wanting to take a great cruise for vacation.....?

Question

but i have never been on one before so i am absolutely clueless about it. where can i find an affordable cruise for 2? what companies are good? what can i expect/is it worth it?
just trying to get an idea if we should really do this for a vacation, so any input would be great thanks!

Answer 1

almost all cruises are done by cruise lines like Carnival, Royal Caribbean, Norwegian, Princess, Celebrity, Cunard, Holland America, and Disney. Ships for these lines are now 1500 to 2500 passenger ships. The ships are big but things are so well managed that you really don't feel crowded on them. Prices on these ship can be as low as $800 for a 7 day inside cabin and about $1200 for a balcony cabin. Most of these lines go to the same places, they are just in port on different days.

The first rule in getting less expensive cruises is book early. The second rule is go with the same cruise line multiple times because they do offer repeat customer discounts of $50 to $100 per person in a cabin. The third rule is shop around for specials. So don't lock yourself in to one particular week of the year; be flexible.

If you have not cruised before and don't know the ropes it may be beneficial for you to use an agent; the agent does not charge a fee but is paid by the cruise line. But, also, do some home work on cruise line, itineraries, and ships. Use the cruise line web sites to look at what's being offered. Try to have in mind some of what you want to do when you talk to an agent. If you feel comfortable doing it, you can do your own booking online, the price is the same and you can do everything you need right on the web sites. The sites usually have cruises listed for this year and next.

Carnival is the party cruise line that most young folks and first time cruisers take (ages 20 to 35) who want to party, party, party. If that’s what you are looking for then Carnival is the one for you. Disney has good ships but is primarily for kids, and families with kids. It does have adults only areas on ship, but the kids are still there on ship. Princess, Royal Caribbean, Holland America, Celebrity, and Norwegian tend to have people who have cruised many times and are in the 40 and over age group; a more reserved crowd. All of these cruise lines may also have some kids but not many. However, on these lines there are activities just for kids of different ages and staff persons assigned to supervise them most of the day.

The categories on ships are simply a listing of the different types of cabins on the ship by size, location and amenities. The categories are the price structure.

The terms "cabin" and "stateroom" mean the same thing; the cruise industry prefers stateroom. The standard cabin that most people get are generally between 175 and 200 square feet, about the size of a 9 by 12 ft home bedroom . Suites and penthouses can be between 350 and 1300 square feet. Each cabin has a two beds which can be made into a queen, a bathroom with a shower stall, a closet and some drawer space, a TV and telephone, a safe for valuables, and a life jacket for each passenger. Some cabins that are built to accommodate 3 or 4 people will have a pull down bed and/or a sofa bed. .

I have been on about 15 cruises in the past several years; generally a couple a year. 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 (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.. There will be organized games and other activities around the pools. In the evenings there are 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.

The ship (unless you are on Disney) will have a casino with slots and table games. Some 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.

There are free morning exercise programs, stretching and walking, etc, and on some you can pay for other things like Spinning. The ship will have a gym 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 .

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.

Answer 2

Knowing your interests will help in choosing the right curise. If you are looking for adventure, first class travel, party cruises or family oriented cruises check out some of the links below. If you want luxury and have plenty of money try the Cunard line and the Queen Mary 2. If you're looking for a fun cruise, I would try Carnival cruise lines. For adventure there is always the Alaskan cruises. I have taken several cruises and they are all great. Excellent food, great staff, friendly people and there is nothing better than waking up in a different port everyday. I would start with a 3 or 4 day cruise to test out your sea legs and to check out how much weight you may gain, the food is extraordinary. Have fun.

Answer 3

Cruises are soooo worth the price. There is no way my husband and I could go on a vacation anywhere else and pay less money. Every meal is like eating in a 5 star restaurant. We ate foods we would never be able to afford at home.

Carnival is the cheapest cruise line and I think that it is very nice. We are now hooked on cruising. We go on one at least every other year. I definitely would recommend a cruise. Carnival also offers private cruise planners that can help you decide where to go and what to do.

I think someone else mentioned it- but cruisecritic.com offers good information about all of the cruise lines and gives ratings for all of the ships and ports.

Good Luck and Happy Cruising!

Answer 4

If you provide more info it would be easier to guide you. For example, where do you want to go, what do you want to see, and where do you want to sail from.

There are cruises leaving from costal cities around the US every week, they are from 4-21 days in length and go to the Carribean, the Bahamas, Canada, Alaska, and Baja Mexico. There are also several cruises starting and ending in Hawaii.

