Any here go on cruises?

[SBrown712]

The girlfriend and I are both in serious need of a break and are considering going on a cruise. Neither one of us have ever been on one so I'm looking for hints, ideas and recommendations. We are looking at 7 to 9 nights in the Caribbean leaving out of Florida.
Thanks in advance.

[gdb]

Never been on one, but my bro in law has many times and loved it,that said, more than a few ships had outbreaks of some kind of stomach flu on board!! You might want to do a google to see what the final determination is/was and book accordingly. Ya can't go too far wrong with HOTTT food and COLD bottled beer/soda/water IMO. Happy sails:)

[comfortablycurt]

Never been on one myself. My brother and his wife went on a cruise to Jamaica, stayed there for a week, and took another cruise back for their honeymoon though. I'd love to take one sometime...sounds like it would be an awesome time.

[gdb]

Ahem, this was just posted on the "new" carver forum by TNRabbit, a long standing CP member. I guess it's still happening
http://carvermk2.com/yetanotherforum...x?g=posts&t=36

[comfortablycurt]

Ahem, this was just posted on the "new" carver forum by TNRabbit, a long standing CP member. I guess it's still happening
http://carvermk2.com/yetanotherforum...x?g=posts&t=36

eeh...that makes me not want to go on a cruise...

[timmythugs]

I went on a cruise last year to cabo. First thing is to make sure food is included. second they take a credit card when u are boarding. That is the only way to even get on the ship. Everything you order or purchase you use your room card. it then is charged to the cc card.Be sure to pay attention and check balance often. When we checked out we found that we spent $1600.00 on the boat. This did include our of shore excursions, which you need to book right when you get on the boat otherwise they sell out quick. hope this helps./

[bobman1235]

What kind of cheap ass cruise doesn't have food included?

I've been on two cruises, they were both awesome. If you can afford it, I recommend Royal Caribbean, but if you can't it doesn't matter. The only thing you should be spending actual cash on on the boat is the booze and the casino. But yeah that adds up after a week if you're a drinker or a gambler, so plan for at least another thousand bucks.

[Lasareath]

I don't leave for vacation unless I have at least 3 grand of free spending money for the both us per week. It's Vacation. I want to have a good time, not sit in my Hotel room watching TV

[jgido759]

One bit of advice if you are a soda/soft drink person:

Look carefull at the soda package before you purchase!

My wife and I are not big alcoholic beverage drinkers and purchased 2 soda packages (about $50 each). What we later learned is that you both can drink from one if you use it right. :D

[sda2mike]

we go often....went 12/5...going again 1/30....i can't handle more than 3 nights, tho last time my bar tab was $700! takes about a week to come back to reality!:p

[polkatese]

Stay off your cellphones. It will work on-board but you'll pay dearly roaming on their cellsites. We learned it the hard way calling each others to trace each others within the massive Carnival and didn't hit us till we off-board.

[bobman1235]

Stay off your cellphones. It will work on-board but you'll pay dearly roaming on their cellsites. We learned it the hard way calling each others to trace each others within the massive Carnival and didn't hit us till we off-board.

A decent set of walkie-talkies is great for this purpose.

[CaligulaPolk]

Dont go Jamaica!! People there will annoy tourists by asking their girlfriend /wife for SEX or sell you Marijuana!! That if you like to smoke then your all set!! Just try to avoid Males there! it was hilarious at first then got very annoyed with repeative asking for sexual favors.

[Ron-P]

We are about to book our second cruise, most likely within the next day or two and it will be a done deal. My travel agent is working on the fine details now.

We are booking a 7 day Alaskan cruise. We'll fly into Vancouver BC and board the ship there. We plan to hit Sitka, Juno, ketchikan, and Skagway. We plan to do a train ride in Skagway, a river raft trip as well and the ship will pull into Glacier Bay. The ship we are booking with is one of only two allowed into Glacier Bay.

I am looking very forward to it, cruises are so much fan and so very relaxing.

