Any Cruisers here?

[Inscrutable]

Title says it all.
Wont drone on if no one else here cruises.

 

[02ebz06]

Just got back from Panama Canal cruise Apr 30th.
Got second cruse to Hawaii coming in October.

 

[Inscrutable]

What lines do you use?

 

[02ebz06]

Princess. You?

 

[Inscrutable]

4 NCL
1 Margaritaville

 

[02ebz06]

Next one will be #6 for us as well.
Wish we had started sooner in life.

 

[02ebz06]

Wish I had started sooner in life.

 

[Inscrutable]

Wish I had started sooner in life.

Yeah, we thought we wouldn’t like it. But after so many friends loved it, we had to try. First was immediately after being flooded and sister passed. It was a respite we really needed, and really liked.

We live near the ocean, so many of the excursions don’t appeal, and most of the city/tour ones are lame … but we love port days on an uncrowded ship!

 

[02ebz06]

This Hawaii trip will be a little different than last one.
Maui port was shut down due to the fires, wo we get to go there this time.
Also, staying 2 days in Honolulu.
Have more time to explore.
Rented a car last time, and will this time too.
Cheaper than paying the cruise line for their excursions.

Forgot to ask, where have you gone?

We went to Southern Caribbean (Aruba, Bonaire, Curacao), Mexico, Hawaii,
Panama Canal (Nassau Bahamas, Cartagena Columbia, Through the Canal, Panama City, and Costa Rica, and two Mexico stops)

 

[Inscrutable]

We have done E.Carib, W.Carib, and MexRiviera.
S.Carib and Canal on the list.

We haven’t done Hawaii yet as NCL Pride of America not the best ship. Maybe a different line. Or fly there and then book with an island tour.

 

[Inscrutable]

We are debating another line to try. Maybe Virgin or Holland. Have friends wanting us to go Carnival, but fear it is a zoo.
Also thinking Disney vs Carnival with grandkids next year.

 

[voyager 663rd]

Did the Danube last year--Avalon Cruises. The food was superb-->put on a pound a day.

Usually at least 3 side trips a day (available to choose from) per "stop over"

 

[clifish]

We are debating another line to try. Maybe Virgin or Holland. Have friends wanting us to go Carnival, but fear it is a zoo.
Also thinking Disney vs Carnival with grandkids next year.

You do not want to do Carnival if you are over the age of 23...it is low budget for a reason.

 

[OldSmoke]

We cruise, but it is kind of DYI.

 

[Gonna Smoke]

We've been on a lot of them. I don't think there's an island in the Caribbean we haven't set foot on at least once, most several times. My favorite cruise was up the inside passage from Vancouver to Alaska. Eight days, 6 stops and got to see a couple of glaciers. We did that for our 30th anniversary and it was spectacular. Sheila would cruise every month if I'd let her, but once a year is more than enough for me.

Our favorite cruise line is Royal Caribbean. We've been on NCL, Princess, and Celebrity. Have always avoided Carnival for the reasons others have mentioned, but we're old. I think I'd like to do a Viking Cruise, maybe a river cruise or ocean cruise in Europe or the Mediterranean somewhere, but that's not in the cards right now. Southeast Asia also looks interesting...

 

[Inscrutable]

You do not want to do Carnival if you are over the age of 23...it is low budget for a reason.

That’s what we think/thought too. But met some new friends on MAS, they seem to have similar perspectives as us, and she has cruised Carnival a lot (30 of her 50 cruises), seems to love it, but said the duration and itinerary the key. Does longer cruises (has a 14 day coming up). We’re still skeptical.

We've been on a lot of them. I don't think there's an island in the Caribbean we haven't set foot on at least once, most several times. My favorite cruise was up the inside passage from Vancouver to Alaska. Eight days, 6 stops and got to see a couple of glaciers. We did that for our 30th anniversary and it was spectacular. Sheila would cruise every month if I'd let her, but once a year is more than enough for me.

Our favorite cruise line is Royal Caribbean. We've been on NCL, Princess, and Celebrity. Have always avoided Carnival for the reasons others have mentioned, but we're old. I think I'd like to do a Viking Cruise, maybe a river cruise or ocean cruise in Europe or the Mediterranean somewhere, but that's not in the cards right now. Southeast Asia also looks interesting...

Everyone says Alaska was great, but my wife HATES being cold, and can’t do much outside on the ship. Worried we get a little bored. Still considering.

What can you tell me that makes Royal your favorite?

 

[Gonna Smoke]

What can you tell me that makes Royal your favorite?

Primarily the cruisers and the itinerary. They tend to be older folks or young families with children and living where we do, we have really always focused on the Caribbean. Sheila loves the beach, me...not as much. Plus huge ships with lots to do and see onboard, especially the shows/entertainment.

Yes, Alaska is all about the scenery and the destinations. There's not much to do on deck because it is cool to cold, but the scenery and wildlife are things I think everyone would enjoy seeing...

 

[Inscrutable]

Primarily the cruisers and the itinerary. They tend to be older folks or young families with children and living where we do, we have really always focused on the Caribbean. Sheila loves the beach, me...not as much. Plus huge ships with lots to do and see onboard, especially the shows/entertainment.

Yes, Alaska is all about the scenery and the destinations. There's not much to do on deck because it is cool to cold, but the scenery and wildlife are things I think everyone would enjoy seeing...

That’s also why we like Norwegian and on their largest ships. Sounds like we’d like RC also. Too bad can only get Carnival out of Charleston and Norfolk … would be nice to not have to fly.

And yeah, think we have to put Alaska on the list.

 

[voyager 663rd]

Also did the 'inside passage' route to Alaska. The scenery is what you go for (obviously).

NOT the towns--if you've been to Niagara Falls and feel like it's just one big tourist trap (other than the Falls), it is one shop after another selling the same crap, then Juneau and Ketchikan are the kings in that dept. That's all there is--shops--from my memory of those stops (20 yr ago). Maybe a museum with some artifacts but they are minimal.

Weather plays a factor as well--we had a heli ride to a glacier cancelled due to poor weather. You get one chance and.....nope, not gonna happen as you're not there for two days.

 

[02ebz06]

Carnival owns at least 9 cruise lines.
Carnival (obviously), Princess, Holland America, Cunard to name a few.
Princess has been pretty good, older crowd.