EVE - RE: Cruises
Moms View Message Board: General Discussion: Archive November 2004:
EVE - RE: Cruises
Eve, I'll definitely fill you in. Have you ever cruised before? If not, I'd advise a shorter cruise for your first one. That way, if you really don't like it, you aren't stuck on the boat for a long time.
We've only been on one - it was a 7 night western Caribbean cruise, and went to Cozumel, Montego Bay, Jamaica, and Grand Cayman. We knew immediately that this was something we wanted to do again and again.
When we started planning this cruise, I already knew I wanted to go to the eastern and southern Caribbean, and I knew I wanted a longer cruise than 7 nights. We did some research and that's how we ended up with this cruise.
I also want to do the Hawaiian island-jumper cruise and a Bermuda cruise. All in time.......LOL
We get a cruise newsletter weekly (Cruise-Club.com) that has great cruise deals listed, if you can travel on short notice - usually 2 to 6 weeks.
You also should think about whether you want to sail on one of the newer, huge ships with all the extras like rock climbing walls, etc. Our first cruise was on Carnival and we had no complaints. I personally like the *glitz*, and DH is always teasing me about that.
Our cruise next week is on Celebrity, a smaller boat, an *older* crowd than your average Carnival cruise. I have my reservations about that! LOL Even though I'm one of those old fogies, I still like YOUNG music and surroundings.
However, the one thing I am REALLY looking forward to is having 3 formal nights. The last time we dressed up was when we got married five years ago! So I've had a lot of fun getting dressy clothes - 3 formal nights, 3 dressy nights, and 5 casual nights.
We are snorkeling in 4 ports, one of them we'll swim with the stingrays since we didn't do that on our first cruise. One of the snorkeling trips is a 6 hour thing, go out on a boat, snorkel, then you are taken back to a beach for a barbecue lunch and drinks.
If you like beaches and water and water sports, you'll love cruising.
Thanks, Karen!
DH and I have never cruised before. Everyone else in my family has, so I've been able to ask them all questions. Everyone has a different opinion. LOL!
I'm leaning towards Carnival at the moment. Only because they seem very family/ kid friendly. (Kids pool, water slide, camp)It seems more casual too. It just sounds like a good first time cruise for a family.
We want to go in February and can't decide exactly where we want to go in the Caribbean. We at least have decided on the Caribbean. Now we are trying to decide on a balcony or not. (My Aunt, who has been on about 20 cruises thinks we shouldn't bother) Also, we have been thinking about taking my Mom or my sister to help with Sydney. I can't decide!
I love the beach! I'm really wanting to parasail. I'm not sure of swimming with the stingrays! I've heard it's great, but it just looks to creepy for me. LOL! I might be able to snorel though. (I don't enjoy fish! )
I've heard Celebrity is wonderful!! Have a great time!!
Oh, one more question. Some ships sail out of New Orleans, but with it being in February....is that a crazy time with Mardi Gras?
Thanks again, Karen!
Mardi Gras is Feb. 8 this coming year. There are some cruises that put you in New Orleans for a few days for Mardi Gras, but with Syd, that *probably* wouldn't be a great idea for downtown New Orleans parades. With Mardi Gras falling on the 8th, the busiest travel times in New Orleans this Mardi Gras season will likely be Feb. 2 through Feb. 9. If you book after Mardi Gras week, you'll be fine.
As for the balcony, I'd KILL for a balcony stateroom. The ship we are sailing on next week doesn't have any balcony staterooms. It all depends on what you want. If you think you'd enjoy sitting on your *private* balcony, day or night, just enjoying the view and the sea breeze, GET THE BALCONY!
Next cruise we go on, we WILL have a balcony!
The Carnival boats ARE fun, and are very kid friendly. I personally like all the glitz and extras they, and other larger boats offer.
I have been on several cruises through Carnival and 1 on Royal Carribean. All have been with children and parents (so I can tell you about various programs). We have done excursions at each place and booked a lot through independant operators. If you have any questions Karen cannot answer feel free to ask me.
Yvonne
PS..If you can afford the balcony go for it. We love the balcony. It was wonderful to eat breakfast on and relax at the end of the day.
Oh forgot to mention we have always ended up booking through buycruises.com
They are a great deal cheaper than anywhere else. Our last cruise we even ended up with a refund of $200 because they continuously check for lower prices for you!
