honeymoon on a cruise?

Question

my mom is insisting that we should go on a 5 day cruise for our honeymoon. they just got back from one and they absolutely loved it. granted, the idea of a 5 day cruise, and mexico excursion sounds AWESOME. i want to know what else there is to consider? honeymoon budget is $2000, we live in the houston area. and if you went on a cruise for your honeymoon, what did you think? do you wish you would have choosen something else?

Answer 1

WE went on a cruise to Alaska for our honeymoon. Here's what I say in support of the idea of a cruise for your honeymoon. Cruises are one of THE best vacations you can take. Once you are on ship the staff caters to you, its whatever you want. There is something to do all day every day. When you arrive at the port to check in you (each passenger) will receive a key card which will serve as your room key, charge card for anything you buy on ship If you are a cruise club member you generally get to go on first, or early.
(i.e.,drinks, souvenir) and its also your pass to get on and off ship in each port. When you first board the ship the security personnel will have you insert your key card into a scanner and then will take a photo of you that is included in the magnetic strip on the card. Each time you get off ship you will need this key card and many times also a photo ID (passport or driver's license). This card allows them to keep an accurate track of all passengers entering and/or leaving the ship.

Each day of your cruise you will receive in your cabin a "newsletter" listing the time, place and particulars of everything happening for you on ship. There are generally activities like demonstrations of ice carvings, napkin folding and towel folding, and cooking demonstrations. Some ships may offer a galley (kitchen) tour or a tour of the bridge. There may be organized games and other activities around the pools. In the evenings there are generally shows, one show for those with an early dinner seating and another (same show) for those who eat late.

There is always free food available. Usually there is a place in ship where you can go get something. Or, you can always just pick up the phone in your cabin and order from the room service menu (food is free). If you want, you can order breakfast room service. There is nothing as good as having breakfast on your own private balcony (so do get a balcony cabin).

All ships have a casino with slots and table games. Ships have movie theaters, generally small but nice, and you can also see movies in your room. They have ATM’s and a purser’s desk where you can cash a check or exchange currency if you need to. There is a tour and activities desk so you can schedule land tours and activities.

Ships have free morning exercise programs, stretching and walking, etc, and on some you can pay for other things like Spinning. All cruise ships have gyms so you can go workout, usually any time from 6:00 AM to late at night. There is usually a walking/running track on one of the decks also. Some ships leave the gym open all night. They call the gyms Spa because they do promote getting pampered with things like wraps and massages with aroma therapy. They will also generally have a beauty salon to do hair and nails.

There are always pools. Some ships have more than one and the newer ships generally have an indoor pool as well as outdoor ones and all of these have hot tubs. There is generally a basketball court on the top deck, a place for scuffle board, and a mini-golf course. The newer Royal Caribbean ships have a rock climbing wall and the newest one has a pool for water surfing.

There are places on ships to play cards and board games, and the cards and games are provided. If you want to just sit and read, there’s a library where you can bring your books or select one from the shelf. Ships have internet cafes and some offer WIFI if you bring your prefer to use your computer in your cabin (some ships offer notebooks for rent). There are cocktail lounges that feature a variety of music. Some have a piano bar with jazz. There is usually a disco that starts after 10:00 PM each night and last until everyone leave. On certain days ships will have special activities like a chocolate lovers buffet, or a midnight deck party .

The dress on ship is casual all day until 6:00PM when they request that you wear "sports casual" attire. That's attire that you would expect a person to wear in a business office, shirt with a collar, slacks, skirt, blouse, etc. You can still wear shorts and swim wear in the pools and spas but not in public areas like dining rooms and restaurants, show rooms, bars, casino, etc. Most 7-day cruises have two formal nights when you can wear your best stuff and get pictures taken, and maybe meet the ship’s Captain. The formal nights are REQUESTED not required attire. But most people do dress up in a tux for men and a long dress (any color) for women. Some men just wear a suit and tie and some women wear a nice dress but not a gown. You will not be denied access to the dining room or anything else if you choose not to dress up. (we usually take off the formal stuff after dinner and pictures anyway).

I suggest that you go to the web site for the cruise lines and look at the cabin prices, port stops, the features for the ships and select a cruise that will do what you want to do. Then you may want to talk to an agent and see if they can find what you want. Finally, decide whether you want to book your self or have an agent do it for you.

Some people worry about getting sea sick, but the ships being used these days have automated stabilizers which minimize the rocking. The larger ships cut through the water so easy that you don’t even feel like you are moving. When there is bad weather the cruise lines will steer around and away from it, sometimes changing the order of port stops. Also, the ships generally move overnight and dock in the mornings so you don’t feel much movement. Consequently, your chances of getting sea sick are minimal. There is generally less motion than on an airplane. If you do get sick, all ships have a doctor and they will dispense sea sick medicines. If you are prone to motion sickness, just get pills or a patch from your own doctor before you go, or go to a boating store and get a sea sickness bracelet.

To save some money, consider driving to the port. Most ports have plentiful and safe parking (I have driven many times to Miami and Ft Lauderdale) at both places that costs about $12 a day. Driving can save money over the cruise line "add-in" for airfare. We generally drive most of the way on one day from NC and stop about an hour or two from the port for the night. Then we continue the short trip the next day to the port.

I have cruised many times and recommend Royal Caribbean Cruise line. They, and other lines, have many cruises out of Galveston but you need to book early because the best dates and prices will sell out.

Answer 2

You have some good choices out of the Port of Galveston.

Since you live in Houston, you will save airfare.

I recommend the 7-day Conquest over the 5-day Ecstasy. The Conquest is a larger, newer ship and well worth the extra money. We have been on both, Cpnquest in 2007 and Ecstasy in 2006.

You also have the option of the Royal Carribean Rhaposody of the Seas. I don't recommend her at all. Her plumbing is a wreck. When on her in 2005.

The Royal Caribbean's Voyager of the Seas will move to the Galveston market in December. She is a better ship than the Rhapsody.

Check out www.vacationstogo.com to compare the cruise ships, pricing, et al.

Parking at the port is $50 for 5-days and $70 for 7-days.

Remember, if cruising in 2008, you will need passports. Make your applications right away! The passport office is about 4-6 month behind right now.

Answer 3

A 4-5 day cruise sounds like a good idea with your $2,000 budget.

The important thing to remember is the price of the cruise includes both the room and all your food.

You can budget the rest when it comes to drinking on board and which shore excursions, if any you can afford and want to do.

I know Carnival has 4-5 day cruises leaving from Galveston Texas which is only about 40 miles away from Houston and would not require you to have to purchase additional airfare.

Don't forget that in addition to the price of the fare, you will need to add $10.00 per day per person for tips so on a 5 day cruise this would be an additional $100.00 added onto your trip for both of you.

A cruise will be a great way for you both to relax and have fun because you can be as involved in the activities as you want to be.

I would definately recommend going onto carnivals website www.carnival.com and check on the prices of the 5 day cruises leaving from Galveston Texas around the dates you are looking to go on your honeymoon, it's definitely worth looking into.

Answer 4

Ive been on that cruise a few times and its a blast BUT...I would make sure you or your fiance' dont get sea sick... that would be a major bummer for a honeymoon. ...and take it easy with the romance....you dont want to rock the boat....lol

Answer 5

Great idea..............just do it! You have honeymoon ONLY once. Right?