Cruise?

[jstbcuz]

We are celebrating our 20th anniversary in Feb, and I would like to take a short trip.

Neither of us have ever cruised, & I'm a big chicken and not sure I would even like it as I dont like being on a boat on the lake, but I think if I dont try it, I would regret it when Im 80.

Yes, I know it's getting down to the wire, but I just dont know. Do you think it's possible to cruise and have everything paid for under $1500. We live in KS, so not sure which port we would go out of Galveston? New Orleans? or even fly to Florida somewhere!

I want to go where it is warm!! Suggestions and input are warmly accepted and needed!

 

[holden]

We did a short cruise last Feb. It was too chilly to swim (chilly in the Bahamas too). If you could wait until May the weather will be warmer. Avoid spring break too.

Browse the various cruise websites to see which port is best to depart from. We have cruise Disney and Royal Caribbean. Both are great, but we prefer Royal Caribbean's ships for the "bells and whistles" (ice skating, mini golf, rock climbing wall, etc.) The service on Disney can't be beat! Both of those are good choices.

Not sure of your airfare costs, but you should be able to cruise for 2 in an outside cabin for a decent price as long as you avoid holidays/school vacation days.

Enjoy!

 

[kalliyan1]

I think you should do it!!! Cruising on a cruise ship is a completely different experience than being on a boat on a lake

We cruise all the time and love it. We feel that it's your best bang for the buck....lodging, food, entertainment, plus you get to see different places.

Another thing is, often times you get better rates the closer the sail date is because they are trying to fill up the cabins. So it's not a bad thing that it's coming up.

A few things that we learned, some the hard way, when looking for a cruise is:

1. We try to stay away from older ships. We have found in our experience that they are cheaper, but the quality of the ship, food, etc is not up to par. This is just my personal opinion.

2. ships that leave from San Juan tend to have cheaper cruise fares but the airfare is often times slightly more expensive so it tends to be a wash in the end so don't rule out a cruise out of San Juan until you look at all the variables. We also think that the best ports are on the cruises that leave out of San Juan but again, this is just my opinion.

3. We prefer Royal Caribbean over the others followed by Celebrity and Princess. We have done Norwegian and Carnival and those cruise lines were not for us, but again, this would be a personal choice. Of course our #1 choice is Disney but I'm not sure that that's what your looking for plus they tend to be really expensive

4. The only time we have paid to have an ocean view or balcony is when we go to alaska. For us, we are never in the room so paying the extra money to have those amnenities is just not worth it, we would rather spend it somewhere else. BUT since it's your first cruise and your anniversary, you may want to consider it.

5. We NEVER book directly with the cruise line. Usually more expensive and you never get shipboard credit(money you get that you can spend on the ship for shore excursions, gratuities, shopping, etc, in case you didn't know what that was). When we are pricing, we start at this website cruisecompete.com
You put in your information and then various travel agencies will respond with their offer and they "compete" in order to get your booking. The individual agencies can't see what other agencies are offering so it's almost like they often times will come in at their best rate. We always get tons of shipboard credit using this site. It's a site where you can see all the different pricing options that are available.

6. Whoever you book with, always ask if there are any change fees or agency fees of any kind!!! Some agencies will charge you to lower the cruise fare if it drops before final payment, some will charge you if you cancel your cruise before final payment(you can cancel before final payment for no charge)

7. We found that you don't always have to have shore excursions planned at every island to have a good time.

8. Have fun. It's really easier than it seems.


I would decide what islands your interested in and try to find an itinerary that best fits your choices. Narrow down what cruise line you want to try and go from there.

Hope this helps and if you have any questions, I'd be happy to help.

Bon voyage

 

[jstbcuz]

I should also say that we dont have passports!

 

[kalliyan1]

I should also say that we dont have passports!

depending on itinerary, birth certificates may be adequate. Once you narrow your choice down to a few options, call the cruise line directly and tell them the sailing your looking at and ask them if the birth certificates are ok. You can go into san juan with a birth certificate.

 

[Shelly F - Ohio]

I should also say that we dont have passports!

As long as your ship depart and returns to the same port in the USA you will not need a passport and your ship is only going to Mexico, Canada, the Caribbean, the Bahamas and Bermuda . The only big reason to need a passport is if you have a medical emergency and need to be medevac back to the USA.

Here is more info

Passports are required for all travelers, including citizens of U.S. and Canada, who enter or re-enter the United States by air, land or sea.



Regarding Celebrity Cruises cruises to destinations in Mexico, Canada, the Caribbean, the Bahamas and Bermuda, there is a notable exception to this US passport rule, pertaining to land and sea crossings for US Citizens:



US Citizens on closed-loop cruises (cruises that begin and end in the same U.S. port) and travel to destinations in Mexico, Canada, the Caribbean, the Bahamas, and Bermuda are able to re-enter the United States with proof of citizenship other than a passport or passport card. Acceptable proof of citizenship includes an original or certified copy of a government issued birth certificate (raised seal and signature) and a laminated government issued picture ID (typically, driver's license), Consular Report of Born Abroad Certificate, or a Certificate of Naturalization. NOTE: Baptismal records and certificates issued by a hospital are not acceptable.


We had a blast on our cruise there was so much to do. You will have fun

 

[BubMunkeyBles]

I love cruising and have 3 coming up (Royal Caribbean, Celebrity and Carnival. I am not loyal to any line). As long as you do a roundtrip cruise out of a US port you don't need a passport. Just birth certificate and ID.

