If you have been on a cruise before...?

Question

My husband and I would like to take a cruise, perhaps Alaska. The destination right now is unknown. Neither one of us have ever been on a cruise before. I have a few questions for those who have been. Thank you everyone!

Additional Information: I'm 30, he is 34, we don't have children and we live in Ohio.

1) Which cruise line do you prefer and why?

2) Where was your favorite destination?

3) When is the most frugal time to book?

4) What was your favorite part about the cruise?

5) What had you wished you'd known before you went?

6) Can you save if another couple goes with you (discount) ?

7) Any other information you would like to add would be wonderful and appreciated!!

Answer 1

I have been on about 20 cruises on 4 different cruise lines and also cruised to Alaska.  So I am going to tell you probably more than you want to know.  Here's what I say based on my experiences.

First you should know that all of the cruise lines give the best price for early bookings that are a year or more in advance.  The Alaska cruise season is mid-May through mid-September and the prices are lower for the first couple cruises and the last couple each season. So its good that you are starting your cruise search process now.

Cruise lines also list specials on their web sites so do look for those. The specials can many times save you a couple hundred per person over the price for the exact same cruise on a different date.

Second you should know that all cruise cabins are sold based on double occupancy and the prices listed will be per person and based on at least two people going on the cruise. The price you pay will depend mostly on the type accommodations that you choose. There are 4 basic types of cabins on ships;

- inside (no window),

- outside (a window or porthole),

- balcony/veranda, and

- suites.

Royal Caribbean has some inside cabins on its Freedom and Voyager Class of ships that have a window overlooking an inside promenade mall.

The "FROM" prices you see will always be for an inside cabin. There are also some subcategories within each category with cabins on a higher deck, and/or a better location on ship (like midship), and/or that are slightly larger costing more. So as you browse, pay attention to the square footage of the cabins. You may not want to pay more for the same sized cabin on a higher floor; or vice versa do pay less for the same cabin on a lower deck.

The terms "cabin" and "stateroom" mean the same thing; the cruise industry prefers stateroom. The standard cabin that most people get is generally between 175 and 200 sq ft, about the size of a 9 by 12 ft home bedroom. Each cabin has a two beds which can be made into a queen, a bathroom with a shower stall, a closet and some drawer space, a TV and telephone, a safe for valuables, a mini-refrigerator, and a life jacket for each passenger.

You can reserve a cruise on line, by calling the cruise line, or through a travel agent by paying the minimum deposit which will be between $250 and $350 per person for a 7 day cruise, depending upon the cruise line. The minimum will be more for a longer cruise, for example $450 per person for a 14 day cruise. The balance will be due approximately 60 days before the cruise departure date. But you can make periodic payment on line or with the cruise line. I have reserved on line and made payments many times.

I have listed below the web sites for the medium priced cruise lines which operate from US ports. These are the cruise lines that most people use. There are some luxury lines that are much higher priced with prices starting around $4,000 for a 7 day cruise. The lines that I have listed below will have cruises starting in the range of $800 to $1,000 per person for a 7 day cruise, again depending upon the date and type cabin you select.

HOLLAND AMERICA

http://www.hollandamerica.com/

CELEBRITY:

http://www.celebritycruises.com/home .

ROYAL CARIBBEAN:

http://www.royalcaribbean.com/gohome.d.....

NORWEGIAN:

http://www.ncl.com/

PRINCESS:

http://www.princess.com/index.html

CARNIVAL:

http://www.carnivalcruiselines.com/

I have been on Princess, Celebrity, Norwegian, and Royal Caribbean ships and can vouch that they are good cruise lines. However, there are some differences.

- Princess, Celebrity and Holland America have great ships are more classy and reserved. Holland America has more senior citizens cruising on its ships.

-Carnival has more first time cruiser and young people who want to party, party, party. If that is what you are looking for then Carnival is the cruise line for you.

-Norwegian cruise line is good and I have been on many of their cruises. Its the line that you want to go on if you want to be informal for pretty much your whole cruise. They have formal nights like other cruise lines but they do not stress dressing up; the call it "dress up if you want to" night.

-Royal Caribbean caters most to families and has the most and best on-board activities. Many Royal Caribbean ships have things like ice skating, roller blade track, rock climbing wall, surfing on ship on the "Flowrider", mini-golf course, pool tables. full sized basketball courts, and adults only pool and hot tub area called 'Solarium".

In my opinion Royal Caribbean and Celebrity have the easiest web sites to use to find cruises and specials.

