Let's talk cruises!

[ruledbymercury]

DH and I are about 99% sure we will be cruising in 2008! We have found a great deal for a 7-night Western Caribbean on the Carnival Glory. The inside guarantee rate is currently only $439/person! Sounds good to me. We probably won't put down our deposit until January, but I'm already starting to get into planning mode.

So now I'm all excited and looking for a place to chit-chat about cruises, so I started this thread. I know we already have some threads about the upcoming SR cruise, but I thought this could be a general cruise thread for anyone planning any cruise on any cruise line.

So, anyone have any cruises lined up? Where have you cruised in the past? What are your best cruise tips? What are your favorite cruise lines, ships, itineraries, memories, excursions, ports of call, etc.

[SunshineGirl]

We did a 7 day Carnival for our caribbean. We missed the beginning because of American Airlines (long story!) but we did get there for 5 days of it. Sadly, my favorite part is the food. LOL!!!!

[sunshinecindy]

DH and I are about 99% sure we will be cruising in 2008! We have found a great deal for a 7-night Western Caribbean on the Carnival Glory. The inside guarantee rate is currently only $439/person! Sounds good to me. We probably won't put down our deposit until January, but I'm already starting to get into planning mode.

So now I'm all excited and looking for a place to chit-chat about cruises, so I started this thread. I know we already have some threads about the upcoming SR cruise, but I thought this could be a general cruise thread for anyone planning any cruise on any cruise line.

So, anyone have any cruises lined up? Where have you cruised in the past? What are your best cruise tips? What are your favorite cruise lines, ships, itineraries, memories, excursions, ports of call, etc.

I've been on Carnival 5 times, 3, 4, and 7 days. I love it. I have a great travel agent online that I deal with. He gets me the best deals, and if they get better before the cruise time, he credits our account. We make monthly payments, no problem. I am anxious to compare Disney because I understand its a little more upscale then Carnival.
We also did Royal Caribbean, it sucked. Absolutely horrible everything.

[ruledbymercury]

This will be our second Carnival cruise. We did 7 nights on the Carnival Triumph to the Eastern Caribbean for Thanksgiving week of 2005 with 2 other friends and had an absolute blast! We were the second load of passengers after a long drydock, so a lot of things were sparkly and new and some other things were still being worked out (including one of the pools being out of order for the whole week), but it was sooooooo much fun. But then again, we are NOT picky travelers. We're just happy to be on any vacation at all!

We sailed with Royal Caribbean for our honeymoon back in 2004 and enjoyed that too. We were on Legend of the Seas for 7 nights on the west coast of Mexico. Just wonderful! I would sail RCCL again in a heartbeat. Sorry to hear you had a bad time with them, Cindy.

I've also sailed Princess in Alaska several years ago (2000 or 2001? I can't remember). We were on the Ocean Princess, which I believe has been retired. I can't really say anything bad about that cruise either. I was 20 and single at the time and had a great time flirting with our very handsome Russian waiter all week! This was my first cruise, so at the time I didn't have much to compare it with. The only thing I remember not liking about that cruise was that the other passengers were mostly older and the ship was a ghost town after 10pm.

I'd have to say my favorite cruise line so far has been Carnival. I love that the ship stays lively late at night for those of us who like to stay up. They have midnight adults-only shows, which we found to be really fun. Some of the comedy acts had me laughing so hard my stomach hurt!

[PSL1013]

So far we have cruised twice to the Eastern Caribbean on the Princess Grand & Princess Golden. We just went this past weekend on a one night cruise to no-where out of NY on the Norwegian Spirit. Then we have a 7 day Western Mediterranean cruise booked on the Norwegian Gem (brand new ship) and possibly another cruise to Bermuda next Sept/Oct on the Norwegian Dawn. My favorite part of cruising is the food too, LOL! I love shopping, especially St. Thomas. I like NCL so far as a cruise ship because you don't need to dress up (I hate dressing up if I don't have to) but I thought the Princess ships were much more elegant with all the marble and brass.

