Honeymoon question - cruise?

[basil]

Fiance and I have been going back and forth about the honeymoon question for as long as we''ve been engaged. The basic points are that we want something that''s above all easy - we both have stressful jobs and we really just want to relax and enjoy each other. And we''re not the type of people who get a fun thrill from "figure out if we''ve missed the last train on the schedule in another language" people.

I was pushing for Bermuda because of its proximity to our wedding (Rhode Island) but we''re not quite beachy people. Today we stumbled upon a cruise - from Boston to eastern Canada - St. John, Halifax, Sydney, and Bar Harbor are the ports. It''s on Norwegian cruise lines. "Norwegian Dream" is the ship, if that makes any difference. It''s about half the price of places we were considering in Bermuda, and includes meals, too. Plus we wouldn''t have to buy airfare at all, and it leaves the day after our wedding. We could afford a more expensive trip, but I feel like if we didn''t pay too much I''d enjoy it a little more - order wine with dinner and buy souvenirs or something without feeling like I''m spending my whole savings in a week.

The only other time I''ve been on a cruise, I was 19 and it was for my grandparents'' 50th wedding anniversary. My whole family was there and I admit I was kind stuck up about it all. I vowed that cruises were stupid, had dumbed down entertainment, the beaches were just skin cancer factories, and that I''d never voluntarily go on one again. Now, I just want something where I can spend quiet time with my then-husband and see some pretty scenery along the way. It''s in late September, so I wouldn''t expect a lot of children or drunken college kids.

Anyway, I''m just looking for feedback on anyone who has been on cruises before and what you thought, particularly the Norwegian line. The destinations are places that we had considered before for our honeymoon, but had eliminated because of the driving time/ hassle of it all.

What do you think? Any negatives that I''m missing?

 

[Haven]

I think it''s definitely based on your own personal preference. I''ve only been on one cruise, and that''s because I really disliked the entire thing, but I am a "figure out if we''ve missed the last train on the schedule in another language" person!

My best friend from college worked on Norweigan cruise ships for three years after graduation (she''s a costume designer) and from what she''s said it was your standard cruise line.

The largest potential negative I could see is the dining arrangement. I know most cruises asign tables and you sit with the same people the entire time. If you end up sitting with lovely people, great! If not, that could really put a damper on your experience. The cruise I went on was with an ex-boyfriend, and we were stuck with three other couples who were constantly drunk and obnoxious. They were terribly embarrassing to be around, and by the end we stopped eating meals with them altogether.

Good luck with your decision! We''re trying to figure out our own honeymoon, too.

 

[basil]

Thanks, Haven! I envy your adventursome-ness. I think the stress of my job is killing me - all I ever want to do these days is just sit down, so running around on my honeymoon just doesn''t sound appealing.

According to the website, Norwegian cruises offers freestyle dining - "Not everyone wants to eat dinner with people they don''t know. We say you''re welcome to enjoy dinner with the people you came on vacation with. Or, if you''d like to meet new people, we''ll gladly seat you with other cruisers.The choice is yours." According to their website, which I always take with a grain of salt.

We probably wouldn''t want to sit with anyone on our honeymoon, so that''s kind of a big deal for us. I wonder how many tables for two they actually have available - the Travelocity review states that they offer tables of two, four, and eight at their restaurants.

The fact that I disliked the last cruise I was on is holding me back, too. But then I was young, obnoxious, and thought I was more sophisticated than the people I was with and the other travelers. I would hope I''m beyond that now, but I can''t say for sure.

 

[sparkel]

Hey Basil,

I''ve been on a norwegian cruise. The whole freestyle dining thing is exactly what they describe it as...you show up and they seat you with your party as you wish. We never had a problem getting a table but we generally chose to eat dinner at around 6pm b/c we were a large group. Also on the ship i was on Spirit (?) they had numerous restaurants to chose from. It''s the one and only cruise I''ve been on but I really enjoyed the ship and from people''s reactions when they saw my pictures it compared favourably to other ships they had been on.

Just my 2 cents but I enjoyed my time.
Rebecca

 

[EricaR]

I think a cruise would be a great honeymoon, just because you wouldn''t have to worry about planning out every aspect of it right after planning a wedding.

Be sure to check around the web for cruise deals. My parents go on a 2 week cruise every January and my mom can routinely find cruises for 50-65% off the published prices.

For example, SlickDeals Cruise Link has a 7 day cruise for just $355/person instead of the $1000 list price.

I have also found good deals on Vacations To Go, Cruise Direct, and Cruise Compete.

 

[msb700]

Hi basil, for our honeymoon we sort of did a trip around the US and one of our stops was a Western Caribbean cruise (leaving from Miami) on RC cruiseline. I was a bit weary on being on such a big ship and being ''confined'' to the same ''spot'' for 7 days (especially with 2 full days out in the sea), but i have to admit it was the best part of our honeymoon...the ships are really big and there is so much to do or just chill back and relax on the decks/lounges/pool areas...at one of the ''stops'', we decided not to do any of the excursions and just stay on deck and enjoy the peace and quiet as everyone was off doing their own thing...I can''t say much about the Norweigan line, but i am sure that most curise ships offer the same facilities.

I would go back on a cruise in a heartbeat...i honestly had the best time ever and we managed to keep to ourselves most of the time and did not mingle much or try to buddy up with other ppl on the cruise. it honestly was one of the most relaxing times ive had..

 

[UCLABelle]

I am going on a cruise for our honeymoon. I think it was a great deal (although, we would have to pay for flights had my father not had ff miles)...It is $3800 for the two of us, 7-nights, with a superior ocean view room with a balcony. It suits us, because we get to visit lots of places, enjoy the all-inclusive (most of it, anyway), etc....

I think you got it made that you wouldn''t need a flight!!!!!And I hear Norwegian is really nice.

Negatives would be the SMALL rooms, lack of awesome pools, etc....but if that doesn''t bother you, you should do it!