Genuine question for people who have cruised more than once...

[hcox31]

We went on our first cruise in January. WE LOVED IT. (Obviously). We booked another, with extended family, for August 2018. I would love to go on another either this Christmas or March Break, so before the big family one.

For those that have cruised multiple times, this may sound silly but would that be too close together? I would hate for the special-ness of our big family cruise be taken away because we went on another a few months earlier. Does that even make sense? What are your thoughts on this?

Signed,
Cruised once now can't stop thinking about the next one

 

[oakleycat]

I think that's a personal thing, for me it might and that's why we do a cruise every other year. But I think if you do different destinations and are traveling with a different group, it will be enough of a different experience to really enjoy both!

 

[PrincessShmoo]

We went on our first cruise in January. WE LOVED IT. (Obviously). We booked another, with extended family, for August 2018. I would love to go on another either this Christmas or March Break, so before the big family one.

For those that have cruised multiple times, this may sound silly but would that be too close together? I would hate for the special-ness of our big family cruise be taken away because we went on another a few months earlier. Does that even make sense? What are your thoughts on this?

Signed,
Cruised once now can't stop thinking about the next one

Um.....no.

We book anywhere from 1-3 cruises in a year. This year we have 3 cruises booked, plus a trip to China that includes a trip down the Yangtze.

We've also done a Dream cruise immediately before a Fantasy B2B.

If you love cruising, go for it. The family cruise will still be special, since the family will be on it.

 

[stitch'sgirl]

We've done 11 so far, and although the specialness has worn out a little, it has been replaced with a nice welcome home-y feel. It is fun to see familiar faces on the crew and it will amaze you when they remember you!!

 

[Dug720]

Just check my signature...

 

[hcox31]

We've done 11 so far, and although the specialness has worn out a little, it has been replaced with a nice welcome home-y feel. It is fun to see familiar faces on the crew and it will amaze you when they remember you!!

I can see how it would turn into a home-y type atmosphere and I"m not against that at all either.

I guess I just want my kids to have the whole idea that it's something truly special each and every time, and it doesn't become something expected.

Just check my signature...

ha! Guess I can figure out your answer. lol

 

[Shanti]

We went on our first cruise in January. WE LOVED IT. (Obviously). We booked another, with extended family, for August 2018. I would love to go on another either this Christmas or March Break, so before the big family one.

For those that have cruised multiple times, this may sound silly but would that be too close together? I would hate for the special-ness of our big family cruise be taken away because we went on another a few months earlier. Does that even make sense? What are your thoughts on this?

Signed,
Cruised once now can't stop thinking about the next one

I think a Christmas cruise would be perfect. It's a year from the one you just took, and eight months before the family one. If you're as wild about cruising as you sound, that won't ruin anything.

 

[lspst8]

We went on our first cruise in Jan 2015 and booked a discounted cruise the following month for April 2015. If your finances allow for it, go earlier if you want!

 

[#NotMyName]

We've been on 5 DCL cruises and still have not done everything. Our most recent cruise was January 2017. Our next cruise isn't until May 2018. I have given some thought to booking a Christmas time cruise...

 

[PrincessShmoo]

We've been on 5 DCL cruises and still have not done everything.

We've been on 12 Disney cruises and still haven't done everything. Yes, we're repeating some things, but we like doing those things. Haven't gotten tired enough of the main dining rooms to even give Cabanas a try for dinner yet.

 

[SnowWhite2]

Yep I understand. We did all four ships in one year and on the last one it wasn't as magical. It was more been-there-done-that. I realized that I was cruising too much. I never thought that could be a thing because I LOVE cruising. Now I try to space out the cruises a little more.

 

[cruiser21]

No. We cruise 2 or 3 times a year. I've only got one cruise booked next year. I'm getting stressed out trying to find another cruise for next year. I could not do the Caribbean or Bahamas more then once a year that would get old.

 

[AngelDisney]

If you are worried about losing the magic, try to book a different ship or a different itinerary. A Chiristmas cruise would be definitely special on its own with all the festivities going on. The characters would be in their Christmas costumes. The ship would have the Christmas decorations up. You may want to plan more family activities on your Christmas cruise as you may have more adult group time when going with extended families as the kids can entertain themselves and may enjoy the kids club more with their cousins.

Have fun planning!

 

[rcchello]

The correct answer is it is totally personal! We find once a year or less to work for us. The one time it was two in a six month period the second cruise did not seem as special.

 

[dcassetta]

I think it's like visiting WDW. There are the things that are familiar that you enjoy doing again. But, there are also new experiences. Sailing a different ship and visiting different ports also create new memories.

 

[SteveMP]

IMO it depends on where you are going.

 

[sweetpee_1993]

Totally up to you. We got bit when we started cruising and it was amazing. If you want to go, go. Life is a gift...time is never long enough. We firmly believe in not putting things off if we don't have to.

That said, I've been on 15 Disney cruises and they have become to some extent meh for me. But, hey, that's a good time to branch out and try other cruises. This year I have been on 2 cruises so far: 1 Royal Caribbean & 1 Disney. The remainder of the year I have 2 more cruises to go: another Royal & another Disney.

 

[hcox31]

Totally up to you. We got bit when we started cruising and it was amazing. If you want to go, go. Life is a gift...time is never long enough. We firmly believe in not putting things off if we don't have to.

That said, I've been on 15 Disney cruises and they have become to some extent meh for me. But, hey, that's a good time to branch out and try other cruises. This year I have been on 2 cruises so far: 1 Royal Caribbean & 1 Disney. The remainder of the year I have 2 more cruises to go: another Royal & another Disney.

Gosh you are so right. Life is too short. So take the dang cruise.

Thanks for your perspective everyone.

 

[hanscarlet]

I don't know I have wondered this too when we booked our September after our May cruise, now here I am sitting here feeling totally excited and grateful we booked that September cruise. Our next cruise after that is not until May again and now that seems so far away. Sometimes I struggle with the guilt of the indulgence of 2 cruises per year, seems excessive but I can't stop myself yet from doing it lol. We're entertaining a new home purchase soon and so that's where my guilt comes from. Enjoy your cruise!!

 

[Soontobegoodsell]

We've been on 5 DCL cruises and still have not done everything. Our most recent cruise was January 2017. Our next cruise isn't until May 2018. I have given some thought to booking a Christmas time cruise...

This is how I feel. We are going to be going on our third this fall and there is still a ton of activities and stuff we have not tried or done. Plenty of time to do all of that!