Researching cruises?

[chesirechik]

My mother has decided she wants to go on a cruise. I have been designated her cruise researcher, and I know NOTHING about cruises! Anyone know of some good sites to start out on?

 

[tkd lisa]

I take it she's not interested in a Disney Cruise? The cruise board has lots of good stuff on the DCL cruises.

Cruisecritic is a pretty decent site, and I found lots of information on epinions.

Good luck.

 

[chesirechik]

No, she doesn't get the whole Disney thing, just wants a "normal" cruise. I tried though!

 

[DawnCt]

I definately like www.cruisecritic.com. You didn't mention the age of your mother but some ships are more appropriate to a younger, party type crowd, others do a better job catering to families, and others, (Holland America) seem to attract older adults. Personally, I like Royal Carribean and Celebrity cruise lines. They are now owned by the same company but Celebrity seems to be a bit more upscale. Sometimes that affects the price, some times it doesn't. I have a great rate on our next cruise on Celebrity's Millineum for April school vacation. The other thing she needs to decide is, where does she want to go? Eastern, Western, Southern Carribean? Which port does she want to leave from? Miami, Fort Lauderdale, Tampa? In the summer there are a lot of cruises from New York, Boston and Baltimore and now Philapdelphia for those who don't want to fly.
After you decide where and when, consider the type of cabin and how much money to spend. I would love an outside cabin with a balcony but for less than half of the price, I can be very happy in an inside cabin. Often you can pick a low catagory guarantee and end up with a nice upgrade for a great price before sailing. I buy my cruises from a TA at an on line web site. I like Fern at www.cruise.com, but I don't book on line. I look at all of the discount web sites, www.cruise.com. www.bestpricedcruises.com, etc. and then I call her and see if she can do better. She always can. If the price goes down before sailing and you keep your eye on it, you will always be reimbursed the difference. Last spring we sailed the Explorer of the Seas. I booked at $730 per person. We ended up paying about $450 per person. The price dropped within 21 days of sailing. It was nice to get all of that $$$ back on four of us. Good luck. If you have any questions, ask away!

 

[TigH]

Another vote for cruisecritic.

Check out RCL's site - it's full of information and they seem to be a great cruise line! They have a new ship sailing out of Port Canaveral, Mariner of the Seas.

http://www.royalcaribbean.com/gohome.do

 

[kaseyC]

I agree with the others www. cruisecritics.com is a great place to get info. We cruise quite a bit and I cruise quite often with my mom who is in her 60's and I am in my late 30's. We have found that are favorite cruise lines are Celebrity and Princess. They are both very similar and had alot to offer a wide range of ages. Celebrity is more of a traditional cruise with the 2 set dining times as well as alternative options. Princess has the Personal Choice where you can choose the more traditional dining or anytime dining. Just find out your mothers preferences and go from there, there are so many ships out there, you will find one that appeals to her. My DH and I are going to Alaska in May on the Diamond Princess and the rates are great right now, we just upgraded to a Mini Suite and got a price reduction.

 

[tigercat]

Another site that is really nice is www.cruisemates.com I am going on a cruise with them in Jan. THere is a lot of information and also a "live chat" where you can ask people questions.
tigercat

 

[dawgfan]

www.cruise411.com is also a great site. Cruise critic, as someone else pointed out, is also good.

 

[moinab]

Don't give up on DCL, yet, unless she's absolutely dead-set against it. She may be surprised by how un-Disney it is. The ships are absolutely beautiful. If she likes gambling, she will be disappointed (there isn't any, except for bingo), but otherwise, it can be a great cruise for adults. There are always threads on the DCL forum about this.

RCCL/Celebrity do seem to be the most highly recommended by DCL fans who, for whatever reason, need to choose a different cruise line.

 

[wovenwonder]

When you're ready to check prices -- I Highly recommend buycruises.com ---- check out their website and then call their toll free number. The website is only a guideline but I've gotten MUCH lower prices over the telephone.

 

[ToyStory Fan]

I've only done 2. I don't know much about cruise critic, but I would definitely try to find out the mix of people on the boat...the last thing your mother may want is to be on a cruise full of 20 something spring breakers. I've been on Carnival (honeymoon) and thought that was the case I wasn't overly impressed. I also went on Radisson Seven Seas and it was absolutely incredible.

 

[tigercat]

I think it also depends on where you want to cruise and for how long. The longer cruises don't generally have just young people. Where you want to go will also affect who will be on the cruise as well as when you go.
tigercat