Choosing a cruise as part of honeymoon: NO DIRECT REPLY YET?

Question

Hi All, I'd like to have this question answered by people who have some experience. I am mid 20s and as part of honeymoon am deciding whether to go for 7day Western Caribbean with RCL, Carnival or Princess. From what I can read, RCL seem to have the biggest ships but cater for any age gap. Food on RCL is said to be good but on Princess is better. Princess reviews attract me but what about ages? Carnival are said to have much more activities for the younger generation. What do you suggest??? I'm seeking good food (preferably freestyle but not of utmost importance), good entertainment (preferably with karaoke), good service and class. I appreciate your feedbacks.

Answer 1

First, please contact a travel agent who can help you book a great honeymoon cruise.  There are a lot of details and the agent can make this special occasion perfect.

Second, there a many more cruise lines to consider than the 3 you mentioned.  MSC, NCL, Celebrity, Holland-America, Oceania, Windstar, Cunard and, if you are looking for truly all-inclusive cruises, where even the gratuities and alcohol are included, then SilverSea, Seabourn, Crystal, Regent, and SeaDream.  

My recommendation of these would be Sea-Dream.  Their prices may seem a bit higher than what you are looking at, but then, by the time you add in everything else on the other cruises, you will be at or near this cost anyway.  Look for the discounted and bargain cruises on this lines - sometimes as much as 50% off.  My suggestion for a honeymoon would be SeaDream.

Everything on board the all-inclusive lines (service, food, entertainment, etc) is a step up from the mass-market lines mentioned.  The exception to this is Oceania, which consistently receives recognition from the travel magazines as having the best food at sea.  

The all-inclusive lines, Oceania and NCL have open-seated dining.  The others, except Cunard, offer specialty restaurants, at an additional cost where you can dine like in a restaurant.

Of those you mentioned, I would stick with RCL but if you're doing the Western Caribbean, try to book one of their newer ships.  Ask when the ship was built ans try to stick to those built within the last 5 years, if possible.

I am an agent and have sailed on a variety of lines and to many destinations.  If you'd like to discuss in detail, without any obligation, please give me a call at 866-485-8175.

Good Luck and Bon Voyage!

Answer 2

Hmm...lets see now....Everything you say is correct, from my viewpoint and from the cruises I've been on.  Carnival is for 20 somethings...like you.  There'll be lots of folks your age, where as the other ships will have older people...40-70 ish, plus 30's with kids.  

As for the food, I've always found all the ships had real good food.  My hint is though...when ordering a meal, I know it's a little gluteny, but you order a meal, she orders a meal, and you both order a meal to split.  This way you get lots of different things to eat and you don't have to eat it all.  If there's something special on Monday night say, like lobster...tell your waiter you want that again Tuesday night and you'll get it or if you like the Chocholate molten cake...ask for another to be brought to your room.  Nice to see when you return to your room after being out on board all night.

Ask about sitting with the ship's captain one night.  This is done while you're showing your tickets to board the ship on the first day.  Let the ticket agen know it's your honeymoon, this may help?  You may get lucky and you'll find it interesting.

Norweigian has the freestyle eating, which would be real nice, but we always hooked up for the later seating because when you're out on an island, who wants to come back at 3 or 4 o'clock just to get ready to eat.

For me...I'd rather go for the cruise without a lot of days at sea.  The ships that depart San Juan usually have the cruises that go to the better islands and not a lot of time spent at sea, since you're pretty much already there.  yes, it's worth the extra money.  You'll have plenty of time on board the ship at night and early mornings to get your ship fix.  

As for entertainment...the ships I've been on are all about the same.  Like I mentioned before, Carnival was a lot of fun, even though I was in my forties at the time.  They had scavenger hunts that lasted the whole trip, pool parties (that none of the others had, rcn and norweigian and another..sorry I forget now), but Carnival by far had the best on board things to do.

If you've never been...definetely try snorkeling.  A good idea is to buy them for Christmas presents now, and bring them.  Make sure you go to a good store that will fit the masks for you, so you won't be flooded or your head hurts because of the band being so tight.  Cost:  $60-100, mask and snorkel.  This way, when you get off the ship, head to the first taxi, ask them to bring you to a beach for snorkeling (and give them a time to pick you up...they'll do this) and it'll save you lots of money instead of renting or making arrangements through the ship.  Go to cruisecritic.com for questions on where is the best spot/beach.  The taxi drivers also will bring you to a seculded beach as well, if you wish.  Altough I wouldn't do this on Jamiac...I haven't been there, but the news I've heard...

Anyway, the islands on the eastern side are nicer then the western...only because of Mexico.  I'd really suggest looking into the southern side, or west if goes to Aruba or Caymen Islands.  They're nice.

Check out iBtraveling.com for some good cruise specials.  There's always something on there posted.  

Well wish you both the best.  Sure sounds like fun!  Good luck!

Answer 3

I love Princess for honeymoons.  Very elegant, they do have activities and they do have people onboard in their 20's.  Most cruiselines will have a variety of people in all age categories.  Princess has some very cool things to do on their Caribbean ships; Movies under the stars, more than one nightclub (extremely important most CCl ships in the Caribbean don't), their own private island experience.  If you can splurge and get the balcony then you can do the personal dining experience in your room.  Very cool!  

RCL is a good one too, they are good for active lifestyles same sort of things, but more rock climbing, work it out, party and enjoy.  One negative to note for RCL though is they do allow 19 year olds to drink on board the ship and they don't normally check id's well enough to realize they might have 16 year olds in the bar.  It can be kind of creepy to have a high schooler hitting on you when you are an adult.  

I would not suggest Holland as they are old people.  I wouldn't put my worst enemy on an NCL ship.  They are horrible!