If you are willing to fly outside the US to start the cruise then your choices are endless.

The cost is another consideration. Companies try to work to get cruises for the best prices, but they can range from $300 pp to $6000 pp depending on what you want and the cruise line. Do you want a large or small ship cruise??

I always recommend first time cruisers take a short cruise to see if they like it. There are 3 day cruises out of Florida to the Bahamas, 4 Day cruises out of Texas to the Caribbean and 3-4 day cruises out of souther Calif to Baja Mexico.

Currently you do not need a passport for cruises out of the US to the Caribbean or Mexico and won't until after at least Summer 2008.

The cheapest cruises are when the children are in school as parents are not free to sail at that time.

Carnival has the largest cabins and best entertainment of the large cruise lines and the prices are usually the best. Celebrity has nice cruises as welll as Royal Caribbean.

Usually Holland America is more expensive and Seaborn has the nicest cabins but is quite pricey.

You can see the available cruises at the cruise line web sites.

www.carnival.com
www.rccl.com

I would recommend working through a travel agent. They can often obtain a better rate than available for individuals, and give you service which you don't get working through the cruise line online sites.

cruisecritic.com can give you some insight on the cruises and cruise lines as can major travel magazines like Con Nast Traveler. Also, quite frequently, the Travel Channel on TV has shows about cruising and cruise lines.

www.greatratestravelservice.com is a good site which I always book my cruises through

Answer 5

First off - I'm so Sorry to hear about you mom... If you want a Mexican beach, my very favorite is Nuevo Vallarta (basically part of Puerto Vallarta). Its not as pretty as Cancun but has WAY more charm and is easily less than 1/2 the price of Cancun. Baja (Los Cabos) supposedly has a lot of great things to do too (especially in terms of adventure), but Vallarta (Puerto or Nuevo) is just awesome in my opinion.. and it's inexpensive! However, a word of advice - Christmas is one of the worst times to go to the beach in Mexico. Reason being is that ALL of the locals go on vacation to the beach during Christmas (as well as during 'Semana Santa' - the week of Easter). You will pay top dollar because everything is booked around Christmas and the beaches will be packed. Trust me. If you want REAL snorkeling and adventure and still want a good beach Christmas vacation, I would go somewhere else in the Caribbean besides Mexico. The US Virgin Islands might be a good alternative.. Or, there's always Hawaii!! :) Have fun and Merry Christmas!

Answer 6

i would advice to take a 4-6 day cruise for the first time with at least one day at sea. royal caribbean and carnival are both great for first timers and i would just go to their web sites. the price includes ur stay on ship, food (sooo worth it), and stopping at each port. alchol and soda is extra but coffee and juice are included.tipping and shore excursions are not included but u dont have to buy a shore excusion and the tipping is so worth it cause u feel like ur a king. there are so many activities that are also included. each ship is differnt some offer basketball,ice skating, rock climbing,movie theatres... all offer pools and most have casinos,and most have a spa and gym.
sept-dec are usually the cheapest times to cruise and the best prices are usually a year in advance. places like new england,alaska,and bermuda tend to be more expenisve and western caribbean and the bahamas are cheaper.
also i would probably consider the closest port to you. all u do is look under port/departing port and it will show the list. that cuts airfare cost or not as expensive.
it is definatly worth it. i was able to afford 3 cruises while in college and they got me hooked and now my hubby and i go on at least one a year and one time i forgot our credit cards and we were fully able to live off 700 dollars for a week.

Answer 7

Every person has the things that they like and the things that are no, no's. Well on a vacation you are there to have fun, and just make the best of it.

Answer 8

royalcaribbean.com
hollandamerica.com
princess.com

there are a few websites that are nice for talking with experienced cruisers one is cruiseaddicts.com
the other is cruisecritic.com.
One i especially like for looking at menus and packing is cruiseclues.com
good luck and have a great time. I have had great luck with princess cruiselines and holland america.

Answer 9

it all depends on where you want to go and for how many nights you want to go. check out this site http://www.ytb.com/BrentandJackieTravel if there are travel agents in your town you might want to check them because some of them let you pay on your cruise up till the time you take it.

Answer 10

go to cruisecritic.com, they have TONS of info for first timers..thats where I went, Im going on Carnival Paradise leaving from long beach on Oct 8 for a 4 day mexican baja cruise...good luck!!