Are cruises worth the money?

Question

My family and I are planning on taking a cruise on the Carnival Elation from San Diego, CA to Cabo San Lucas, Mexico. I was curious as to the experiences any of you have had on board and at destinations.

Please give details if possible!

Answer 1

ya the deffinately r.  if you figure it out cruises are anywhere from $75.00-300.00 a day per person which isn't bad considering how much u pay on a conventional vacation.

Answer 2

i have been on 5 cruises, 4 RC and 1 Carinval.

It is worth it,  there are alot of activities to do on the ships,  meet a whle bunch of great people, and have a fun time doing it.  

if you havent gone on one yet, it is worth a try.

but cruises arent for everyone, but you will have to try and find out.

Answer 3

It depends on you, some people don't like to cruise, others like myself..absolutely love it!! If you like staying at resort type places..then you will more than likely love to cruise. The food is fantastic, the entertainment is amazing, the service is great...and its all included in your price. By being able to visit more than one port - you are seeing many different parts of the country. I went on a Mexican Reviera last year (Ports were Mazatlan, Puerto Vallarta and Cabo San Lucas) ..it was EXTREMELY hot...even the locals were saying it is hot..haha..but if you want to book excursions..be sure to do it asap..because they fill up quickly (especially swimming with dolphin ones.) I've also been on 2 other cruises. Cruises are a great way to travel, in my opinion, and I'm sure you will enjoy you're time on the Carnival..that is agood choice for a family.

Answer 4

I love cruising.  I have been on 2 so far with Carnival.  I have not been on the Elation as of yet, but I can't image any ship with Carnival being bad.  I think this is the best and most convenient way to travel.  They do all the driving (so to speak).  You wakeup somewhere else everyone morning.  I have met alot of nice people, especially at dinner and have come home so relaxed and couldn't wait to go back.  I really think you will enjoy yourself.  Happy cruising!

Answer 5

Elation is an older ship and doesn't have that luxury feel==I've been on her twice.  If the price is really good, you will get pretty good food and entertainment for your buck.  Remember a ship is like a car---newer is better and there is a lot of good deals to Mexico on the west coast.

Answer 6

Cabo is gorgeous!!! My husband are going on the 5 day cabo/ensenada leaving from San Diego on 9/22 for our wedding anniversary! I have been to both ensenada and cabo before (on other cruises, always the Carnival line)

Cabo is a party town! Stay away from Cabo Wabo, it's a tourist trap, very pricey. Cabo is a tender port (the boat anchors instead of docking and you ride over to the marina in a tender boat, the lifeboats). My husband and I are planning on doing a snorkeling shore excursion through the cruise line and then finding a bar along the marina to have a few drinks.

Have fun on your cruise and make the most of it. Take time to relax and have fun. Order a few drinks, hit up some roulette in the casino, layout by the pool and soak in some sun. Take part in some of the activities, play bingo, get your picture taken 1001 times. Eat because it's been an hour since you last ate and calories don't count while you're on vacation!! Try new foods, this is the best place to try new things because all food is included in the price of the cruise (my no means do I mean be wasteful, but give it a try!!)

You've got me all excited now!! I hope you have fun on your cruise, only 60 more days until mine!!!

Answer 7

Cabo is a fun place to shop, great beaches and a nice place to para sail .. Yes cruises are worth the money!!!! use the carnival capers as a day planner and you will see and do more..remember room service is free, use it often.. I use it in the morning as my wake up call with coffee and danish..don't miss any of the stage shows, go early to get the best seats..avoid the inch of gold, junk..

Answer 8

It's a matter of choice. I have been on a cruise from Florida to the Caribbean..7 days. It was my first and last cruise.

Not that I hated it, but once you're on that ship..that's it..you're on the ship!

I much prefer to fly somewhere and spend more than 6-8 hours on land trying to see whatever sights I can in that allotted time.

Answer 9

absolutely! its the only vacation  that i come home from and immediately want to go back on.  You will see how emotionally attached you get to the ship and how much you miss being pampered...its the ultimate vacation....to me atleast...all inclusive (except liquor and beer) makes it totally worth every penny

Answer 10

Hi, I have never been to Cabo, but I have been on 2 Carnival cruises.

They really are the "Fun Ships".  There is non-stop activity for everyone.  Every night you get a "Carnival Caper", which has a list of all the activities for the following day.  There is SO much you can do on a "Sea Day" that you are never bored.  Even when a ship is in port, the ship is still active (not quite as much, though, since most people are on shore).  And the shows in evening are great!  Broadway or Vegas-style revues, magicians, comedians, hypnotists, guest talent shows!  I love them.

