Have you ever been on a cruise? COME INSIDE!

[Aimeedyan]

DH and I would love to cruise (Disney would be great, but doesn't have to be), but I am looking to see REALISTICALLY what kind of prices we are looking at... we can be pretty flexible on dates, destinations don't matter to us, inside cabins are fine, etc. We're thinking sometime next year, before I graduate or shortly after, I'm not sure if it's best to book in advance or wait until the last minute to grab a deal - or really when cruise peak time is.

What is the cheapest you've paid to go? What cruise lines have you been on, and what did you think? We've never been!

Galveston has Carnival (I believe) departing from it, which would save us airfare, but again, we're open to anything that's a good deal.

THANKS!

 

[Chattyaholic]

DH and I (we are both 46) have taken 4 cruises. Our first was a Disney Magic Eastern 7-night cruise to celebrate our 25th wedding anniversary. We loved it! We were hooked!! Then we took a short 4-night Carnival Fantasy (my Christmas gift to DH) cruise, followed 2 days later by the 7-night Disney Magic Western cruise. Loved both of those as well. Then, this past January, we took my parents on a 4-night Disney Wonder cruise and again, it was all we expected and more. Cruising is something we really, really enjoy. We are in the "talking stage" of planning another cruise (maybe Hawaii, or Alaska...southern Caribbean...just not sure yet) for our 30th anniversary.

For the 7-night Disney cruises we had balcony cabins mid-ship and we paid about $1500 each if I remember correctly.

For the 4-night Carnival Fantasy cruise we had an inside cabin (and really didn't mind, kind of nice to have total darkness for those afternoon naps so we could stay up late at night!) for $299 each. A great bargain!!

And for the 4-night Disney Wonder we again had a balcony cabin mid-ship, I think it was about $1000 each.

We always go in January. Since we're from Michigan it's nice to get out of the snow and cold for a week or so, and it's one of the least expensive times to go. We always book early (up to a year in advance) to get the best savings. With Carnival I booked directly with them, our first Disney cruise we went with a local TA but the other two we went with Dreams Unlimited.

Good luck choosing a cruise, there are so many different ones out there. If you want to talk more about cruising, feel free to PM me.

 

[jkovick]

DH & I have sailed on Carnival, RCCL and Disney. All have their good points. Disney has great shows, Disney service, a beautiful ship and more kids than the other lines(naturally). RCCL is nice, better food than the others, very good service, more laid back, fewer kids and moderately priced. Carnival is inexpensive, service was good but more impersonal thant the other two, with lots going on at all times. Also, Carnival has more people in the 20-30 crowd than the other two. You will have a great vacation no matter what line you go with!

 

[Kimnicki]

We went on our first "family" cruise this past March. We sailed on the Disney Magic for the 7 night Eastern carribean. It really was the best vacation we ever took. It cost close to $4000 for the four of us in a deluxe outside stateroom. That price included the airfare. We booked a year in advance, so we really saved quite a bit of money doing it that way, but I think Disney is one of very few cruises where you save more the earlier you book. I had researched when the lowest prices would be and I came up with the first cruise in March or most of September. My son was starting Kindergarten, so we chose to wait until March to go. I went on a cruise (Carnival) with my sister back in 1994, and it cost me $900 for a 7 day cruise.

Good luck with your planning!


Kim

 

[crz4mm2]

I have only been on two. Loved both. Both were Norwegian Cruise Line.
First time left from Miami and did the St. Thomas etc islands. Wonderful! 7 day cruise. I think it was about 499.00. Of course add airfare from Illinois.
2nd cruise from Boston to Bermuda. This was a 7 day cruise also and LOVED it. The boat docked in Bermuda and stayed in the same place so we were free to leave and explore the island and come back eat rest etc. It was much more expensive. We did get a window room (bigger than the interior ones) and I think it was about 1000.00 each.
I LOVE cruises too. WIsh I could get my DH to go. He just doesn't like the idea of being in the middle of water like that!
Might take DD on one someday. She thinks she wouldlike to go.
How far are you from New Orleans? Norwegian has a cruise that leaves from there. If close enough, would save you airfare. That's what I am considering next. I can drive there in about 12 hours.
Go and have a great time!

 

[DisneyDreamer8]

Well, I have been on three cruises and a fourth booked for next year. I have only cruised on Disney and love it!!!

Here is some info I have gathered on picking cruises:
1. figure out what is most important: price, destination, cruise line, sail date.

If price is your main concern than cruise during off season. This depends on the destination and cruise line.

Booking early is usually a good thing because you can get EBS (early booking savings). But some cruise lines offer specials closer to sail date (usually after the final payment is due and people end up cancelling)

What I would suggest is to go to a web site like Cheaptickets in the cruise section and just look around. If you find something you like then go to that curise line web site to check to see if they are running any specials. Than check with other Travel Agents.

Here is a tip: If you get any motion sickness or don't know how you will react book a room on a lower deck (closer to the waterline) and midship (halfway between the front (forward) and back (aft) of the ship.

If you have specific questions or need help just let me know

 

[Amberle3]

If you can do last minute, fall is usually a great time. There were some outstanding deals with Carnival last year. I remember getting a fax about a 7 day Western Caribbean with Carnival for $79 Canadian. Yep, $79 for the week. Port charges etc extra of course.