[spring]

DH and I are about 99% sure we will be cruising in 2008! We have found a great deal for a 7-night Western Caribbean on the Carnival Glory. The inside guarantee rate is currently only $439/person! Sounds good to me. We probably won't put down our deposit until January, but I'm already starting to get into planning mode.

So, anyone have any cruises lined up? Where have you cruised in the past? What are your best cruise tips? What are your favorite cruise lines, ships, itineraries, memories, excursions, ports of call, etc.

I am a cruiser and I have many favorite cruises. Most notably were the Alaskan the California Coast Cruise on the Celebrity Summit this past May (Los Angeles to Vancouver via San Francisco, Seattle, Victoria, BC, the Southeast Coast of Alaska, then Vancouver. ) All I can say is AWESOME!

My other favorite was a Panama Canal Cruise several years ago aboard the Royal Princess.

I've been on most of the cruise lines and I always have fun. Sounds like you are getting a great deal...go for it.

My next cruise is in 6 weeks aboard Holland America's Noordam out of New York City to the Southern Caribbean. I've never been on Holland America, so I'm curious...

I've also booked a cruise on the Carnival Legend for March. It goes to the Western Caribbean. I'm taking my Mother on it to celebrate her 80th birthday.

However, my favorite saying is, "A bad day on a Cruise beats a good day at work!"

[Kycha]

So far we have cruised twice to the Eastern Caribbean on the Princess Grand & Princess Golden. We just went this past weekend on a one night cruise to no-where out of NY on the Norwegian Spirit. Then we have a 7 day Western Mediterranean cruise booked on the Norwegian Gem (brand new ship) and possibly another cruise to Bermuda next Sept/Oct on the Norwegian Dawn. My favorite part of cruising is the food too, LOL! I love shopping, especially St. Thomas. I like NCL so far as a cruise ship because you don't need to dress up (I hate dressing up if I don't have to) but I thought the Princess ships were much more elegant with all the marble and brass.

Oh Pam! I forgot to ask how your anniversary cruise was. I have always wanted to do a cruise to no where. What did you guys do? I hope you had a great time.

[PSL1013]

Oh Pam! I forgot to ask how your anniversary cruise was. I have always wanted to do a cruise to no where. What did you guys do? I hope you had a great time.

Well, after the initial bomb threat that delayed the departure by 3 hrs and 15 min. it was great!!! LOL. We were never told of what actually happened, they told us it was some sort of threat. We read about it in the NY Daily News online when we got back home. Had I known what was going on, I don't think I would have enjoyed the cruise very much! But we actually had a blast. Ate lots of food, saw a comedy show, gambled in the casino and basically enjoyed ourselves. We will definitely do it again next year for sure. We spent the next day in New York City...walking around at the Italian Festival, eating again and doing some shopping. Very fun weekend, considering! :rotfl:

[Kycha]

Omg! That is crazy. Thank God it was just a threat. Glad you had a great weekend!

[mollyeilis]

kycha, your signature is absolutely freaking me out. Whimper.


Our honeymoon was a cruise from Vancouver to Alaska and back, with Royal Caribbean. It was lovely. We had an oceanview cabin on the 7th level, overlooking the bow of the ship.

The food was a bit boring, but since we're vegetarian, I have a feeling it's going to be a bit snooze-worthy on ANY ship (unless the chef is veggie, in which case they might have something interesting).




A couple months ago I suddenly wanted to visit Atlantis in Nassau, and started looking into those cruises. Alas disney is just too much, and I want a 4 day, so now we want to do a 4 day RCCL cruise in the Bahamas. Depending on money, last minute deals, and DH's job...there's even a chance for a fast trip this winter. But I'm not holding my breath on that one.

I did have a Baja cruise planned for January, but it was getting stressful, having that "out there" waiting to be paid as soon as we got back from Disneyland, so I cancelled it, but hey, if the Bahamas don't work out, maybe that would work instead. :p


I spent a good amount of time on Cruise Critic, but the RCCL forum over there is extra-snarky (compared to the other forums there), and when someone called my curious, talkative, 3 year old son a "brat", b/c I mentioned that he would very likely ask "what's that smell" if he walked through a cloud of cigarette smoke, I had to take a little break.

