cherylforeurope

Just wondering how those of you who love Europe (especially if from the US) feel about cruises. I have family members and co-workers who think they are the "be all and end all"...however most of them have never been to Europe! No thank you! I have no interest in doing any of the activites on a ship and if I wanted to see the Caribbean, Cozumel, etc., etc., I would do so without the ship. Give me Europe anytime over a cruise.

Anyone else feel this way?

michellen

I'm with ya!

SiobhanP

Personally 2 weeks on a boat is my idea of hell...saying that I am coming round to the idea of a cruise some freinds took recebtly for ten days starting in Barcelona and went round the med to St Tropez, Monaco, Italy etc and back to Barcelona. that actually sounded nice and different at each stop. I hate the idea of not beine able to leave somewhere and being stuck on a boat weith the same old same old. I might the Med one as i live here now in Ireland. My American pals also rave about carribean cruises its just does nothing for me

kangamom

Oh, I hate cruises too for so many reasons...

Robespierre

Cruising <u>to</u> Europe is good, if you have the time. Doing nothing for five or six days before and after a few weeks on the ground is relaxing. It also flattens the jet lag issue totally.

<i>I'd no more opt for one kind of travel than drink only one kind of wine.</i>

wnab1q

Been on one and that was one too many.

cantstayhome

I've had no interest whatsoever in cruises until recently I've started to feel some mild curiosity. I view it as an opportunity to spend time with family or friends (I don't think I would do it with just us) and see a variety of places so that I can determine where I want to go back for extended visits. It just doesn't strike me personally as a be all end all kind of thing, but to each his or her own.

For those who love it and don't want to go to Europe, good stay on the cruise and leave more space open for me!

Barbara_in_CT

I wouldn't go on a Caribbean cruise if it were free. The Mediteranean holds no interest either. But, the cruise on the Yorktown Clipper from Juneau on the inside passage was another story: no casino's, no formal nights, no glity entertainment. I felt like I was a guest on a friend's yacht. The scenery, while cruising, was magnificent. The port stops were filled with history.

We're taking a chance on the Hurtigruten in 2007.

wally34949

I hate cruises. I've considered a Mediterian cruise, but with so many good restaurants in Europe, why eat on a boat.

However, when I get old--NEVER--and when I get fat--NEVER--or when I loose my sense of adventure--NEVER--I will consider a cruise.

Besides, alcohol is more expensive on the ship.

Poohgirl

I enjoy cruises, but I enjoy traveling abroad more. I've only spent seven days at the most on a cruise, though, and both times were in the Caribbean.

AnnMarie_C

We have no desire to take a cruise--DH and I don't understand the appeal.

cherylforeurope

Glad to hear it's not just me! I should add I would consider...consider...one in Alaska.

Statia

I've never been on a cruise, and don't have a lot of desire to go on one. I think I would feel jilted on the time I'm allotted in each port/city. I prefer to spend more than one day exploring the places that I visit.

grsing

I might be interested in a cruise around Alaska, I've heard those are pretty cool, and probably one of the better ways to see a lot of the state, but the typical Caribbean cruise, no thanks. Unless I'm sailing a boat myself, that would be pretty cool.

bookchick

I don't have a particular desire to take one, mostly because, as other posters have stated, being &quot;stuck&quot; on a boat doesn't appeal to me. Having said that, my best friend sailed over to Europe on the QEII probably 25 years ago, and LOVED it! She said it was very relaxing--the rest of her trip was much more activity-filled because she was joining her spouse in France for a professional conference at which he was speaking, and activities had been &quot;mapped out&quot; for them once they'd arrived. The &quot;inland passage&quot; cruise to Alaska is one I've considred because the scenery is supposed to be stunning. After having heard those stories of folks becoming ill on cruise ships, I've decided I'm better off continuing to travel as I do.

But...to each their own, and it takes all kinds to make a world!

BC

Underhill

It's possible to see quite a lot of Europe by way of a river cruise, a very interesting and relaxing way to travel. You can cruise the Rhine and the Danube, visiting towns along the river, and go as far as the Black Sea.

StCirq

Maybe when I'm 90.....

tripgirl

No desire here either. I'm a real hotel gal, so I need to stay in great hotels. I also don't want to be wedded to ship cuisine. Need to get out and explore without having the deadline to be back on the ship. no interest in ship activites or ship shops. Need to stay among the locals.

With that said, I think I might go on QE2 or on the opposite end of that a really upscale, intimate ship. But if I had a choice between that and a fabulous trip elsewhere, I think I still might opt for staying on land.

Did one cruise years back to the Bahamas, oh my, yucko!!!!Talk about &quot;lounge lizards&quot; !!!!!!!!

annw

Those big boats advertised with &quot;FUN FUN FUN&quot; cruises in the Carribean,etc. no way.

Small Alaska cruise boat, or Panama Canal cruise through, or Greek island hopping, probably.

River cruises or barging, absolutely.

Tiff

I'm on board with ya Cheryl, or lack there of actually.

&quot;No&quot; for us on cruises for multiple reasons.

With that said however, we too have thought of Alaska, and have heard many a good thing said about those cruises. Maybe someday, if anyone above does go on one to Alaska, we have heard that August is the best month.

Also, I believe a cruise across the pond TO Europe would be an entirely different experience than say a cruise that has many ports of call.

Cruises appeal to many, happy sailing to them. That is what I love about this board, everyone has such different tastes, you get to research and find which one you fit into!