Who's Been On A Cruise? - Tilted Forum Project Discussion Community

Daoust · 10-09-2007, 06:34 PM

My wife and I, who have been married for 5 years, and have yet to go on a honeymoon, have been talking about finally going on one. We both would like to maybe go on a cruise. We're thinking Caribbean. It won't be Alaskan, or Mediterranean.

Have any of you fine folks been on a Cruise? What did you take? Carnival? Princess? What was it like? Any tips? What should I look for? What should I avoid? When did you go?

Also, have any of you gone on cruises you paid for with Airmiles?

Any other hints or tips you could give would be great. Thanks.

Shauk · 10-09-2007, 07:03 PM

I went on one about a month ago, it was just a short one from seattle to vancouver, BC

It was on Princess.

advice? be hungry. The food is free (well, not really, but just pretend you're paying for the food in the ticket cost)

it's pretty laid back, be sure to be aware of the schedule of things going on during the cruise, the shows, the few hours that the restaurants are open, and so on. They have all hours/all you can eat buffets on the ship too, but the actual resturaunts just taste better.

you dont get your own table when you go to eat either, they'll sit 6 to a table (on the cruise I was on anyway) so you will get to rub elbows with people you don't know. (our table was mostly asian, they didn't speak much in the way of english from what I could tell so we just chatted amongst ourselves)

just try not to burn yourself out on the 1st day. The scenery on a ship doesnt change from day to day. I'm not really an easily amused person so one day was enough, not sure if I could have tolerated a longer cruise without another form of entertainment.

The ship we were on had a nightclub up on the 17th deck too, was pretty decent

all in all, have your papers in order and keep the lines moving.

oh and, you dont have to tip for drinks, the waitstaff on our ship had an automatic 15% charge as well as a 10$ a day fee that they divide amongst all the staff when their shifts are done for (I'm assuming when the cruise reaches port)

Bossnass · 10-09-2007, 07:54 PM

http://www.tfproject.org/tfp/showthread.php?t=99566

Ustwo · 10-09-2007, 08:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Daoust

My wife and I, who have been married for 5 years, and have yet to go on a honeymoon, have been talking about finally going on one. We both would like to maybe go on a cruise. We're thinking Caribbean. It won't be Alaskan, or Mediterranean.

Have any of you fine folks been on a Cruise? What did you take? Carnival? Princess? What was it like? Any tips? What should I look for? What should I avoid? When did you go?

Also, have any of you gone on cruises you paid for with Airmiles?

Any other hints or tips you could give would be great. Thanks.

Royal Caribbean two years ago.

The good:
The ship was great, the food was good, the people working the ship were pretty nice. The pre-package shore activities were mostly good. You don't need to pre-plan ANYTHING. Once you are on the ship, you are golden.

The neutral:
The on board entertainment was 'ok', just not great. The pools are really pretty small for the number of people on board, this becomes an issue on the 'sea days'. The on board activities and games are really pretty limited, oh and internet access at the time was 10 bucks an hour.

The bad:
The islands are basically giant jewelery stores. Good if you are looking for that sort of stuff, but bad otherwise. All the islands seem the same for this reason. You don't have enough time to really get out of the 'cruise' areas and get to see the 'real' island, plus if you are like me you are paranoid you will miss your ship. Even on the ship its about selling you stuff. Paintings, jewelery, time shares, whatever. Its not 'in your face' so much but its basically about shopping. Really I wouldn't call it a cruise as much as a well fed ship board shopping experience.

My wife and I took the cruise alone and last minute since the just prior God destroyed the Yucatan with a hurricane destroying the location we were going to. If I were to do another cruise it would be with a group of friends.

Recomendations: Bring books for the at sea days, and your normal 'sun' vacation wear. Don't forget to bring something more formal if you plan to eat in the main dining room. The food is good there so its worth it, plus its sort of fun to not be wearing the same casual you do every day.

Also be sure to investigate the cruise lines a bit. We felt Royal Caribbean was about right in the number of passengers for the size of the ship. Line like carnival are known for a younger party crowd which can be good, but they pack you in a bit tighter.

