Who here has been on a cruise?

[kygirl]

What are the pros and cons? Do you feel like it is a good value for cost?

[Bob Ross]

I too am interested in the responses since I'm supposed to go on a cruise for the first time for our honeymoon this fall.

DF pretty much vetoed my "I'll take you for a car ride" suggestion.

[redracerris]

I've been on a cruise, it was a week long one. The food was great, there was lots to do, excursions on shore, nightly performances. It was my Mom who paid for it, but later she went on a two week cruise through the panama. The only thing that I can complain about is I could feel the motion of the boat, so if you tend to get sea sick, I'd probably stay away. Oh yeah, bring money in case you're interested in spa services and souvenirs and such, they can be quite expensive (on the boat anyways, maybe not so much on land).

[chiver78]

I've been on quite a few. they are definitely worth the money you pay IMHO. I think the excursions in most ports are overpriced, but you can generally get pretty good deals wandering around on your own. for example - in Costa Maya 2 weeks ago, some friends found hour-long massages on the beach for $30.

I will echo the seasick comment though. if you are susceptible to it, you will feel every wave. I only really had a problem on one trip, and if you saw the video we took of the horizon and the deck rails doing the tango, you'd probably turn green too. most of my friends that have issues either take Bonine, Dramamine, or wear those pressure-point bracelets the whole time and haven't had much trouble since.

what are you looking to experience from a cruise?

[dancinmama]

Jan 21, 2011 17:14:13 GMT -5 @kygirl said:

What are the pros and cons? Do you feel like it is a good value for cost?

A cruise is my absolute most favorite vacation. It is absolutely a good value for the cost (shop around to get the best price). When you look at the price, break it down per person per day and then think about how much it includes: a room with a 24/7 maid, meals 24/7, entertainment. Yes, there are A LOT of things that cost extra: booze (we smuggle our own on the ship ), money if you want to gamble, excursions, etc. Depending on the cruise, you can keep the cost of excursions to a minimum (i.e. $0 on my cruise to Mexico; $800 on my cruise to the Mediterranean).

My experience has been that the water are rougher in the Atlantic/Caribbean than in the Pacific.

I think you have to have a passport these days even if you're going to Mexico, but double check that one.

Pros: You can do as much or as little as you want to. You can get up and do absolutely nothing or you can go on an excursion or check the ships program for the day and go see and hear what they offer (all usually free).

That's all I can think of.

[suzwantstobefree]

I went on a cruise to Alaska in 2007 with one of my girl friends. It was the best experience I ever had on a vacation. It was relaxing, a good value for my money, and a lot of fun. I highly recommend it

My friend is a little more frugal then I (on vacations I will spend money and not have any regrets) but with my friend we decided that we were going on one excursion during the trip and then we were going to wonder around the other places. We went on a train ride through the mountains and gold panning. It was a lot of fun. At the other ports we wondered around - found a craft show at one port, a place where you went up in an outdoor elevator ($3 each) to the top of a mountain where there was a coffee shop. We sat and people watched for awhile and then went down the mountain. We found a few museums and stores that we wandered through. Needless to say, there was never a time that I didn't have something to do!!!

If you are prone to seasickness, make sure you are on the highest floor that you can afford and also a window would be helpful. In my opinion, you can combat seasickness by looking out at the horizon.

I hope you enjoy your cruise

[zibazinski]

I've done it 3x and would do it again in a heartbeat. I, also, am prone to motion sickness. Start the meds 24 hours before you go.

[nalto]

Alaska was my favorite cruise. I would pay whatever they wanted to sit on my private deck and watch the glaciers as we slowly float by.

[Beemermom]

I've been on two: Princess Cruise Lines - 7 day cruise out of Los Angeles - sailed down the Mexican coast with stops in Cabo San Lucas, Mazatlan, Manzinilla and ended in Acapulco. Nightly shows were incredible and don't miss the Midnight Buffet..the ice sculptures were something to see. Second cruise was on Royal Caribbean...we stopped on a private island owned by the cruise line and had a barbecue on the beach, snorkled...had a great time. Another stop was Nassau for shopping & site seeing. That is definitely the way to vacation. Waiting on my grandson to get old enough to take on a Disney Cruise.

[Miss Tequila]

I have cruised three times with Royal Caribbean and absolutely loved it. If you are prone to sea sickness, make sure you go on one of the larger boats and stick to the middle of the boat on a lower floor. My youngest gets seak sick very easily and we learned the hardway on our first cruise, when we were in the front of the boat on floor 9.

I disagree with a previous poster that you are tendered on and off the boat based on whether you booked a tour with the cruiseline. That was not the case with Royal Caribbean.

Alcohol is not included, and even though we are drinkers (shocking, I know) the alcohol was no more expensive than I would pay locally (and I live in a LCOLA).

