Cruises?

[Gypsy]

Lots of food for thought.

DH loves the idea of getting an 'overview' of the locations we go to with a short day excursions at each port. And I love the thought of not unpacking and having an onboard spa.

Plus I'm an 'I'll try anything twice' kind of person.

The cruise we are considering is a Celebrity cruise that goes down to South America for February with a balcony room. The ship gets great reviews and it sounds like janlwf had a great experience with the ship we are looking at.

Our alternate idea is an all inclusive in Nuevo Vallarta.

I want something where we are forced to relax while being able to get to see some new places as well. So it seemed like a good idea.

It's fascinating to hear everyone's thoughts and I'd love to hear more experiences.

 

[Ninna]

We have taken a few cruises: 
Disney Caribbean, big boat..kid crazy but super clean, fantastic food. Loved their private island but 1x is enough, DD still talks about it
Holland America, big boat. We had mature passengers, food was OK, hefty gratuity, small cabins, spa not incl. Sailing from Florida to Madeira was crazy, almost a week at sea!!  

As posted by few, smaller ships will treat you right, they easily enter virgin locale so you can spend more time in less touristy areas on your own, 2k people vs 200+.  
If there's no prefference, check deals and compare prices.
Last year, we spent 10 Days aboard [6 countries] from Copenhagen @ $314 pp a day in the Marina-Oceania.
At-sea days offered 1:1 cooking and barista training, massages, skating, skeet shooting, and so much more. There is no way we could swing all of those amenities with hotel & food incl for that price on our own.
If you like nature and lots of hiking, please consider an Alaskan cruise
*Balcony & Insurance is a must!

 

[Gypsy]

We have taken a few cruises: 
Disney Caribbean, big boat..kid crazy but super clean, fantastic food. Loved their private island but 1x is enough, DD still talks about it
Holland America, big boat. We had mature passengers, food was OK, hefty gratuity, small cabins, spa not incl. Sailing from Florida to Madeira was crazy, almost a week at sea!!  

As posted by few, smaller ships will treat you right, they easily enter virgin locale so you can spend more time in less touristy areas on your own, 2k people vs 200+.  
If there's no prefference, check deals and compare prices.
Last year, we spent 10 Days aboard [6 countries] from Copenhagen @ $314 pp a day in the Marina-Oceania.
At-sea days offered 1:1 cooking and barista training, massages, skating, skeet shooting, and so much more. There is no way we could swing all of those amenities with hotel & food incl for that price on our own.
If you like nature and lots of hiking, please consider an Alaskan cruise
*Balcony & Insurance is a must!

What smaller cruise lines do you recommend. We want to go in Late January or February and aren't hikers at all.

 

[Autumnovember]

Personal opinion:

I don't like cruises unless you'll be docked at the destination for a few days.

I went on Freedom of the Seas (Royal Caribbean) to Jamaica, Mexico, Haiti, and Cayman Islands. The only thing I liked about it? The food and how beautiful the ship was.

It just got boring.

I hate having a set time schedule for everything. I'm the type of person that likes to wake up whenever I want to and come back to the hotel room whenever I want. While DH loves the casino's, it was only fun for so long....it just became repetitive for a while.

HOWEVER, I think I would really enjoy a cruise to Europe or Alaska, I imagine that is a totally different experience than when traveling to the Caribbean.

 

[Gypsy]

Why can't you wake up when you want on the days you are at sea?

Oh and I found the lovely smaller luxury cruise lines. I would definitely love to try them! But they are out of the price range for now.

 

[Autumnovember]

Why can't you wake up when you want on the days you are at sea?

Oh and I found the lovely smaller luxury cruise lines. I would definitely love to try them! But they are out of the price range for now.

Because depending on the port, they'll only have the ferry take you from the boat to the island for X amount of time. Even if that weren't the case, when we went on the cruise we went to 4 places so we literally got 1 day at each destination so if you actually wanted to do anything and see the area, you'd have to be up early enough to get something out of it.

 

[Ninna]

What smaller cruise lines do you recommend. We want to go in Late January or February and aren't hikers at all.

Saoirse2 and Sundial mentioned Seabourn. I've heard great things about that line but have no personal experience.

