Cruise Advice

[deebo65]

Howdy pubsters. Need some help if you don't mind. Mrs Deebo has been itching to go on a cruise for a while and I would like some advice about the idea. I've been to the Bahamas and also Jamaica but never been on a cruise. Any advice on best locations/destinations and price range would be cool. Also, I'd like to take my kids too (boy & girl will be 11 & 13 at the time of trip) but if we don't do one of those "Disney" type cruises, will there be stuff for all of us and them to do as well? Any help would be appreciated. Looking to travel in Late July, early August. Thanks in advance

[GatorNation850]

I've been to Cozumel twice on a cruise and I love it there. We always do the Isla de Pasion Twister Speed boat excursion which is like a 12 man speed boat and they do 360's and stuff it is really fun, then they take you to a private island and serve you lunch and have a open bar. There is also trampolines in the water and other stuff for the kids I highly suggest it I went on Carnival both times and enjoyed it.

[Potzer01]

Carnival and Royal Caribean both have great kids activities.

The 11 year old is a bit of a tweener though. I can't imagine what I would have done at 11 on a cruise.

At 8 or 9 they could play in the kids area's and be fine. At 11 they'll want to do stuff, but will still need lots of supervision I imagine.

[bakaduin]

Agreed that both Carnival and Royal Caribbean will have plenty of activities for kids. Game rooms and plenty of other kids and organized activities.

Best part about a cruise with kids IMO is that you don't have to worry as much about them. They are in the middle of the ocean where are they gonna go! Lol.

I've been close to every caribbean port. A lot of where to go depends on what you like (outdoor activities vs shopping etc).

My favorite places in no particular order:
Grand Cayman- Clean and stingray city is a lot of fun
Roatan- Beautiful Island with a ton of activities
St. Maarten- Enjoy the beach and the shopping
Belize- Went cave tubing and had a great time

Some advice is to try and book excursions through the net and not through the ship (which cost a ton more). Just make sure you pick a reputable company with tons of reviews. For instance we used an outside company for cave tubing at it was 50 a person with lunch. The cruise was doing a similar excursion for over 100 a person.

[deebo65]

Thanks guys! Definitely going to be checking it out. Kids have been to Hawaii before, but not on a cruise yet. I think they would love it. Thanks for all the advice so far and pm's!

[deathroll]

Good advice from everyone but just so you know, you may not love a cruise. My wife and I are two of the very few that do not like 'em. They are the absolute best vacation value there is, that's for sure. It's just, we don't particularly like them and have vowed, "never again". While there's plenty of food pretty much all the time, we don't care for having a specific dining time (group one or two or three). We also like trying different privately owned restaurants and different, local foods/dishes. We also always know we're on the water. Even in flat calm seas, we feel the motion. May be the vibration of the ships engines/something but we just never feel 100% when we're on a ship. Most of the shows/talent is similar to the types of shows/talent you might find in Vegas but none of it is quite up to Vegas standards. To us, it's OK stuff but not great. You can see and hear the differences. Neither of us enjoys the overcrowded pools and or pool areas or the night time dances/clubs. Yeah, we're vacation snobs. We just have a better time, see more and develop better memories when we plan our own vacations.

[supagator]

I don't understand why people want to go on cruises. When you could spend the entire time at your destination.

[deebo65]

sup and death, I wanted to have input like the rest because I am more of your opinion. Now let me say, I am excited to have any not usual family outing. Both Mrs Deebo and my kids want to and have mentioned a cruise many times recently. I would prefer like an all inclusive type deal at a Sandals or such type resort. I wanted to see if the prices were comparable or if a cruise was THAT much more affordable, then I can deal with not my personal optimal fun choice and still be happy with seeing my family have a blast. But, I wanted input from both sides and I welcome and appreciate it all. Thank you both for your response and input.

[myamiG8R]

no advice deebo other than to say after living in myami all 47 years of my life (other than a few wonderous years in gainesville), i went on my first cruise a month ago and had a blast with the SO, my step-daughter and a friend of hers (the girls are 16 and 18 respectively)... they did not want for anything to do, nor did the girls, and there was plenty of things for us to do together... the cruise agenda really makes you use the entire day as you are up by 8am for b-fast and then off to shore at whatever port of call you land... when you are back on the ship by 4 or so, you have already had a great day and... it's only 4 or so!

we went NCL with a different stop each of three days... first morning freeport, second, nassua, third private island... really fun experience...

