Been on a cruise? - The PASH Wedding Forums and Message Boards

ladedah · #1 01-18-2006, 07:23 PM

Okay, we are getting ready to book our honeymoon...

We've saved up all this money and now we are deciding where to go and what to do...we aren't interested in all inclusive...but thought a cruise was the best of both worlds...

So I just wanted to get any feedback from anyone who has gone on one..

Thanks

Jacqueline · #2 01-18-2006, 07:24 PM

i think it is a great idea if we could aford it and get a sitter we would go on one go for it girl

Lizbet · #3 01-18-2006, 07:54 PM

DH and I went on a Hawaiian cruise for our honeymoon. We

LOVED it! The only thing to keep in mind for cruises is that any off-boat excursions you want to do will cost over-and-above the cruise package. DH and I did a lot of excursions (including one that was an overnight off-ship which cost $300 per person) and ended spending an extra

50%

of the cruise cost on the trips.

We knew we were going to do this ahead of time, so we planned ahead for it and were not surprised by the amount at the end of the cruise. Also, one thing that was not included in our cruise was alcoholic beverages. From what I understand (I've never been to an all-inclusive resort.) alcohol is included in your package price for many resorts.

The only thing that disappointed me about our cruise was that soft drinks were not included in the price. WTF?? It's not like they're expensive when you serve from the fountain.

The cruise we went on was NCL America. It was DH's and my first cruise. Many of our fellow passengers who had been on prior cruises thought that NCL was not very good. According to the other more experienced travellers on board, there weren't as many on-board activities as usual for a cruise. And, they did not think the food was as good a quality as other trips they'd taken.

I think that the reason for the first complaint lies in the fact that our ship did not ever spend a full 24 hours at sea. The cruise was 7 days long and came to port in 5 cities on 4 of the major Hawaiian islands. There was not a reason to provide the 24/7 on-board activites that many ships have, because of the large amout of port time. I can not account for or attest to a discrepancy in food quality. But I can say that eventhough the food was not the best I'd ever had, there was a wide variety, some of it was very good, and none of it was actually bad.

My parents have been on a couple of cruises. They went to the Bahamas two years ago and to Alaska this past summer. They enjoyed the Bahamas cruise. But LOVED the Alaskan cruise. They said that everyone should do the Alaskan trip if at all possible! I don't know which cruise line they used for either trip, but if you want me to get more info from them I'd be glad to. You can reply here or PM me.

Sorry this got so long. I just really enjoyed my experience and wanted to let you know as much as I could about it.

Marge129 · #4 01-18-2006, 08:09 PM

I did the Royal Caribbean 7 night Eastern Caribbean cruise for my honeymoon. It was great, but I thought the days at sea (we had 2) sucked. There are SO many people on the ship and if you don't get up early enough you don't get a chair by the pool. Also, be prepared for all the money you'll spend on board. We didn't drink much or take a lot of off-shore excursions and still managed to spend $1000 during the week.

Like Lizbets cruise, soda wasn't included. You could buy a soda card for $40 at the beginning of the cruise which gave you unlimited sodas. But, when you got a mixed drink, you still had to pay for the soda in it. Stupid.

The food is GREAT. Imagine the best food on Earth all in one place, all you can eat, and FREE!!!!!

Also... watch your feet! Two days before the cruise ended, we went to a midnight buffet. I went after a piece of carrot cake and some girl stepped on my toe and shattered it! I had to spend a day at sea in the room, and miss one of the stops because I couldn't walk with a broken toe.

PlanetClaire · #5 01-18-2006, 08:38 PM

Lizbet brought up 2 EXCELLENT points which are the only downfall to cruises. The last one I took ended up costing me more onboard than the cruise itself cost!!That and if you get seasick!

I have been on 4 cruises; 2 NCL, 1 Disney and 1 Princess. I was sick on 2 and fine on 2!

If your idea of fun includes alcoholic beverages, and that doesn't mean you're winos, do an all-inclusive land like at Couples in Jamaica or the Grand Lidos or any hotel that has honeymoon packages.

There are sooooo many types and sizes of ships with different "markets" on board, I would suggest looking for an agent in your area who specializes in cruises and get their recommendations.

SuzyBride · #6 01-18-2006, 08:40 PM

Josh and I went on a western Caribbean Carnival cruise. We had fun. I just recommend taking full advantage of all the ship activities. Shore excursions are not included, but are well worth the extra cost!! Just be sure and research them before booking. Soft drinks are not included in costs, but tea, punch, water, and lemonade are included. I also recommend getting up and going to breakfast and going to dinner and not just the buffet! Josh was not very cooperative doing this!! Overall the cruise was a ton of fun and I highly recommend going on one!!

bebe · #7 01-18-2006, 08:42 PM

I looooove cruising. First cruise was with DH (when he was just BF.) 7-day Mexican Riviera. Despite the fact that we were on the tail of a hurricane and he contracted some horrible sickness the last couple of days of our trip, it was great. Carnival cruise line. Sodas were free. This line caters to a younger party type of crowd, so if you want non-stop action 24/7, it's the way to go. But be aware that you will hear people up and down the hallways all night long!

For out honeymoon we went on a 15-day Hawaiian cruise. I am in love with that cruise! Princess cruise lines. Sodas/alcoholic beverages were not included. The ship and amenities were much nicer on Princess, but Carnival was still great. I think because it was a longer, more expensive trip, the crowd was much MUCH older. But, because of that, it was very relaxing and quiet. The hallways were silent after 10PM. it was easy to find a little corner to relax together in. The food on both lines was terriffic.

Whatever you do, be sure to get a cabin with at least a porthole. Out first trip was in an interior stateroom and I never had any idea what time it was unless I got up to turn on a light to check my watch. Since there were people up and down the halls at all hours we couldn't even guess that way.

