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RE: Cruise Questions

cmore — Wed, 30 Apr 2008 20:23:03 GMT

Hi!!!!

My husband is a cruise expert and works for cruiseship centers. He knows more about ships than the people working on them....HONESTLY! We have been on ELEVEN cruises since 2002 and we are only 30! You can email him @ ohargreaves@cruiseshipcenters.com or browse his website at www.owenhargreaves.cruiseshipcenters.ca.

We refuse to do any other trip. Our honeymoon was on the Celebrity Xpedition and it went to the Galapagos Islands! Paradise!!!!!!

The cruise line you want depends on your needs. If you want cheapish and don't care what you get, go Carnival (I would never again, though). If you want activity and some class, go Princess or Royal (I prefer Royal). If you want to feel spoiled by fantastic food and service and not a lot of hoopla (more romantic), go Celebrity, which is owned by Royal Caribbean. Again, it depends on your taste. We also have secrets for the best rooms;) There are definitely rooms that are better than others for seasickness, proximity to amenities, and view (i.e., usually the ship docks on the starboard side so you can see the island from your balcony/window) We are definitely pros.

RE: Cruise Questions

italspan — Wed, 30 Apr 2008 17:23:20 GMT

Hi,

We have been on 3 cruises, and counting. You will be hooked after you take your 1st cruise. Be prepared to eat and eat and be treated like royalty.

1: How far ahead does one typically book? We looking at going Jan/Feb of next year

I have normally booked about two months ahead for each cruise. I don't like booking extremely ahead of time, as you don't know whats going to happen, and I do not want to loss the payment.

2: Any experience with Royal Caribbean? Or any strong feelings on any of the other cruise lines?

I have not sailed with Royal Caribbean as of yet. I have cruised with Princess and 2x Carnival. I don't think I would sail with Carnival again. Princess is a more luxurious cruiseline than Carnival and a different crowd. However, since it is your first cruise, you will enjoy it since you have nothing to compare it to.

3. What's the smoking situation usually like?

I don't smoke, so I really didn't notice or pay attention. Actually, our first cruise was with Paradise (Carnival) and it was a smoke-free ship.

4. What are the best ports? Right now we're looking at Western Caribbean

All are good. We have done the Western and Eastern Carib. Also, the Mayan Rivera. I would suggest not to book your shore excursions with the cruiseline or ahead of time. Once you get off the ship, pay the local vendor for your excursion. Trust me, you save quite a bit and the cruiseline use the same vendors. We would always end up in the same excursion with the guests who booked with the cruiseline, however we normally paid half of what the cruiseline was charging for the shore excursions. Plus, you can haggle with the vendor.

5. Where's the best port of call?

Our favorite was Coco Beach in St. Thomas (Virgin Islands) We also like the Cayman Islands (swimming with the string ray), and Cabo San Lucas (lover's beach).

6. Is a balcony stateroom worth it?

We always book most economical suite to get the best price. Each time we have been upgraded to an outside/window suite. I have not been in a balcony stateroom, but there is quite the price difference. Plus, I am not on vacation to stay in my suite.

7. Is there a better side of the ship? Port or starboard? Toward the front or back?

No

I think that's it for now. Thanks!

RE: Cruise Questions

lovemrk — Tue, 29 Apr 2008 05:57:22 GMT

I've been on two cruises and can only give my opinion on one topic in particular (again this is my opinion). My cabin did not have a balcony and I didn't mind at all. Truthfully, we were hardly in our cabin at all. The upgrade cost is a little too pricey for me but since it's your honeymoon, you may spend more time in your cabin and this may be a feature you want. If it's not, I don't think it's worth paying for. (you will be too busy doing other things). Your choice. Cruises are fun though!!!

RE: Cruise Questions

mohonnor — Fri, 25 Apr 2008 09:55:59 GMT

Hello

we too went on a cruise for our honeymoon and loved it!! Your truely going to have a great time. For our experience we went with Carnival...although I dont think u need to worry about Royal as they are such a great name also in the cruise line that in my opinion as long as u stick to name brands here you'll be okay ;)

We ported out of Miami and went to Ochos Rios Jamaica and Grand Caymen Islands. Loved both! As for when its best to book, I'd always would book early!! so that you can have the best pick of stateroom and usually the cost is much better early verses late. As for which room would be better it depends on your taste..we had one with just a large window but we would love to have one with a balcony next time for sure. I dont think there really is any difference where on the ship thats suppose to be better. We have heard its in the middle as u dont feel the rocking as bad, but Im not sure. For us thats not an option as Im a lil clostaphobic and the thought of being in a room with no windows scares the hell out of me.

My only last recomendation in regards to places and escourcions would be with Ochos Rios Jamaica the Dunns River Falls are amazing and we did a trip to this thing called Dolphins cove where u can swim with the Dolphins. At Grand Caymen Is. u can swim with sting rays its amazing!!

Im sure where ever you decide to go will be amazing it truely is a great style of travel and is litterally idiot proof!! All those amazing cruise lines take care of their guests amazingly...oh another good idea while on there if Royal has what Carnival does where u can purchase a pop card get one!!! It cost us $30 each to have unlimited pop on the ship for a week and was well worth it!!

Good Luck!!

RE: Cruise Questions

June2007 — Sun, 13 Apr 2008 23:16:49 GMT

I've only ever been on Royal Carribean and we enjoyed it. We went on a Med. cruise not Carribean. As for the smoking situation you can smoke on your balcony, on deck and at some of the bars. The balcony stateroom was really worth it for us not just for the smoking but because some of the European ports are really beautiful.