I am glad we did it, it was a good experience over all, and its a great way to get a package vacation, but unless we were retired I couldn't see us doing it more than once (or again we were going with a group of friends).

Elphaba · 10-09-2007, 09:43 PM

I have been on a cruise, but I prefer to pick a place and stay. The gulf towns of Mexico are wonderful, as are the Caymans Islands.

Either way, wait until the hurricane season is past, or choose an area outside of the usual path. Belated anniversaries are the best.

ziadel · 10-09-2007, 10:13 PM

Whats that you say? I cant bring my dear Claudia? Well FU hippie!

The idea of more or less being stuck on a floating prison with people I may very well find to be abhorrent with nothing but activities I may or may not find to be nothing but assinine to amuse me doesn't appeal to me.

I'd much rather go someplace and see something. Yeah, the ocean is beautiful, but its a method of travel, not a destination really...?

Personally, I'd much rather spend a week or two stomping around in the Bob Marshall, or viewing cherry blossoms in Japan or stomping around Tibet heckling communists or shopping for Kukris in Nepal.

/I heart Kukris.

souzafone · 10-10-2007, 07:55 AM

Was gifted with a free one won in a raffle over 10 years ago, so I don't remember what line it was on. Not my kinda thing, I don't like being held captive,you're at the mercy of the other passengers, the layovers are tourist traps, etc. If you're bound and determined to go...the food is great and you're going to get overfed, so don't be afraid to go overboard. When asked which entree you want from a selection, pick 2 or 3, what the hell, it's all included. Don't start drinking the minute you get on board. First find your cabin, then find a bar close by. Don't pick a busy one, find one a little out of the way. That bartender should be your best friend while trapped there, he wants to be the guy in the casino bar getting the big tips, and will do almost anything to make you happy. 2 drink max? no problem, how many can you carry? Why yes sir, I do know someone who can get some local herbs, and by the way, a good time to smoke is after sundown on the third deck.

squeeeb · 10-10-2007, 12:40 PM

i've been on one cruise, LOVED IT!!!!!! it was a three day cruise to the carribean, i think it was with Norwegian Cruise Lines (many many years ago, i forget). you eat and eat and eat, and the food is awesome. we had to wake up for the "midnight chocolate buffet" which is just more food and lots of goodies. there was a small "casino" on board, there was an art auction, there were some "shows" like "grease" and a comedy magician. we stopped off at some island and had the day on the beach with a huge picnic. i waaaay enjoyed myself.

as for the downsides...i can't think of any really. it was only 3 days, so not enough time for me to get bored, and there seemed plenty to do. people were pretty nice, with the staff it was "kiss ass central."

have a good time.

dogzilla · 10-10-2007, 02:23 PM

My wife and I went on a cruise in 2002 on Norwegian Cruise Lines, stopping at Grand Cayman Island, Honduras, Belize and Mexico. The food on the ship was quite good. One thing they did which I think was unique to the cruise line was an open meal plan where you could each pretty much when you wanted within mealtime hours rather than assigned eating times. I went to one or two of the evening entertainment shows, which were so-so. Maybe something like small town theater.

Other than that, I didn't much care for being on-board the ship since I'm not interested in bars, casinos or shopping. They did have a small set of exercise machines. I did enjoy the off-ship tours. So to me, the ship wasn't much more than a floating hotel which took us from place to place. I probably wouldn't do it again, as to me, a vacation where I'm off doing something or seeing something is much more interesting than hanging out on a ship.

Average_Joe · 10-10-2007, 03:12 PM

I went on a 7-day cruise of the Caribbean when I was 19 y.o. (20 years ago) with my parents (hey, they paid for everything). Here is what I remember.

1. I was the only single guy there between the ages of 15 and 30. You could count the number of 20-somethings on one hand. I was told by the cruise staff that they sold other cruises that were 80% young people with a more "party-like" atmosphere, so you probably will have a choice of the kind of cruise you want.