#1 Regent-Seven Seas
We have sailed twice on 'Mariner' to Alaska, all inclusive, 400+ people, great steak house anytime [DH], all rooms had balconies and shore excursions were unlimited. Same boat leaves to Italy and S. America after the short season in Alaska [June-Aug].
My sister joined my parents on 'Voyager' to Argentina, she said it was a bit larger with same amenities, I have to ask them how they got air fair included  
 
#2 Oceania-Marina 
Large rooms, nice pool with day beds and fresh BBQ food. Golf, Bocce tournaments, budding room for artsy guests. I am a foodie so Bon Appetit Center was a plus.
Many of these lines offer air/alcohol inclusive deals throughout the year but looks like the Regent SS includes everything nowadays.
Good Luck!

ETA price: Shop around. The oceania trip was originally $675 pp, got it 'last minute' for half.

 

[Gypsy]

Why can't you wake up when you want on the days you are at sea?

Oh and I found the lovely smaller luxury cruise lines. I would definitely love to try them! But they are out of the price range for now.

Because depending on the port, they'll only have the ferry take you from the boat to the island for X amount of time. Even if that weren't the case, when we went on the cruise we went to 4 places so we literally got 1 day at each destination so if you actually wanted to do anything and see the area, you'd have to be up early enough to get something out of it.

I was just looking and talked to DH about it... I think it's a matter of expectations. If we know going in this is the case and look at it as a 'survey' trip to see what's out there, and know we can do follow up trips to the locations, we'll be okay.

 

[Gypsy]

What smaller cruise lines do you recommend. We want to go in Late January or February and aren't hikers at all.

Saoirse2 and Sundial mentioned Seabourn. I've heard great things about that line but have no personal experience.

#1 Regent-Seven Seas
We have sailed twice on 'Mariner' to Alaska, all inclusive, 400+ people, great steak house anytime [DH], all rooms had balconies and shore excursions were unlimited. Same boat leaves to Italy and S. America after the short season in Alaska [June-Aug].
My sister joined my parents on 'Voyager' to Argentina, she said it was a bit larger with same amenities, I have to ask them how they got air fair included  
 
#2 Oceania-Marina 
Large rooms, nice pool with day beds and fresh BBQ food. Golf, Bocce tournaments, budding room for artsy guests. I am a foodie so Bon Appetit Center was a plus.
Many of these lines offer air/alcohol inclusive deals throughout the year but looks like the Regent SS includes everything nowadays.
Good Luck!

ETA price: Shop around. The oceania trip was originally $675 pp, got it 'last minute' for half.

We were just talking about this. There seems to be a lot of pricing difference depending on when you book. And where you book. I'm definitely going to have to shop around.

Does anyone have a website or travel agent that is good with cruise deals?

 

[mayerling]

I'm going on my first cruise in a couple of months. We were really won over by the fact that we get to see a lot - we're visiting 3 different countries - and pretty much everything is included in the original price. Plus, the ship is huge with tons to do in it. I think cruises are a great idea if you want an all-inclusive experience coupled with the opportunity to visit and explore different places.

 

[rosetta]

Definitely want to try a cruise one day. Can anyone recommend a really upmarket line?

Sundial just posted above about Seabourn and Reagent Seven Seas. I spent a few moments over the last day or so poking around their websites and I'd definitely define them as "up market."

Sundial, as for the pricing...we'd most likely be doing something in the Mediterranean anyway, and for the atmosphere it looks like those companies provide, seems to me the pricing is more than fair!

Thanks VC

I wonder if they sail from the UK....hmm.....

 

[Ninna]

http://www.rssc.com/specials/ we got 2nd trip offer via email.
https://www.oceaniacruises.com/promotions.aspx
My sister booked through:
http://www.cruisemarketplace.com/regent-seven-seas-cruises.htm

 

[amc80]

I would really like to go on a cruise. But I read some reviews a while ago that said people were getting really sick on the ships because of bad hygiene. Not washing hands etc before going to the restaurants. I would really hate to spend lots of money on a trip just to get an upset tummy.

There is a company called Viking River Cruises that have smaller boats. They offer trips to European destinations as well as Russia and the far east. I would definitely consider them if my husband and I were able to get away on our own. I think they can accomodate max 150 people.

There is a review website, bit like Trip Advisor but for cruises. http://www.cruisecritic.co.uk

That would be h*ll for me. There's nothing worse than being sick and being stuck where you are, especially if it's not in the comfort of your own home.

I've never gotten sick on a cruise. They have hand sanitizer everywhere, and I see lots of people using it.

