My hubby and I have never been on a cruise. And he doesn't want to go on one. He doesn't like to be surrounded by people and he likes to be able to do a lot of physical activities like hiking.

Any recommendations that he may like?

I'd suggest picking a cruiseline with smaller ships--like Windjammer or Oceania. You can always plan your own port days and do the kinds of things he likes.

I'm leaving in one week to take a Lindblad cruise. We're going to see the windward isles of the Caribbean, starting in St. John's, Antigua. The sailing ship is called The Sea Cloud II. It's longer than a football field but they only sail with a maximum of 80 passengers. They say the service and the food is top drawer. I like the idea of the tiny ports of call we'll be visiting.

I'll be writing a trip report. I'm so excited! Based on everything I've read so far about this trip, I think it may be the type of cruise for you. We'll soon see!

To see where they go, click on the pull down menu that says, "All Destinations"

http://www.expeditions.com/expeditio...xpeditions.asp

If you are USAA members, you might start with a 2'Fer on the Clipper Cruise Line: we did 2 of their USAA specials on the 130 pax Yorktown Clipper to Panama/Costa Rica and the Caribbean: both wonderful; VG food and all inclusive "tours".
Just booked first large ship Celebrity Millennium 3 May from Barcelona.
M

Hate to be negative but if he doesn't want to go why make him? Cruises are somewhat unique with similar characteristics. While there can be a wide variety of activities, a lot of the things are same except for scale. If you want a cruise find some family or friends.
Good luck, Frank

If looking for a main line "cheaper" option- go to Alaska, the scenery is endless, plenty of hiking options and active tours to consider. Unlike the layed back sailings of the Caribbean, on the regular line, which seem to be out for his priorities??

You can try shorter cruises, like 3,4 or 5 days at the most. Sometimes people think they dislike something till they try it. Then again he might really decide he dislikes even more than he thinks. Some people are just reluctant to try anything new, then they do and they are sorry they didn't try it sooner. One never knows. At any rate the new NCL has a 5 day the end of Jan. It is a brand new ship, he may be enthralled by it who knows. I would choose a newer ship by all means. When the ship docks go on hiking itineraries that would interest him. Best of luck.

IMO, shorter cruises are the worst of the lot, as you do not get a feel for cruising, nor get to know the personality of the line.

I agree that Alaska might be a choice for a physical cruise vacation. Also, the Southern Caribbean is port intensive with many high energy activities (sailing, scuba, rain forest hikes, etc) available,

Star Clippers offer a personal cruising vacation on a sailing yacht. Informal yet good quality and he can help crew if he chooses. Could be a good option.

Otherwise, I would avoid the newer ships that are packed with people and toys like rock climbing etc. I prefer small myself and there are lots of options out there for every budget and taste.

I agree that short cruises are a bit hectic, and most of the ships are tubs. Exception is the Enchantment...but I wouldn't put him on those old ones. My husband and I are active...I used to do triathlons...and thought we'd hate cruising, but it's the very opposite. We still take European hiking trips and other trips, but love our annual cruises. We dance a lot, work out in the great gyms, eat healthy and when we go to islands, we research where to go swim, snorkel and hike. St John, for example, is mostly National Park and has lots of trails. Cruising isn't just about shopping, buffets and broadway shows! We really enjoy the freedom of not driving, planning, etc and spending time sitting on the balcony having lunch, sipping wine, watching sunsets,etc. We also take an hour "power walk" on the Promenade deck...a great way to be active and enjoy the ocean, too!

Rizzo, I'm a firm believer in the best cruises being those where you are never out of sight of land! So I take river cruises.

My recommendation is to check out the 750 7 night cruise between Saigon in Vietnam and Siem Reap in Cambodia. The cruises are excellent and offered by pandaw Cruises. They operate in both directions.

Each day there are on-shore excursions, which will suit your husband's desire to walk/hike. There are generally two per day. They are best described as "soft" adventure.

The accommodation on board the vessels, which have an old world atmosphere despite being modern, is outstanding.

The cuisine is first class, and together with most drinks with the exception of imported wines, spirits and beers, are included in the cruise cost.

In Siem Reap your husband can hike to his heart's content around the fabulous ruins of Angkor, surely one of the world's great wonders.

I have a trip report about the cruise at http://www.independenttraveler.com/t...258&page=1

Email me if you have any questions. The same company also does 12 and 20+ night cruises along the Irrawaddy River in Burma/Myanmar (I'm doing one of them next year).

Whoops..make that 750 kilometer 7-night etc etc. Incidentally, the cvruise is undertaken by many Americans. On my trip about 50 percent of the 57 passengers were from the United States. And when you are not on-shore (the excursions generally acount for about 4 hours of your daylight hours) the sundeck is large enough (about 60 metres) to spread out and not feel you are living in one another's laps. And there's a saloon (rarely used, so very quiet) and the cabins are large enough to relax in and read.

And you have the wonderful slice of Indo China life to marvel at on each bank as you cruise (the river is very wide...and I'd estimate it to vary from several miles, near the delta, to 1/4 mile the further you cruise upstream. There is ALWAYS something new and exciting to see.

Whoops again.... www.pandaw.com