Ever Been On A Cruise?

[caroline]

Went on an 11 day cruise (for my first!) and had THE best time... RC out of PR - visited Aruba, Curacao, St. Barts, St. Kitts, Barbados (I know I'm missing ports!) and it really was brilliant!

 

Also went on a really short jaunt to Bahamas... OLD ship and WAY too short of a trip (a 2-dayer) Not that great, though we made our own fun. But I doubt I'd do that again.

 

My FI and I are actually looking into taking a cruise for our HM. But we plan to go all out (Suite, etc... and to make it a longer jaunt) We're thinking maybe HA (the food, from what I gather, is supposed to be in a different league) or NCL - I've heard (other) good things about them too... mixed crowd, different age groups, though plenty mid-lifers (God! Is that what I am now?!) lol...

 

Of course, there are other lines who REALLY know how to do gourmet cuisine and top-class service, etc., etc., but my understanding is that the majority are what you might call, a somewhat 'older crowd.'

 

Good Luck! (I LOVED cruising!)

 

eta: check out vacationstogo.com (they have really silly specials at the last minute) and as someone else mentioned, cruisecritic.com (LOADS of information on there - with loads of photos!) Cruisedirect.com also seem to have cheap cruises...

[LCBride2007]

I've been on 3 - all a while ago, and all to the carribean, but on 3 different lines. I don't remember much, but here's what I can recall.

 

Celebrity: This was my favorite (it was my 1st honeymoon), the food was better, and they really catered to a luxury vs. "party" atmosphere.

 

Carnival: The food wasn't nearly as good (but edible), and just not as "nice" as Celebrity. Definitely caters to the party crowd more than the "high class" crowd. Still had a great time though!

 

Royal Carribean: this was somewhere in between the two.

 

I'd go on any of them again, but it would probably depend on WHY I am going - since I usually tend towards the "luxury" option I'd probably do Celebrity or RC again before I did Carnival.

[amym567]

Jessica~

I've been on 3 Carnival cruises and always had a great time! It is a younger crowd, but not the spring break type (and I always went on spring break since I teach). The first 2 were the same ship and stops~ that's how much I loved the ships and ports- St. Thomas, Martinique (the first year) and Dominiqua (the second year), Barbados, and Aruba. I didn't care for Martinique or Dominiqua, but we just got off for a little while, then spent the day on the ship. Flew into Puerto Rico for these 2.

 

The 3rd time, we flew to Miami, and stopped at Grand Cayman, Cozumel, Belize, and Costa Maya. Loved that one too!

 

Let me know if you have any questions!

Amy

[Sharonie]

First time I went on a cruise was on Carnival's. It was okay but there are a lot of kids depends on when you go. There will be lots of activities on board to keep you busy. I think what's more important are the ports though and what you do at each port. Three days really is not very long to get a feel of it.

 

Last cruise I went on was on Princess to Alaska. It did have an older crowd but I still had fun.

 

Alaska is so amazing I am going again this July with Paul. This time will be on Holland America, which draws an even older crowd but that's what he has hotel point award with. I think we'll still have a great time.

 

Hope you find the perfect cruise and let us know how it goes.

[Kryztan]

I have been on 6! My family and I are addicted to them:)

I have been on Royal, Princess when it still existed, Norweigan, Carnival.

Carnival is the best! There is so much to do!!! My fi and I are young so when we go on a cruise we want to have a blast and meet new people! I also like carnival because you dress up for dinner and you have an assigned seat for dinner for your entire cruise also you get to sit with other couples! It is a great way to meet new people and find out about what everyone else did. Our last cruise we met a newlywed couple that were on their honeymoon we are still friends and talk often on myspace!!!

[nikkianddean]

Quote:

Originally Posted by JennyK Everytime, I've flown to Puerto Rico and picked up the ship there. I do it that way so I can incorporate PR as a destination as well. My mom has sailed out of Bayonne, NJ and she said it was really great bc you're not paying airfare. I just think those cruises are a little longer.. like 9 days instead of 7. I think there's 3 day cruises that leave from there and go to Bermuda. BTW, you'll be fine on a cruise longer than 3 days. It's like a floating hotel. They're all so HUGE that even by the end, you'll realize there's sections you never even saw. There's always something to do and different restaurants to eat at. Plus, you'll be getting off at a port almost everyday. Every cruise has a day or more at sea but those are always fun too.

Jenny - You're inspiring me to do a cruise!!! my boss was telling me today about a cruise she did in south america that she loved and i thought: wow, i'd like to go to south america...

BTW- why so glum chum did i miss one of your posts?

[becks]

FI LOVES cruises. We've been on two. He prefers the smaller ships which tend to be more expensive and slightly older, but they are still such fun.

 

Personally, I'd recommend a cruise to places that you don't necessarily want to do a lot of sightseeing. I loved our Caribbean cruise, but I didn't enjoy Italy as much because I felt like we had to get back on the boat just about the time it was getting interesting.

 

But you'll never be short of things to do. And look for one with better food. I've never been on celebrity, carnival or holland america. But Princess was fun and if you want high-end Silver Sea has the most fantastic service and food you've ever imagined.

[MsShelley]

I have been on 2. One on Royal Carribean and one on Carnival. I liked them both, probably the Royal Carribean a little better.

 

The only thing about cruises is, they become really expensive if you are drinkers, because drinks are all added to your tab at the end of the week. You really have no idea how much you are drinking until you see your bill!

[caroline]

MsShelly! Oh, yeah! My bill (following my 11 day cruise) was more than the cost of the cruise itself! The cost of alcohol on a cruise is absolutely ridiculous... another perk to the AI road...

 

And then there is the casino.. and the excursions... but it's brilliant all the same!

[JennyK]

Quote:

Originally Posted by MsShelley I have been on 2. One on Royal Carribean and one on Carnival. I liked them both, probably the Royal Carribean a little better. The only thing about cruises is, they become really expensive if you are drinkers, because drinks are all added to your tab at the end of the week. You really have no idea how much you are drinking until you see your bill!

omg so true.. that's the only thing that sucks.. I never realized I drank that much! haha