PlanetClaire · #8 01-18-2006, 08:46 PM

Good point!

Outside cabin, midship- the most stable part of the ship. And splurge and get a balcony! Nothing like sitting having coffee in your bathrobe on your balcony first thing in the morning!!! Loved that!

Marrying_the_Good_Husband · #9 01-18-2006, 08:53 PM

We went on a 10-night Princess cruise to the Bahamas, Jamaica, St. Thomas, St. Maarten, Grand Cayman--and supposed to stop in Cozumel, but it was too windy to get the tender boats. I would mention all the downsides as the other ladies mentioned.

I've also stayed in all-inclusives in the Bahamas, Jamaica--and we will in Turks and Caicos for our wedding. And then also a regular resort (not all-inclusive, but work paid!) in Bermuda. I would seriously recommend an all-inclusive resort over a cruise. All of the younger folks (i.e., under 50) who were on our ship also said they preferred all-inclusives.

I think, for one, 10-nights was TOO LONG to be stuck on a boat! I don't think I would have had the same feeling if I was at a resort and on the beach every day. I was on a mid-size boat. Even though there's a lot going on, movies, etc., MOST boats to not have the rock climbing walls and skating rinks, etc., that you see on the commercials. I guess that's also something to keep in mind when you pick a boat--make sure it has the ammenities you're wanting. Also, as mentioned, excursions and drinks will add up, so plan on several hundred (or more) just for that. At an all-inclusive, you will have to pay to go off-site, but all drinks and typically all activities are included--this can (but not always) include kayaks and scuba diving, etc.

Lizbet · #10 01-18-2006, 08:56 PM

I agree on the balcony. DH and I loved being able to open the door and breathe in the sea air.

Also, on the last night of our cruise, our side of the ship was facing out to sea. So, DH decided to sit naked on our balcony, just because he could. He loved that he could do that, unlike going to the shore, where there's always someone on the beach who can see your hotel balcony.

I must admit, I liked the view that night!

Marge129 · #11 01-18-2006, 08:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PlanetClaire

Outside cabin, midship- the most stable part of the ship. And splurge and get a balcony! Nothing like sitting having coffee in your bathrobe on your balcony first thing in the morning!!! Loved that!

Oh yeah... balcony rooms are GREAT!

I usually get VERY seasick... but I got that patch thing and was fine.

ladedah · #12 01-18-2006, 09:14 PM

Thanks guys...

The cruise we are looking at is a 5-day Bahamas cruise...and actually we were pretty surprised at how actually inexpensive they are....

One of the reasons we are kind of anti-all inclusive resort is that we aren't really the type of people who would just sit on the beach or at the pool. I know that each resort has lots of options for activities, but we liked that we get to stop at the different ports. I don't know, just seemed like the thing for us...

As for the negatives you all mentioned, i think those are all things we expected...

Thanks again

PlanetClaire · #13 01-19-2006, 12:45 AM

Funnily enough, I got an email from Holland America today!

They have a "2006 View and Verandah" sale. Up to 7 category upgrades.
Sale ends Feb 28. And if you go via a Travel Agent for more info, they are supposed to refer to "Promo #20/LV"

ljeagle · #14 01-19-2006, 03:25 AM

I went on a 1 night Royal Caribbean Alaska Cruise it was great. It was a big hand bell festival. I went my first year out of high school with my old High school teacher. I didn't have to pay for any thing cause he was the guest conductor and I was going as his assistant. We seen the bill after the cruise and it was over $5000 for two of us. I had a room with a balcony but I wouldn't go out on it. After watching the thing on Oprah today about the couple who went on a HM cruise and the groom feel over board. I know it don't happen that easy but it's a scary thought. The food and drinks where the best food I have never ate so much in my life. They never once check my id I thought that was cool....

Mrs.Levitt · #15 01-19-2006, 01:20 PM

I have never been on a cruise but my FH had been on one with his exwife and her parents and they brought their daughter who at the time was about 1 1/2. He loved it, he said it was a carribean cruise. Although he said he wouldnt bring kids, lol I said DUH.

especially not at that age but whatever, wasnt with me

. He really wants to take me on a cruise but im not sure that Im that interested. Im so afraid Ill get sick cause that would be my luck. He loved it though, wants to do an alaskan cruise before hes 50 (so we gots about 20 yrs to figure that one out)

Heather · #16 01-19-2006, 01:33 PM

I've never been on a cruise. Like Margie I get terribly sea-sick but I have heard there are remedies. Anyway, Mike and I didn't want to do all-inclusive either for the location we were going. We heard horror stories. So we shelled out the money and went to The Atlantis Resort & Casino on Paradise Island in the Bahamas. Every moment was worth it, but it was very expensive. If we go back anytime soon, we'll stay somewhere else, but we'll definitely visit there.

Marrying_the_Good_Husband · #17 01-19-2006, 01:48 PM

Leslie, I was going to post the same thing about Oprah--ONE reason NOT to go for the balcony room! But, there was likely some foul play involved as there were men's voices shouting and a thud. The whole story is very odd. But I also think it's such a random thing. Dr. Phil had a show recently about girls who were taken off cruise ships, never to be seen again--likely sold into the $ex slave trade. Weird, scary stuff. But when you think about how many MILLIONS of people go on cruises every year, a few scary stories shouldn't be a deterrent.

Marge129 · #18 01-19-2006, 04:17 PM

I want to go on a vacation now

One more thing to add. I looked up the patches for seasickness... they're called scopolamine and you have to get them from your doctor. The only problem I had with it was after I was home and took off the patch. I went through a mild withdrawl from it and felt "land sick." You might be better off to just take lots of dramamine. If I ever go on a cruise again, I'm going to get the patch, but try dramamine first. I don't like withdrawl... it's not fun.