Now THAT'S funny, but true. we are unique individuals. If you are not interested in the Ruins but invest the money and are bored....don't critique it. If you love history and are fascinated by it and you are bored then your opinion is of value to someone else.
It amazes me how many people feel they NEED to do a particular excursion because others recommend it so much. Make sure it is something that are interested in.
If you are terrified of heights but let someone talk you into para sailing and scream until you have a migraine, that's your fault.
Go with a good attitude and do ONLY what you feel like doing.
I wished my whole life that I could swim with the dolphins. On one of my cruises, I finally got to do it and it was the most wonderful experience I can describe. I also swam with the stingrays - another awesome experience. On that same cruise, at one of our ports, the people we were with wanted to "pub crawl" (go to every bar in town). We drug along with them and well............had a boring time and never got to see that island. On our next cruise we are going back to that island and are NOT stepping into a bar! We did what others wanted to do and it was such a waste of our time.
On one of our cruises my husband para sailed and wanted me to go. I hate heights, so I didn't go. He had a wonderful time and I was pleased to wait for him. Three cruises later, I am getting the urge to go up if he will go with me. This time it will be because I want to, not because I am doing it for anyone else. That is so important.
Go with a good attitude and remember, no vacation is perfect. Something is always amiss. So, sit back, relax, enjoy and don't try to load up with excursions so you are wiped out at the end of the day> take more cruises to fill those needs (excursions). :)
I have had one bad cruise and I wont go on that ship again if you paid me. It was a personal experience, therefore I wont give you the name of the ship, but keep that in mind when someone writes a review. Were they a grumpy person, did they expect too much, were they demanding, perfectionists, whatever???? Keep it in perspective that reviews are written because of someone's personal experience. If it is a genuine fault of the ship, then you will see that. If it is just the way a person perceived that cruise, it doesn't mean yours will be that way.
The one complaint I never understand is when the ship has to go to a different port (not totally MISS every port) because of weather or some other condition. Regardless if you booked this for the itinerary, you know this is a possibility. Just think of it as an adventure. I know that is hard, but I know so many people that cannot afford a simple vacation, much less a cruise. Be happy that you have the good fortune to be able to be on a cruise and get away from it all.
If you want to helmet dive, go for it............regardless. You have one life to make dreams come true..................make a wish!
rwilymz: If you're a beach type person and don't like history or foreign cultures, then stick with the beach and don't do the ruin tours, even if I tell you how fascinating it is to see how a copper-age culture who hadn't figured out how to use the wheel managed to do astronomy.
Carole B.