I have never been on a cruise... help?

Question

My husband and I want to go on a cruise for the first time this summer. It will be our last summer without kids. Our sons are spending a month with the grandparents, and I am pregnant with number 3. So we want to take advantage of this window of opportunity. We would like a 5-7 day cruise, some place romantic and exotic, for as inexpensive as possible. We would like to keep the air fare and cruise at $2000.00 or less. Any ideas? And what are the additional expenses on board? Do they charge for food, etc. or is it included? We are complete rookies at this. We don't even have passports yet. But I know you guys out there can help. THANKS!!

Answer 1

I was like you, also looking to do a cruise/flights for under $2,000. I ended up spending almost $3,000! I thought a cruise would be the way to go, but it ended up being more expensive than I thought. However, you can go to websites like www.travelzoo.com and every Wednesday they publish a list of deals, and sometimes they have cruises for $299+... so you have to be flexible, but it could work.

I'd say you guys can go to Cabo or Cancun, get a hotel for a good price and just stay in one place all week and probably save money. When I went to Cancun a couple years ago I only spent $1500 for 4 nights for two people (flight & hotel). Also, i've heard Punta Cana is a good choice too.

One thing you have to think about on cruises (which I just realized), is that you pay for the cruise, and yes your food, etc is paid for... but if you want to go to the fancier restaurants, they charge a cover charge ($20/pp) an if you want do any excursions they are pretty expensive. My husband wants to golf one day, and it will be $200, and I would like to do tours, etc... but then again.. more money! Plus you have to tip the staff on the ship, which adds up. Royal Caribbean has on their website a list of who you have to tip, and how much. It calculated at almost $200 for both of us, I actually prepaid the tips for $65 a person, so I saved money there and won't have to worry about it.

My cruise is 7 days on RC, Adventure of the Seas. FYI.

So, hope i've helped!

Answer 2

If you are sailing this summer, in 2007, a passport is not required.

However, some cruise lines will not let you sail after 27 weeks of preganancy.

Check with your cruise provider to see what each cruise line's policies are.

Check out www.vacationstogo.com for deals on cruises.

Answer 3

I've been on a few cruises and love it.  You better do some planning now, most lines will not let third trimester onto the cruise.  

To choose a cruise, first fond a destination.  My favorites are the carribean, all the islands are pretty much to same.  The next decision is the port you want to leave from.  I live near NYC so I tend to go out of there.  If you live near a seaport, there possibly will eb a cruise leaving from there.  Most travel sites will let you pick a departure port in your search.

$2000 is a reasonable goal for the cost (including air if you live in the interior)  All food is usually incuded on a cruise but not drinks.  Also shipboard entertainment is also included (an it is good).  Excursions (land trips in port) are extra but are optional and each port has much to do within walking distance from the dock.

Pack bathing suits and casual wear.  Dinner is the only time you will need to dress.  I always like going down to dinner a little more than casual since it is a nice resturant atmosphere (i.e. sports coat or nice slacks and shirt for men).  But you can eat without dressing.  There is usually one or two formal nights depending on the line.  Men wear tux's or dark suits.  But there are other places to eat if you don't want to dress, but I think this is one of the "fun" things to do since I never dress up in real life.

But most of all go and enjoy yourself.  It is a romantic and fun adventure with lots to do on the ship or on shorer.  

Happy Cruising!!!

Answer 4

ive been on a cruise evry year since i was 8. the best cruise is probably Royal Carribean. if your kids are young, then you should def. try out the Disney Cruise Line. Carnival is a cheaper cruise, although it is just as much fun.  as you get more experienced with cruising, youll prob. find that Royal Carribean is the best. i suggest a 5-7 night, Carnival, leaving from somewhere near you where you wont have to fly. if you must fly, then leave from the nearest port to where you live.  food is included in the cost of the overall price. an inside cabin is the best to go with if you want extra money to have for buying stuff when youre docked.  drinks such as wine, beer, smoothies, etc. cost extra also.  ON the Royal Carribean, you can get a soda package for about 30$ each, by doing this, you can get as much soda as you want for free (i you dont get the soda package, you will have to pay for evry soda).  GOOD LUCK finding a cruise, i hope i helped a little.

Answer 5

I work for an airline, but LOVE to cruise !!  I can tell you that your best bet is to get a package deal. In other words, book the airfare and the cruise together.  Also, some ports are less expensive to depart from.  Miami has been the best that I have seen so far. Food and some beverages are included. Most cruise lines charge extra for soda and water, but ice-tea and various juices are included in the rate. One more thing, at least get an ocean view room - and try to stay as close to the center of the ship as possible to head-off any sea sickness !! Have a great time !!

