Cruise in the future

Ok folks, for Christmas I'm giving my lovely wife a cruise (she has wanted one for many years now). I'm asking you all for advice on cruises (never been on one outside of Uncle Sam's Canoe Club <i.e. USN> and know virtually nothing about them). Please feel free to include any experiences you have had with them be it good or bad, shiplines to steer clear of and why, destinations to visit or not visit, and any other pertinent information. Thanks!

Jack

 

Where are you wanting to depart from?

I am partial to the Caribbean myself. My wife and I have seen many of the islands, and we have enjoyed them all, though some more than others.

The Virgin Islands are some of the most beautiful places we have visited. St. Thomas is probably my favorite, though Tortoga is beautiful as is St John (though St John is smaller with only one small town that we visited.) We liked St Thomas so much that we went back there for an entire vacation -- very friendly locals with a lot to do in the towns, and several amazing beaches. You have to visit Megan's bay if you go to St Thomas. St John is a 20 minute ferry ride from St Thomas and the highlight for us was Trunck Bay. They have a marked snorkelling course there that is full of sea life -- schools of colorful fish and large groups of rays swimming around you.

We also spent a week on St Lucia, which is an independant country further south, at an all-inclusive resort. I actually would recommend this over a cruise if you really want to relax -- cruises can be very relaxing too, but you don't set your own schedule like you do if you are just in one destination. There are three Sandals resorts on the island and you get access to all of them if you stay at one. This gives you a lot of variety to choose from as far as restaurants and bars and pools, and it is all included, including your drinks (they usually aren't on cruises). St Lucia wouldn't be high on my list as a cruise destination, though. There isn't much to see off of the resorts.

Hope this helps. Enjoy!

 

Looking at a Carribean Cruise, not sure if it will be western or eastern at this point. Looking at either March 31 through April 7th or sometime after June 1. Also most likely would like to leave out of Florida someplace so we can visit family and friends.

Jack

 

I was really hoping for more input from all of you... maybe next year??

 

Royal Caribbean all the way What an awesome gift to your wife

 

THat is awesome man... I wish I could give you some 411, but honestly, never done it. It is on my list of things to fo before too many more years go by, but just haven't gotten to that yet.

~C

 

Not to be a Debby Downer but I haven't heard so many great stories of people going on cruises. I guess it depends on your personality but you are sharing some awfully close quarters with literally thousands of people. People I know have likened it to a "floating mall". For the same amount of money you can get a hotel/flight package deal and chill on the beach for a week. However, lots of people go on cruises so obviously people do enjoy them.....

 

I've only been on one cruise - and that was very recent (last November). It was to the Bahamas on a Carnival cruise ship (the "Sensation"). I had fun - we stopped at Free Port and then at Nassau. As far as the Bahamas itself goes, it was Ok - I did get to buy and (sort of) smoke an actual Cuban Cigar - but the craft stuff was for the most part the same run-of-the-mill stuff you see anywhere, with a few exceptions. We always buy a cheesy magnet where ever we go to slap on the fridge at home - and they were all made in China, as was a bunch of the stuff for sale.

We did pay for and go on an off-ship trip to Blackbeard's Cay. It was an all day thing on a little cay that had a nice beach, and a snackbar that also served (expensive) drinks. There were a couple of old cannons on display - pretty cool. I'd never seen one upclose, but these are in pretty bad shape. Considering the history of the area, cannon must be a dime a dozen. The neatest part about that "excursion" was we were taken and brought back by a speedboat, which hit speeds in the 50mph range - talk about a boat ride! That alone was worth it. The Cay itself is a nice place for a quiet afternoon.

The ship was cool, as I had never been on one. Takes a while to get your bearings - these things are huge. You can't beat the food, either. It's free, and you can get food pretty much anytime of the day or night - not a good thing when you are trying to lose weight! You do have to pay for alcoholic drinks, which are pretty steep. You can, however, buy bottles of spirits at low, low duty-free prices . . . but you don't get them till the cruise is over. DeviceDemon has a point - it is kinda like a floating mall. There is also a Casino where you can gamble, if that is your thing. I lost 10 dollars in like, 30 seconds, and that was it for me! lol Just to say I'd done it.

All in all, it was a fun experience - and I am not one who enjoys travel all that much. My wife has actually been on three cruises now, and she can't get enough, it seems!

 

Living on the West Coast, I've been on quite a few 3-4 day cruises to Baja, Mexico on Carnival and Celebrity cruise lines. Also a cruise to Alaska for a week on Holland America. Holland America was like staying at the Ritz versus Carnival/Celebrity were like a Best Western.

I love cruises, to me they are like going to an all inclusive resort, but you get to see so much more if you cruise through different areas. Have been on 3 inclusive trips to Aruba and Costa Rica, so I feel I'm qualified to judge. Cruising thru Alaska and seeing the landscape was one of the most amazing things I've ever done and seen. If your cruise takes you to different islands, try and get a cabin with a balcony/veranda, not just a window, but where you can sit on it and look at what you're passing by, it's well worth the extra money. We were able to turn on the speaker in the cabin and hear the description of what we were seeing. Or if you just want to kick back, it's a great way to do it, plus to me, you don't feel so cooped up in a small cabin. On a very personal level, it's a great way for two people to connect or reconnect for 24/7 for a week.

Someday hope I'll be going to the Carribbean. We are in the planning stages of going to the Mediterranean in October for a 10 day cruise. Have a wonderful time and hope you enjoy your cruise as much as I enjoyed our cruise.:wave