November 23, 2008
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Have You Ever Been On a Cruise?
Hope everyone had a great weekend!
My parents are celebrating their 30th wedding anniversary next month. Since I was a little girl I always wanted to send my parents on a vacation and finally this year I have the opportunity to do so. I’m sooo excited for them! My parents haven’t been on a vacation alone since before I was born, 28 years ago.
I was pretty limited in where to send them. They only have 4 days off so I didn’t want them to fly or drive too far away to get somewhere. Also, they aren’t internet savvy so going somewhere they’d have to research and find things to do or eat would be too tough.
So I thought a cruise would be perfect for them. They only have to drive 45 min to get to the port from their home and from what I hear cruise ships are like floating hotel resorts- everything’s on the boat.
This will be the first cruise experience for my folks and to be honest no one I know has ever gone on a cruise (I wonder why that is, seems like such a good deal
). Have any of you been on a cruise before? I ask because I wanted to help my parents pick out things to do for the days they’re docked in Nassau, Bahamas. Is it worth paying the fees to do the organized excursions or can you just get off the boat and do your own thing? What do you recommend? Also, is there anything you’d recommend they bring with them on the cruise (I think dramamine is a must)?
I would greatly appreciate any advice. Thanks so much
Comments (15)
I went on a cruise to the Bahamas with my dad when I was 13 and I cried the whole time because I was homesick.
Um…bring a lot of money to buy stuff. Because they have insane amounts of crafts and souvenirs in Nassau and it’s hard to resist buying stuff. And the excursions are really cool…especially the glass bottom boat tour. I would definitely recommend doing a few of the organized excursions.
I’ve always wanted to go on a cruise. I hope my daughter does the same thing for me. Soon. Perhaps I’ll link to this to make sure she reads it.
I’ve never spoken to someone who didn’t love the cruise they took. Good choice.
I’ve never been on a cruise, but if I was going on one I’d get my doctor to give me supplies of diarrhea and nausea meds in case that nasty cruise ship virus strikes.
Thanks for visiting my blog! +added!
Wow, that’s so nice that you’re sending them on vacation. What a great present
I’ve only been on a cruise once but am going on another one in January. Usually if you look on the cruise website, it will tell you what kind of things you can do when you’re docked. Some of the excursions are cool but some of them can be a big waste of money depending on what they want to do. I hope they have a fantastic time!
Aww, that is nice of you to do that for your parents!
And yes, dramamine is a good idea, just in case. There was only a couple times (that I can remember) that I felt the rocking motion of the ship, and that was when I was laying in my bed one night, and maybe once at dinner. Also there might be an opportunity to dress up really nice at least one night for dinner, so that is something to consider. They seem to have many things on the cruise to keep you busy.
I went on a cruise with my senior class 5 years ago. It was pretty fun. There is definitely lots of food.
When we were in Nassau, I had the opportunity to go snorkeling, which was cool. Some people went parasailing, and I think they enjoyed that, too. The activities that you pay an extra fee for are not absolutely necessary to have a good time, though – but if you wanted to do them, I think 1-2 activities would be good. Otherwise I think just walking around and going shopping would be fun!
@Sehsun - oooh thanks for the advice! I think they would enjoy snorkling.
I hope you and your family have a wonderful Thanksgiving!
I went on a cruise once, but it sucked ass since I was 17 and in order to do anything fun you had to be 18. However, my sister did buy me my first alcoholic beverage then, so in a way it was worth it just to pop my cherry and see the sights. The view of the ocean was georgeous. When we docked, the water on the beach was crystal clear, the scuba-diving was awesome.
Sorry I dont have any good advice, but they’re bound to have a good time. I’d love to go on a cruise now that I’m a bit older.
My parents just celebrated their 30th wedding anniversary this year, too! You had a comment above mine on Revelife (the one about the favorite
Christmas songs), so I’m just dropping in to say hello! Hope you have
a Merry Christmas!
Hmm, I’ve never been on a cruise personally, and after watching “Speed 2” I’m not so sure I’d want to, but it does sound like a lot of fun. I can’t think of anything right off they’d need to take with them, except clothes and swimming necessities, and maybe rent some scuba gear (if diving is an option).
Sounds like the perfect vacation to me, aside from skiing.
Hope you come up with some answers.
That is really great you are sending them on vacation!
I haven’t been on a cruise but my mom went on one to Alaska a couple years ago. She had a great time but didn’t like how things were so structured. She didn’t have much time to just go see what she wanted to. She felt that she couldn’t relax as much.
YOU are a super cool daughter! Did they go yet?
@angi1972 - aww thanks Angi! =) They left yesterday for the cruise. I hope they’re having fun. How are your holiday preparations going?
yeah cruises!!! i work for princess cruises and holland america. actually, ive never been on a cruise though. seriously. i work on land, and iget cool cruise benefits, but while im in school, i dont have time to do it…. soon though!
i don’t travel well -(read: serious homebody) and have never been on one –but i think if i ‘hit the lotto’ and had a willing accomplice – it may just be something i’d try… have any rich beautiful gf who are interested in a fat old guy who won’t put out ? (lulz:-p)