Planning a Cruise

[Deleted]

I am planning a cruise for when DH gets back from Iraq. We are thinking Bahamas because it seems to be a little less expensive than the Caribbean.

Who has been to either of these places? What cruise line do you recommend?

[Deleted]

I've been to the Caribbean (Jamaica) twice, but I flew over. I really like it there (obviously, since I went back a few months later lol).

The only cruise line I've used is Carnival, so I have nothing to compare it to. It was a nice cruise, but I don't have to ever go on another one. I'd rather get on a plane and spend time at my destination.

I'm not much help am I? Sorry.

[The J]

I've never been on a cruise, but I've been to the Bahamas (Nassau), and three other caribbean islands: St. Maartin, the DR and Grand Cayman. Depending on what you're looking for, they can be very similar. If you're looking for sun and the beach, then I'd say you're good with whichever. If you're looking for cultural experiences, I'd probably say go for the caribbean cruise, since you'll get to see more places.

[Jake 48]

DW took me on my first cruise last year to the Caribbean on Holland America.She has been on Carnival and Celebrity in the past. I had a great time, met some wonderful people. Cruise director informed us there were only 100 kids on the ship, I only encountered one that needed to be held underwater. Carnival is a party ship, if that is for you go for it, friends use Celebrity(20x) they swear by it. Well we shopped around and the higher end cruise(cost) kept the riff raft to a minimum and few children. Splurge for a veranda suite, the extra room is nice and having a private little balcony to sit on is great. Also we used Cruise Critic.com to research.Good luck and thank you to DH for serving our country.

[dancinmama]

Jan 9, 2011 19:11:09 GMT -5 @angel33 said:

I am planning a cruise for when DH gets back from Iraq. We are thinking Bahamas because it seems to be a little less expensive than the Caribbean.

Who has been to either of these places? What cruise line do you recommend?

We've gone Carnival (to Mexico), Norwegian (to the Caribbean), and Princess (to the Mediterranean). Princess was by far the most luxurious - better shows and better food, but more expensive. Carnival was more low key with more young people. The shows were nothing to write home about. The food wasn't bad AT ALL, but not nearly as good as on Princess. Norwegian had A LOT of older people on it and that was the cruise we took to the Caribbean.

I agree that a balcony room is well worth the cost if you can afford it.

[The Walk of the Penguin Mich]

A suggestion that a friend of mine made was that you wanted to look for cruises that had as few days at sea as possible.

[chiver78]

I'm just getting home from a cruise today, actually. absolute blast, like the previous 10, and already can't wait for the next one

I have done 1 on Princess (Crown) and the rest on Carnival. the Carnival ones were all concert charters, so a lot of the normal cruise "rules" didn't apply. that said, I totally agree that it's a party ship and you will probably be a little disappointed. everything's just a little bit cheaper (overall decor, food, cabins) and you can tell. it's perfect for the concert charters, but if I do another regular one it will not be on Carnival. Princess was a nice ship, but I really wasn't impressed with the inconsistent and near-riot inducing ways they tried to contain a Norovirus outbreak on my ship. I actually sent a letter to the Head Maitre'd when I got home from that trip.

as far as where to go and what to do, I could recommend what I liked, but we'll all probably be able to help you out more if you tell us what you are looking for.

-do you expect to do excursions? loaf on the beach/at the pool? if you're planning to loaf, you want more sea days than port days
-are you guys big drinkers/partiers for those port days? you will find party spots in all ports, but some are better for this than others.
-would you rather have a more scheduled cruise? if not, Norwegian does a "freestyle" plan, where you eat when you want and not at a set time and table in the dining room.
-do you want a lot of stuff to do on the ship? Carnival Fantasy Class ships (names end in -ation) don't really have much to do onboard. I just saw an ad for "Epic" on the plane, it had a ton of stuff to do. think climbing walls, shopping malls, high-end restaurants, etc. sorry I can't remember which cruise line.

honestly, most of the Caribbean ports look the same and have very similar excursions. one that sticks out in my mind is Dunne's River Falls in Jamaica, but that was pretty much the only good thing about Ocho Rios when I was there.

whatever you decide, have a blast. please thank your DH for his service, and thank you both for your sacrifices.

[Deleted]

Thanks for the tips. We definitely are not looking for a party ship. It is more of a family cruise. We are taking our 16, 14, 10, and 9 year old with us. We do drink, but usually not to excess. I would like more low key and relaxing stuff. I would like to do some excursions, but that is not my main focus. My main focus is really to just lounge by the pool or on the beach with my honey.

[greeneyedchicka]

Have been on two Royal Caribbean cruises and loved them both (trying to schedule another one). We went to the Caribbean both times. My favorite island of them all was St. John and then St. Martin would be a close second. St. Thomas was too commercialized and very, very crowded.

I like to get off of the ship and go on excursions, but there is plenty to do on the ship if you stay on-board.

I would suggest that you get back on a Saturday or take off of work the day after you get back. It may take a little while to get your land legs back, and sitting in a desk chair isn't fun when you haven't readjusted

[❤ mollymouser ❤]

We haven't cruised to the Caribbean or the Bahamas ~ but we did cruise twice on Holland America and liked that line. The first cruise was a 21-day South America cruise, and the second one was a 7-day Alaska Cruise. Both were great.