Can't get Husband on Cruise? Help... and find chat site for

Markstudy · #1 (**permalink**) June 23rd, 2007, 08:35 AM

My Husband spent 5 years in the Coast Guard, and I want to take a curise but he said he's over the boat part, and just wants to fly to any Island I pick.

I'd love to get him on the boat? Any tricks? ideas?

But if I can't.... can someone help me find a chat-site where I can read about each Destination in the Carribean? I'm not getting hotel or night-life info from CruiseMates because you lucky people leave each night. 8)

Thanks- Jill

P.S. I asked my brother to post this question...because he post here often, and told me that this is a good group of people to ask.

skymaster · #2 (**permalink**) June 23rd, 2007, 08:45 AM

As a Marine, I can tell you that cruising aboard one of our modern cruise ships has absolutely NOTHING in common with cruising aboard Navy or Coast Guard vessels. It's like saying, "I've ridden on a Greyhound bus, so I know what it's like to ride in a Ferrari. I've never been waited on, hand and food, or had top rate entertainment, or gourmet food, (and plenty of it), or private balcony, or a hot tub, sauna, or complete lack of things that I have to do, aboard a Navy, or Coast Guard ship. Give it a chance,,,you'll love it! As far as the ports go, you might want to log onto the Princess Cruise Line site. They offer a DVD that shows many of their destinations, and it's quite good. (free too)
Good luck, and I hope to see that old Coast Guard Salt aboard soon.

Ken

msblackjack · #3 (**permalink**) June 23rd, 2007, 09:02 AM

Carnival also has a DVD out; I haven't seen it yet, but maybe you can order one through their website....

point out to hubby how stress free cruising is; really you get on the ship and everything is practically taken care of for you and if you are a real good planner; (Like Luanne) you can have all your shore excursions and your onboard credits completed before even leaving your house...... IMHO much less stressful than a land vacation; especially if you are within driving distance to a departure port....

also often you forget you are on a ship but on a large floating resort...

definetly book one of the newer bigger ships -

Honeybear · #4 (**permalink**) June 23rd, 2007, 10:11 AM

I totally understand, my DH was in the Navy, same story as yours.

SURPRISE! My DH has promised to go this fall! We are going in Oct. I have to wait on his work schedule to actually book but we ARE going. Now, HOW did I do it?

We were talking one day and I told him I cannot think of one thing (within reason) that I really ever wanted and did not get, except to share my cruise experiances with him, (DD & I go every year), and then I droppped it. Let him think about that. HE told ME we could go! Pick your timing and your words VERY carefully and do NOT push. Once he gets on that ship he'll LOVE it! All you have to do is, get him there one time.

Hey it only took me 3-4 years! Good luck to you.

IBCRUZIN' · #5 (**permalink**) June 23rd, 2007, 11:12 AM

If he likes to eat, emphasis all the food that is aboard a cruiseship.

If he likes to drink, emphasis all the different bars and how reasonably they are.

If he likes to gamble, talk about the casino.

If he likes to sleep in, explain that the movement of the ship will rock him to sleep at any time of the day or night.

If he likes to lay in the sun, tell him each ship has 3,000 lounge chairs for him to choose from.

If he likes to see shows (probably not), explain all of the various shows and entertainment aboard.

Do not talk about formal night. Most men can live without putting on a suit during their vacation. Surprise him with that one.

Good luck.

jackiesbooks · #6 (**permalink**) June 23rd, 2007, 11:20 AM

My best friend could not get her husband to go, so she and her daughter went with my family. After seeing the pictures of his wife, flirting with the waiter, and us teasing her, he decided he needed to go next time.
The next time there he was. Since he likes to gamble, he loved the casino!

cherylyoungklein · #7 (**permalink**) June 23rd, 2007, 06:57 PM

Thanks! My cousin is in the same boat! Or rather...not heading to any boat at all! Her husband is a Captain in the Navy ( Reserves) ...and she can't get him to cruise. I've forwarded these hints on to her! ~C-an avid reader of great advice here!

thinfool1 · #8 (**permalink**) June 24th, 2007, 09:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by skymaster

As far as the ports go, you might want to log onto the Princess Cruise Line site. They offer a DVD that shows many of their destinations, and it's quite good. (free too)

Ken

About the Princess DVD...two years in a row I have ordered it online...nada....finally called the 800 number...bingo!