2. The food was unbelievable and abundant. I gained 10 pounds.

3. The island tours were OK, but they only take you to market type places. If you really want to explore, hire a cab to take you for the day. It's pretty cheap, and more fun. Especially if you can go with other people from the ship.

4. The caribean is a good choice because the islands are all close to each other. They sail at night, so there are fewer days that you are stranded on the boat.

5. Top shelf rum is cheap in the caribbean.

I would go again with my wife just to share the experience, but I think after you try it once, it's not something you would want to do too frequently.

Daoust · 10-10-2007, 04:04 PM

Thanks a lot for all your help, folks. Your input is much appreciated.

I think I'd like to take a cruise, but let's be honest, my wife is the one who really wants to take the cruise. I'm just tagging along. I let her pick this one and I'll pick the next trip.

Let this post also serve as a bump to get more responses.

casual user · 10-10-2007, 04:14 PM

i've been on a couple cruises with the fam. i've only been on princess. it doesn't have much going in the way of a younger crowd, but that probably doesn't matter too much for you and your wife. other than that, it's real nice. the food is great (and free, so go crazy, they charge you extra for everything else, including the drinks) and the shows are pretty good too. i'd recommend going to the restaraunts for dinner, but the buffet for everything else. also, the ship gets kind of boring after a while since the stuff to do there is limited, so enjoy the islands when you can.

Daemon1313 · 10-18-2007, 09:49 AM

Ustwo pretty much summed up my experience with cruises. They've become my prefered type of vacation but I like doing nothing when I'm on vacation. If you're active or like to do lots of stuff on a vacation you probably will not enjoy them.

About the only things I can add are these. I've been on several cruises with my wife on a couple different cruise lines and they are all pretty much the the same. Carnival honestly only gets its party reputation because they are the least expensive of the lines. Which attracts a younger crowd. Also the shorter the cruise, the younger the crowd.

The area around the port is a jewelry laden tourist hell hole. If you get away from the port you find lots of other stuff to do. Look up stuff around the ports online before you leave or just ask the locals when you get there.

Also make sure shop around a good bit before you purchase a cruise. The cruise line is more than happy to rape you on the price if you aren't careful. We met a couple on one cruise that paid over twice as much as we had for a lower class room. They were not happy when we told them how much we had paid.

Willravel · 10-18-2007, 10:10 AM

The more people you go with the more fun you'll have. For me the perfect honeymoon is a small place on a secluded beach for maybe a week. Driving distance from neighbors, that way you don't wake them up with any loud noises you might make or have kids on the beach making a loud mess of things. Don't get me wrong, I love kids, but not when I'm having alone time.

10-09-2007, 06:34 PM	#1 (permalink)
Daoust "I'm sorry. What was the question?" Location: Paradise Regained	Who's Been On A Cruise? My wife and I, who have been married for 5 years, and have yet to go on a honeymoon, have been talking about finally going on one. We both would like to maybe go on a cruise. We're thinking Caribbean. It won't be Alaskan, or Mediterranean. Have any of you fine folks been on a Cruise? What did you take? Carnival? Princess? What was it like? Any tips? What should I look for? What should I avoid? When did you go? Also, have any of you gone on cruises you paid for with Airmiles? Any other hints or tips you could give would be great. Thanks. __________________ I have faith in a few things - divinity and grace But even when I'm on my knees I know the devil preys

10-09-2007, 07:03 PM	#2 (permalink)
Shauk Confused Adult Location: Spokane, WA	I went on one about a month ago, it was just a short one from seattle to vancouver, BC It was on Princess. advice? be hungry. The food is free (well, not really, but just pretend you're paying for the food in the ticket cost) it's pretty laid back, be sure to be aware of the schedule of things going on during the cruise, the shows, the few hours that the restaurants are open, and so on. They have all hours/all you can eat buffets on the ship too, but the actual resturaunts just taste better. you dont get your own table when you go to eat either, they'll sit 6 to a table (on the cruise I was on anyway) so you will get to rub elbows with people you don't know. (our table was mostly asian, they didn't speak much in the way of english from what I could tell so we just chatted amongst ourselves) just try not to burn yourself out on the 1st day. The scenery on a ship doesnt change from day to day. I'm not really an easily amused person so one day was enough, not sure if I could have tolerated a longer cruise without another form of entertainment. The ship we were on had a nightclub up on the 17th deck too, was pretty decent all in all, have your papers in order and keep the lines moving. oh and, you dont have to tip for drinks, the waitstaff on our ship had an automatic 15% charge as well as a 10$ a day fee that they divide amongst all the staff when their shifts are done for (I'm assuming when the cruise reaches port) Last edited by Shauk; 10-09-2007 at 07:06 PM..