We have two children and Royal Caribbean has a "kids club" where the kids go to hang out with other kids for two hour chunks of time throughout the day. My kids loved it so much, they begged to go there instead of hang out with us (yay me! )

There was a ton of stuff to do on the boat. They had rock climbing, in-line skating, mini golf, a sports deck with hoops and a few other things, nightclubs, casino, shows, a shopping strip, fitness club, spa, an adults only pool and hot tub area and other things that I am sure I am forgetting.

The food was so-so. I didn't hate it, but when you have to prepare food for 2,500 people it will take on a mass-produced feel to it. Some nights were really good, some nights were so-so. When I'm on a vacation, I'm there for fun and relaxation so the food doesn't really factor in to my decision. I will say there is a LOT of food. I was appalled at the quantity of food available throughout the day (and more appalled by some people who acted like they would never eat again!).

I believe it to be an exceptional value. We took my mom and her husband, so for 6 of us on a 13 day cruise it was just over $6K. Excursions and alcohol was extra so it can be as expensive as cheap as you want. For our family of four, our bill at checkout was about 2,000 but my mom and her husband only had a $300 bill at checkout.

[BeenThere...DoneThat...]

<<< >very relaxing, didn't have to think about anything! >>>



...I think we're going to try a Sandals next, for the same reasons...

[973beachbum]

I have been on a couple of Norwegian cruises. I went on smaller older boats. I enjoyed the smaller, everyone knows everyone by the end of the week feel. NCL is known as the foodies cruise line. And with good reason! Tina is right they do have tons of food and seem to push you with it so you can gain a lot of weight if you don't make it a point to eat what you love when you are hungry and learn to say no thank you the rest of the time.

I have spent $200 a night for a decent hotel before. So the $1K a week per person for the cabin and food felt like a good deal to me. I also budget at least $50 a day for tips and I made sure it was in cash. The crew on the cruises are the BEST!!! I had a cabin boy who must have had a sensor in the hall because I would come back in the afternoon in my sea water soaked clothes. I would drop them where ever and take a shower and change. I would immediately go back on deck for a snack. If I came back to use my bathroom (I don't like public ones) 10 minutes later my cabin would have been completely cleaned up and my clothes rinsed out and hung to dry. If I could have found a way to pack him I would have taken that man home with me!!! ;D

I like an active vacation. I loved having a 7 day cruise and at least 5 ports. I got up had a great breakfast, served by people who after the 3 day remembered how I like my coffee. Then I would go on an excursion and have a blast all day. I also enjoyed dinner and the show almost every night. Some cruises have themes and they ask you to dress a certain way every night. I enjoyed dressing up a couple of times. i remember a western night which was not my thing but they were very nice and all in all I had a fabulous time.

As a side not. I learned how to Calypso on a 90 foot yacht in the Caribbean with a very hot crew member.

[Jake 48]

kygirl,
I went on my first cruise last May, Holland America, would absolutely do it again. They offered 1/2 price drink ans soda cards on the first day, they charges $2 for a soda and $5 for a beer. so figure out how much you can/will drink a day add 20% and get the discounted card for that amount. Food was very good, service over the top. If you are prone to seasickness, I got the Scopolamine prescription patches from my doctor and over the counter get" Meclizine", they are chew-able and worked great for me. book the excursions through the cruise line and do it early on line prior to cruise. if you can afford it get a veranda suite, the extra room with your own balcony is great You can be as busy as you want

[Deleted]

I've gone on one... don't really remember the details because of the booze haze. And I'd definitely go on another, but dh has a phobia of not being able to see land Maybe I'll convince the girls to take one with me!

[kent]

Not counting military cruises (which aren't a bowl of laughs) I've been on about 8 of them. My favorite was the Panama Canal.

If you think you will get sick, think again. As one captain noted, take a look at the drink on your table so see how much it moves and then think about how much it would move if it was on the dashboard of your car - if you don't get car sick, you should do just fine on a ship.

If you're really concerned, go for an outside cabin with a veranda, midpoint in the ship and down a few levels. Fresh air helps a lot as to soda crackers.

Try to avoid anything in the North Atlantic during winter, it can be BRUTAL if you don't have your "sea legs." It's pretty much what you've seen on Victory at Sea or anyone of a number of military programs related to sea duty. Puke city for the weak at heart.

[deziloooooo]

Been on four, first one was over 40 years ago..lordy...love the looks of the ships then , today, look like barns on the water..no beauty to the ships, it was a Norwegian Line, Captain looked liked a Greek Adonis, my wifes thoughts, I said he is the public captain , the real one was 62 , pot bellied and didn't bath regularly, the one we saw was kept in a closet, brought out for public viewing.
My only complaint is if go in one make sure there are plenty of stops along the way , two days of cruising becomes boring, cruise a day, then stop, go ashore, then cruise a day..you got it. Caribbean, very smooth..ships are designed to not go up and down a lot though if run into problems..yet usually will sail away from if possibel...to me , they are just great though been about seven years since been on one.

