Cruises

I really really would love to go on a cruise. I know it will cost more than I expect ,but I can save money and pay on my credit cards and go!!

I am thinking Norwegian is comfortable to me. I like Great Stirrup Cay cuz it isn't as commerical as the others. The ships don't dock on Great Stirrup Cay...the passengers get on boats and are taken over.

I also like the idea of going to Canada, Maine and Nova Scotia.

Where have you gone on a cruise ship?
What cruise line did you go on and where did you go?

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To get better chances of good deals on cruises, go to cruisewatch.com. Find interesting itineraries, prices for various dates and rooms, reviews of ships, and much more. This is THE site for saving $$$. I am NOT affiliated in any manner with the site. I have used it several times to get huge bargains, especially on trans-Atlantic repositioning cruises.

Based in MD, near DC
Shopping from the Carolinas to New York
Have video cam; will travel

Poor customer service? Don't get mad; get video.

Hi Heather! DH and I went on a cruise to Bermuda via Cunard cruise Line. The weather was beautiful, it was smooth sailing and our visit to a gorgeous, serene island is a great memory. Although it was relaxing and most enjoyable, I found the boat just too crowded for my taste.

As I posted recently, my ladies are on a destination wedding cruise as I write. They are having the time of their lives. My brother and sister and their families are meeting up for a cruise next week. Gigantic boat but then again they all appear gigantic to me.

I hope you enjoy whatever you decide on.

I might add that I get emails from vacationstogo.com. Looks good but I HAVE NEVER HAD EXPERIENCE using/booking a vacation with them. CAVEAT EMPTOR. Each time, I as well as my family booked directly with the cruise line.

If you are over thirty I would suggest you skip Carnival. It's a big party and I saw two twentysomethings get in a fist fight last cruise I took with them.

I did a crossing with Cunard, very classy. The line had the Queen Mary, I think, that is now a hotel/museum in Long Beach. It was 25 years ago, but I saw Cunard mentioned above. I think we were the only couple under 50 on the ship.

I did an Alaskan cruise with Norwegian and was very pleased with them.

Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 02/01/2023 05:23AM by wrosie.

Thanks for the posts. It's encouraging. I've read a lot of reviews and I'm going to wait to have enough money to go where I want with good excursions!!

I gave had only nice cruises with Holland America including New England & Maritime Canada, Alaska, and East & West Caribbean. They are noted for great food and do not have a party atmosphere. Costa is a small step down and I recommend them also. Both are actually owned by Carnival (as is Cunard and several other cruise lines) and each of the cruise lines has a distinct personality.

Shopping Southeast Pennsylvania, Delaware above the canal, and South Jersey since 2008

Thanks myst4au. I will check out Holland America. I read they are not commercial. Sounds good.

I don't know if anyone is a Veteran but if so you might check out this promotion. I'm guessing it doesn't include port charges and taxes which would probably be a couple hundred dollars.

Margaritaville at Sea, a cruise line sailing out of the Port of Palm Beach, Florida, to Grand Bahama Island, offers a "Heroes Sail Free" program. Active-duty service members and veterans who are verified members through the GovX ID or ShopVCS platform can get free fare on an inside or ocean view stateroom on a three-day, two-night cruise. This offer is valid only for new online bookings through Dec. 29, 2023, and blackout dates may apply based on availability.

Other cruise lines that offer military discounts, special rates or onboard credits.

Carnival Cruise Line
Norwegian Cruise Line
Disney Cruise Line
Celebrity Cruises
Princess Cruises
Royal Caribbean - I've cruised with them. Very good but not as "classy" or "upscale" as Norwegian.
MSC Cruises

I’ve been on a number of music cruises. They’re like a 5 or 7 day music festival that happens to stop at a few islands. There’s one for pretty much every genre of music - country, jazz, R&B, reggae, oldies, and various rock sub genres. You do pay more than a regular cruise but when one considers the costs of concerts these days they can be an excellent value. Typically they’re on older mid-sized Celebrity, Holland America or Norwegian ships that don’t have a lot of other bells and whistles. No one cares because there’s music all day and night.

The one cruise I was on left San Francisco and sailed non stop several days to Vancouver. We continued to the Alaska Inner Passage with daily stops and getting off the ship. Husband & I both wished we could have started in Vancouver and skipped the endless days of sailing. Also we found out I get sea sick--very sea sick. Should have started with a mini cruise and not a two week extravaganza.

I went on a Virgin Voyages cruise. It was amazing. We did just 5 nights - Miami to Cozumel to Bimini to Miami, but I can't wait to go again!!!

Karen Holland
Independent Scheduler for Ipsos
[www.ishopforipsos.com]

A floating mall, petri dish, with buffet food. Nope. Never understood the appeal of all-inclusive resorts or timeshares either. I prefer to travel on my own terms, away from the crowds whenever possible, thank you very much.

My daughters cruised with Norwegian. Lots of hidden fees such as a $175 data package for the duration of the cruise. Otherwise, 150 minutes of WIFI that were included and didn't amount to anything. Prices kept rising. Also, tips per person needed to be paid beforehand otherwise the price increased. Extra for the posh dining experience, excursion escapades, etc. The flights that they booked with Norwegian were cheaper than booking on your own. However, waiting around the airport on their way home was not fun. Their flight home left plenty of time for sleeping at the airport. Asked them why they didn't just explore the city on their day of return. Forgot about their luggage and the cost of getting to and from the airport 2X and paying for luggage babysitting. Mama could've steered them better I think but I did not interfere.

My brother and sister are on Royal Caribbean as we speak. They are having a wonderful time.

I've only been on one cruise. It was with Carnival, for no other reason than it is what was available in the cruise port nearest me. It is generally more budget friendly than some of the other lines, but I still had to scrimp and save to make it happen. So cost was also a consideration. I am 60 something, and I traveled solo. I loved it. Yes, Carnival has a definite party vibe, but you pick and choose your own activities. This was right about the time covid hit; the news on it was breaking hard right about the time I got back home, and the cruise ships surely got hit hard. That part was pretty sobering. I cruised through the Caribbean and had port stops in Mexico. I loved every minute. I have been thinking about a cruise up the East Coast, into New England and Canada next time. I can't wait to cruise again. Yep, I loved it.

How many legs does a dog have if you call the tail a leg?
"Four. Calling a tail a leg doesn't make it a leg."
-- Abraham Lincoln

My ladies tell me there was a wide spectrum of ages on the ship. The cutest story was about an 8-10 year old boy who ran amuck the ship having fun by himself as well as sitting in the dining room and ordering his own dinner, lol. My sister and brother have returned and are home with their families. They also had a fabulous time.

I don't think I'll be going on a cruise in the near future. I just read Norwegian prima had a couple came down with legionnaires disease. Not for me

I live in walking distance to a cruise port and have never been. I really want to though!

I decided to periodically stay at Hampton Inn for 2 or 3 nights. I absolutely love it there. It's easy to get to and I go in pool and whirlpool, have a great breakfast and have gorgeous scenery!! On comparison to going on a cruise... I don't have to fly somewhere to a city I would never visit and stay the night in a hotel where I can board the ship. It's too much work to have fun and very expensive. I can afford it but totally lost interest. Too many things can go wrong like the room or the food.

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