Thinking about taking a cruise...help???

Question

Ok for all you ppl who have taken a cruise...is there much a chance of being sea sick..ppl tell me that it's risky. My parents own a boat and I LOVE to be on it...is it kinda the same?

Also what fee's should i be looking into..as i hear it states all inclusive but really it isnt

ie: liqure, port fee's???

What should i be looking into..also what is classified as hurricane season?

thanks...

Answer 1

I have been on three cruises, two on 70,000 ton ships and one on a 110,000 ton ship.  There was only one night that you could even feel the ship move on all three cruises.  This was going out or Port Canaveral heading to the Bahamas.  I was told that it was unusually rough water.

When you pay, it covers the cruise fare, port fees and misc fees.  It includes food, the room, some beverages, (not alcohol or soda), and entertainment on the ship.  You pay for casino, pictures, shopping, and specialty restaurants.  Gratuities are recommended at around $10 per person per day.  This covers your room steward and waitstaff in the dining room. Shore excursions are extra.

Hurricane season is from June to November.  September through December is usually the cheapest time.  We were on the Carnival Glory last September, and were rerouted because of the hurricanes south of Cuba.  We were not able to go to Belize and Costa Maya.  However, if there is a storm, they will sail around it, or change the itinerary. You do not need to worry about getting caught in a hurricane.

It is a great vacation.  Everything you need is on the ship.  It is literally a small city.

Answer 2

Previous answer right about hurricanes--- no cruise line will risk 2,000 passengers and 1,000 crew on weather, not to mention a multi million dollar ship. It is not your concern! Same will seasickness....not a problem...

You pay what you are quoted, plus some lines have added a "fuel surcharge"--- just ask up front. Then, you will pay tips at about $10 per person per day. Service is usually really good, so few or cheapos complain.

You will pay and be "sold" on board, so be prepared-

Drinks. Iced tea, coffee, and sometimes lemonade as well as water are served at meals- free. Booze, specialty drinks cost $$$ plus an automatic 15% tip.

Food- all free, except "specialty dining", "Johnny Rockets", or special ice creams. It is usually pretty clear. 24 hour room service is FREE, but your in room drinks (soda and water bottles) are not. You will not starve, I promise. Ice cream is free in the dining room, but charged by the scoop at "Ben & Jerry's" on board--- not worth it.

Shows- all free

Photos- all cost $$$

Stores-obviously, $$$

Casino and Bingo---- $$$$

Belly flop contest and prizes- free, cooking demo- free, wave watching- free.

We travel as a family of 6, and our "tab" is zero. We carry on a 12 pk of soda each, drink the on board water (It is all filtered and very good!), and take advantage of what we paid for that is included. PS. No carry on booze- they search all bags, and check that it is soda, not beer...:)

Answer 3

The eastern caribbean is the most rough one I have been on...especially when we got around the Bahamas.  We were passing the Bahamas on the first night and it was pretty rough.  alot of people stayed in there rooms but there was a bad storm that we were trying to divert around.  once you get below the bahamas the seas are very calm.  The western caribbean is much more calm (Jamaica, Mexico, Grand Caymans)

Answer 4

I went on a cruise in July and it can be very bumpy but you should not get see sick you are looking at $2000 + and no need to worry about the hurricane season because they know the future weather plans good luck

Answer 5

You cannot compare a boat, or even a yacht with a cruise ship as far as sea sickness goes.  Boats are like corks, moving up and down with every ripple in the water.  Even a yacht drawing five feet of water is not going to compare to a cruise ship that is drawing 25 to 30 feet of water.  

Even in four foot seas, which would make a boat look like a bouncing basketball and a yacht bob up and down like a yo-yo, a cruise ship would just lean a little to the left, and lean a little to the right in a gentle swaying motion.  

Yes, you can get sea sick on a cruise ship, but a cruise ship with its stabilizers and size is not going to move much unless the seas are really rough.  I get sea sick easily and I have never gotten sea sick on a cruise ship yet (I have taken eight cruises).  

Nonetheless, on one cruise that I knew would be a little rougher (there was a storm following us) I took ginger.  I like ginger because it is not a drug and because it is the only thing that worked on Mythbusters.  I had no problems, so you might want to give ginger a try (about $6 at Walgreens).