RE: Cruise Questions

missdish — Wed, 09 Apr 2008 07:27:51 GMT

Were going on one for our honeymoon in June. We booked last June, they had a deal on as well that we got moved up to a higher deck.

We passed on the extras and got an interior stateroom - If I want to see outside I'll walk up to a deck. Not pay the extra $500 or whatever it was

RE: Cruise Questions

autumnblis — Tue, 08 Apr 2008 23:04:51 GMT

Hey - I've been on 4 cruises myself and I am probably going on my 5th this November. Most of the questions that you have asked are based pretty much on preferences, so I'll answer them as un-biased as possible. lol

1.How far ahead does one typically book? We looking at going Jan/Feb of next year

Since 2 of my cruises that I've been on have been when I was younger, I don't know how early they were booked. However, the previous 2 were booked anywhere from 2 months - 4 months in advance. This was just because the first one was a last minute thing and the second, well, we were shopping.

2: Any experience with Royal Caribbean? Or any strong feelings on any of the other cruise lines?

2 of my cruises have been with Royal Caribbean, 1 with Carnival and 1 with Princess. I personally liked Royal Caribben the best, but they are all comparable. Carnival's motto is "The Fun Ships" and they push alcohol/partying a lot. Royal Caribbean is all about 'enjoying yourself" there is plenty to do on the ships, and quite often you have to plan your day ahead just to fit everything it. Princess was the most relaxing, with less activities and less "partying". The food/service between Royal Caribbean and Princess was pretty close. With Carnival though, I can't really remember the service (it was almost 8 years ago) so I guess it wasn't that bad if nothing sticks out! lol

3. What's the smoking situation usually like?

As far as I can remember, there was smoking allowed in the Casino and I think in some of the bars..and on the deck of course. This could also vary by cruiseline.

4. What are the best ports? Right now we're looking at Western Caribbean

I've done both the Western Caribbean the Eastern twice. Both are comparable and offer their own unique islands. I do like the Western itinerary simply because it goes to Jamaica (which I love) and Cozumel, which is a great port as well. It just really depends on what you are looking for.

5. Where's the best port of call?

This totally depends on what you want to do. If you just want to relax on a beach, then St.Thomas is your stop. For shopping, (specifically jewellery) then Jamaica, Grand Caymen. For cultural, Puerto Rico, Cozumel, Jamaica....

6. Is a balcony stateroom worth it?

Unfortunately, I haven't had the privelage to have a balcony, and that is because my husband doesn't want to spend the extra money. My mom won't go into anything less then a balcony stateroom, and if I could, I would! (I think with this one cruise I looked up, it ended up only being $200 more, so that's not bad) I also think it depends on what itinerary you do. For instance, if we did a Hawaiian or Alaskan cruise we HAVE to have a balcony..lol Oh, I must add I didn't feel ripped off or anything by not having a balcony. If we wanted to see the views, then we would just go up to the main decks. However, it would be nice to wake up and just walk out in my pj's and sit there!

7. Is there a better side of the ship? Port or starboard? Toward the front or back?

This all depends on what side the ship will dock and unfortunately, that isn't determined until they actually dock! We personally like to be on the lower levels and we always seem to be where they unload. This is just by coincidence. We like the lower levels because when you get on/off, you're close to your room. Nothing is more frustrating then waiting for an elevator to get up to the 11th floor. Especially when 900++ people are doing the same thing. I just wouldn't be at the VERY back of the bus, I would think it would be a bit loud. However, if you were on the 6th floor at the back, it wouldn't be as loud as the 2nd floor at the back.

I hope this helps a bit! If you have any further questions, don't hesitate to ask! I love cruising, and I'm so glad that I got my husband hooked on it!

Ang

RE: Cruise Questions

LilMissTrouble — Tue, 08 Apr 2008 22:50:16 GMT

I've been on a couple of cruises, one with Princess and two with Holland America. I did a Western Caribbean cruise with Princess and we did two stops in Mexico, one in Belize and one in Roatan. I have to say Belize was my fave, then Roatan. I'm not a huge fan of Mexico, but Cozumel is nice for snorkeling.

I think you can book as far in advance as you want, sometimes if you book far in advance they upgrade you after they sell all the staterooms in your category. This happened to us last time, we went from a verandah suite to a superior verandah suite.

I'm very sensitive to smoke and have never had any problems with people smoking. I think most people smoke on their balcony anyways and because it's outside and you're moving at a swift pace, the air blows it right away!

I like the balcony stateroom because I'm a little claustrophobic. Plus I love the fact that you have a private area and can have your meals out there :) After having a balcony I would never have anything else.

I don't think that there's a better part of the ship, but I hear that more towards the middle is better because that's where the stabilizers are. So if you're prone to sea sickness I would pick the middle.

I agree with PP, cruise critic is fantastic for helping to book your tours.

If you have any other questions, just PM me.

RE: Cruise Questions

firebug — Tue, 08 Apr 2008 17:41:36 GMT

I have never been on a cruise (yet), but am planning one for December and posted on here. A fellow CB'er told me of an amazing website which I found super helpful. Its www.cruisecritic.com It answered many of my questions, so it may help you too.

Cruise Questions

Lyndsay31 — Tue, 08 Apr 2008 15:37:39 GMT

I've never been on a cruise before, and this is what I want to plan for our honeymoon.

1: How far ahead does one typically book? We looking at going Jan/Feb of next year

2: Any experience with Royal Caribbean? Or any strong feelings on any of the other cruise lines?

3. What's the smoking situation usually like?

4. What are the best ports? Right now we're looking at Western Caribbean

5. Where's the best port of call?

6. Is a balcony stateroom worth it?

7. Is there a better side of the ship? Port or starboard? Toward the front or back?

I think that's it for now. Thanks!