Western and Bahamas cruises tend to be the cheapest and Feb is off season. We paid less than 1500 for a family of 4 in an ocean view 7 night out of miami for a feb 2 cruise on Carnival. Celebrity is constantly offering free on board credit, tips or alcohol packages with their 123 promos. I have found Royal a bit more pricey lately but rates have gone down for early 2014 it seems.

 

[goingtowdwwithkiddos]

love love love cruising. I also prefer Royal over Carnival. My experience cruising out of texas was not great as there was a lot of segregation and my family is mixed race, Likely won't apply to most but I will never cruise out of TX again.........

Edited to add closed loop leaving and arriving same port no passport is needed....

 

[crisi]

Why do you think you'll regret it?

We like cruising, but we like a ton of things more, and I won't get to do everything on my list before I'm 80. And the nice thing about cruising is that its a great vacation when you are 79, so it doesn't need to go to the top of your list.

I like all inclusives on the Mexican Riviera better for going somewhere warm. So do my kids (although we are cruising over Spring Break this year.

 

[tina.tina]

My friend took a cruise a few years ago and she didn't like it but she was very glad she tried it. She had experiences she never would have had otherwise. I don't regret the things I've done as much as the things I haven't done!!! Have fun.

 

[Lisa71]

We loved our cruises and did one from New Orleans that was really fun. Get a passport in case you need medical evacuation..rare yes, but I am an RN so I have stories!!! I like a view but not a balcony..lower floor and middle of the ship. Wash your hands and carry hand sanitizer so you have clean hands after touching buffet serving utensils. Have fun!!

 

[goingtowdwwithkiddos]

Why do you think you'll regret it?

We like cruising, but we like a ton of things more, and I won't get to do everything on my list before I'm 80. And the nice thing about cruising is that its a great vacation when you are 79, so it doesn't need to go to the top of your list.

I like all inclusives on the Mexican Riviera better for going somewhere warm. So do my kids (although we are cruising over Spring Break this year.

we are doing our first all inclusive to Jamaica (beaches) this summer I told my DH it may replace cruising. Do you recommend a company we love the Mexican Riviera.

 

[crisi]

we are doing our first all inclusive to Jamaica (beaches) this summer I told my DH it may replace cruising. Do you recommend a company we love the Mexican Riviera.

Barcelo, we've done Azul - honestly, most of them are really similar (Azul was a little more upscale - but not worth the price difference). The best was not all inclusive, but a private villa - we had to cook our own meals and buy our own tequila, but it was awesome. Watch trip advisor and what is on sale.

We are cruising again this Spring - I jumped on a good deal on a Disney cruise, but the kids would have rather gone to Mexico.

 

[S. C.]

We love cruising best vacation ever. Just be aware if you do go using only your birth certificate be sure to get back to the ship on time. You would need a passport to fly out of that country if left behind. We've been on 4 cruises without passports (been a few yrs now) but do plan on getting them in the future.

 

[goingtowdwwithkiddos]

Barcelo, we've done Azul - honestly, most of them are really similar (Azul was a little more upscale - but not worth the price difference). The best was not all inclusive, but a private villa - we had to cook our own meals and buy our own tequila, but it was awesome. Watch trip advisor and what is on sale.

We are cruising again this Spring - I jumped on a good deal on a Disney cruise, but the kids would have rather gone to Mexico.

Thank you

 

[Belle & Ariel]

We love to cruise.
Holland America is another great option. We have sailed them almost exclusively the last few years because a 7 night cruise on them will have 4 port days and 2 sea days whereas other ships are often doing 3 ports and 3 sea days. They provide great service and great food, excellent staterooms, and a relaxing atmosphere.
We prefer to cruise out of southern Florida to the Eastern Caribbean. The beaches are nicer than the western which usually include Mexico.
A nice thing about going out of South Florida is it will be warmer in February and the next day will be great for a sea day. We have cruised Nov, Dec, Jan, and March, and it has always been warm enough to enjoy a beach.

 

[kymom99]

2 things:

We went on a cruise for our honeymoon coming up on 18 years ago in February to the Bahamas. The weather was beautiful. We went on our second cruise this past June. it was HOT and crowded, but we had fun.

We did not have passports for this last cruise. It wasn't a problem, but I was nervous because I have been married, divorced, and remarried. I had to have a stack of documents an inch thick to show that I am who I am. It would have been much more relaxing if we had passports.

 

[MickeyP]

I would like to throw this out there, since it's the budget board: We sailed on Norwegian's Breakaway last summer out of NYC. While we saved on airfare, what we did not realize was how much the restaurants would be. It's a "new" thing called "freestyle", where you can eat at ANY restaurant you choose, but you're charged for 24 out of the 28 restaurants onboard. Yes, there were 4 choices for free dining, and 3 of them served the same exact menu. The other choice was the open buffet on the top deck.
Wouldn't do it again.

 

[iteach7th]

Anyone have any experience with vacations to go.com? I get their emails. My friend at the travel agency says they cent come anywhere close to the prices quoted on the emails they send out. Clark Howard on CNN has mentioned them as a great place to book a cruise.
I am starting to gather info on cruising for our 20th anniversary. We have never cruised. The prices on vacationstogo.com are incredible.

 

[lost*in*cyberspace]

We loved our cruises and did one from New Orleans that was really fun. Get a passport in case you need medical evacuation..rare yes, but I am an RN so I have stories!!! I like a view but not a balcony..lower floor and middle of the ship. Wash your hands and carry hand sanitizer so you have clean hands after touching buffet serving utensils. Have fun!!

Washing hands with soap and water is much more effective than using hand sanitizers.