What is and is not included?  Here is what Celebrity says ...

The price of your cruise includes ship accommodations, ocean transportation, meals, some beverages most entertainment aboard the vessel. All prices are per-person, based on double occupancy of the stateroom, and are quoted in US dollars.

The cruise price does not include air transportation, transfers or items of a personal nature, such as shore excursions, some beverages, photographs, gratuities, medical services, etc.

In addition, Celebrity Cruises separately assesses airport facility charges and certain departure taxes and other taxes/fees that are implemented by various governments and quasi-governmental agencies. Such assessment is subject to change without notice at any time whether or not you have a confirmed booking under deposit, or if you have made final payment.

Here is how Norwegian answers this question ...

Your cruise fare entitles you to accommodations, meals and entertainment aboard ship. Certain specialty restaurants are available with either nominal cover charges or fixed price menus and à la carte pricing in addition to the standard dining program. Items of a personal nature are not included, such as alcoholic beverages and soft drinks, spa treatments, indoor pool relaxation areas, certain specialty exercise classes, laundry, photographs, casino, ship-to-shore phone, email, Internet, fax and Shore Excursions (including all Dive In" programs). Government taxes and fees are also not included.

Answer 6

Hi, I have been on 5 cruises.  If you can stand a small boat you would be find on a cruise ship.  They have massive stabilizers so that you don't feel the movement unless there are extremely rough seas.  Which they avoid way in advance anyway.  As far as prices, check vacationstogo.com.  They have great rates.  Now, when you pay for it all of your charges will be paid with the final price quote of the cruise except your tips.  Every cruiseline gives you the average guidelines and who you are suppose to tip.  You have the choice of paying that up front on a credit card or at the end of the cruise and you can alter the amount based on the service you received.  However, not tipping at all is frowned upon and you will be talked about by the crew on the last day.  Usually it runs you about $60 per person in the cabin.   If you are plan on doing a lot of shopping on the islands, bring cash in small denominations as it is easier to barter with.  You do not need any cash whatsoever onboard and do not need to tip anyone except your cabin steward and "regular" wait staff  on a regular basis until the end.  Also, bring any toiletries you need (in your luggage/not carry on) as it is extremely expensive onboard and they usually don't have a big variety either.  ie toothpaste, shampoo, aspirin, pepto, maxipads and even some dramamine if you need it.   Hope this helps.  If so, please rate me as the best answer!

Answer 7

You will find that cruising is soo much fun!  

About sea sickness, I was worried about that too, but I took some motion sickness pills with me and only used them once.  I found that if you keep a little bit of food in your stomach all the time (not pigging out, just a little food like an apple, or something small) you will rarely feel the motion.  

Being on a boat and on a cruise ship are two very different things.  On a cruise ship, you will not even remember you are on a ship, unless you are outside!  It is so large that you will hardly feel the movement.

As for the all inclusive, for Royal Caribbean these were not included:

alcohol/liquor

cokes

OJ juice

tours on the shore

shopping (both on and off boat)

casino

bingo

photos

some restaurants

Ben n Jerry's

tips

internet access

Hurricane season is June 1 - November 30 every year...

Answer 8

Cruise ships are HUGE, you hardly know you're on a boat at all.  Unless there are big storms (like 10 foot swells) you probably won't get seasick at all.  The only discomfort you might feel is from the noise or vibrations of the engines.  If you go for a larger ship rather than a smaller ship you should be just fine.

The price includes the room and three large meals a day.  You will pay extra for alcoholic drinks, meals outside the dining rooms (like at poolside or in the speciality restuarants), gambling, shopping, spa treatments, etc.  There are no port fees - you have to pay for ground transportation or air flights, and you have to pay for any "excursions" (group tours) you sign up for at the ports.  You also pay tips for your various waiters and cabins stewards, but this is nicely automated now, so you just pay one averaged total amount at the end of the trip instead of tipping a few bucks each time.

I wouldn't worry about hurricane season.  All the major ships have terrific weather equipment and they know about storms long before they enter an area.  The cruise lines are careful to steer well away from any major storms, and will even change ports to avoid storms.  The worst you'll encounter from hurricane season is a missed port and a cloudy day on the boat.