Help me pick a cruise for my 50th birthday next year

[onepaire]

What I really want for my 50th birthday next year is to see U2 in concert, but if they aren't coming to the US, I'll settle for a cruise. Even better, if they aren't going to be in the US in 2106, I could take a cruise to a country where they are performing and see them there. It would perfect, a trans-Atlantic cruise followed by a couple days in Europe where I get to see my favorite rock band in concert for the first time in almost 30 years. No, we still have kids to put through college, old cars to replace, and leaking roof, so I don't see that happening. As my psychologist friend would say, "that's magical thinking".

For now, the plan is that dh is going to take me on a cruise for my 50th birthday next year, which is in November. We can afford a 4-day Disney cruise or a 7-day cruise on another cruiseline (definitely not Norwegian or Carnival). Destination and departure port are what I can't decide on. The nine cruises we have taken have all been in the Caribbean except for one in the Bahamas. If we pick another cruiseline, we can afford to try something new. We live on the East Coast, so if we choose DCL, we can drive to any of the departure ports in Florida. We also have enough airline points to fly for free if we decide to leave out of Galveston or choose another cruiseline whose port is not driving distance.

I know we can't go wrong with a Disney cruise, but Celebrity and Royal Caribbean have 7-9 day itineraries that look appealing for the same price as Disney's shorter trips. Any suggestions?

 

[rmcildw2m]

What I really want for my 50th birthday next year is to see U2 in concert, but if they aren't coming to the US, I'll settle for a cruise. Even better, if they aren't going to be in the US in 2106, I could take a cruise to a country where they are performing and see them there. It would perfect, a trans-Atlantic cruise followed by a couple days in Europe where I get to see my favorite rock band in concert for the first time in almost 30 years. No, we still have kids to put through college, old cars to replace, and leaking roof, so I don't see that happening. As my psychologist friend would say, "that's magical thinking".

For now, the plan is that dh is going to take me on a cruise for my 50th birthday next year, which is in November. We can afford a 4-day Disney cruise or a 7-day cruise on another cruiseline (definitely not Norwegian or Carnival). Destination and departure port are what I can't decide on. The nine cruises we have taken have all been in the Caribbean except for one in the Bahamas. If we pick another cruiseline, we can afford to try something new. We live on the East Coast, so if we choose DCL, we can drive to any of the departure ports in Florida. We also have enough airline points to fly for free if we decide to leave out of Galveston or choose another cruiseline whose port is not driving distance.

I know we can't go wrong with a Disney cruise, but Celebrity and Royal Caribbean have 7-9 day itineraries that look appealing for the same price as Disney's shorter trips. Any suggestions?

That is a tough choice , another cruise line over Disney?. We always look at other company's when considering a cruise but settle on paying more for Disney just because we know they do it right all the time . Disney knows that they do cruising better than the others so they can charge more .just my 2 cents.

 

[mom4fun]

I would recommend one of the panama canal cruises. A 14 night cruise will run you about the same price as a 7 night cruise. If you don't book on opening day then you can wait until after paid in full date and there always seems to be some kind of gt rates at that point. You could drive to miami and fly 1 way back from San diego. This would be an awesome way to celebrate your 50th birthday!

 

[MunFam]

I would recommend one of the panama canal cruises. A 14 night cruise will run you about the same price as a 7 night cruise. If you don't book on opening day then you can wait until after paid in full date and there always seems to be some kind of gt rates at that point. You could drive to miami and fly 1 way back from San diego. This would be an awesome way to celebrate your 50th birthday!

I was going to suggest this as well! It was an AMAZING cruise...now...to be honest with you...there are other lines that run this route and have MUCH better ports of call for the same price. We chose DCL because we have a young kid. If we were to do a Panama Canal Cruise again, we would likely go with HAL because they have a lot more "exotic" stops.

Also on my bucket list for cruising is a South American cruise that stops in Antarctica. They are quite reasonably priced as well.

 

[Tonka's Skipper]

I go with the Disney Panama Canal cruise as well!

AKK

 

[onepaire]

If you don't book on opening day then you can wait until after paid in full date and there always seems to be some kind of gt rates at that point.

.

That is good to know. Panama Canal will have to wait until dh can take off from work for a longer vacation time. The only reservations I have about a GT rate is the availability of a balcony room. It seems like those sell out too quickly to be available for a last-minute booking.

to be honest with you...there are other lines that run this route and have MUCH better ports of call for the same price.

Also good to know.

 

[MUN]

What I really want for my 50th birthday next year is to see U2 in concert, but if they aren't coming to the US, I'll settle for a cruise. Even better, if they aren't going to be in the US in 2106, I could take a cruise to a country where they are performing and see them there. It would perfect, a trans-Atlantic cruise followed by a couple days in Europe where I get to see my favorite rock band in concert for the first time in almost 30 years. No, we still have kids to put through college, old cars to replace, and leaking roof, so I don't see that happening. As my psychologist friend would say, "that's magical thinking".

For now, the plan is that dh is going to take me on a cruise for my 50th birthday next year, which is in November. We can afford a 4-day Disney cruise or a 7-day cruise on another cruiseline (definitely not Norwegian or Carnival). Destination and departure port are what I can't decide on. The nine cruises we have taken have all been in the Caribbean except for one in the Bahamas. If we pick another cruiseline, we can afford to try something new. We live on the East Coast, so if we choose DCL, we can drive to any of the departure ports in Florida. We also have enough airline points to fly for free if we decide to leave out of Galveston or choose another cruiseline whose port is not driving distance.

I know we can't go wrong with a Disney cruise, but Celebrity and Royal Caribbean have 7-9 day itineraries that look appealing for the same price as Disney's shorter trips. Any suggestions?

If you don't mind cruising a line other than DCL, would you settle for 2U a U2 tribute band? They have a couple of shows in January and February at Oceans 5 in Shoreham, NY. I bet tickets are cheaper, and easier to get than U2 tickets. And I'm sure they put on an entertaining show. U2 tickets are getting so unaffordable these days.

In case I forget, have a great birthday!

MUN

 

[cedricandsophie]

For a special occasion like this consider silver sea or crystal which are all inclusive. There are lots of deals to great places and if you're willing to get a cheap cabin...ie inside or just a window, you can get some good deals. We have been on both and they are lovely with entertainment, all drinks and tips included and often excursions too. We have already reserved a crystal cruise for 2017 to Bali and Singapore and the price has gone down twice.

 

[onepaire]

If you don't mind cruising a line other than DCL, would you settle for 2U a U2 tribute band? They have a couple of shows in January and February at Oceans 5 in Shoreham, NY. I bet tickets are cheaper, and easier to get than U2 tickets. And I'm sure they put on an entertaining show. U2 tickets are getting so unaffordable these days.

In case I forget, have a great birthday!

MUN

Thanks for the early birthday wishes. Interesting idea, a tribute band. I'm not sure about it though. I guess I just lack imagination.

 

[onepaire]

For a special occasion like this consider silver sea or crystal which are all inclusive. There are lots of deals to great places and if you're willing to get a cheap cabin...ie inside or just a window, you can get some good deals. We have been on both and they are lovely with entertainment, all drinks and tips included and often excursions too. We have already reserved a crystal cruise for 2017 to Bali and Singapore and the price has gone down twice.

Maybe I should look into that. Even if it's not for my 50th birthday, our 30th anniversary is coming up in a few years. By then, two of our three kids will have graduated from college, and God-willing, the third will have earned enough scholarship money that we can vacation in style.