10-09-2007, 09:43 PM	#5 (permalink)
Elphaba Deja Moo Location: Olympic Peninsula, WA	I have been on a cruise, but I prefer to pick a place and stay. The gulf towns of Mexico are wonderful, as are the Caymans Islands. Either way, wait until the hurricane season is past, or choose an area outside of the usual path. Belated anniversaries are the best. __________________ "You can't ignore politics, no matter how much you'd like to." Molly Ivins - 1944-2007

10-09-2007, 10:13 PM	#6 (permalink)
ziadel Myrmidon Location: In the twilight and mist.	Whats that you say? I cant bring my dear Claudia? Well FU hippie! The idea of more or less being stuck on a floating prison with people I may very well find to be abhorrent with nothing but activities I may or may not find to be nothing but assinine to amuse me doesn't appeal to me. I'd much rather go someplace and see something. Yeah, the ocean is beautiful, but its a method of travel, not a destination really...? Personally, I'd much rather spend a week or two stomping around in the Bob Marshall, or viewing cherry blossoms in Japan or stomping around Tibet heckling communists or shopping for Kukris in Nepal. /I heart Kukris. __________________ Ron Paul '08 Vote for Freedom Go ahead and google Dr. Ron Paul. You'll like what you read.

10-10-2007, 12:40 PM	#8 (permalink)
squeeeb part of the problem Location: hic et ubique	i've been on one cruise, LOVED IT!!!!!! it was a three day cruise to the carribean, i think it was with Norwegian Cruise Lines (many many years ago, i forget). you eat and eat and eat, and the food is awesome. we had to wake up for the "midnight chocolate buffet" which is just more food and lots of goodies. there was a small "casino" on board, there was an art auction, there were some "shows" like "grease" and a comedy magician. we stopped off at some island and had the day on the beach with a huge picnic. i waaaay enjoyed myself. as for the downsides...i can't think of any really. it was only 3 days, so not enough time for me to get bored, and there seemed plenty to do. people were pretty nice, with the staff it was "kiss ass central." have a good time. __________________ onward to mayhem!

10-09-2007, 07:54 PM	#3 (permalink)
Bossnass Détente Location: AWOL in Edmonton	http://www.tfproject.org/tfp/showthread.php?t=99566

10-10-2007, 07:55 AM	#7 (permalink)
souzafone Insane	Was gifted with a free one won in a raffle over 10 years ago, so I don't remember what line it was on. Not my kinda thing, I don't like being held captive,you're at the mercy of the other passengers, the layovers are tourist traps, etc. If you're bound and determined to go...the food is great and you're going to get overfed, so don't be afraid to go overboard. When asked which entree you want from a selection, pick 2 or 3, what the hell, it's all included. Don't start drinking the minute you get on board. First find your cabin, then find a bar close by. Don't pick a busy one, find one a little out of the way. That bartender should be your best friend while trapped there, he wants to be the guy in the casino bar getting the big tips, and will do almost anything to make you happy. 2 drink max? no problem, how many can you carry? Why yes sir, I do know someone who can get some local herbs, and by the way, a good time to smoke is after sundown on the third deck.

