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cruise??

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MrsS2010 Posts : 336 Registered: 5/25/09
cruise??
Posted: Oct 25, 2009 11:34 PM

Anyone went on a cruise for a honeymoon?? Or maybe just in general - cause Ive never been on a cruise at all lol. FH and I have been tossing different honeymoon options around lately and one of us mentioned going on a nice cruise and then once we come back to wherever - stay there for a day or two just to do absolutely nothing and relax on a beach since Id think a cruise would be a little more active - ?

So would you recommend going on a cruise? And if so then any recommendations? And if not then, why? I have just heard so many mixed reviews about cruises!

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elitegrp Posts : 1,048 Registered: 9/12/06
Re: cruise??
Posted: Oct 26, 2009 9:51 AM Go to message in response to: MrsS2010

Mrs. 2010
Congrats!
Cruises are good.. some are better than others, it all depends on the itinerary and what appeals to you.. What you like to do etc.
The only thing i dont personally like about cruises is that you dont have the time to see a sunset at a beach or a nice relaxing romantic stroll.. its always with a couple thousand people and kids.

I prefer all inclusives, no worries about meals, drinks and water sports and find a destination that is adult only.. is the best.

Either way I would love to help you and send you more information.

you can google me and find out my contact info it would be better than a msg on this board, i sometimes forget to respond or check my msgs.

Tammy Levent
Elite Travel

Look forward to hearing from you

 

Cool Have a great day! and Congrats to you

 

april_2010 , honeymoons , tammy_levent , elite_travel
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auntofthebride Posts : 9,357 Registered: 4/2/06
Re: cruise??
Posted: Oct 26, 2009 10:31 AM Go to message in response to: MrsS2010

Dear Mrs S,

I have been on exactly one cruise in my life.

The typical large ship floating hotel type cruise did not appeal to us, so we have avoided that kind of vacation.

Our one cruise was really different. We went to Alaska on a small ship. The cruise line is called Cruise West, and they specialize in small ships. We loved it!!!

There was no casino, no theater, no gambling, no dance floor on the ship. There was a dining room, where everyone had meals all together at once, and a lounge with a bar. The lounge was more like a family room on board ship, with lots of books about Alaska, the native flora and fauna, etc. They had visiting National Park rangers who talked about the ecosystem and a visiting native Alaskan who talked about the local native American culture. I had a long, interesting conversation with that gentleman, just one-on-one.

We saw glaciers, whales, bears, bald eagles all up close and personal, much closer than the large ships can get.

It was absolutely wonderful. I would go back in a heartbeat and do it all again, but my job has changed and I can't be anywhere without wifi. Sigh. Maybe we'll go back in a few years.

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WinterWonderlan... Posts : 659 Registered: 8/23/08
Re: cruise??
Posted: Oct 26, 2009 11:12 AM Go to message in response to: MrsS2010

Pros about Cruises for a Honeymoon:

  • They don't require much planning
  • Plenty of activities to do
  • Everything is right there at your hands
  • Any kind of trip you want. (If you want it to be educational you can take historic shore excursions, if you want it to be adventerous you can do those, or if you want it to be romantic there are nice dinner excursions you can do)

Cons:
  • There isn't much privacy on a cruise ship
  • At dinner on some ships you are seated with other people, may not be idea for your honeymoon.
  • Seasickness, if you've never been on a cruise, bring medicine just in case, you never know!
  • If you don't get a more expensive room or a suite, the rooms are pretty small.
-Time at destinations are so short you don't really have the opportunity to experience the location.

I can go on and on and on...

october_2009
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MrsS2010 Posts : 336 Registered: 5/25/09
Re: cruise??
Posted: Oct 26, 2009 11:19 AM Go to message in response to: WinterWonderlan...

You could go on and on about..the cons?lol. Is there any specific cruise lines you would recommend like AOTB recommended? We were thinking if we could do one where it doesnt go to a whooole bunch of places but instead spreads out the trip between just a few so we do have a bit more time but yet it keeps moving because we do like to be pretty active.

october_2009
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Brooke051609 Posts : 723 Registered: 12/31/07
Re: cruise??
Posted: Oct 26, 2009 10:12 PM Go to message in response to: MrsS2010

MrsS2010- We went on a Carnival Cruise for our Honeymoon in May! It was WONDERFUL!! We loved it!! There was SO much to do on ship, yet we were able to relax by the pool as well. Apparently there were A LOT of kids on the cruise too, but honestly, I NEVER saw them! Maybe a few at lunch, but I never knew they were there until the cruise director mentioned it. we liked Carnival because first, they were the most affordable for us, and they were a fun cruise. Both of our parents had been on Carnival and loved it so we thought that was good enough for us!