Regardless of which cruise line you select, the things that are included are pretty much the same. The price of your cruise includes your cabin, all meals (including breakfast, lunch dinner, snacks and free room service)(you do pay to eat in the specialty restaurants), all shows and entertainment, and free use of all facilities on ship. The things that you will have to pay for are:

GRATUITIES: They will amount to about $10 per person in your cabin per day; about $70 each for a 7 day cruise. When you check in at the pier they will set up an on-board charge account for you to cover any and everything you may buy on ship. They will issue you a "cruise card" which will also serve as your room key and pass to get on and off the ship. At the end of the cruise they will add the gratuity to your tab and you can pay with a credit card or cash, your choice.

ALCOHOLIC DRINKS AND SOFT DRINKS: Coffee, tea, milk, juice, and lemonade and punch will be provided free but you must pay for drinks (alcoholic beverages) and they will add a 15% gratuity to each drink of soft drink order.

PHOTOGRAPHS: Cruise lines will take plenty of photographs of you all over the ship, in the dining room, and as you exit the ship in ports. These will cost a lot, like $15 to $20 for most.

TOURS/EXCURSIONS: You are not required to book any tours and can get off and on in the ports as much as you want. But the cruise line will offer a lot of tours and these are expensive. These are listed on your cruise line web site and you can reserve them well before the cruise and pay for them also. If you are going to the Caribbean, most places you can get a tour or taxi on the pier for a much lower price than on the ship.

SOUVENIRS: Anything you buy on ship from a gift shop or duty free shop goes on your on board account. Things that you buy on shore you pay cash or credit card for.

CASINO: If you plan to gamble on ship you will need cash for that.

OTHER: most cruise lines have what they call "specialty" restaurants where there is a gratuity/service charge. All other food on board is free and its not really necessary to budget for food; you cannot eat all of the FREE FOOD that will be available.

If you want/need to have your hair done, get a massage or wrap, or any services from the spa, you will have to pay for them. You can use the gym free but the spa stuff cost big bucks.

Ships now have internet cafe and some have WiFi but the there is a fee for internet access and it is very expensive (like about $50 to $60 an hour).

You cabin will likely have a minibar with soft drinks and munchies; you have to pay for them (but there is free room service 24/7).

BEST DEALS

I have found that the best deals can be had by going directly to the cruise line web sites and looking for their specials. Most will have their specials prominently displayed on their home page but I have found that Royal Caribbean and Carnival have the best web sites for this.

Another decision you will have to make is where you want to cruise to; Bermuda, Alaska, Bahamas, Caribbean, Mexico, or Europe. In general the shorter cruises of 3 to 6 days go to Bermuda or the Bahamas. Cruises going to Alaska, the Caribbean, the Mexican Riviera and Europe are 7 days or more. If you think you want to go to the Caribbean there are really three basic types of itineraries.

- Western Caribbean cruises typically go to Cozumel, Grand Cayman, Jamaica and a private cruise line island.

-Eastern Caribbean typically go to St Thomas, St Maarten, a private cruise line island and maybe another island like Tortola or Puerto Rico. If you want to do a lot of shopping then pick a cruise with St Thomas as one of the port stops. St Maarten is also mainly a beach and shopping stop.

- Southern Caribbean cruise itineraries typically start in Puerto Rico and go either to Aruba, Curacao, and St Thomas and St Maarten, OR they go to the southern Caribbean islands like Barbados, Grenada, Antigua, St Lucia and maybe St Thomas and/or St Maarten. The main difference between these two itineraries, aside from the different islands, is the Aruba cruise has 2 "at sea" days with no port stops, while the other has a port stop about each day.

If you are going to Alaska there are also a lot of options for slightly different itineraries.  Some Alaska cruises start in Alaska, (Anchorage, Seward, or Fairbanks) and others start in Seattle or Vancouver.  Cruises of the "inside passage" are generally 7 days but you can also do what is called a crusie-tour which may be 10, 12 to 14 days and involves touring by train and/or bus either before or after the ocean voyage.  So you have to look very carefully at your options for an Alaska cruise.  You should not just say to an agent I want an Alaska cruise.  Pick one or more of the cruise lines I listed above and search for Alaska cruises and look at all of the options available to help you decide.

I suggest also that as a novice cruiser you click on my profile and then click on and read some of my "Starred" questions and answers to give you a lot more information about cruising.

Answer 2

1. Celebrity- They are so sophisticated and modern. They have everything while having great and personal service. Its amazing.

