Ever taken a cruise?

[ace13 0]

Stefano and I are thinking about taking a cruise this summer or fall. Has anyone been on one that can tell me what cruise ships are the best for the price and other recommendations. We are thinking about spending $2000. And then, does it really matter if you have an interior or balcony room because you are just sleeping, right?

[Flames9_RN 358]

There are some cruise forums out there, just do a search on google. I went on my 1st cruise last yr on carnival. Was only a short one, from LA to Mexico. Was ok, food was good, some meals better than others. I found it to be more of a party ship, lots on intoxicated peopel on board. Whil in port for the day, 1 chick was past out, they had to carry her onboard,lol She lost her purse, had no ID, sucked to be her. Were plannin gto do an Alaskan tour in a few yrs. best of luck

[ChristinaM 0]

If you want a grown-up ship, don't sail with Carnival! As an ex-Carnival crew member, I can assure you that when they say "The Fun Ships", they mean it!

Royal Caribbean and Norwegian are both meant to be a little more sedate, although Royal Caribbean I believe to be more family-oriented than Norwegian.

As far as cabins go: get as high up on the ship as you can afford. If you have the choice of a lower deck and outside cabin or upper deck and inside cabin, I'd take the higher deck every day of the week. Try not to get stuck at the back of the ship either.

And mostly - enjoy!!

[NYGirl 0]

Royal Carribean

do NOT take Princess, they are boring

[Ban Hammer 13,337]

which cruise line comes with free food poisoning?

[ace13 0]

so, location of the room really matters? I figured I would be there just to sleep, and the vaca would cost less....bad move?

and yes, we are wanting to be around adults-so Carnival is out.

[Otto 83]

Does it really matter about the inside/outside rooms... I think it does.. but that's just a personal preference. At least one of the 'better' staterooms is preferable because it's not just for sleeping.. I don't want to have to leave my room so I can relax a little...

Things that matter (to me)

• Number of (or lack of) Port Calls
  
• Length of cruise
  
• Pick Up Location
  
• Destinations (of course)
  
• My room...
  

Always depends on your preference...do you want to be at sea and hang out/relax, do you want to shop/visit places.. That is the first thing to think about. For me, I'd rather be at sea for a few days - visit a port now and then, but not every day, and not be in port for days..

[ace13 0]

Does it really matter about the inside/outside rooms... I think it does.. but that's just a personal preference. At least one of the 'better' staterooms is preferable because it's not just for sleeping.. I don't want to have to leave my room so I can relax a little...

Things that matter (to me)

• Number of (or lack of) Port Calls
  
• Length of cruise
  
• Pick Up Location
  
• Destinations (of course)
  
• My room...
  

Always depends on your preference...do you want to be at sea and hang out/relax, do you want to shop/visit places.. That is the first thing to think about. For me, I'd rather be at sea for a few days - visit a port now and then, but not every day, and not be in port for days..

I agree with the at sea a day or at port at sea at port idea...

[LaL 418]

As far as cabins go: get as high up on the ship as you can afford. If you have the choice of a lower deck and outside cabin or upper deck and inside cabin, I'd take the higher deck every day of the week.

higher deck due to reduction of noise? what is preferable about the front of the ship?

[ChristinaM 0]

Depends if you're a heavy sleeper

The closer you get to the crew deck, the more noise you will hear related to loading and unloading. The back of the boat is where the props are, and at the very front (as I recall) is where the anchor is. If you plan on only sleeping in your cabin and you're the kind of person who can sleep through anything, it matters less. If you sleep lightly and don't want to be up until 3am every morning, it matters more.

Also, if you can, find out where the crew bar is. There's usually a passage through the guest cabins that is the common route to the crew bar for guest-facing staff, with an elevator behind the staff doors and lots of rowdy drunken galley staff. It's best to avoid that corridor if you can

[ChristinaM 0]

I don't know much about HollandAmerica, but I understand it's supposed to be nice and grown-up! I have no idea on price though.

http://www.hollandamerica.com/

[Hilarious Clinton 452]

I'm an independent traveler. Being confined to a cruise ship bores me.

[Robor007 0]

so, location of the room really matters? I figured I would be there just to sleep, and the vaca would cost less....bad move?

and yes, we are wanting to be around adults-so Carnival is out.

Not to me. I don't go on a cruise to spend time in the cabin. It's nice having a window to look outside and see when you're close to port but for the most part you're going to be looking at water all the way to the horizon. If you book early you'll often get upgraded. When I went on a cruise in Jan of 2006 (when I met my wife) I went with 10 friends. Half of us paid for the lowest cabin offered (lower interior). The other half paid for an outside room with a small window. We were all upgraded to a lower outside cabin with a large window. The difference is those of us who paid for the cheapest cabin got upgraded 2 levels and saved about $90/person.

[Robor007 0]

I don't know much about HollandAmerica, but I understand it's supposed to be nice and grown-up! I have no idea on price though.

http://www.hollandamerica.com/

I was told Holland America is the best in regard to food quality and service but pricey. Celebrity (the one I was on last) & Royal Caribbean are very good in food quality, service, and value. Carnival is in the lower rung as far as food quality but is a great value and as such has a younger crowd.

I should add that I loved the cruise I was on but the biggest thing I didn't like about being on a cruise was sea days. There's only so much you can do when you're confined to a ship.

[Alex+R 0]

I'm going to agree with LS and Robor007 who said the sea days are boring, more or less. Because really, there isn't much to do. I'd much rather be at an all-inclusive resort. There is something to be said for getting the chance to go to different ports of call in one trip, but the inbetween time is pretty boring, and those cabins are not places you want to spend time. I think cruises are a bit overrated just because of all the sea time, but that is just my personal opinion (obv).