[polkatese]

Dont go Jamaica!! People there will annoy tourists by asking their girlfriend /wife for SEX!!

So, is that like an acceptable social norm? hmmm.... ;)

[CaligulaPolk]

So, is that like an acceptable social norm? hmmm.... ;)

not if your too stoned in Jamaica! :)

[shack]

I've been on 5 cruises. My wife has been on 9. All in the Caribbean except for one my wife took out of San Diego. Carnival, Princess and Royal Caribbean. We thouroughly enjoy them. We are going to do an Alaska cruise in the next year or two. Went to Jamacia and climbed Dunns River Falls out of Ocho Rios port. As long as you take the excursions provided by the cruise line you are generally ok. Expensive but it covers you for all sort of problems (like if you miss the ship ).

[polktiger]

My sisten-in-law and mother-in-law love cruises. My wife and I can't stand them. We don't like resorts or gambling, and we have been to tropical islands. When we went, we spent most of our time reading books.

Our favorite channel is the history channel, we go to ancient ruins, natural wonders, historical homes/museums. However, we do want to do an Alaska cruise and a Baltic Sea cruise.

As others have said, if you go on a cruise read carefully what is in the package. But, personally the only time I want to travel to a 3rd world country again would be to see Incan and Aztec ruins. I have been to Hawaii twice. The second time I remembered that I didn't leave anything the first time, so I have no need to go back. Too touristy and too resort oriented.

[SBrown712]

Wow, sounds like a cruise might not be a good idea? We are both near 60 and I'm still recovering from back surgery so I'm somewhat physically limited. We looked around and to fly, get a hotel and meals in the Caribbean would cost as much, if not more than, a cruise. We looked at some of the all inclusive resorts and it sounds like they are more geared to younger people.
We do want to go to Jamaica, that's where my G/F is from and she wants to see her brother. I don't drink, G/F does, so I'm not too worried about the drinks tab. I can play the slots for a little while then I think I'd get bored, so I'm not too worried about gambling.
I am a little worried about any hidden fees. Port tax? Anything else you can think of?

[bobman1235]

Both cruises I've been on, the only things I've paid for are :

- drinks (alcoholic or not, drinks are almost never included)
- anything on the islands (transportation, excursions, whatever; if it's not on the boat, you pay for it)
- gambling

That's it. No surprise fees or anything else. For me. Your mileage may vary, but the cost they said, which we paid for months in advance, was it for costs. Went once on Royal Caribbean and once on Norwegian.

If you're older, stay away from cruise lines like Carnival that tend to be more "party" boats. You may want to go through a travel agent who specializes in this stuff, they'll be able to help you choose.

[polkatese]

how about those "housekeeping" fees per room per person? plus they encouraged guests to tip (no, not tipping them off the boat)? A family of four would have an additional $40/day in our case. just on housekeeping.

[bobman1235]

Never had a housekeeping fee. But yes I forgot about tips. They certainly earn them, those guys work their asses off.

[TNRabbit]

I'm just coming off a 4 night cruise to Nassau/Coco Key/Key West. I've been confined to my room since Tuesday night due to a GI issue (puked/crapped by guts out) after catching something, presumably on my day trip into Nassau (damned Bloody Mary!). I'd recommend Royal Caribbean, just don't get sick!

Our trip has had some issues; weather prevented our day at Coco Key, which cut out ALL water activities, and we were stuck in port at Nassau overnight again. They did have extra activities onboard the ship, however, & refunded everyone $80 for the trouble.

Also, get the soda/soft drink option on the first day; for $6/day you get all you can drink soft drinks. My fiance' & I split one.

Read up on where you're going ahead of time; sometimes you can get a good deal just doing things yourself (rent a car/scooter, etc., & travel around). The cruise line offers packages you can purchase on the ship that can be OK. Like was said before, realize they charge you for EVERYTHING but food, the Main Dining area requires at least a collared shirt/slacks, and they have at least one formal night (jacket/tie required minimum). You can opt out of that & take the regular buffet, but the main dining has some GREAT food.