 

[amc80]

Does anyone have a website or travel agent that is good with cruise deals?

Most cruise lines no longer allow agents to discount prices. Some agents will offer OBC (On board credit) with your booking, however. I've booked with travel agents and directly through the line, and I find it much easier to book direct. Part of the problem with going through an agent is they own your reservation, not you. So any changes you want to make you have to go through them.

I went on Freedom of the Seas (Royal Caribbean) to Jamaica, Mexico, Haiti, and Cayman Islands. The only thing I liked about it? The food and how beautiful the ship was.

That's exactly the ship/iten we are going on next month. Funny, though, I've never been board on a ship. I have the opposite problem- there are often multiple things going on at the same time, so you can't hit them all. But I could see how if you didn't like sticking to a schedule you wouldn't like it very much.

 

[Autumnovember]

What smaller cruise lines do you recommend. We want to go in Late January or February and aren't hikers at all.

Saoirse2 and Sundial mentioned Seabourn. I've heard great things about that line but have no personal experience.

#1 Regent-Seven Seas
We have sailed twice on 'Mariner' to Alaska, all inclusive, 400+ people, great steak house anytime [DH], all rooms had balconies and shore excursions were unlimited. Same boat leaves to Italy and S. America after the short season in Alaska [June-Aug].
My sister joined my parents on 'Voyager' to Argentina, she said it was a bit larger with same amenities, I have to ask them how they got air fair included  
 
#2 Oceania-Marina 
Large rooms, nice pool with day beds and fresh BBQ food. Golf, Bocce tournaments, budding room for artsy guests. I am a foodie so Bon Appetit Center was a plus.
Many of these lines offer air/alcohol inclusive deals throughout the year but looks like the Regent SS includes everything nowadays.
Good Luck!

ETA price: Shop around. The oceania trip was originally $675 pp, got it 'last minute' for half.

We were just talking about this. There seems to be a lot of pricing difference depending on when you book. And where you book. I'm definitely going to have to shop around.

Does anyone have a website or travel agent that is good with cruise deals?

Good way to look at it, Gypsy. I think if you have that mind set when you go, you'll have a nice time.

 

[Sky56]

I love to cruise and plan to do more. Gotten low prices and great service from the site vacationstogo.

I do things a little differently from you all. I always book an inside cabin (windowless, no balcony) It saves a huge amount of money.

I call my room "the hole" or a "dog crate." I actually find it comfortable - totally dark for sleeping and cozy.

I never buy extras - I don't drink alcohol or soda pop or dine in the "upgrade restaurants." I go for the free iced and hot tea (my preference anyway) and bring my own packages of Starbucks Via instant coffee.

I am in heaven as far as food goes - we are vegetarians and I love the endless salad bars.

I like having one room and never having to pack and unpack for a multi-destination trip.

I'm a loner and have never felt pressure to dine with strangers, do activities I don't want to do, etc.

I do craft work and I bring it with me. It's relaxing and whiles away the hours when there are days at sea.

I buy port excursions at the destination, never from the ship. This saves a lot of money, too.

Can't wait to go again.

 

[AprilBaby]

Bumping to say I am leaving friday for my third Disney cruise. This one will be western Caribbean with stops at Key West, Grand Cayman, Cozumel and Castaway Cay. Have you decided what to do?

 

[Gypsy]

No honey. I haven't yet. I have to place the rug on consignment and haven't even called around for that yet either. Need to get on with that before I can decide on a vacation.

 

[vc10um]

Well, since someone bumped the thread...

Gypsy, DH and I also stumbled upon Viking River Cruises the other day and I thought of you! The boats are quite small, and not very opulent, but they do look quite lovely and well-appointed, and because you are traveling on Rivers instead of the open ocean/seas, I'm sure the ride is smoother. You're also hitting some less-visited smaller port towns and cities along the way, so I feel like it's more intimate. Just something else to consider! DH and I are considering a Rhine cruise for our anniversary in 2013...

 

[LJL]

I LOVE cruises- my family is ALL about them. I've been on two and I'm currently planning a third.
However, this is coming from a pretty young person - 23- who doesnt mind getting off the boat first thing and taking a local van out to the beach for all-you-can-drink

First was when I was 19 -simple 5 night Mexican cruise from Carnival - it was during their peak season so there were a lot of kids on the boat which I wasn't a fan of but it was easy to get away from them.
Second was when I was 21 - 7 night cruise to Mexico/Guatemala/Belize - SO much fun - was over college spring break and there ended up being 300-400 kids from another college on the cruise.