They had fun shows every evening, GREAT FOOD!!!- We were always full, if you book them get the Chocolate Melting Cake for dessert, it's AMAZING!! :) Yes, we ate with other people, but wouldn't you know it, they were a couple who got married the same day we did and were honeymooning too! So it was fun to meet them and we keep in touch. If you want something more private, you can always dine in there restaraunt for an extra charge, but we enjoyed the main dining room. And you can always just have room service delivered too if you want a nice night in!

There were so many activities everyday- they give you a schedule each evening for the next day- that we highlighted all the ones we wanted to do and had a full day of stuff to do! And if there is down time, or things you don't want to do, there's always the SPA- which was GREAT- the pool where there is always games and contests going on so always something to do.

If you're concerned about all the people, it just depends on where you are at what time of day. yes the main pool will be very busy during the afternoons, but you can find a bit more privacy at the other pools if you want. Also, we booked a balcony room (thought we might as well splurge on our honeymoon- and it was WELL worth it!!!) and we could always sit on our balcony and enjoy the ocean breeze and quietness to ourselves.

Yes, you could get sea-sick, but if you're worried about it, go to your doctor a few days before and have him prescribe you the patches. Put them on behind your ear and you're good to go. We've always been boat people, but I bought the pills for just in case and honestly NEVER felt a thing. We never used them.

Basically, we LOVED Carnival, and the cruise. No parking hassles... no trying to plan out everyday... no trying to figure out where to eat, it was all taken care of, which made it alot more relaxing! In fact, we were talking about what cruise we should take next on our second day of the cruise! haha

If you'd like more info, PM me and I'll be happy to answer any questions!! Best of luck!!!

Daisypath

"Come What May...."

may_2009 , ohio , october_2009
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MrsS2010 Posts : 336 Registered: 5/25/09
Re: cruise??
Posted: Oct 27, 2009 12:09 AM Go to message in response to: Brooke051609

Brooke, for some reason the tone of your post left me feeling SUPER GIDDY by the time I was done reading it lol, thanks for all your helpful info!!! We actually looked at the carnival cruises and want balcony view (we figured the same way as you guys - splurge a little since it is in fact a honeymoon!) if we do in fact go with them...which one did you go on? Like where did it go and how long? Did you visit a lot of places? Cause some of them seem to be just stopping all over the place! Would you recommend that? You can PM me the info if you'd like! Thanks!

may_2009 , ohio , october_2009
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dodgercpkl Posts : 130 Registered: 9/27/09
Re: cruise??
Posted: Oct 27, 2009 3:27 AM Go to message in response to: MrsS2010

I love cruises but I'd say it really depends on what you want your honeymoon to be. My fiancee and I have discussed this already as well. I was a travel agent for 12 years and have been on 3 cruises, so I know myself pretty well. If I get on a cruise especially to a place that my fiancee or I have never been, then I'll want to be exploring every port. We talked about this and decided that for our honeymoon we really just wanted us time and to relax someone where we didn't have to bring or wear much in the way of clothing. :P

Disney Cruise Line is hands down my favorite of the 2 cruise lines that I've been on. I love that they really give you alot of room!

There are definitely pros and cons to cruising (and this will very much depend on what you want and like).

Pros for me:

Exploring several new places, but not having to pack and unpack several times
All food and entertainment included
Lots of activities
Room service

Cons for me:

Tho food and entertainment are included, unless you are ordering room service/specialty restaurant it will be with 500 of your closest friends.
Too tempting to wear myself out wanting to do things
Most stops will be for only 1 day and usually just for a part of it, so it's either explore it then or miss it.
We'd have to bring more clothes

To be honest if it wasn't for my honeymoon I'd jump on the chance and maybe part of my feelings have to do with the fact that I HAVE traveled a fair bit and want to really relax and enjoy the time with my fiancee rather then explore this time. So I'll sum it up with repeating: It all very much depends on the 2 of you and what you like and the vision you have for your honeymoon. :)

may_2009 , ohio , october_2009 , southern_california
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auntofthebride Posts : 9,357 Registered: 4/2/06
Re: cruise??
Posted: Oct 27, 2009 2:57 PM Go to message in response to: MrsS2010

Ladies,

As I said before, I've been on exactly one cruise, in Alaska with Cruise West. (Loved it!!!)

I have a young friend who works in the call center for Royal Caribbean. He told me that in his opinion, if the weather is nice, getting a stateroom with a verandah (ie balcony) is a "must". You can enjoy being outside without a gazillion people around you. If you need to use the head, your own is just a few steps off the verandah. He also said that it's important to carefully check out the ship's plan and make sure your stateroom is not behind anything that would obstruct your view. Sometimes verandahs are behind stairways, pillars, etc. Such staterooms can be sold at a discount, so if you are watching your budget that might be a way to get a nicer, larger room at a fraction of the normal cost.

Having said all that, I went to Hawaii last summer and got a hotel room right on Waikiki beach. We paid the big bucks to get an Oceanfront room that looked directly out on the sand. That was worth every penny we paid. It was great to come back to our room after being tourists and be able to relax, yet enjoy our ocean view right from our own hotel balcony. The location of the room and the balcony really made a huge difference in our enjoyment of our stay.

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MsDenuninani Posts : 3,963 Registered: 3/16/07
Re: cruise??
Posted: Oct 27, 2009 4:46 PM Go to message in response to: WinterWonderlan...

Hubs and I went on a cruise a few years ago and loved it. But I wouldn't do it for a honeymoon, especially if it's my first cruise.

The above poster said it best, but I just want to say again that seasickness is no joke and can ruin a trip. Also, the lack of privacy makes honeymooning difficult. Personally, I'd want the option to disappear, and you really can't do that on a cruise, except in your (probably very tiny) room. And in your room, you probably won't have windows, which can make seasickness, if yo'uve got it, even worse.

My advice? Save it for your first family trip -- the Disney cruise was truly awesome.

__________________________________________

"I'd hate to advocate drugs, alcohol, or insanity, but they've always worked for me." Hunter S. Thompson

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HappyGirl13 Posts : 1,300 Registered: 4/21/08
Re: cruise??
Posted: Oct 27, 2009 4:57 PM Go to message in response to: MsDenuninani

Aunt, just curious: when did you go on your Cruise West trip? My parents did that cruise (and loved it) about 3 years ago in May, for my mom's 60th b'day. One of the cruise guys/scientists was named Wesley and they swore that he and I would make a great couple. This was about 4 months before my husband and I got together...

Sorry to hijack your thread, Mrs. S. Carry on. Although I guess I can add that Cruise West got my parents' vote, too, and I know they go to more places than just Alaska!

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march_2008 , southern_california
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Brooke051609 Posts : 723 Registered: 12/31/07
Re: cruise??
Posted: Oct 27, 2009 6:26 PM Go to message in response to: MrsS2010

MrsS2010- we went on the Carnival Legend out of Tampa on the Western Caribbean 7 day cruise. We stopped in Belize, Grand Cayman, Isla Roatan and were supposed to stop in Cozumel but they cancelled it due to Swine Flu at the time. But they comped us back the money and we had another fun day at sea. You can book excursions for the places while on the ship, but we booked early cause the good ones fill up fast! We did excursions most places and it's great cause the one time we didn't we kind of just wandered around not knowing where to go or what to do.

When we were sailing the staff all said they all thought the Spirit Class of Carnival was the best. The Legend, Spirit, Pride and Miracle. Now, we have no idea, but the staff all loved those ships the best!

Daisypath

                                    "Come What May...."

may_2009 , ohio , october_2009
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auntofthebride Posts : 9,357 Registered: 4/2/06
Re: cruise??
Posted: Oct 28, 2009 9:35 AM Go to message in response to: HappyGirl13

Dear HG,

", just curious: when did you go on your Cruise West trip? My parents did that cruise (and loved it) about 3 years ago in May"

We went to Alaska, out of Juneau, two years ago.

Cruise West is not for everyone. They specialize in small ships where the emphasis is on the destination, not the ship itself. Most of the other people on my cruise were middle aged or retired age.

And, yes, they have a wide variety of destinations. Their Sea of Cortez cruise looks really great.

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Lori82 Posts : 151 Registered: 3/21/08
Re: cruise??
Posted: Oct 28, 2009 5:57 PM Go to message in response to: MrsS2010

We're going on a 15 day Panama Canal Cruise...we leave in 9 days! We got a really good deal through Princess Cruises. We even got a ocean-view suite with a private balcony! I think cruises can be as laid back or busy as you want them to be. Sure, there's lots to do on the ship, but you can just lay by the pool all day if you want. Our ship makes 8 stops, and we are only doing 4 shore excursions. These ships are gorgeous. I'll let you know how it goes. We can't wait!



illinois_chicago
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MrsS2010 Posts : 336 Registered: 5/25/09
Re: cruise??
Posted: Oct 29, 2009 12:56 AM Go to message in response to: Lori82

Oh wow that sounds so great!!! Have an awesome time and defenitely come back and tell me all about it!! Thanks everyone for alllll your input its been a huuuuge help believe me!! I actually think were gonna do this!! :)

And Happy? No you may not hijack my thread. I think Im gonna quit the forums now. In fact, Im gonna go make a whole new thread right now about why Im leaving before I go just so everyone knows how upset I am over this. :P

illinois_chicago
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