10-10-2007, 02:23 PM	#9 (permalink)
dogzilla Junkie Location: New York	My wife and I went on a cruise in 2002 on Norwegian Cruise Lines, stopping at Grand Cayman Island, Honduras, Belize and Mexico. The food on the ship was quite good. One thing they did which I think was unique to the cruise line was an open meal plan where you could each pretty much when you wanted within mealtime hours rather than assigned eating times. I went to one or two of the evening entertainment shows, which were so-so. Maybe something like small town theater. Other than that, I didn't much care for being on-board the ship since I'm not interested in bars, casinos or shopping. They did have a small set of exercise machines. I did enjoy the off-ship tours. So to me, the ship wasn't much more than a floating hotel which took us from place to place. I probably wouldn't do it again, as to me, a vacation where I'm off doing something or seeing something is much more interesting than hanging out on a ship.

10-10-2007, 03:12 PM	#10 (permalink)
Average_Joe Psycho Location: Under the Radar	I went on a 7-day cruise of the Caribbean when I was 19 y.o. (20 years ago) with my parents (hey, they paid for everything). Here is what I remember. 1. I was the only single guy there between the ages of 15 and 30. You could count the number of 20-somethings on one hand. I was told by the cruise staff that they sold other cruises that were 80% young people with a more "party-like" atmosphere, so you probably will have a choice of the kind of cruise you want. 2. The food was unbelievable and abundant. I gained 10 pounds. 3. The island tours were OK, but they only take you to market type places. If you really want to explore, hire a cab to take you for the day. It's pretty cheap, and more fun. Especially if you can go with other people from the ship. 4. The caribean is a good choice because the islands are all close to each other. They sail at night, so there are fewer days that you are stranded on the boat. 5. Top shelf rum is cheap in the caribbean. I would go again with my wife just to share the experience, but I think after you try it once, it's not something you would want to do too frequently. __________________ I think I'll procrastinate......in a little while.

10-10-2007, 04:04 PM	#11 (permalink)
Daoust "I'm sorry. What was the question?" Location: Paradise Regained	Thanks a lot for all your help, folks. Your input is much appreciated. I think I'd like to take a cruise, but let's be honest, my wife is the one who really wants to take the cruise. I'm just tagging along. I let her pick this one and I'll pick the next trip. Let this post also serve as a bump to get more responses. __________________ I have faith in a few things - divinity and grace But even when I'm on my knees I know the devil preys

10-10-2007, 04:14 PM	#12 (permalink)
casual user Crazy Location: everywhere and nowhere	i've been on a couple cruises with the fam. i've only been on princess. it doesn't have much going in the way of a younger crowd, but that probably doesn't matter too much for you and your wife. other than that, it's real nice. the food is great (and free, so go crazy, they charge you extra for everything else, including the drinks) and the shows are pretty good too. i'd recommend going to the restaraunts for dinner, but the buffet for everything else. also, the ship gets kind of boring after a while since the stuff to do there is limited, so enjoy the islands when you can.

10-18-2007, 09:49 AM	#13 (permalink)
Daemon1313 Crazy Location: Atlanta	Ustwo pretty much summed up my experience with cruises. They've become my prefered type of vacation but I like doing nothing when I'm on vacation. If you're active or like to do lots of stuff on a vacation you probably will not enjoy them. About the only things I can add are these. I've been on several cruises with my wife on a couple different cruise lines and they are all pretty much the the same. Carnival honestly only gets its party reputation because they are the least expensive of the lines. Which attracts a younger crowd. Also the shorter the cruise, the younger the crowd. The area around the port is a jewelry laden tourist hell hole. If you get away from the port you find lots of other stuff to do. Look up stuff around the ports online before you leave or just ask the locals when you get there. Also make sure shop around a good bit before you purchase a cruise. The cruise line is more than happy to rape you on the price if you aren't careful. We met a couple on one cruise that paid over twice as much as we had for a lower class room. They were not happy when we told them how much we had paid. __________________ A clear conscience is usually the sign of a bad memory.

10-18-2007, 10:10 AM	#14 (permalink)
Willravel ... a sort of licensed troubleshooter.	The more people you go with the more fun you'll have. For me the perfect honeymoon is a small place on a secluded beach for maybe a week. Driving distance from neighbors, that way you don't wake them up with any loud noises you might make or have kids on the beach making a loud mess of things. Don't get me wrong, I love kids, but not when I'm having alone time.