Planning a surprise cruise for my sister's 50th birthday but I don't know where to begin. Need plan of Action

Question

My big sister has been my rock my entire life. She is always looking out for me. We are four years apart, she'll do anything for me. Two years ago, my husband and I fell on hard times, she took me in while my husband went to stay with his brother's. And next year she will be turning 50 years old. I want to make her feel as special as she is always making me.

I will award the "Best Answer" title to the one who can explain the cruise industry to me. I'd like to focus on reuniting my sister with her oldest and best friends. And I need things spelled out for me.

A fall cruise on a really nice yacht for twenty to forty of her closests friends would really be nice. The destination is unclear because I'm not really sure where she'd like to go. Because after thirty some years of marriage and raising one amazing son, I really don't think she has any real idea what she wants.

Any middle age wives and mothers who can relate, tell me where you'd go to celebrate your 50th.

Answer 1

OK, this will be long but you asked for it. If you are looking for as small boat ride on what you called a yacht, all of this does not apply. This applies to cruises on the big cruise line ships.

If you have the money to spend for the very top and best cruise lines try Crystal, Radisson, Windstar, and Silver Sea. These cruise lines are a cut above the others because they run smaller ships (about 500 to 700 passengers) and have a higher staff to passenger ratio so you get top of the line service. They also have more amenities included in the much higher price, like all veranda/balcony cabins, tubs and shower bathroom, larger cabins, daily wine and/or champaign with meals, etc. . Prices for a 7 day cruise on these top of the line ships may start at $4000 to $5000 (vs about $1200 on the next tier of ships.). These ships tend to have a more sophisticated and older crowd and more formal dining.

Most cruises are done by the next tier of cruise lines like Carnival, Royal Caribbean, Norwegian, Princess, Celebrity, Cunard, Holland America, and Disney. Most of the 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. Some lines do shorter cruises of 2,3, 4 or 5 days that can start at about $300 per person.

Note: All cruise lines sell all of their cabins DOUBLE OCCUPANCY, So the price that you see or hear is per person based on two people going in that cabin. The first rule in getting less expensive cruises is book early. The second rule is to shop around the cruise line web sites for the specials. The cruise lines typically have their specials right on their home page. Cruise prices can vary by hundreds of dollars each week, so to get the best price go when the price is best.

If you have not cruised before and are not comfortable using the internet for purchases 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. I book on line all of the time and if you have questions about what you want just call the cruise line direct.

Now, about the various cruise lines. Carnival is the fun ship, they are low priced, and they are 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 great ships and if you have very young kids it may be best. But all of the other cruise lines also have kids programs for kids of various ages just like Disney. So you do not need to pick them just for kids programs. 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 as Disney. Holland America tends to have the oldest cruiser; those 60 and over and retired. Their ships are great but the crowd is older.

Another important factor to consider is, cruises going to the Caribbean tend to have more young folks than those going to Alaska, Panama, the Mediterranean, the Baltic, or South America. People who go to the Caribbean are looking for fun things like beaches, jet skiing, snorkeling and scuba diving, parasailing, and a lot of other activities related to water and beaches. On the other hand, people who go to Alaska, Panama, the Mediterranean, etc., are looking for cultural and historic activities. These cruisers tend to be the older people (40+). That does not mean these cruises are dull, it just means that the passengers are more mature and reserved. You will find the 40+ crowd in the bars and disco and having as good a time as the youngsters, but you may not hear them across the room or deck.

Sometimes people get confused by the categories on ship that agents or the web sites refer to. Categories are simply a listing of the different types of cabins on the ship by size, location and amenities. Categories are the price structure. The cheapest cabins are those inside with no window or porthole, next are outside cabins and finally balcony/veranda cabins and then suites.

The terms "cabin" and "stateroom" mean the same thing; the cruise industry prefers stateroom. The standard cabin that most people get (inside/outside/balcony) are generally between 175 and 200 Square feet, about the size of a 9 by 12 ft home bedroom. 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, a mini-refrigerator, 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.

The price of a cruise includes all meals and snacks all day and night. There are places on ship where you can go to breakfast, lunch and dinner and midnight buffets and all of the food is free. There is generally a room service menu that you can order from 24/7 and that food is free (you should tip the delivery person a couple dollars). There are places where you can get something to eat 24/7. But that does not include all drinks. The ships provide coffee, tea, milk, juices, and drinks like lemonade and punch for free. BUT, you must pay for soft drinks (usually about $1.50) and all alcoholic beverages including beer and wine. There are free shows each day, use of the gym, all pools and hot tubs, sports activities are free. But you will be required to pay a gratuity to your waiter, cabin steward, etc at the end of the cruise and this amounts to about $10 per day per person. You can get on and off the ship in ports free, but if you want to go on a ship sponsored tour you pay for that. Most ships now have internet service that you pay a (hefty) fee to use if you want.

When you book a cruise you must pay a deposit of about $250 per person when you book. The balance is then due about 60 to 75 days before the cruise. You can cancel with no penalty if you do so before the balance due date.

OK, that the long and short of it for big cruise ship cruising.

Answer 2

as I started to read this...I was hoping you were going to say you had won the lottery and wanted to do something nice for your sister...however - that did not happen. I'm not dissing your idea at all, but a cruise is big money. We are planning a family-type reunion/vacation next June..Caribbean. It's almost $700 per person...that is just the ship...you have to get to the destination (drive or fly - extra cost) then when on the ship...you have the extra cost of partying...alcohol is not included. You can't take cash...they dont' do that. they issue an ID card and that is like an open tab at the bar. It adds up quickly. and you get a "tab" at the end of the cruise, that goes on the credit card you submitted before you even arrived. Then --- there are the "excursions" you can sign up for at the ports you stop at...those are also extra cost. If this is really your plan..you need to talk to a travel agent and try to get a group discount. good luck to you and I think you are a wonderful sister to want to do this for your sister. p.s. my advice does not come from only the next cruise we take, we took an awesome European cruise last Sept. 2006 and way over spent well and above the sight-seeing excursions (those were pre-paid) the extras were on the ship incurred. it was a shocker.

Answer 3

When choosing a cruise, and cruise line, there are many factors to keep in mind, especially if this is your first time. Before making any selections, be sure you know how much time you have available, the general area, or region, you want to cruise, what your budget is and, if needed
... Continued at http://www.bookrentbuy.com/The-Different-Kinds-Of-Cruise-Vacations.shtml

Answer 4

sounds to me like you aren't sure what you want to do . or what you can afford so the best answer is to go see a travel agent and see whats in your price, and time frame .. I'm sure you wont be disappointed

Answer 5

try royal carribean best cruise ships ever and lots of people go on it try voyager of the seas