[G8trGr8t]

guess it all depends on your personality. if you like crowded shopping malls and busy city streets, cruises might be for you. personally, I don't care much for either so I avoid cruises like the plague except for small boat cruises or marine ferry systems we like to use in Alaska.

I have 3 kids ages 14, 13, and 9. Last spring was Grand Cayman and they loved it. check redweek.com for cheap condo rentals that time of year. we liked the east end away from town because it got you away from the cruise ship crowds and you could go visit that area when the ships were not overrunning the town. lot of great beaches and snorkeling and excellent diving. check the pub photo album for some pics.

fwiw, chase has a british airways card offering right now. spend $1k and get 50k avios points which can get you three free plane tickets out of Miami to Grand Cayman (codeshare with AA) if they have rewards seats available. 2 bedroom condo cost me $800 for a week. groceries cost me around $500. excursions to stingray city (when cruise ship not in town) and kids swim with dolphins and tour turtle farm added another $700 or so. car was about $300 for the week. Grand Cayman is real safe.

alternate suggestion would be St. Croix. relatively undeveloped but user friendly and safe compared to lots of other caribbean places. can give suggestions if interested in that.

[ufhomerj31]

Originally Posted by deebo65

sup and death, I wanted to have input like the rest because I am more of your opinion. Now let me say, I am excited to have any not usual family outing. Both Mrs Deebo and my kids want to and have mentioned a cruise many times recently. I would prefer like an all inclusive type deal at a Sandals or such type resort. I wanted to see if the prices were comparable or if a cruise was THAT much more affordable, then I can deal with not my personal optimal fun choice and still be happy with seeing my family have a blast. But, I wanted input from both sides and I welcome and appreciate it all. Thank you both for your response and input.

Haven't been on a cruise yet, going on my first one soon, but check out Atlantis in the Bahamas.
Took my wife there and we had a blast. Nothing beats haggling for waverunner rentals with cash and not signing any insurance wavers. The water park is fun too. I plan on taking my kids there when they can swim better.
It gets pricy though.

[kurt_borglum]

Wear your "skinny" clothes at first, cause you will only be able to wear your "fat" clothes by the end of the trip.

Does not matter where you go - the ship is the fun.

[manigordo]

Originally Posted by deathroll

Good advice from everyone but just so you know, you may not love a cruise. My wife and I are two of the very few that do not like 'em. They are the absolute best vacation value there is, that's for sure. It's just, we don't particularly like them and have vowed, "never again". While there's plenty of food pretty much all the time, we don't care for having a specific dining time (group one or two or three). We also like trying different privately owned restaurants and different, local foods/dishes. We also always know we're on the water. Even in flat calm seas, we feel the motion. May be the vibration of the ships engines/something but we just never feel 100% when we're on a ship. Most of the shows/talent is similar to the types of shows/talent you might find in Vegas but none of it is quite up to Vegas standards. To us, it's OK stuff but not great. You can see and hear the differences. Neither of us enjoys the overcrowded pools and or pool areas or the night time dances/clubs. Yeah, we're vacation snobs. We just have a better time, see more and develop better memories when we plan our own vacations.

This.

We just returned (Sunday) from a cruise to Roatan, Belize, Costa Maya and Cozumel. Each destination was great, but offered little opportunity to be spontaneous or locate great local spots. Cruising is for tourists; not travelers. I know Spanish and had been to each of the countries except Honduras and just wanted to try what friends had suggested. Never again.

Oh, and while the trip was cheap, they nickle and dime you to death. I get much more bang for the buck on my own.

[gatormoe1]

Are you ok with spending a small amount of time at each place?

Are you ok that a good majority of your cruise will be spent on the boat where a lot of things that you can/will be doing can be done around just about any local area state side (clubs, bars, game rooms, (mini) water park, pool, sun bathing, working out (yes some people workout on vacation lol), buffet style meals... etc etc)

Also knowing that to do anything significant at any port you visit, you will either have to pay for the ship excursions or (more dangerously) pay the local cab drivers to take your somewhere (I dont advise this with kids)

By all means, go with the cruise. It's a fun time but you will sacrifice a lot.

If all that doesn't appeal to you, I'd find a place to go and be able to visit that place multiple days to get the full experience.

[deebo65]

Thanks all!

[bakaduin]

Originally Posted by supagator

I don't understand why people want to go on cruises. When you could spend the entire time at your destination.