Now the part that sucks about being located smack in the middle of Canada in the prairies is that although we have transborder service, it's not with the same frequency that a place like Toronto has. And even then we don't get the same kind of cheapie fares to the US that one would find with say Southwest. And since the cruise left in something like 10 days the airfare from here to the port would have been well over $1000 per person. For some reason I also couldn't find anyone willing to drive down to Florida for a cheap cruise.

But keep on eye out for last minute pricing in the fall, it can be pretty fantastic!

 

[jrydberg]

My 6 year old daughter and I did our first cruise ever on DCL May 1st-8th of this year in a balcony cabin. It was SOOOOOO much fun for both of us But it didn't come cheap. Airfare, transfers and insurance included it was $4000 for the two of us (no discount for her as a child since it was just the two of us).

If you want to see a few pictures:

http://members.cox.net/jrydberg/disney.htm

Hope this helps.

 

[Aimeedyan]

THANKS FOR MUCH FOR YOUR THOUGHTS!

It gave me hope that we might pull off a bargain cruise! I think we will wait and watch... since we really don't have the money right now, and will be happy with anything. We could go next Jan, probably, so maybe we can get some great discounts during that time!

New Orleans is only 8 hours from us, and a pretty easy drive, so we could do that if we needed to.

My mom said she can occasionally get CM discounts on Disney cruises, but it's sorta hit and miss - and she'd have to go, which she wasn't upset at at all SHe'd love to cruise, anyways! So maybe that will work out!

Anyone else cruise and can offer thoughts?

 

[GoofItUp]

Howdy back at ya, neighbor!

DH and I LOVE cruising. We are in the midst of planning our next one now....a 12-night Panama Canal cruise leaving out of Galveston on Celebrity Cruise Lines.

There are actually several lines that sail out of Galveston/Houston. Norwegian, Royal Caribbean, Carnival, and Celebrity. Holland America is suppose to be here by Dec 2005 if memory serves correctly. The length, prices, itineraries, and 'class' of ships vary greatly. Carnival is your cheapest cruise line, generally, with great fares but not always the best service/food. I would rate Norwegian above Carnival. It is a laid-back cruise with no set dining times or formal nights. Royal Caribbean (I'm hope I'm spelling that right - it's a hard one for me!) is really a nice cruise line with lots of activities, good service, and generally good food. Holland America and Celebrity are 'high-class' cruises that are more for relaxation with generally very good service and food.

Being a PT TA, I generally book my own cruises, but you can look at the following websites to get pricing/itinerary ideas.

www.buycruises.com
www.bestpricecruises.com
www.galvestoncruises.com

Cruising is so much fun....but be careful, it can be as addictive as WDW!

 

[ckmommy]

Ww are looking into doing a quick spur of the moment type trip in the future. I have been doing a little research. We live in Houston, so the Galvaston Cruises are really appealing to us. The ships in Galvaston are:

2 Carnival ships (one is really old, the other newer)
Royal Carribean Rapsody of the Seas
Soon to arrive Princess Grand

We went on the Royal Carribean Rapsody when it was in LA. We loved everey minute of it. I do not have the cost of the cruise though.

I have wanted to go on the Princess Grand since in was put out to sea. It looks beautiful. I think I will be pushing for this ship.

As for the Carnival ships, they seem to be your best $$ bet. My good friend found a last minute deal last August (booked it on Friday left on Saturady type timeing). They paid $199/ person plus port charges. They spent less than $500 for the cruise for 2 people. So deals are out there.

Good Luck!

 

[disney4us2002]

We cruised the week before Thanksgiving 2003 and the prices were terrific. The rates dropped from our original cost of $2449 per person but we upgraded from balcony to minisuite to aft penthouse each time so we paid that amount afterall. There were other cruisers that bought last minute that got balcony rooms for less than $500 per person. I think waiting is better costwise. It was sooooo much fun. I have recommended cruising to all of my friends and family members! We definitely want to cruise again with the boys next time.

A wonderful site with very informed and seasoned cruisers is www.cruisecritic.com They have info and message boards and it was a blast comparing notes, 'meeting' others before cruised together, etc. We had a cruise critic meeting aboard the ship and the cruise director showed up and there were snacks and coffee/tea provided. I would highly recommend that site. The boards recently changed and the 'look' is odd to me now but the people there are still very knowledgeable and tons of fun.

We cruised Norwegian btw and I believe they also cruise from Galveston and New Orleans.

 

[DMickey28]

I haven't read the whole thread but wanted to post quickly.

I am using www.mycheaptravel.com, it's the website for Adventure Travel out of Florida. I am working with a girl named Paula, very nice and helpful. We are going on RCCL in October. We booked about four months or so ago, about 6 months from cruise time. Our cruise is during Hurricane season, it's almost sold out. Some people is our pary got inside cabisn for $471 including taxes and extra charges and everything. We got a balcony for $740 a person.

Mycheaptravel.com takes $250 per person at the time of booking for RCCL and if the cruise price goes down lower than what it was when you booked you will get that lower price. A lot of cruise lines do that if you ask..... It doesn't matter when you book it's a deposit of $250 and the rest is due approx. 60 days out from sailing. Pretty good deal if you ask me, especially if the cruise had not sold out and went cheaper we would have gotten the difference.