PS Had to come back, for those looking to save some $, on 1st one, $ saved were important, had a room inside, {no balconies then anyway} neat and small down low, by the second day, didn't even notice it, it was there to change, sleep, fool around , shower, and then out of there..so much to see and do.
If have calypso band on deck in afternoon, by the forth day, good chance some passengers will attempt to mob together and throw over board so watch out there, usually armed crew around to protect them, something to do with their contract with the ship line and one of the best and freightning shore excursones I took in the four was again on the first one, we stopped at Cape Haitian in Haiti and took these small mountain ponies 1800 ft up to the "Citadel", google it...unbeleivable and scary as hell as you had little boys leading the ponys and no railings along the path as you went up...Ralph Nader nevetr took that trip believe me...but once there ...something never to forget.
Also in St Thomas..a cab ride to the finest beach in the Carribean...absolutly out standing and few there plus loading up on all the liquers you will ever need or want for a life time, allowed 4 bottles each there, and they get it back to your cabin for you.
Goof idea to smuggle in packing , a bottle of good Scotch or Champaigne to your cabin for a drink before dinner.
More I type the more I think it's time again but think your correct, another poster here, need a passport now, another stupid idea, thanks OSAMA you %^%$ head, may you burn in hell for eternity.

[Deleted]

I went on the Norwegian Line last year, a Caribean cruise. Previous posters seem to have covered it. We didn't do a single ship arranged excursion and paid about half to do the same things once on shore. Be prepared to haggle on shore. And the jewellery shopping! From start to finish I was being sold jewellery. I have learned to include a jewellery allowance now.

I enjoyed it. There was a buffet open something like 20 hours a day and I really enjoyed the food. I don't drink so I didn't have any alcohol expenses. The shows were a lot of fun.

Dancinmama I don't know if you remember, but one of my first posts was telling you I wanted to get my finances straightened out so one of the things I could do was enjoy a cruise every once in a while. It only took me 2 years.

[Deleted]

I am excited to say I will be going on a cruise in June or July. We are hoping to cruise on Royal Caribean because that is the line I have heard the best reviews on. I am saving up to be able to pay cash for it. I can't wait!

Sorry...I didn't really answer your question...just wanted to say I am really excited to go on mine

[happyscooter]

We have been on 6 and loved every one. Take a 12 pack of sodas so you don't have to pay on board. They have seasick pills on board if you need them. I was only sick once, just the first day. You will have a great time!

[Sammy]

Kentucky, I've been on 15 cruises. By far they are the best value for your dollar.

[beeinkc]

I think cruises are the best vacation around. I have not tried all inclusive resorts, that might be fun also. Here's my take:

Road Trips - I have a 5 year old. Road trips are a huge pain. They're expensive. They're not even fun. I'd rather be at work.

Destination trips - Can be fun, can also be very expensive. Its usually a lot of work, logistics, working out ground transportation, entertainment options, etc. but some places it is the only way to go.

Cruises. I've been on two. One on Carnival and one on Holland. Holland was more upper middle class, with excellent service, top notch food, and an older crowd. Carnival was a cross section of people, good service, good food, and a much younger crowd. I prefer Carnival. Price wise, we paid less than $100 per day per person for an inside room. Considering the meals alone would likely cost $50 a day per person if traveling by other means, this is a really good deal.

I liked that we could just arrive and then relax. I didn't really have to think about anything. Once on the ship, I didn't have to do any work like driving, scheduling, etc. I liked that we could unpack our stuff in the room instead of going hotel to hotel. Carnival has an excellent children's' program which is FREE. If you have little ones, you can drop them off at Camp Carnival and have dinner as a couple or sneak back to the room to be alone.

What I didn't like: The inside rooms are like living in a cave. It seems like it would be no big deal until you switch off the lights during the day and it is pitch black. It makes it very easy to sleep too much. More desirable rooms are more expensive.

Second, you won't spend enough time at the stops to really see a place. That's fine if you just want to relax on a beach in the Caribbean but it is not good for some places. For instance, it would be a crime to spend only 8 hours in Rome.

Third, the whole ship is a shopping opportunity. They'll figure out what pushes your buttons and push them. Booze. Spa treatments. Jewelry. Portraits. Upgraded meals. etc.

Finally, Holland and I were not a good fit for each other. I'm not high class, I was about the youngest by a generation, and my child was the only two year old and there were maybe 6 kids under 10 years of age on the whole ship. There are big ships with tons of options, there are little ships with ultra luxury service, there are lines favored by elderly, lines favored by European people, sail boat yachts...Each of the lines has a personality, and you need to research them to figure out what fits.

