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Need advice on a taking a cruise

Posted on 8/20/23 at 6:42 pm
Posted by SwampyWaters
Member since Apr 2023
1901 posts
Posted on 8/20/23 at 6:42 pm
I've made up my mind that I'm going to take a cruise in the next year. Never been on a cruise, so do you recommend taking a short or long cruise?
Posted by Btrtigerfan
Disgruntled employee
Member since Dec 2007
23545 posts
Posted on 8/20/23 at 6:47 pm to
What are your goals here? What do you want to do? Just get away? Meet a new partner or two? Gamble?

Short cruises tend to be "booze cruises."
Posted by geauxpurple
New Orleans
Member since Jul 2014
16616 posts
Posted on 8/20/23 at 6:52 pm to
A week will be fine.
Posted by runforrestrun
Baton Rouge
Member since May 2013
995 posts
Posted on 8/20/23 at 8:19 pm to
I can only speak from the perspective of a parent taking kids on a couple Disney cruises several years ago when they were little. 3 days was too short. 7 days was too long. I’d say 5 days would be the sweet spot.
Posted by DR93Berlin
Member since Jul 2020
1552 posts
Posted on 8/20/23 at 8:24 pm to
Had never been on, or desired to do a cruise. A friend recommended Seabourn and so we tried it and it was awesome. Definitely doing it again. They offer a variety of itineraries, find one that suits you
Posted by jkylejohnson
Louisiana
Member since Dec 2016
14512 posts
Posted on 8/20/23 at 8:30 pm to
What kinda budget are we talkin about ? Who would be coming with you ?
Posted by LC412000
Any location where a plane flies
Member since Mar 2004
16673 posts
Posted on 8/20/23 at 8:53 pm to
If the plan is just your mom and yourself, I would suggest a 7-10 day cruise. Another question would be her age and mobility?

My deceased wife and I took over 40 cruises when she was alive. After she passed away, I continued to cruise with friends and now, my new wife.

As I got older, I moved more towards cruise lines that had passengers my age and above. If this is a first time cruise and your mom is 60+ in age, I would suggest Celebrity Cruises. It is refined and quiet. It is cheaper than Oceania Cruises, which is my preferred cruise line.

I congratulate you on taking your mom on a cruise. It can be relaxing and both of you should enjoy it.
This post was edited on 8/20/23 at 8:54 pm
Posted by bluestem75
Dallas, TX
Member since Oct 2007
4925 posts
Posted on 8/20/23 at 8:58 pm to
Who are you going with?

Caribbean? Alaska? Europe? Mexican Riviera?

Budget?

What hotel chains do you prefer? Where do you stay when you go to Vegas? All inclusive preferences?

Answers to all of these will help ppl on here make recommendations for you.
Posted by BayouBandit24
Member since Aug 2010
17087 posts
Posted on 8/20/23 at 9:50 pm to
quote:

Celebrity Cruises


They do a good job. I did an Alaskan with them and it was a great experience.
Posted by LSUfan4444
Member since Mar 2004
56656 posts
Posted on 8/21/23 at 6:24 am to
Depending on where you are sailing from and how much time you plan to spend there before or after your cruise 5-7 is usually a good fit but we almost prefer 7 nights over 5.
Posted by Ziggy
Member since Oct 2007
22054 posts
Posted on 8/21/23 at 6:55 am to
quote:

Depending on where you are sailing from and how much time you plan to spend there before or after your cruise 5-7 is usually a good fit but we almost prefer 7 nights over 5.

This.
Posted by Saint Alfonzo
Member since Jan 2019
28400 posts
Posted on 8/21/23 at 7:31 am to
Shorter cruises attract all the drunkards. Do seven days or longer. Don't cruise with Carnival unless you're the drunk and trashy type.
Posted by HoustonGumbeauxGuy
Member since Jul 2011
32753 posts
Posted on 8/21/23 at 7:41 am to
Let us know what you can afford to spend, what types of things you like to do on a cruise, and if there are certain countries or regions you plan to visit

If none of those matter and all your care about is how long you will be on a cruise, you might get back 20 to 30 responses
Posted by SwampyWaters
Member since Apr 2023
1901 posts
Posted on 8/21/23 at 4:09 pm to
I'm thinking about $1500-2000 a person, maybe a little more for an incredible destination

What kind of cruise will that get me?
Posted by Btrtigerfan
Disgruntled employee
Member since Dec 2007
23545 posts
Posted on 8/21/23 at 4:48 pm to
quote:

I'm thinking about $1500-2000 a person, maybe a little more for an incredible destination

What kind of cruise will that get me?


Out of Miami or Ft. Lauderdale, just about anywhere in the Caribbean and a lot of places on the Yucatán.
Posted by bluestem75
Dallas, TX
Member since Oct 2007
4925 posts
Posted on 8/21/23 at 5:10 pm to
As much as people will disagree with me here, Carnival is the best bang for your buck. Carnival cruisers are fun people. They’re friendly, outgoing, and, yes, they like to party. They know who they are and don’t look down on anyone from their “balcony” that faces another balcony across a boardwalk or park while eating bland dining room food.

I recommend the Celebration (Miami), Jubilee (Galveston), and Mardi Gras (Port Canaveral). These are their new Xcel Class ships. They are bonkers amazing. I’ve been on MG & Celebration. The dining options on these two ships are unreal.

Vista (PC), Horizon (Miami), and Panorama (Long Beach, CA) are also awesome. On these ships, I book the Havana experience for around $1500/person. It’s the most affordable exclusive area at sea. Suites on Celebrity, Royal, & Norwegian will go for 3x that amount. Princess charges for their adults only area.

Celebrity is my go to for a premium line. You can afford a veranda-class stateroom with your budget. I recommend booking an aft facing balcony. Celebrity is more relaxed. Very few kids. I went on one in my early 40s and felt I fit right in with the crowd. I recommend Celebrity if you’re wanting to do a Royal Caribbean product or Alaska. The food is much better onboard. I can’t wait to sail on one of their new Edge Class ships.

My aunt and uncle love Norwegian. BUT. They save their pennies and pay for The Haven ($4-5000/person). NCLs ships are trendier and offer the best solo cabins at sea. If you have a friend who wants to go, but can’t find someone to share a room, opt for NCL.

Virgin is the Un-cruise cruise line. They’re new. They’re very trendy. And exist to buck normal, traditional cruising trends. Definitely for a younger, hipper crowd. Adults only line. Definitely check out a few videos on them before deciding if they’re for you.

Best vloggers:
Jim Zim (unbiased look at several major cruise lines)
Emma Cruises (cruising on a budget)
Cruise with Ben & David (unbiased look at multiple lines; great videos on different aspects of cruising) Watch B&D before booking Royal. They love RCCL, but have been rather disappointed with them of late.
Popular Cruising (best ship tours)
This post was edited on 8/21/23 at 5:14 pm
Posted by IndianPower
Louisiana
Member since May 2021
1406 posts
Posted on 8/22/23 at 12:41 pm to
Took my first cruise this past July.
5 days was about the right amount of time for me.
Chose Royal Caribbean and spent the extra money for a balcony room. The balcony allowed for time outside when I chose not to be in a crowded area but yet outside.
Only you know how long you can remain entertained with the amount of activities they have on your chosen ship.
ETA: also figure in your travel to and from the port you select as that alone can make a difference on the cruise length you select.

This post was edited on 8/22/23 at 1:12 pm
Posted by SwampyWaters
Member since Apr 2023
1901 posts
Posted on 8/22/23 at 3:48 pm to
A buddy of mine just went on an Alaskan cruise with Norwegian for seven days recently and had a blast. The pictures were amazing and he said the only downside was the long layovers flying out there. He said the trip cost about $4500 which I thought was a good deal.

One day I would love to go on an Alaskan cruise, but I'm thinking for my first cruise I want to stay down south. I would love to go to the Caribbean or somewhere warm because I'm used to that type of weather.

Is there a particular time of the year that you get better deals or are all of the prices about the same year round?
Posted by LSUfan4444
Member since Mar 2004
56656 posts
Posted on 8/22/23 at 4:21 pm to
You're best prices will be when kids are in school so anything not over the summer and not over a holiday will almost always be cheaper.

Galveston offers convenience of being drivable but Florida (Ft Lauderdale, Miami, Tampa and Port Canaveral) offers more in terms of variety of ships and itineraries to chose from.

If you sail from Galveston you're almost guaranteed to go to the western caribbean (Honduras, Cozumel, etc) but sailing out of Ft Lauderdale can get you to the eastern caribbean (St Thomas, St Maarten, etc)
Posted by REB BEER
Laffy Yet
Member since Dec 2010
17711 posts
Posted on 8/22/23 at 4:26 pm to
quote:

As much as people will disagree with me here, Carnival is the best bang for your buck. Carnival cruisers are fun people.


I agree. I've only been on one cruise and it was Carnival. We had 2 young kids and didn't want to spend a fortune on a vacation. My wife and I didn't drink on the cruise and spent the time with the kids. The food is what you'd expect and the people as well. But the water slide was fun and the movies on the big screen at night were enjoyable.

Just don't go in expecting a 5-star resort type experience.
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