waiting on you? Who doesn’t? 🆒 Seriously, the only time you really notice it is either at dinner, where service is top-class, or seeing just how fast your room gets cleaned and changed. > [@](#): > > Do you lose money in the casino? I’ve donated a dollar or two, but the games are often ‘cheap’ ($5 minumum blackjack) and seldom crowded. Gamblers can find plenty of action on land, so the gambling is mostly for folks enjoying some ‘on the town’ time. Big thing is that there is no pressure to play and the casinos are usually closed whenever the ship is in port or within the 12-mile limit. > [@](#): > > Do you really enjoy the modern huge cruise ship experience with it’s shopping malls and restaurants? To me it’s not the matter of what’s on the ship (albeit there is much more than gambling and shopping), it’s where they can take me. I’ve been to Istanbul (not Constantinople), Ephesus, Israel, the Galapagos Islands, Sydney, New Calendonia, and this upcoming trip will allow me to get to Tallin, Helsinki, and St. Petersburg (only place in all of Russia I want to see). Now sure, I could set up a land tour or ‘rough it’ myself, but a ship gives you a center to work from, guidance on going ashore, and tours (in Russia, you must be on an approved tour) which you can take or leave depending on your interests. > [@](#): > > Is sex better at sea? Come on you can tell me that much, right? What happens at sea remains at sea… Everybody to their own preference, but I like the quite, the wide range of activities (and food), the various and different ports (and food), the companionship of good friends (while eating food), and see places I’ve never been before (did I mention the food?). IMHO as always. YMMV. ---
**Author:** ![Oglomott](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/oglomott/32/3543_2.png) [@Oglomott](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Oglomott)\ **Post date:** [February 8, 2017, 3:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-people-take-cruise-ship-vacations-over-and-over-again/779292/11 "2017-02-08T03:05:06Z")
I know lots of people who absolutely love cruises, and some go on several a year. I’ve been on a few, mostly to make the wife happy, but I myself couldn’t care less about them. After a couple of days I’ve had enough. I personally don’t care about being waited on; I would be just as happy eating at the buffet for every meal, but wife prefers the fancy dinners; I especially hate the “dress” dinners. I do play the slots a little, but I have never won. There’s always hoards of people moving around like cattle, the elevators are always packed with people; the ship is basically a large floating petrie dish of germs. Last cruise both me and wife got sick as dogs. ---
**Author:** ![ataraxy22](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ataraxy22/32/307_2.png) [@ataraxy22](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ataraxy22)\ **Post date:** [February 8, 2017, 3:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-people-take-cruise-ship-vacations-over-and-over-again/779292/12 "2017-02-08T03:22:56Z")
They sound dreadfully tedious to me. I like planning my trips down to the smallest details, and having that all served up to me, and sticking me on a boat with thousands of other annoying American tourists is my idea of hell. ---
**Author:** ![kopek](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kopek/32/337_2.png) [@kopek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kopek)\ **Post date:** [February 8, 2017, 3:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-people-take-cruise-ship-vacations-over-and-over-again/779292/13 "2017-02-08T03:23:30Z")
I have a couple cousins who go on at least one a year; usually 7-10 days. I think they would cite all the reasons basically pointed out in the OP plus another: because they can. Both work pretty hard, are up there in years (60s and 70s), don’t have kids to build huge estates for, and just get a kick out of the entire experience. It isn’t my thing - the closest I come to even be tempted would be something like the American Queen from Pittsburgh or New Orleans or something like that - but I can’t find any fault in their reasoning or desire to take all the cruises they do. ---
**Author:** ![Wesley\_Clark](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wesley_clark/32/20581_2.png) [@Wesley\_Clark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wesley_Clark)\ **Post date:** [February 8, 2017, 3:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-people-take-cruise-ship-vacations-over-and-over-again/779292/14 "2017-02-08T03:30:36Z")
5-10k? I bought a mexican cruise for about $450 and that was I believe 4 or 5 nights. When you factor it out, that is less than $100 a day for food and shelter (I was sharing an internal room with someone though). Either way, cruises aren’t bad if the destinations aren’t bad. The ship itself gets boring although the food is good. ---