I understand that this may not be what you are looking for since I'm way young and have different priorities - but my father has been on about 10 cruises and loves it - he actually JUST got back from 7 nights to Mexico/Central America. He lives in a port city with a flexible job, no kids or pets, so he is able to leave at a moment's notice and take advantage of the cheap prices. I think as long as you are not seasick and willing to get off the boat first thing, you will have a great time. I think there are a lot of things planned but you have the option of doing whatever you want as long as you are back on that boat. I have only ever done one excursion and that was nice - but depending on the port, you can get most excursions from the locals for cheaper prices (trip to X landmark, etc).

Ultimately, do you enjoy laying out and having pina coladas brought to you on a ship deck?? YEAH ME TOO

 

[Sky56]

Yes, if you plan it right, it is easier to get the experience you want. I didn't want to go on a cruise with mobs of kids around. I've cruised in late September - early October when kids are in school. Read cruisecritic dot com for lots of interesting information on every cruise line and ship. The bad reviews are always more entertaining to read than the good ones.

 

[HopeDream]

My mom just discovered cruising 2 years ago and will go on her 5th this spring. She loves that everything is taken care of and that she doesn't have to make too many decisions. I'm so proud of her for finally doing some travelling!

I might go on an Alaska cruise for my honey moon....we'll see... (It's close and in-season)
All my childhood vacations were in the "Glorious Canadian Wilderness" So I've already been up to my eyeballs in pine trees, eagles, mountains, the west coast, glaciers, First Nation's history, and other Natural Splendour . The only part I really miss are the hotsprings.

I'd really like to go to Hawaii, the Caribbean or take Cunard line from New York to London. I love cities and the busy thrum of humanity.

Saw this and though of you:
http://www.escapistmagazine.com/videos/view/loadingreadyrun/4781-Cruise-Vacation

 

[movie zombie]

gypsy, rick steves has a new tour book out. its all about european cruises and how to make them work for you when in port. gives suggestions, maps, sights to see, etc. if i were doing a european cruise i'd definitely get this book:

Rick Steves' Mediterranean Cruise Ports

amazon. has it but costco has it, too....at least the santa cruz costo had it yesterday. looks interesting.....

 

[partgypsy]

I wouldn't think I would be a cruise person but I went on one with my family as a teenager and I loved it! But it was a smaller ship (Carla cruise). But now people say cruises are different (big boats, people herded like cattle doesn't sound like fun). So I don't know.

Cruises hold a particular fantasy to me, in that this time of the year, my regular life is hectic, eating sack lunches in front of computers, interacting with ill patients, walking in bad weather, etc. I like my life but it isn't glamorous. So to me a cruise symbolizes not only tropical weather and fancy drinks, but escape, sheer uninterrupted downtime, and after picking your cabin no decisions needing absolutely to be made, other than chocolate cake or key lime pie for dessert? Most likely the reality doesn't live up to the fantasy, but maybe it's somewhere in between. Seriously my husband and I have not gone on a couples vacation (even away for a night) since we had kids 9 years ago! I feel we should do a vacation, but this vacation has a lot of pressure on it so we never actually go on one.

Hey I looked it up and the boat we were on (Carla C) inspired the tv show the love boat! That had it says 1600 people on it. What are current cruises in the carribean that are about that size?

 

[rosetta]

Am bumping this thread to say thank you to all of you for the helpful info. Finally booked our first cruise for next month with celebrity. If we like it, we will spring for the ultra luxury lines in future (or just be loyal to celebrity!)

Really looking forward to it!

 

[pandabee]

Am bumping this thread to say thank you to all of you for the helpful info. Finally booked our first cruise for next month with celebrity. If we like it, we will spring for the ultra luxury lines in future (or just be loyal to celebrity!)

Really looking forward to it!

I've only been on two: Celebrity with my family around 6 years back or so? and we LOVED it!!! and Carnival for spring break a couple years ago. Definitely prefer Celebrity of the two, hope you have fun and stick with Celebrity!

 

[Okie_girl]

Am bumping this thread to say thank you to all of you for the helpful info. Finally booked our first cruise for next month with celebrity. If we like it, we will spring for the ultra luxury lines in future (or just be loyal to celebrity!)

Really looking forward to it!

Where are you going, Rosetta? Inquiring minds...