The food is fabulous.  There is room service and a pizzaria 24 hours a day.  There seems to always be a buffet going on in the Lido deck (where the pool is), but what I love is the evening dinner in the dining room.  That is where the best food is at.  I was really lucky on each cruise and sat with really nice people both times.  If you have 8 or more people in your group, you will probably all be seated together.  

Your cruise fare does NOT include alcoholic beverages, bottled water, and soda.  However, there is tea, coffee, fruit juice, and water for free.  Your cruise fare does NOT include shore excursions, so if you want to take a tour in Cabo, then you will need to pay for that.  On some classes of Carnival ships, there is a Supper Club.  Supper Clubs are ultra-fancy, reservations only restaurants.  They are NOT included in your cruise fare.  Souvenirs and photos taken by shipboard photographers are not included as well.  Spa services are definitely not included.

Overall, I think cruises are a good value because they include transportation, food, entertainment, and lodging, all for one price.  

Have a GREAT time.

Answer 11

I love to cruise!!!!! I have been to Cozumel and calico twice, and to Key West and Nassau once and am taking that cruise again in October. Cruising is th most relaxing vacation that you can take. The biggest decisions that you have to make once on board is if you want to eat in the dinning room or the buffet, or what activity you want to do. They show 3 new movies everyday, if you like to watch movies in your room and you can call room service for a snack, all is included. They also have many excurisions that you can sign up to do when in port, but these cost extra. There is always something going on that you can watch or participate in. I hope that you have as good a time as I do. Good vacationing!!!

Answer 12

Definately a matter of personal opinion, but, I'd say it is the best vacation for your money.  I went on a Carnival Triumph cruise to the western carribean for 7 days and it was absolutely enchanting.  Even if you are a late riser, make sure you get up early at least once to enjoy watching the sun come up over the sea, it is something you have to witness to appreciate!  Always something to do on board or off, and you can spend as much or as little as you want and have a good time regardless.

Answer 13

We've been on Elation out of Florida. It's an older ship but kept very well. We believe it's worth the money as you have a nice room that's yours for the week, room  service which is free, pretty good food, entertainment, and lots to do. You have the priviledge of getting off the ship and touring the island and then going back to your room with all your stuff and relaxing and having someone else wait on you. What could be better? You are traveling at night and resting in a great bed. You have Drs. and nurses on hand if needed, a casino to spend some bucks, swimming pools and shows to watch.

Enjoy.

Answer 14

OH yeah.

We took a cruise to the bahamas for four nights and it was well worth the price. The best vacation ever.

Answer 15

The easy answer to you question is yes. Think about it, once you are in San Diego, your food and lodging are paid for as well as alot of your entertainment.  If you have kids, some boats are better then others, so check it out.  Athough meals are free, or included rather, drinks are not.  Depending on how much soda your kids will drink, it makes sense to buy a prepaid soda card for each one of them.  Usually juice is free at the buffets and resuraunts.  

I have three kids and when I cruise, I spend almost half as much as I do, if I go on a land vacation.

One word of caution, your room key is also your boarding pass AND expense account.  So make sure everyone knows what there limit is, so you don't wind up with a $300.00 bill for video games and such.

To save money, most excusions that are booked on board can be made on shore for alot less money, they usually are right when you get off the tender boat.  Since Cabo has no real cruise port, they will anchor you in Cabo bay and bring you ashore on little ferry boats.

Answer 16

I have been on over 10 cruises and they are wonderful.  The food is great, the crew members are fun - it's like a floating hotel.  You wake up every morning in a new port.  There is nothing like being out at sea and watching the waves go by.  It's fantastic.

Answer 17

Absolutely the best value for your vacation dollar

You get all the food and entertainment and a nice hotel that goes places for less than you would spend on most hotel rooms by themselves

Answer 18

The best prices that I have found overall are from www.cruisequick.com.

HOWEVER they do not hold your hand. What I mean is that you need to know what cruise you want, what ship, date and category. You cannot call them, they do not answer a phone.

They are internet based only, completely legitimate, and offer a bonus or discount that most other agents don't offer.

They work on a flat fee profit and are completely automated.

They do answer emails promptly.

Their site explains how they work. I have used them for years, without any problems. They offer free price quotes via email that include all port fees, taxes etc.

  and NO, I do not work for them!

Happy Cruising !