[ruledbymercury]

My dad is big into CruiseCritic, but I just couldn't get into it. Maybe it was that the demographic was just too different from mine (although it's perfect for my dad). I'll go there every once in awhile if I need info, but since we haven't taken a cruise since 2005, it has been awhile since I've needed to go back.

My parents usually take 1-2 cruises a year. Last October, they took a 15-day Hawaiian Islands cruise with my grandparents and other friends. I was so jealous. I can't wait for the day when I can take a vacation that long! They also did a 1-week western caribbean cruise in February, which they have done many many times before. Their cruise line of choice was Holland America, but I think they are shifting back to Princess. It is my parents' fault that I love cruises so much. I think if my dad could live on a cruise ship, he would.

[wilsonfamily4]

We watched a show about a cruise ship you can live on. It was pretty cool because it was their home and it just floated and visited different areas. Incredibly nice and very expensive

[mollyeilis]

We watched a show about a cruise ship you can live on. It was pretty cool because it was their home and it just floated and visited different areas. Incredibly nice and very expensive

Was that the World of ResidenSea? We would LOVE to buy something there. :) But you have to have a home on land, and where's the fun in THAT?

[sunshinecindy]

But, when you think about it, its cheaper to live on a cruise ship when you get old then to go into a nursing home, and a heck of a lot more fun.

[ruledbymercury]

Yes, I saw that Travel Channel special on The World, ResidenSea also. My dad would LOVE it, but sadly, my mom would not. She loves cruising, but is not interested in living on a cruise ship. So my dad will just have to settle for his average of 25 days of cruising per year. Poor guy. :p

[wilsonfamily4]

Yes, I saw that Travel Channel special on The World, ResidenSea also. My dad would LOVE it, but sadly, my mom would not. She loves cruising, but is not interested in living on a cruise ship. So my dad will just have to settle for his average of 25 days of cruising per year. Poor guy. :p

Yeah rough. :) My husband was drooling all over that boat. He even went online to check it out. We would never, even at retirement be able to afford that place but one surely can dream. He doesn't want to go on a cruise so I asked what is the difference and he said this ship would feel like home. :) He is such a mommas boy, likes to be home. :)

[spring]

I leave on an 11 night Southern Caribbean Cruise on Holland America in four weeks. I've been on a lot of cruises, but never Holland America. I always thought you had to be really old to go on that line (and maybe that's still true,:cry:). However, we are going on the Noordam, which is a new ship. My understanding is that they are trying to compete for the younger crowd with this and it's sister ship. Does anybody have any experience with Holland America, particularly the Noordam or the Zuiderdam? Any help would be appreciated.:sunshine:

[ligrumpygirl]

We are going on a Carnival Cruise next year - July. 4 days from Pt Canaveral.

I have been on 10 CCs before...LOVE them!! (ex-hubby liked the cruises, DH loves Disney...can't complain on either one!)

This will be the first for the kids. We are splurging on a suite! A suite for 4 days on Carnival was still cheaper than a 3 day on Disney in July. Gotta lov the high season!

I will be saving for Disney though!

[sunshinecindy]

We are going on a Carnival Cruise next year - July. 4 days from Pt Canaveral.

I have been on 10 CCs before...LOVE them!! (ex-hubby liked the cruises, DH loves Disney...can't complain on either one!)

This will be the first for the kids. We are splurging on a suite! A suite for 4 days on Carnival was still cheaper than a 3 day on Disney in July. Gotta lov the high season!

I will be saving for Disney though!

We've taken that cruise several times, and a suite and absolutely love it. I'm curious to see how Disney Cruise compares because there is a big price difference, but from what the travel agents tell me. Disney is much more upscale.

[spring]

Okay, so everyone has their disney trip countdowns, how about a non-disney cruise countdown? Anyone up for it?