Overall. I would say cruising is the best vacation for us, at least for now. There may come a time when we want to do more advent ours things and places we want to spend more time, but it works for us for now.

[tcu2003]

I've done 2 cruises, and both were enjoyable, but both were smaller cruises. My first one was a cruise up the Nile from Luxor to Aswan in Egypt - this one was phenomenal and I'd recommend it to anyone! I think the boat capacity was only a few hundred people, and all excursions and all meals were included, but no beverages (including water - they drink bottled there, and you have to pay for it, but you can bring your own on board). I went with 2 girlfriends, and we had a wonderful experience. There were only 8 people total in our English-speaking group, plus our tour guide, so we had a ton of personal attention. There was plenty of time for photos, questions, wandering around, etc. at all of the stops, and we had great views from the upper deck of the banks of the Nile and the villages as we cruised along.

My second cruise was a cruise through the Greek islands for my honeymoon this past summer. We cruised from Athens to Mykonos to Kusadasi, Turkey to Patmos to Crete to Santorini and back to Athens. This was pretty good, but I definitely liked the Nile cruise better. We booked through a travel agent, and not a large tour group, so we were almost always last to get off the boat for the excursions. All of the excursions were extra, but most of them were worth the cost. Also, drinks were extra. Make sure you check into the beds in the room - our travel agent knew it was our honeymoon, but for whatever reason, she didn't check the bed situation in the window room we wanted, so we had two twin beds bolted on opposite walls... There were definitely lots of activities on board for when we were cruising between stops. The other negative was that I felt that some stops were very short, and all morning excursions started at 6:30 or 7 am...ugh!

[Mad Dawg Wiccan]

I for one will never ever do a sea cruise. I am highly prone to motion sickness, and I couldn't care less about all the supposed "stabilizers" on the ship.

[Deleted]

tcu those two cruises sound wonderful! Something like that is on my wish list!

[efco]

No.

I have never been on a cruise.


I have no desire to go on a cruise.




I'm weird like that.

[tundrated]

We have been on 2 cruises. Both of them were great vacations. The first was just my wife and I, the last was a group as well as our daughter. They are a great value, but the on-ship bill can get high fast if you drink a lot. The food was excellent on both. We were on Carnival for both of our cruises. The rooms are small, but very functional.

I like that they have activities all day or you can just lounge by the pool on sea days. The ports are what you make of them. Some are great, some are just places to hit the beach. My daughter (3) really liked the kids club and all of the kids there seemed to have a good time. The shows we went to went from ok to excellent, but overall the entertainment was great.

The cons to a cruise are that you are in a fixed space (the ship) with 3,000 other people. Things can be crowded at times. If you go to a port you really like, your time may not be as long as you would like.

I encourage everyone who has never been on one to try it at least once. There is a reason they are popular.

[Mad Dawg Wiccan]

There are cruises available that are kind of unusual in that they are river cruises. Before I met her, my wife took a cruise on the Volga River, and she loved it. I know there are also cruises available on the Danube and Yalu Rivers.

[whiskmav]

Do not book the excursions through the cruise line. I've found that the bigger the ship, the better the food. Hopefully, the ship you're on has several dining choices and not just the usual main dining room.

[tiredturkey]

We just got back yesterday from our 6th cruise, 7 day Jamaica, Cayman, Cozumel on Royal Caribbean. Our previous cruises were three on Carnival and two European river cruises with Brendan. We will never, ever travel on Royal Caribbean again. It's supposed to be a "nice" line but our ship was really dirty and in ill repair. The whole place smelled like sewage. The service could not have been worse. We loved all three of our Carnival cruises, fun people, great food, wonderful shore trips, awesome nightly shows. We are 63 and 71 but Royal Caribbean was a complete snooze for us. The only music on the ship was oldies that were around when we were kids and the shows were pathetic, just folks who couldn't make the cut in Vegas. RC is very user friendly for folks with disabilities but not exactly a good fit for GLBT or ethnic minorities. I heard trash talk about lesbians dancing in the disco and saw people shun women in head scarves.

River cruises are really different. They are a little pricey but almost everything is included, even shore excursions. We did one from Bucharest, Romania down the Danube to Budapest, Hungary and another from Prague to Budapest so we've done all the Danube. I would go again tomorrow but the overseas flights are pretty rough on old bones if you can't do first class, and we can't.

[Mad Dawg Wiccan]

River cruises are really different.

That's what my wife said about her Volga cruise. The boat is of course MUCH smaller, the one she was on only carried a couple dozen passengers. Of course, the staterooms are also much smaller as well.