I've cruised (on Carnival) with my kids as well, so I can tell you about things to do with kids on the boat and ports of call as well. My inlaws funded our trip and for DH's brother and wife as well, so economy was the order of the day with them paying for all 8 of us. Personally, I wouldn't care at all about a balcony. We got plenty of time sitting on deck watching the sunrise/sunset etc. and I got THE BEST sleep ever in my life of being on a lower level in pitch black with no windows. My boys, who normally awaken between 6:30-7 am regardless of when they went to sleep, slept past 9:30 and 10:00 a.m. some mornings. Unheard of!! The gentle lull of the boat and no sun coming in from the windows was awesome for some restful sleep!
P.S. You will have to let us know if you leave from N.O. Maybe Bubbels, Karen, and I can give you a Bon Voyage send-off. So...are you still planning on Italy too?
Oh, I meant to mention...I've never been to Jamaica (heard bad things about it though), but have been to the Bahamas and Mexico. I think Mexico is much more kid friendly as far as activities to do on shore.
I personally hated Jamaica. Don't care to ever go back. However, when my sister cruised, she said that was her favorite place. The only reason I'd go back would be to go to Dunns River Falls.
Pamt, I am the opposite - I couldn't sleep in an inside stateroom - I am claustrophbic. The thought of being closed in......the last night of our cruise the water was a bit *rough*. I was terrified, could not sleep, I had a vision in my mind of huge waves, etc. LOL I rolled over and looked out the window and saw that it was only 3-4'swells caused by a storm north of us, and I was OK being able to actually SEE the water.
Regardless of what type of stateroom you get, there is always plenty to do on and off the boats and you can't help but enjoy yourself. And I agree, if you sail out of New Orleans, we should all meet up!
I just returned from a 8 night/9 day cruise last week. We sailed on the Carnival Legend to the Southern Carribean (Martinique, St. Maarten & Barbados. We had 6 kids between the age of 2 - 8 travelling with us and they had a lot of fun. They do have a great kids program with lots of fun activities. The only problem I ran into was with my ds, who just turned 5, and loves swimming. The only other cruise he was on prior to this one was with Holland America and they had fresh water pools. We were, of course, expecting the same thing on Carnival but instead got salt water. He hated it at first because his little cuts and his eyes were stinging and refused to go in the first day but eventually got used to it. Although, he did not go under water and it took alot of coaxing and some tears just about every day. As far as a balcony, if you can, I would definitely get one. One thing I did was not book any beach excursions on the ship because it cost alot more that way. You can just take a taxi to the beach, buy your own lunch and since usually there is no entrance fee and it costs a lot less. Oh, also, the ports of call I went to wasn't as nice as the Eastern and Western Caribbean. You should definitely try cruising. I think you'll really like it.
We want to take a cruise next spring for my 40th birthday.
We have four kids. What size room should we consider to be comfortable? The kids will be 13 to 7. Do they have suites?
We would be going out of New Orleans. What cruise line do you recommend and what destination for a 5 or 7 day trip?
(Today Ellen Degeneres gave away to her entire audience a ten day cruise package for 4 to either Mexico or Alaska. We need to get into some of these talk show tapings during sweeps week! LOL
You don't really have a choice on the size of the stateroom - check the cruise line websites and you can see the size of each one - they are standard sizes by inside cabin, oceanview, those with balconies and suites - suites obviously have more room but you do pay a price for it. That being said though, you probably won't spend a *lot* of time in the room.
Carnival sails out of New Orleans, Western Caribbean would fit your plans for 7 nights, and Carnival's a good line to sail on with kids.
Thanks for all the information! I haven't thought about it in a few days, so I guess I need to get back to work on it. LOL!
Yes, New Orleans would be fun! I'll keep that in mind! We have a credit with an airline. I'll have to see if they fly there. It would be fun to see everyone!
Pam, Italy is on hold. This Summer took a toll on me and I'm just now feeling back up for planning a trip. It's still a dream trip and I know I will go. Now, I am just wanting to go somewhere and be a sun goddess and have margaritas!
Annie,
You might want to book two inside cabins or a outside and a inside cabin. They had rate for they put you anywhere on the ship they want that is low. Expedia has good rates. (I recently booked a cruise -canceled because dmil fracture hip and knee) Got the insurance of course....
I don't know how big the suites are.... I don't think there are alot of them.
Annie-I found a great site! It has tons of reviews and photos and message boards. Lots and lots of tips! There are lots of questions about people traveling with familes and how to reserve rooms. Happy Reading!
Cruise Website
|
Members
