Anyone been on a cruise ? what are the best sites to go on ?

Question

where can i find genuine cruise clubs with real discounts for their members ?

Answer 1

ive been on a cruise and work for a cruise company.  try po.cruises

Answer 2

I ahve been on many cruises with several cruise lines.  You can generally find discounts on the cruise line web sites.

Cruises are one of THE best vacations you can take. Once you are on ship the staff caters to you, its whatever you want. There is something to do all day every day. When you arrive at the port to check in you (each passenger) will receive a key card which will serve as your room key, charge card for anything you buy on ship (i.e.,drinks, souvenir) and its also your pass to get on and off ship in each port. When you first board the ship the security personnel will have you insert your key card into a scanner and then will take a photo of you that is included in the magnetic strip on the card.  Each time you get off ship you will need this key card and many times also a photo ID (passport or driver's license). This card allows them to keep an accurate track of all passengers entering and/or leaving the ship.  Infants and small children may be required to wear an ID bracelet (like in the hospital) in lieu of carry a card.

Each day of your cruise you will receive in your cabin a "newsletter" listing the time, place and particulars of everything happening for you on ship. There are generally activities like demonstrations of ice carvings, napkin folding and towel folding, and cooking demonstrations.  Some ships may offer a galley (kitchen) tour or a tour of the bridge. There may be organized games and other activities around the pools. In the evenings there are generally shows, one show for those with an early dinner seating and another (same show) for those who eat late. There is always food available. Usually there is a place in ship where you can go get something. Or, you can always just pick up the phone in your cabin and order from the room service menu (food is free). If you want, you can order breakfast room service.

All ships have a casino with slots and table games. Ships have movie theaters, generally small but nice, and you can also see movies in your room. They have ATM’s and a purser’s desk where you can cash a check or exchange currency if you need to.  There is a tour and activities desk so you can schedule land tours and activities.

Ships have free morning exercise programs, stretching and walking, etc, and on some you can pay for other things like Spinning. All cruise ships have gyms so you can go workout, usually any time from 6:00 AM to late at night. There is usually a walking/running track on one of the decks also. Some ships leave the gym open all night. They call the gyms Spa because they do promote getting pampered with things like wraps and massages with aroma therapy. They will also generally have a beauty salon to do hair and nails.

There are always pools. Some ships have more than one and the newer ships generally have an indoor pool as well as outdoor ones and all of these have hot tubs. There is generally a basketball court on the top deck, a place for scuffle board, and a mini-golf course. The newer Royal Caribbean ships have a rock climbing wall and the newest one has a pool for water surfing.

There are places on ships to play cards and board games, and the cards and games are provided. If you want to just sit and read, there’s a library where you can bring your books or select one from the shelf.  Ships have internet cafes and some offer WIFI if you bring your prefer to use your computer in your cabin (some ships offer notebooks for rent).  There are cocktail lounges that feature a variety of music.  Some have a piano bar with jazz. There is usually a disco that starts after 10:00 PM each night and last until everyone leave.  On certain days ships will have special activities like a chocolate lovers buffet, or a midnight deck party .      

I suggest that you go to the web site for the cruise lines and look at the cabin prices, port stops, the features for the ships and select a cruise that will do what you want to do.  Then you may want to talk to an agent and see if they can find what you want. Finally, decide whether you want to book your self or have an agent do it for you. The shorter cruises are 4 or 5 days, and the normal ones are either 7 to 14 days or more.  If you are not sure whether you will like cruising, go on a short one first.  

To save some money, consider driving to the port; Miami, Ft Lauderdale, N.O., Houston, LA,  NJ.  Most ports have plentiful and safe parking (I have driven many times to Miami and Ft Lauderdale) at both places that costs about $12 a day.  Driving can save money over the cruise line "add-in" for airfare.  We generally drive most of the way on one day from NC and stop about an hour or two from the port for the night.  Then we continue the short trip the next day to the port.  Most ships start boarding between noon and 1:00 PM.  If you are a cruise club member you generally get to go on first, or early.  

Join the cruise club so that the cruise line will send you their specials and so that you can get discounts on future cruises with them.  The discount will typically be $50 to $100 per person.   If you will be celebrating a honeymoon, anniversary, or birthday during the cruise, be sure to tell them, they will do special stuff for that.

Answer 3

I have been on two Carnival cruises myself.  Went through a travel agent both times.  Really, no matter what, the cruise line determines the charges so it's hard to get a real discount.  However, my husband and I paid for a large state room about $650 a person and we ended up getting an AWESOME balcony room, it was perfect for our honeymoon.  We had a wonderful time.  We're already scheduling another!  I would go straight to the cruise lines website to get a good idea of pricing.  

A good way to save money is to try and sail out of a departure point near you so you can just drive there instead of flying.  I saved a lot of many by driving to Galveston instead of having to fly to like New Orleans of California (from Oklahoma).  

Whatever you choose, I hope you go on a cruise, and have the best time of your life.  I did.  Good luck!

Oh, and you can get seamiles credit cards that earn you points towards cruises, I got one at www.seamiles.com

Answer 4

hi i have been on a cruise. go around the Caribbean. u know Costa Rico, south America, and Cozumel. it's gorgeous. Costa Rica has the best waves. Cozumel is full of shopping and south America is great for site seeing.

Answer 5

Go to any search site and type in Cruises.  You will find there are lots of internet sites which you can visit and these give you a good idea of what is available

Answer 6

I like vacationstogo.com

I used them a few years ago and am looking at another cruise through them now.

Answer 7

Been on lots and you might wish to see those advertising on the TV.  However, any reputable Travel Agent will tell you if they have a Cruise Specialist and you can avail yourself of their services.  Remember, if you use a cruise line more than once you could become a Captain's Club Member, with some additional benefits.

Answer 8

worked on the cruises myself for a while and couldnt believe the difference in price people ahve paid, you should never pay brouchre price its a rip off, when you get there you will meet people who have gotten allot better deals than you.

best advice i can give is to book your flights yourself using budget airlines and then book the cruise in $us, it works out a whole lot cheeper than doin it all through a british travel agent.

best of luck and have a great time,  the crew always do ha ha