Question about Cruises for both cruise fans and haters.

So you can stare at water for days with no landmarks in sight. And have tiny pools. And have you towel blown off your beach chair constantly because of the high winds on the top decks of a boat.

I'm with you, cruises compared to resorts and exploring suck.

F and no. My ex priced out a Disney Cruise and I had to place an emergency call to our financial coach to back her off that ledge. Even 5ish years ago, the cruise was the same cost as staying at whatever the animal lodge is and four/five days of park tickets.

I really, really do not get the attraction people have with cruises. Locked up with limited options, swimming in a pool, water slides, etc. Oh, I could also fly to a tiny island like Roatan and get a villa with a pool, the option to kayak, have a chef come cook for us, a rental to see the "sights" in town, for a third or a quarter of the price.

Tell them you'll pay for the kids, but don't go. It was probably 12k when my ex costed it out for four, and there is no *fing* way I'm being guilted into spending that because my in laws have a fascination with buffets.

I spent *less money* flying my kids to Paris, Marseille and Barcelona for over a week than that f&ing cruise would have cost.

ETA: I bought the right class of economy ticket and used Global Premier Upgrades to dump everyone into business class, and did the first four nights with Marriott points, the last week? paid for an AirBnB with another family that flew with us.

quote:

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Can someone sell me on why I should prefer this to going to a resort somewhere?

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No. Prefer whatever you want. You don’t have to like it more than going to a resort just because others do.

I’m a cruise hater myself. I must admit the Disney cruise was jam up. Way better than dealing with the park. The princess and other crap were just walking around for the kids. Food and drinks included . You could bring your own liquor. Lots of entertainment for the kids.
I’m not a Disney type dude. The cruise was a good way for me to say I did Disney with the kids without doing it. Wife and mother in law took them to the real park.
Worth the money for me.

I'm a cruiser. Either you like it or you don't imo. I like being able to visit multiple places all within a few days. I enjoy being in the middle of the ocean with nothing but blue seas as far as the eye can sea. That gives me so much peace, probably more than anything else.

That being said, it's not for everyone. I'll readily admit that.

I enjoy cruises but if the kids prefer going to the resort then just say that. Let them know the kids are old enough to voice their opinions. You don’t want to sound unthankful but you don’t want to send the entire family on a vacation no one really wants to go on. Since the kids can’t go alone with the grandparents then you get a say, IMO, whether they are paying or not. With their DVC membership this shouldn’t be an issue. If they get all pissy then it gets complicated but I can’t stand people who want to force everyone to do what they like.

I mean, it's personal preference. Cruise line makes a difference.

What I like more about cruising than resorts is being in a different country every day.

[quote] I asked them if given the choice, would they rather just go to a resort... they all said they'd prefer to go to a resort. [/quote

This statement strikes me as manipulative. If the kids don’t want to go on the cruise, I suggest having them tell the grandparents they’d rather do a resort. Before I do that, I’d stop to take a hard look at why I asked the kids that: was it really to get a sense of what they wanted or was it because I don’t like what’s being proposed. I’d check my motive.

Depending on the family dynamics between you, your wife, and your in-laws, you may have to play along. It’s a Caribbean vacation on a moving resort—stay positive.

Other options:
—Send the kids with the grandparents and take the wife to a resort.
—Tell the in-laws you’d rather not spend your money on a cruise

Have to reply. Going on my first cruise in May and this thread is starting to freak me out! Huge mistake?