2. Eastern Caribbean, specifically St. Thomas, USVI  and St. Maarten,  NA.

3. During the holidays and summer. The best time to cruise is during the winter and especially during Hurricane season.

4. Everything. Getting off and doing shore excursions.

5. Go down the day before.. Started doing that later on. Also always have travel insurance.. We always do but some people think its unnecessary.

6. If your book a group cruise usually you can get a discount. Also look for last minute travel deals on travel websites and through their online sites also with travel agents.

7. Fly down the day before and get travel insurance. Also go with a shorter cruise so if you like it you can go again but if you dont your not stuck on their forever. Make sure to keep everything you need on you in your carry on. Dont overpack. Bring a powerstrip, and bring flashlights, and lanyards. Also those over the door storage things for bathrooms work amazing. Its really cramped in the rooms do get at least an oceanview maybe a balcony.

Answer 3

WOW Tinkertoy, give the rest of us a chance...lol. ( I'm just kidding ) I like your answers and have used your advice, so to the questioner, my advice is take his advise!!!

Answer 4

First of all this travel agent must be one of those who sits a a desk & never goes anywhere. I have been to Alaska on 23 cruisetours and could not find a better place to go.

1. I have sailed with Norwegian, Princess & Holland Amercia.Norwegian & Princess I prefer because of a more casual dress code & you eat when you want & sit where you want.

2. been to Alaska, Bermuda & stationed in Hawaii. Alaska if you love Nature, Wildlife, Meeting people from all over the world etc........ Bermuda a great place for couples in Love but, I would go on only a land vacation ( Elbow Beach ) Hawaii did not like it. Too over priced & too touristy.

3. Book as early as possible to gurantee your cabin & such.

4. Everything. Never had a bad experience & met people on the cruises that I still email & visit.

5 How well the crew treats you & just how relaxing a cruise is.

6. The only way you can save with another couple is if you all stay in 1 cabin as some lines give discounts for more than 2 people per cabin.

7. Your choice of a cabin is important as this effects your price. Besides looking at each cruise line web sites stop by your local AAA office & get free brochures no you do not have to be a member. Lots of things for this question.

Which ever line you choose you will have the the time of your life.

Also Princess gives away free DVD's of their destinations. 1-800-Princess or Princess.com.

If you have never been on a cruise then Alaska would be best. You see sites from the time you leave the dock until the cruise ends. The Carribean you are out in the ocean & see nothing but, water, The poprts of call are nice.

As for a cabin. A balcony is nice but, may cost up to $500. extra each.The views are better on deck & do you really want to go on a cruise to stay in your cabin ? I always book a inside cabin. Only use it to sleep & shower a total of about 6 hours aday.

Hope this helps.

ENJOY.

Answer 5

I think WK (above) answered alot. For once I see a travel agent who gives advice without trying to reel you in for business. THOSE are the agents who still actually care if you enjoy what you picked for a vacation (a dying breed) and realy enjoy his business. I'd book with him!!!!!!!!!!!! :~)

Princess seems to do well with Alaska cruises but if you've never cruised,......go to the caribbean and then go to alaska after.  Alaska is a go go go cruise and if you do the caribbean you'll get to understand cruise life and all the things offered aboard a cruise liner.

I will say one thing...... I am not a snob BUT I never get a room without a balcony!!!! I can not stress that enough. Those rooms are small and a balcony allows you to almost have 2 rooms. Plus you can have breakfast out there with the dolphins swimming along side of the boat.

Have fun and if you want,..check out this site below. You can see whats out there and some prices:

http://www.nlgsolutions.com/cruises/

Answer 6

I have been a travel consultant for 10 years and I think you are asking the wrong questions.  Long story short, the right cruise line for you is not the right one for everyone else.  What do you want from the cruise?  Do you want pampering?  Do you want fun and partying until 3am?  That will determine what line is for you.  

Alaska is great but if you want the typical cruise experience, you might want to start with something warm like the Caribbean.  I think the Mediterranean is the hot spot now as it allows Americans to tour Europe and pay US dollars instead of getting pounded against the Euro or Pound.

You cannot get a discount unless you have a group - 8-10 cabins.  There really isn't a frugal time to book, travel is on the rise, rates are on the rise with fuel surcharges alla round, the farther out you book the better chance you have of getting a reasonable price and the type of cabin you want.  Alaska 09 is open for sale so there is no time like the present.  It will also allow you to plan out the payments so you don't have to front a lot of money at one time.  

As far as which cruise line, I prefer more of the deluxe and luxury lines as they include more even though their price is higher, the value is better.  The smaller lines, not usually displayed on line also have better service.