Answer 6

I think cruising is a great  vacation. I would start with the western caribbean, 7 day.  My favorite itinerary is Cozumel, Grand Cayman, and Belize. Carnival is probably your best bet for value. Food is included. Considering Cabin, food, transportation and entertainment are included it would be hard to get the same daily rate per person at a land based resort.  You do need to pay tips which amount to  about $10 per person per day. It seems like a lot but not if you compare it to going out to dinner at a nice restaurant. It also is for your room steward. They work so hard and this is vitually the only pay they receive. Another thing that will save you a bit is that the base price for a cruise is per person. Book air seperately, this lets you choose the times and is much cheaper. I don't know where you are flying in from, but most people in the midwest or northeast fly in the day before. They will not hold the ship for anyone! if the weather or mechanical problems occur you can make alternate arrangements before the ship sails. You can check out general prices for the cruises you like, to the itineraries you want in the price range you can afford at vacationstogo.com Then compare the reviews of specific ships at cruiseaddicts.com. They can also share a lot of other information.  I think the star rating of a ship is more important than the specific line. I choose 4 star or better and as new a ship as I can get for my budget.  The staff who do a superior job get promoted to the newer ships. Hope this helps. Watch out you may have a new addiction. Bon Voyage.

Answer 7

Take this good advice: Royal Carribean! Carnival is the worst... Although I've never been on it, research says that Carnival has the most fires, other ship dangers/malfunctions of ANY cruise line. I'm not entirely sure about anything else, but I took a Royal Carribean cruise with my family last summer (to be more specific, the ship name was: Navigator of the Seas) and it was awesome! I bet any Royal Carribean cruise ship would be good, but stay away from Carnival!!!

Answer 8

food is included -- drinks arent. [well for Carnival]

get a room w/ a balcony -- very romantic...

we went to mexico, jamaica, and caymen islands

pretty romantic

Answer 9

Try this website:  http://www.cruisecritic.com

It should be very helpful to you.

Answer 10

I have been on 11 cruises.  I can say honestly that Carnival and Royal Caribbean are usually the most affordable.

You can typically cruise a 5-7 day on either for less that $1500 per couple (taxes and fees included)

My advice is to decide what port you want to sail from.  Choose an itinerary and ship and then request a Price quote from  www.cruisecompete.com

they will give you the best rates.

One company they use is Cruises-n-more.  This is usually who I book with.  Easy to do business with, and by far the least expensive rates.

DO NOT book through the cruise lines.  The price will be higher and the service will not be up to par with travel agencies.

Next:  Shore excursions

NEVER NEVER NEVER book your excursions through the cruise line.  They will cost you twice as much.

Answer 11

You should try this web site!

http://www.dpbolvw.net/click-1818226-995...

Answer 12

All the answers above mine, I certainly agree with, but here's another thought....to spend as many days on islands instead of at sea (you'll get plenty of sea time at night while cruising to your next island), I'd suggest leaving out of San Juan.  You'll got to better islands too.  Buy your snorkel gear here so you won't have the added expense of shore excursions from the ship.  Just hop in a taxi when you get off, and ask the taxi driver to bring you to the best snorkel spot and/or beach that is quiet, or has attractions, like jet ski rentals, or bars and then ask him to pick you up at a certain time...he'll be there for you.  Bring some tip money.  

Yes, get a cabin with a window in the middle of the ship, but book one at the bottom of the ship.  Once inside your cabin it won't matter if you're on the top floor or bottom, they're all the same.  Although, two weeks before you set sail, call the ship's cruise line up and ask if there are any free upgrades, if there are, you'll get a room say closer to the pool area up on top.  

If you have days at sea...if you can splurge...get a balcony.  You'll feel like you own the ship.  It's absolutely awesome.  

But for me...I'd go for the cabin wth a window and no days at sea if I could help it at all.  I like being on the islands best, swimming around all day looking at the beautiful fish.

Food should be included, not unless you want to book a special restaurant on board where they charge you a little more.  I've done that and I personally don't think it's worth the extra bucks.

Well, wish you the best vacation...you'll need it when the 3rd kid arrives!  :)    

Oh, and try this site, I usually find some good deal there.  iBtraveling.com  They post a bunch of travel deals there, cheap.

Answer 13

I was PG and planing a cruise--I was told that I could not be in the 2nd or 3rd trimester--They do not allow you to cruise past the 1st trimester--look into that!