Everybody says this attitude changes as you get older or after you've been to enough ports. Well both those things have happened for me, and quite the opposite is true. The more exotic places I go the more I find them fascinating. So much for that theory!
Julie, once you get to a certain age (what is considered elderly, but not admitted! ) and have slowed down a little, your perspective may change.
When we were younger we had the opportunity to take several European land trips each year (Bob worked for an airline) and saw many things we would not have seen on a cruise tour. At that time in our life seeing those exotic places was paramount...and we saw them!
We started cruising when Bob retired and have really enjoyed the leisurely cruise experience. So there is another aspect to cruising other than the ports of call when you reach a "certain age".
Cruise #1 for all of the grear reasons mentioned. We also have a time share and we use it for the short getaways in the area. Palm Springs, Lake Tahoe, San Diego. My son is using it this weekend at Cedar Breaks Lodge in Utah. Mountain bike trails everywhere. Just what he loves to do!!
I'm another one who said cruise vacations only. We do go to Denver for the Christmas holidays but that's the only land "trip" we take. (I don't call that one a vacation because I have to help my bachelor sons prepare dinners.)
I agree with Char that once you reach a certain age, it's nice to get settled and unpacked in one place and let the ship take you to beautiful places. It's wonderful to relax on the veranda with a good book and enjoy the sea air. It's wonderful to meet new and old friends on board. And it's definitely wonderful to dine in a luxurious setting with wonderful food and wine.
I voted Enjoy Cruises and Other Vacations EQUALLY . As long as I'm on vacation, I have a good time. Dosn't mater if I'm in Vegas, Seatle, Black Hills, Yellowstone, Arcadia, Niagra Falls, Vail, or so broke that I am just sitting at home with a beer and a deck of cards. I can have fun doing ANYTHING!
Growing up I did multiple land vacations with my parents, saw a lot of the country. Continued the land trips with my first husband and a few with my current husband.
Now all I want to do is cruise. I am currently hooked on the European cruises, done 2 with 2 more booked. Want to see as much of the world as I can before I am unable and cruising is the way to see a lot in a single trip.
Vacations are my second favorite thing. I cannot compare yet but based on what I have read, I am not sure a cruise can compare with what I am used to.
We have always been "slow travelers". Love to soak up everything our vacation location has to offer. The food, the people, the language, the history bla bla bla.
On our first cruise, in Nov., we will spend 1 day in Malta, Athens, Rhodes, etc. etc. Just not enough time to fully enjoy these places, and it can be expensive.
Give me an apartment, outdoor market, and some good walking shoes and I can hang out at any port for a couple of weeks.
So there is another aspect to cruising other than the ports of call when you reach a "certain age".
YOU haven't reached that age yet!
It's creeping up on me!!
But I still believe it's just the way I am and will always be, no matter what age. I have talked to plenty of people of 'that age' (sometimes 90's!) walking next to me on those exotic excursions...and they are just as eaten up with foreign cultures and history as I am. Of course, some of them are using walkers, wheelchairs, and oxygen tanks to get around...but the fascination hasn't slowed down for them. As I doubt it ever will for me.
But I still believe it's just the way I am and will always be, no matter what age. I have talked to plenty of people of 'that age' (sometimes 90's!) walking next to me on those exotic excursions...and they are just as eaten up with foreign cultures and history as I am. Of course, some of them are using walkers, wheelchairs, and oxygen tanks to get around...but the fascination hasn't slowed down for them. As I doubt it ever will for me.
nor for us either. to much to ss and too much food and drink to try.
Vacations are my second favorite thing. I cannot compare yet but based on what I have read, I am not sure a cruise can compare with what I am used to.
We have always been "slow travelers". Love to soak up everything our vacation location has to offer. The food, the people, the language, the history bla bla bla.
On our first cruise, in Nov., we will spend 1 day in Malta, Athens, Rhodes, etc. etc. Just not enough time to fully enjoy these places, and it can be expensive.
Give me an apartment, outdoor market, and some good walking shoes and I can hang out at any port for a couple of weeks.
We like to travel the way you do. In 3 weeks, we usually do 3 places, but now we are leaning toward narrowing it down to one or two places and the apartment choice. I may sound ridiculous, but I love the idea of shopping at the local supermarket and outdoor market. Not that I plan to cook! Take out is just fine! Gourmet take out, that is!
We enjoy cruises in the winter, to get some much-needed warmth and sunshine. But the ports are not that important. In Europe, some ports are very suitable to the one day cruise stop, but others are really too much of a tease.
As for the more exotic (Asia, South Africa, etc), my DH doesn't want to take those LOONNGG flights. So I humour him. Europe is fine!
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) and have slowed down a little, your perspective may change. 
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