I need help picking a cruise!?

Question

I want to plan a cruise for this coming summer. I really don't know much about them but am looking for something cheap, but not rundown. Any suggestions? I live in Tampa, so there is a port 15 mins away.

Answer 1

You might try Carnival.  They have at least one ship leaving from Tampa.

Answer 2

I just went on a Western Caribbean cruise in November (departing from Ft. Lauderdale) with a group of friends and it was great! We chose Royal Caribbean and it was money well spent. We talked to an older couple on our ship and they have been on over 40 different cruises!! They both said that by far Royal Caribbean is the best cruise line as far as service and price. They have been on about every cruise line there is. Carnival is cheap but their ships are also older which means they rock a lot more. The couple also said that they live in Ft. Lauderdale and when they book a cruise they do it at the last minute because it is a lot cheaper. I think they said they paid about $ 250 a person for the 5 day we were on which is less than half price and they booked it a week before it left. It's no wonder they have been on so many cruises. I would too if I lived that close! I can't wait for my next cruise and it will with Royal Caribbean for sure! Hope this helps.

Answer 3

www.ytb.com/awitravel click on Book Travel to reasearch. they are the only one I use. they won Carnival Cruise's Top award.

Answer 4

For a reasonable cruise, I would go Carnival.  I have been on 4 Carnival cruises on various ships of theirs and have always been pleased with the ships, service, food and entertainment.  You can try vacationstogo.com for good discounts.  If you can book last minute you can get some great deals.  I expecially like the Southern Carribean cruise.  No mater what cruise line you pick you will enjoy--only problem is that it becomes addicting.  Make sure you stop at all the ports to experience that country's shops and beaches, and excursions.  The food on all cruises are great.  Just enjoy and make sure you take your camera to show the good memories you will have.

Answer 5

Check out www.vacationstogo.com

This site allows you to search for cruises by departure port.

- after registering, go so Find a Bargain and you can limit your search to departing from Tampa.

Carnival has 4, 5 and 7 days cruises departing from Tampa.

Carnival is a great choice for budget minded cruisers, families and young folks.  Casual, party atmosphere.

Royal Caribbean is a bit more upscale.  But I did not feel the add'l dollars we paid were worth it.

We have taken the Disney, Royal Caribbean and Carnival cruise lines.

Answer 6

What I would suggest as a first time cruiser is you go on a Western Caribbean cruise right out of Tampa. They are on the cheaper priced cruises but very good cruises. This way you can get your "feet wet" as a cruiser to see if you like them and what they are all about before deciding to jump in big. Just a suggestion.

The Western Caribbean cruises are really fun. They go to some really nice places, Cancun, Jamicia, Cayman Islands. Lots of fun things to do at the ports and you'll get to experience all the pleasures of a cruise. If you want to jump in feet first, look at an Eastern Caribbean cruise. Beautiful waters, great beaches and tons of fun things to do as well but are a little more costly because they are usually 7 day cruises.

Answer 7

Royal Carribean sucks so don't go on it!!! go on carnival instead!! its the best!

Answer 8

Do you have travel dates in mind??

Answer 9

I would recommend a Carnival cruise for 5 days or longer and most ships arent run down and look for a newer ship as they have the best to offer usually but thne again the smaller ships have a better crew member to passenger ratio and I would find out all you can about parking as you can drive basically to your port so that would save u money instead of flying.. I would go to the Western Caribbean but I would be careful of Jamacia. Check out Cruisecritic.com and their first time cruisers section and then they have reviews on each individual ship and line.

Answer 10

go to this site. great no airfare.

http://www.cruise.com