? for anyone who has been on a cruise

[Mimi Q]

My niece is getting married next August. She and her fiancee would like to go on a week long cruise for their honeymoon. Nobody in our family knows anything about where they should go or which cruise line would be best. Any tips about cruising would be appreciated.

 

[Blueeyes101817]

i have been on 2 cruises.....and they were both on royal carribbean cruise line...i had a great time...any specific questions?

 

[nuke]

I've been on 3 Royal Caribbean, Disney Cruise Lines, Costa Cruises, and Carnival Cruise Line.
Of those I prefer Royal for couples and now Disney that I have a family.

Do they know where they would like to go? Caribbean, Alaska, Hawaii etc. That would narrow down their choices.

The next question is type of cabin. Inside-No windows. Outside-Porthole or picture window. Balcony- You get a balcony.

Other nice cruise lines are Celebrity and Princess. Celebrity is known for their cuisine and Princess is just an all around good cruise line.

Good Luck to your Neice and nephew to be.

 

[RachelEllen]

Maybe a cruise oriented website would be helpful. I loved to use www.cruisecritic.com or www.cruisemates.com when we were planning. Your question is almost too large to give a good answer to. Start thinking about these things to help narrow down the choices:

1) Do they want a large ship experience with shows, casinos, restaurants, activities? Or are they imagining hanging out on a small sailing ship for a week?

2) What is their budget? For almost every type of cruise there is a budget option, a luxary option and things in between. Most of the lines mentioned so far (Royal Caribbean, Princess, Celebrity) are large ship, mid-range options. But there are many, many other options!

3) Where do they want to go? Caribbean? Europe? Alaska?

Those are the basics. Once you narrow things down, there are a dozen more questions to answer, though. I've planned about a half dozen cruises and worked with my mom (great travel agent), so I know a fair amount about the process. I'd be glad to answer any other questions.

Rachel

 

[Mimi Q]

They would like to cruise to the Caribbean. They are mid 20s. Budget would be $2500-$3000. Some specifics I am looking for are:
-book themselves or use a travel agent for best pricing
-any cabin locations to avoid
-best cruise lines

 

[Beth76]

www.cruisecritic.com is an excellent resource

without knowing any other info about them, there's not a whole lot that we can help with. If they are in their 20s or 30s, I would highly recommend Royal Caribbean. Although, in the summer months can be overwhelmed with kids, especially the Voyager class ships. But, a very good all-around cruise line with lots of activities for everyone.

 

[RachelEllen]

Originally posted by Mimi Q
They would like to cruise to the Caribbean.

That narrows it down a little bit. Is there one particular place they must see? If not, do they know if they want any particular activities? Or just to mainly hang out on beaches?

For example, we did the Western Carribbean because that hits more of the better SCUBA islands.

They can choose from a lot of lines in this area.

For a big ship experience you have Carnival, Royal Carribbean, and NCL for the lower end of midrange, and Celebrity, Princess, and Holland America and the upper end of midrange.

We like to do small ship cruising too. If you can afford it, I think something like Windstar would make an amazing honeymoon, but there are also budget versions of small ship cruises. It's just a totally different experience.

When they are thinking about a price, be sure to consider if they are organized activity people. Those shore excursions can add up. Will they want to shop? How far do they have to fly or drive to get to the port? Are they going to spend a lot of time in the room?? Some people want to be in the smallest room on the best line they can afford and enjoy the service and food. Some people would rather splurge on a balcony cabin and go on a less pricy line.

Most of these lines are going to have reputations. Like go on Celebrity for the great food or Carnival for partying. But I honestly think most of the big ships are more similar than different. If it were me, I'd pick between smal ship and large, narrow down the itineray a little bit, and then use some site like Expedia cruises to see exactly what they can choose between for the dates and amount of time they can go.

Those web sites I mentioned above are full of great articles on the pluses and minuses of all the choices people have mentioned.



Rachel

p.s. There's no such thing as the best line. I'd see what's out there in their budget range and then pick based on the particular cruise. They may find the line that sounds the best at first will force them into a second choice itineray, or cabin choice they are not as happy with. Worry about exact cabin location absolutely last. It's not going to effect which cruise you pick unless it is just about sold out. You're usually much better off picking the best cruise for you and then getting the best cabin you can afford.

 

[Blueeyes101817]

last year, we went through a travel agent for a 5 day cruise to caribbean....it ended up being about 550 a person for everyone..this was on royal caribbean

 

[calypso*a*go-go]

Based on the fact that they have never cruised before and are in their mid 20's I'd go with Carnival. It is more of a party crowd and I think the cruisers tend to be a little younger. Also, they have some really terrific rates. Be sure and tell the booking agent that they will be on their honeymoon.

 

[shortbun]

There is so much information to sift through. A cruise agency or
other agency
with big buying power would be the place to go after a bit
of personal study. Those websites would be a good place to
start. Pick the ports they'd like to see, decide about formal
or informal ships(some are much more upscale and might not
appeal to young 20's who prefer often to be more casual).
Decide about cabin location and type of cabin. I'd try to find a
ship where I could get a balcony to enlarge the cabin size a
bit and afford some relaxation other than laying on the bed
while one's mate is getting ready for dinner or otherwise.
Budget for August might be a little higher unless it the last
week or so of August as this(early August) is peak vacation time and ships have an easier time of selling more cabins thus driving
the price up a bit. The other poster is right about the cost of
shore excursions or even just going into port in a taxi driving up
the cost of the cruise. Alchohol is another big consideration-drinks
tend to run as they do in a hotel. Reputation of a cruise line or
specific ship is imporatant to learn. Some cruise lines are frat party atmosphere and many folks object to watching strangers
juggle the grape in their cleavage or stuff bathing suits with balloons in strategic spots. Find out about those issues.
Information will become obvious in layers. Find out if there is
a rythym to booking and when the specials came out for this
year or if there is any incentive to book more than a year ahead.
Often, specials come out later and reservations already made are
not accomodated so booking too soon could be a mistake too.
Congrats to your neice and I hope she has fun planning her wedding!
mimi

 

[HollyJoy]

How about the Disney Cruise line?

DH and took a cruise on the Big Red Boat for our honeymoon. Did a combo.. 4 day cruise to the Bahamas, then 3 days in Disney. Fun time!

 

[Denine]

We have been on 2 Princess cruises and 5 Disney cruises, all of them as a couple. First one with a child in October.

We like Princess for a more adult orineted cruise. The shows, dinners, entertainment are all geard toward adults. We have sailed the E. Carribbean and W. Carribbean.

We like DCL for a more fun, Disney oriented cruise. Still fun for adults as they have so many adult only areas

DCL is more expensive than most other cruise line, except for your high end lines.

I have a TA that specializes in Princess, but also books other lines. She does it all on the internet and on the phone. She is great to work with. Let me know if you are interested.