Sadly, by the time it arrived, about 1/2 the information was out-of-date. What is it about advertising folks that they cannot publish and distribute things ahead of time?

skymaster · #9 (**permalink**) June 24th, 2007, 10:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by thinfool1

Quote:

Originally Posted by skymaster

As far as the ports go, you might want to log onto the Princess Cruise Line site. They offer a DVD that shows many of their destinations, and it's quite good. (free too)

Ken

About the Princess DVD...two years in a row I have ordered it online...nada....finally called the 800 number...bingo!

Sadly, by the time it arrived, about 1/2 the information was out-of-date. What is it about advertising folks that they cannot publish and distribute things ahead of time?

Strange stuff Thinfool: I guess I always get yours, as they always send me two of them each year! (One addressed to me, and one to the lovely Mrs. Jones (Vita). I just thought that the video of the ports and the ships are very, very good, and would give a "non cruiser" more of an idea of what cruizin' aboard todays great ships is all about. (especially to someone who's only "cruised" on Uncle Sams ships)

Ken

misguidedangel · #10 (**permalink**) June 24th, 2007, 01:42 PM

I have a simple answer to your dilemma. The answer is compromise. Tell him that if he goes on this cruise with you this time that you will allow him to choose his distination of choice for vacations the next time you go away--within reasons of course, unless you want to skydive, or something really manly and dangerous. There are two of you and "taking turns" will make it so much easier.

adias.angel · #11 (**permalink**) June 25th, 2007, 09:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by thinfool1

Quote:

Originally Posted by skymaster

As far as the ports go, you might want to log onto the Princess Cruise Line site. They offer a DVD that shows many of their destinations, and it's quite good. (free too)

Ken

About the Princess DVD...two years in a row I have ordered it online...nada....finally called the 800 number...bingo!

Sadly, by the time it arrived, about 1/2 the information was out-of-date. What is it about advertising folks that they cannot publish and distribute things ahead of time?

Ordered my mom the carnival video and it came in just a couple weeks.

It really got her excited about the cruise. Especially when I pointed out our boat on the dvd.

ttam · #12 (**permalink**) June 26th, 2007, 05:26 PM

I spent 20yrs in the navy, aint nothing like a carnival "GLORY " type, i did work for the coast guard and they are like the navy but not as big. Tell the hubby TRY IT HE MAY LIKE IT.At least he can have a beer.
Bob,usn, RET

venice · #13 (**permalink**) June 26th, 2007, 06:54 PM

tell him if he doesn't go you'll take the cable man (VBG)

ClevelandRocks · #14 (**permalink**) June 26th, 2007, 07:14 PM

You have tio appeal to the common denominator of all men.................$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$. If I picked an island in the Caribbean to spend a week, I believe it would be the French side of St. Maarten. Just look up what it'd cost him to fly there and spend a week in a resort.

Then show him the all inclusive price for the Eastern Caribbean itinerary.

I got 10 bucks says he hops the cruise.

ttam · #15 (**permalink**) June 26th, 2007, 08:26 PM

when are you going, we are going 3 nov 07, if then we can swap sea stories and have some adult beverages bob

venice · #16 (**permalink**) June 27th, 2007, 04:05 AM

Clevelandrocks...speaking for all men who cruise, we resent your comment about the common demoninator is $$$$$$$ (VBG)...we all know that the real answer to gain a man's attention to get him to spring for a cruise is the promise of 7 straight nights of ______________ !! (romance)

clevelandrocks..I

ClevelandRocks · #17 (**permalink**) June 27th, 2007, 07:48 AM

we all know that the real answer to gain a man's attention to get him to spring for a cruise is the promise of 7 straight nights of ______________ !! (romance)

Ahhhhh YES, I remember those days when men were men, women were scarce, and sheep slept in fright. But that was many years ago. NOW, show me the $$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$