Also, you are supposed to tip your room attendant, assistant waiter, waiter, and head waiter when you leave (they leave envelopes in your room the last night), which can use up @ $100 PER PERSON for a 4 night cruise! Gratuities are added in when you purchase liquor at the bar.

[Ron-P]

Both cruises I've been on, the only things I've paid for are :

- drinks (alcoholic or not, drinks are almost never included)
- anything on the islands (transportation, excursions, whatever; if it's not on the boat, you pay for it)
- gambling

All drinks are included on ours, less the alcoholic ones. But yes, all activities off ship are extra.

[markmarc]

Been on two cruises with Carnival, here are some thoughts:

Good- The average room may be a bit small, but they are more comfortable with better beds than most hotels. The housekeeping service is outstanding, rooms are straightened twice a day, sometimes more if needed. Most importantly, they are FAR quieter than a hotel room, unless you are stationed under the anchor.

Everyone raves about cruise food with good reason, it really is incredible, 5-7 course meals every night if you wish. Plus, in the last 5-10 years, dining options with the bigger boats include different restaurants. Daytime eating can go from very casual buffet, to fresh order cook, to elegant dining. The 24 hour pizza bar is very popular and quite tasty. Then there is the midnight buffets, which are out of this world and the reason why so many people pack on 5-10 pounds on a week's cruise.

Entertainment: On deck during the day their is always a band of one type or another along with activities to keep people from sleeping and getting burned while sun bathing. Most nights the decks are quiet for more quiet conversation. The shows are terrific, with excellent production values. The late shows for comedians and musicians are usually better.

Day tours in Port: These can get quite pricey, make sure to budget for them, and check online for most recommended places to visit. Bring spare $$ to tip the tour guide.

Things to avoid: Don't drink the soda's, they aren't free, get ice tea, lemonade, juice, milk, coffee, or water. Watch what you consume from the bar, with the "charge cards" they give you when you come on board you may not realize how much you have spent until it's way too late. Unless the Maitre D' has helped you with meals, don't bother tiping him/her at the end.

Final thoughts: Make sure to talk to the staff, they come from all over the world and sign up for 6 month tours. It's a great way to learn about the world, and find out about places to visit that normally you wouldn't hear about.

Take a nap every afternoon, it's the only way to enjoy every evening's activities after going full blast during the day.

My grandfather, though virtually blind took cruises well into his 90's, even with having 2 artificial knees and having to use a wheel chair they took excellent care of him. Since you're in you 60's I'd recommend Norwegian, they cater to the mature crowd.

As long as you budget for the tours, bar, and tipping, 98% chance you'll have a great vacation.

[Shizelbs]

Cruises are fun. Make sure you pick one with ports of call that you want to see.

[shack]

I always go on the excusrsions provided by the cruise lines. The chance of something happening in a 3rd world country are greatly minimized when you do so. We tried the "on your own" just off the boat stuff and you are forced to wade your way through the tourist traps trying to sell beads, t-shirts and a bunch of other junk (and it is ALL THE SAME throughout the Caribbean - regardless of the port). Over the years off of cruises I have seen Myan ruins at Chichen Itza (fantastic time BTW), climbed the Dunns River falls at Ohco Rios Jamacia, tubed on an underground river in Belize, traveled the Panama Canal through the locks, zipped lined through the rain forest in Costa Rica, visited a sea turtle preserve in Grand Cayman, snorkled of off Freeport and visited the Atlantis in Nassau....all off of cruise ships. Played golf in Cozumel and St. Johns. Been St. Thomas, Aruba and several more where we just did some sightseeing stuff and always tried to sample the local food fare. We love the Caribbean and I'm sure we will continue to cruise the islands for years to come.

As some have said, it is great to get to know the staff from all over the world. Very interesting people...and we tip them very well...cause they work their asses off.