Wanted all cruisers!!

[CPT Tripss]

Consider cruising from Cape Liberty (Bayonne), Manhattan, or Baltimore. That means Bermuda at the time of year you are considering. Cruise lines would be, NCL, Royal Caribbean, Celebrity and(I am not certain) Carnival.

Way less hassle and expense than flying to Fl or PR. You'll be on the ship in little more than a couple of hours after leaving Philly.

 

[ronandannette]

Based on a few preferences you mentioned in other, unrelated threads, I'd suggest you look into NCL, which has some of the finest suite accommodations (and the ship-wide perks to go with them) of any mainstream cruise line. Their "Haven" concept is very attractive (albeit expensive). I also like the dining options - the food in NCL's up-charge venues rival fine-quality shore side restaurants.

The specific ships I'd look at if I were you are the Breakaway (Bermuda from New York) and the Getaway (Caribbean from Miami). Both are brand new and in addition to the great accommodations and dining, have a wide range of entertainment and activities for everybody in your group. Happy planning!

 

[CPT Tripss]

As OP's budget is $1700 per person, the Haven on NCL is out of the question. At that budget amount, it's a wise move not to go to the UK . . . there isn't much left over after air fare.

 

[PatsGirl]

There's probably not too many cruises out of "local" ports for you and as much as I'd like to go to Bermuda I'm not sure that is everyone's first choice. You did say Carribbean so I think that'll mean flying into FLL or MIA, maybe even TPA. If you pick as early as possible before most NE schools get out the prices will be cheaper and you won't find as many school aged children on board if that's a plus for you.

The typical Eastern Carib is a good first cruise for many. The islands are generally easy to navigate and there's lots of information on them. Once you determine your itinerary, rent a car at each port (a minivan maybe?) and map out your day hitting all the sights with a long lunch at a beach.

Personally, I'd go with whatever cruise line was cheapest between Carnival, RCCI and NCL (although I'm not a big NCL fan). I would not go on a ship that is too old though, try to choose something built or refurbed in the last ten years. Its really not necessary to have all the bells and whistles if you are on a port-intensive cruise...there really isn't much time for rock-climbing and such if you plan to disembark and see the islands.

Not sure how you plan to break up the cabins but you might consider doing a couple inside rooms across from a couple balcony rooms and welcome everyone to the balcony for time together. I've also known people who have booked all inside cabins and use one balcony room just for the party room with no one actually using it for sleep...it gives everyone a congregation place but when they are tired or want to be alone, they have a "quiet" room to go to.

Good luck. I love cruising

 

[PatsGirl]

Check June 7th out of San Juan, Carnival Liberty, fantastic itinerary, decent ship, good price at just about $1000 including airfare for an inside room (less if more than 2 people) and around $1400 pp for a balcony. That leaves quite a bit for car rentals and activities on the islands

 

[eliza61]

Thanks so much guys!!

Some one once asked me why I like posting questions instead of googling.

this is why, I get so much information and suggestions from others, stuff that I would not think of and would not even know to "google".

I'm off to investigate.

E

 

[ronandannette]

As OP's budget is $1700 per person, the Haven on NCL is out of the question. At that budget amount, it's a wise move not to go to the UK . . . there isn't much left over after air fare.

Yep, you're right - it would be about $15,000 for 6 people in the Haven during the last week of June on the Breakaway to Bermuda. Too bad though, I bet you would have LOVED it eliza. I still stand by the recommendation of this ship and itinerary though. Maybe just try to think of those inside cabins as "glamping"!

 

[mjkacmom]

We live right outside of NYC, so once we took a cruise from there, we were hooked! In 20 minutes, we were on vacation! And then, when we got back, we were doing laundry by 10 am. The Gem and Breakaway (NCL) are both great ships, plus RCCL leaves from NJ, which is also easy.

The money saved on airfare, plus a hotel the night before, is significant. You could leave your house and be on the ship in under 2 hours.

 

[msjprincess]

We live right outside of NYC, so once we took a cruise from there, we were hooked! In 20 minutes, we were on vacation! And then, when we got back, we were doing laundry by 10 am. The Gem and Breakaway (NCL) are both great ships, plus RCCL leaves from NJ, which is also easy.

The money saved on airfare, plus a hotel the night before, is significant. You could leave your house and be on the ship in under 2 hours.

It depends on the time of year. I live in NY and whenever I compare cruise prices it comes out cheaper for us to fly to Florida and get a hotel the night before than it is to sail out of NY or NJ. Plus I prefer the itineraries out of FL, but that's just me.

I'd love to get up and drive to the port but it never works out.

 

[littlejimmy]

this may be a bit off topic, but my hobbies are fast cars and fast women, that's why the guys in my car club call me cruiser

 

[mjkacmom]

It depends on the time of year. I live in NY and whenever I compare cruise prices it comes out cheaper for us to fly to Florida and get a hotel the night before than it is to sail out of NY or NJ. Plus I prefer the itineraries out of FL, but that's just me.

I'd love to get up and drive to the port but it never works out.

Well, when you are a family of 7, the cost of airfare and 2 hotel rooms always makes cruises from Florida more expensive!

 

[TifffanyD]

Does the $1700pp include everything? Even gratuities and excursions?

 

[ZephyrHawk]

My parents are big cruisers (think 50+) and have experienced many different lines. They favor Princess, with Royal Caribbean being their backup. I've cruised on both and found their services comparable. I'd stick with one of those two and pick whichever is cheaper for the itinerary you want.

I have been on NCL, as well. It's okay. Not my favorite.

Oddly, none of us has ever been on DCL. My parents claimed they were waiting for grandchildren first. Well, I delivered (literally) and now we're all booked on the Fantasy for December of 2015!

 

[mjkacmom]

Does the $1700pp include everything? Even gratuities and excursions?

Cruising is not all inclusive. You pat extra for a lot, including excursions, gratuities, alcohol, soda (included on DCL), photos, casino, specialty restaurants, some special classes, spa services, specialty coffee...

The price pp depends on a lot of factors - can be as cheap as $400 pp for a week long cruise.

 

[TifffanyD]

Cruising is not all inclusive. You pat extra for a lot, including excursions, gratuities, alcohol, soda (included on DCL), photos, casino, specialty restaurants, some special classes, spa services, specialty coffee...

The price pp depends on a lot of factors - can be as cheap as $400 pp for a week long cruise.

LOL - yes, I know. I just got off my 16th cruise. I am asking about the OP's budget... if the $1700 is just for cruisefare and flight or if it is the final budget

 

[msjprincess]

Well, when you are a family of 7, the cost of airfare and 2 hotel rooms always makes cruises from Florida more expensive!

We're a family of 5 and it's still much cheaper to sail out of Florida for the time of year we go.

Next year we are paying $3600 for a 7 night cruise on Independence of the Seas out of Ft Lauderdale. A 5 night on Liberty of the Seas would cost $5500. Even after we add in airfare and hotel it's cheaper.