I leave on a cruise out of New York City to the Southern Caribbean in 20 days! I'm almost as excited about it as I would be if I had a WDW trip coming up. :cooldance:

Anyone else?:)

[jl8595]

Okay, so everyone has their disney trip countdowns, how about a non-disney cruise countdown? Anyone up for it?

I leave on a cruise out of New York City to the Southern Caribbean in 20 days! I'm almost as excited about it as I would be if I had a WDW trip coming up. Anyone else?


Nope...unfortunately no cruises planned anytime soon for me. Sadly my Mother won't cough up the cash to take me on her cruise. She leaves in 20 days - DH and I get to take care of her dog and two cats! :p

:angel: :angel: :angel:

[spring]

Nope...unfortunately no cruises planned anytime soon for me. Sadly my Mother won't cough up the cash to take me on her cruise. She leaves in 20 days - DH and I get to take care of her dog and two cats! :p

:angel: :angel: :angel:

...and what a great daughter you are!

[ruledbymercury]

Okay, so everyone has their disney trip countdowns, how about a non-disney cruise countdown? Anyone up for it?

I leave on a cruise out of New York City to the Southern Caribbean in 20 days! I'm almost as excited about it as I would be if I had a WDW trip coming up. :cooldance:

Anyone else?:)

I probably will have a countdown, once we get our cruise officially booked. We don't plan to do that until after the holidays. But if I did start counting down now, I would have slightly less than 11 months to go.

That's a long time to wait. But that also means I have a long time to earn lots of money on SR and turn those into Supercertificates that I can use to get Carnival giftcards! :sunshine:

[spring]

I probably will have a countdown, once we get our cruise officially booked. We don't plan to do that until after the holidays. But if I did start counting down now, I would have slightly less than 11 months to go.

That's a long time to wait. But that also means I have a long time to earn lots of money on SR and turn those into Supercertificates that I can use to get Carnival giftcards! :sunshine:

Awesome. Yes, it's a long time to wait, but it's also a nice time to dream...
Any ideas on what cruise you'd like to go on, what islands, or what departure port?

I have almost as much fun researching and booking the cruises as I do taking them!

[LyndaM]

I'm getting so excited I can hardly stand myself. We're leaving home Dec. 26 and going to WDW for a few days, then on Dec. 30 we're cruising on carnival Sensation. It's a four day New Year's Eve cruise that my parents, sister and her family, and MIL will join us for. I can't wait for Christmas - or the 9 days following! (This is a surprise for my kids and I'm about to explode!)

This will be our 5th cruise, and we splurged and booked a suite! And, this is our first trip to WDW in 10 years (I'm very worried about the crowds, but we'll deal).

I am getting so excited I don't know if I'll be able to work the next four weeks... :cooldance:

[m4travels]

I'm getting so excited I can hardly stand myself. We're leaving home Dec. 26 and going to WDW for a few days, then on Dec. 30 we're cruising on carnival Sensation. It's a four day New Year's Eve cruise that my parents, sister and her family, and MIL will join us for. I can't wait for Christmas - or the 9 days following! (This is a surprise for my kids and I'm about to explode!)

This will be our 5th cruise, and we splurged and booked a suite! And, this is our first trip to WDW in 10 years (I'm very worried about the crowds, but we'll deal).

I am getting so excited I don't know if I'll be able to work the next four weeks... :cooldance:

Have a phenomenal time!!!!

[spring]

I'm getting so excited I can hardly stand myself. We're leaving home Dec. 26 and going to WDW for a few days, then on Dec. 30 we're cruising on carnival Sensation. It's a four day New Year's Eve cruise that my parents, sister and her family, and MIL will join us for. I can't wait for Christmas - or the 9 days following! (This is a surprise for my kids and I'm about to explode!)

This will be our 5th cruise, and we splurged and booked a suite! And, this is our first trip to WDW in 10 years (I'm very worried about the crowds, but we'll deal).

I am getting so excited I don't know if I'll be able to work the next four weeks... :cooldance:


I am truly happy for you. How excited your family is going to be with this surprise! Have a wonderful time!:xmascheers: