The only level caps I was okay with in XI were the BCNMs - they were quick and clean so if you planned on going you got your gear, got your orb, and got it done for profit and fun. Obligatory ones aren't as enjoyable; even the strategy and challenge behind it is shallow, imho. If it's forced on you, it's usually unplanned - meaning you actually have to put together sets of gear for that cap, learn what skills you still have access to... everything that was fun about planning BCNMs suddenly becomes a hassle for things you HAVE to do.