**Author:** ![drachillix](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/48db29/32.png) [@drachillix](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/drachillix)\ **Post date:** [February 8, 2017, 3:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-people-take-cruise-ship-vacations-over-and-over-again/779292/15 "2017-02-08T03:40:34Z")
> [@Wesley\_Clark](#): > > Either way, cruises aren’t bad if the destinations aren’t bad. The ship itself gets boring although the food is good. I have been on 3…im not sure how you get bored unless you are a total introvert. I personally only got to do about 1/3 of what I wanted to do and barely got off the boat in port. ---
**Author:** ![snfaulkner](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/snfaulkner/32/433_2.png) [@snfaulkner](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/snfaulkner)\ **Post date:** [February 8, 2017, 3:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-people-take-cruise-ship-vacations-over-and-over-again/779292/16 "2017-02-08T03:43:25Z")
Yeah, I find the ports to be a pointless interruption of my calm sailing/boozing/gambling. ---
**Author:** ![SaharaTea](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/e9a140/32.png) [@SaharaTea](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SaharaTea)\ **Post date:** [February 8, 2017, 3:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-people-take-cruise-ship-vacations-over-and-over-again/779292/17 "2017-02-08T03:53:34Z")
My parents went on many cruises after retirement, including Alaska, Europe, West Africa & the Amazon. They were perfect for my dad because he wanted to see more of the world, but he didn’t get around all that well. They went on shore excursions as they pleased, joined group activities as they pleased and met some really cool people. ---
**Author:** ![pidgeon92](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/50afbb/32.png) [@pidgeon92](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pidgeon92)\ **Post date:** [February 8, 2017, 3:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-people-take-cruise-ship-vacations-over-and-over-again/779292/18 "2017-02-08T03:53:43Z")
It’s been a few years since I’ve been on one, but for a while we were taking 1 or 2 per year. It’s nice to visit a number of places without having to change your hotel or repack your bags. Sitting on the deck is very relaxing. Going to the dining room for a good dinner every night is something I find very appealing. The staffs on the various ships we’ve been on have been very friendly and attentive. Our favorite ships were the Disney ships. Exceptionally clean and inviting, with very good food and adult only areas. ---
**Author:** ![Wesley\_Clark](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wesley_clark/32/20581_2.png) [@Wesley\_Clark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wesley_Clark)\ **Post date:** [February 8, 2017, 4:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-people-take-cruise-ship-vacations-over-and-over-again/779292/19 "2017-02-08T04:28:14Z")
> [@drachillix](#): > > I have been on 3…im not sure how you get bored unless you are a total introvert. I personally only got to do about 1/3 of what I wanted to do and barely got off the boat in port. I took carnival, I wasn’t too impressed by their on board entertainment. The food was good, but unless you wanted to read a book in the sun there wasn’t much else to do. I don’t like gambling myself so I didn’t do that. ---
**Author:** ![China\_Guy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/779978/32.png) [@China\_Guy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/China_Guy)\ **Post date:** [February 8, 2017, 4:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-people-take-cruise-ship-vacations-over-and-over-again/779292/20 "2017-02-08T04:46:00Z")
I went on one to Alaska and one on the Yangzi 3 gorges. Might possibly go on another one to say the Greek Islands but that’s about the only one I think I’d want to do. Food was not great, and I felt like it was a cattle call at every port of call. And its hard to do anything except the most obvious touristy stuff at the port of call. Plus they charge an arm and a leg for booze. It isn’t for me. It also seems like there are often 2 days of just crusiing. On the other hand, my wife kinda liked it. If anyone is going to do the Alaska cruise. I would recommend going just one way and making sure that way includes the iceburgs. Do the land few days on your own or part of a tour in Alaska. IIRC it was a day and a half from seattle to the first port of call. And the return was not much better. I’ve been to 3 all inclusive resorts. These are great for kids, whereas a cruise is not. You get to see a lot more of where you’re based out of. Food is better and the alcohol is included. A bit of “authentic” local interaction versus a cruise. It’s way touristy but several degrees less than a cruise. Plus, for me, being able to just walk down to the beach 24 / 7 in the middle of winter in shorts has a lot of value. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-people-take-cruise-ship-vacations-over-and-over-again/779292.md?page=2)