You are looking at it the wrong way. The cruise is the destination and its magical. I'll agree with deathroll that cruises are not for everyone but there are plenty of reasons to go on a cruise. First and foremost is the value. Living in Florida and not having to fly to a port I commonly find cruises for under 50 bucks a person a day. Where else can you go on a vacation where you stay in your own nice room (i.e. not a hostel), you get as much food as you want for the day, and tons of entertainment? It is unbeatable.

As I said, for many the cruise is the destination. I could go on a 7 day cruise and never get off the ship and be content. Pool, drinks, gambling, great food, and family. Now add in the fact that you get to go to a bunch of places for the day that you don't often get to go to and it just takes things up a notch. We aren't even touching on Alaskan cruises, Mediterranean cruises, and transatlantic ones. The destination options are endless.

They aren't the be all end all vacation, especially if you get sea sick, but IMO bang for your buck there isn't a better vacation.

More cruise advice, pay extra one night to eat at the steakhouse on board. You'll be plenty content in the regular dining room and have great meals but the steakhouse is worth every penny.

[swampbabe]

Originally Posted by deathroll

Good advice from everyone but just so you know, you may not love a cruise. My wife and I are two of the very few that do not like 'em. They are the absolute best vacation value there is, that's for sure. It's just, we don't particularly like them and have vowed, "never again". While there's plenty of food pretty much all the time, we don't care for having a specific dining time (group one or two or three). We also like trying different privately owned restaurants and different, local foods/dishes. We also always know we're on the water. Even in flat calm seas, we feel the motion. May be the vibration of the ships engines/something but we just never feel 100% when we're on a ship. Most of the shows/talent is similar to the types of shows/talent you might find in Vegas but none of it is quite up to Vegas standards. To us, it's OK stuff but not great. You can see and hear the differences. Neither of us enjoys the overcrowded pools and or pool areas or the night time dances/clubs. Yeah, we're vacation snobs. We just have a better time, see more and develop better memories when we plan our own vacations.

Royal, Carnival, and NCL allow for "your time" dining when you go when you want to. You don't HAVE to have a set dining time.

[fredsanford]

We have done 2 Royal Caribbean cruises to the Bahamas (got married on the first one) and had a blast on both.

There are 2 schools of thought on this, but we prefer to splurge for a big suite when we go. We like having room to spread out, and the cruise line throws in some extra goodies when you spend more $.

[deathroll]

Uh, one more thing. About that July/August thing. Cruise companies do this all the time. You're sitting at home on your couch. You've watched storms spin off the African coast one after the other for 3 months now. Each new storm brings its own little anxiety adventure. You've paid your $1,500 cruise monies and are watching each new storm like a crazed hawk. You've whispered storm/weather stories to your wife but have not said a word to the kids (not gonna worry/scare them). You feel lucky, the last 3 storms have turned north and you're pretty sure there's no way that latest swirl is gonna come your way or get to where your headed at the same time you do. Things are gonna be OK. Two days before departure, you're on the phone trying to find out if the cruise line is going to cancel. "No sir, we're good" you're told. You watch the weather and can't see any way "we're good". You take a loan against your IRA and invest large sums of money in Dramamine, Merazine, Bonine, anti-seasick bracelets, crackers, ginger and ginger snaps (kids'll eat them won't they). When cruise day rolls around, you load the luggage in the car, one eye on the oaks/palm trees in your yard. They're not swaying/bending too much. Ships huge. It has modern stabilizers. No way anyone's gonna feel these little breezes. Besides, most of this wind is probably a result of some kinda land/sea temperature gradient thing. Yeah, that's it. No way the wind blows out there away from land. Plus, the ports are protected. We'll have a great time every time we dock. You like your welcome aboard cocktail but aren't too sure about the mostly at sea revised sailing schedule. You see, they are NOT gonna cancel your cruise. They're gonna "sail around the storm". Problem is, rough water extends out a looooong ways away from "the storm". You won't go to the ports of call you paid for but the cruise company and the staff will do the best they can, given the circumstances. Now, that said, most people LOVE cruising and everyone should try it.

[gator7_5]

I love cruises and my 2 favorite days are the days at sea. I love big boats, water, sun, and people bringing me drinks, though. Best when the seas get to about 12' at night and you get lulled to sleep..

Oh, and gambling odds are way better. Flunkie teanage dealers are breeze to read.

If you're down with that, you're down with a cruise.