Cruises

Parent Cafe
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<p>Usually we love action vacations but as I’m mostly off my feet for now, DH and I are considering a short cruise. The bargains on the net seem too good to be true. Can any of you experienced cruisers tell me how to choose a cruise, suggest upscale lines/ships and offer any other thoughts?</p>

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<p>When you say you are off your feet now, do you mean you are having mobility issues? We love the laid back atmosphere of the Windstar and Windspirit but they don’t have elevators. They are very small and have none of the glitzy shows. Seadream is more expensive but similar -haven’t been able to justify the cost of 4 of us going. My aunt, uncle and their cousins like the Holland American Line. Those are more old school with the shows, trivia games, bingo, shopping boutiques. Celebrity has a small ship in the Galapagos.</p>

<p>Have fun looking through all the websites.</p>

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<p>Holland America or Royal Caribbean are nice. I enjoyed our cruise on Carnival but it isn’t as nice (younger crowd- for sure).</p>

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<p>Yes, wearing back brace and still walking slowly. Do you think a cruise would work given this? I’m thinking it would need to be a bigger boat, yes?</p>

<p>Would also love to hear about favorite destinations.</p>

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<p>I would recommend a Celebrity Alaska cruise. We have done that twice. They are great at accommodating your mobility issues. The nice thing about the Alaska cruises is that one need not even leave the ship for some of the best sights (calving glaciers, whales, eagles,
spectacular scenery).</p>

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<p>We love to cruise, it’s our favorite type of vacation! I’d suggest either Royal Carribean or Holland America for cruise lines. Activity level varies (a LOT) by location and by type of port activities you would like to do. We’ve been to Alaska (twice), the Bahamas, and Mexico all on cruise ships. I love Alaska, the glaciers, wildlife and scenery are spectacular and very different from home. Mexico was a lot of fun, but we did some very demanding port activities. Bahamas was really different–we were on a sailing ship, few activites beyond snorkeling, only a couple of days in ports that were towns.</p>

<p>Check out the Cruise Critic site. Lots of information from folks who are serious about cruising! I am trying to talk DH into a European cruise one day…and maybe a Panama Canal trip.</p>

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<p>If you want really upscale, and want to bse spoiled beyond belief, try Crystal. You will never want to go on another cruise line as long as you live. It’s expensive, but amazing. The shipbard entertainment and lecturers will make you wish you never have to get off the ship. It is a more formal cruise line than many and people do get dressed up for formal nights, but you will enjoy yourself.</p>

<p>And they handle mobility issues well.</p>

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<p>I second Crystal. It’s wonderful. The crew is fantastic, at least on the Serenity, which is the ship we have always gone on. We went on one cruise, and a year later the crew on the Lido deck still knew our names, what we drank, and that we liked to take a stash of chocolate chip cookies back to our room (no need to secretly pocket them in napkins - they would wrap a plate and bring it to our table :-)) Just so you don’t think it’s too stuffy…</p>

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<p>I used to like cruise, but I found many of them have tried to dumb it down to compete in price. The one that comes to mind is Norwegian - you could pretty much wear your swim trunks to dining rooms. Crystal maybe the way to go. If you are having some mobility problem I would get a room with a nice balcony. When I used to go on cruise, instead of going up to the deck whenever we left a port, I would order some wine and food and sit at our own balcony to watch the sunset.</p>

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<p>hmom5-
Please read this thread- I posted it a few years back and got a TON of really, really helpful info and assistance from wonderful cc’ers <a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/parent-cafe/262299-need-cruise-recommendations-boat-kind-not-idiot-actor.html?[/url]”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/parent-cafe/262299-need-cruise-recommendations-boat-kind-not-idiot-actor.html?&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

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<p>We went on Celebrity last winter and it was nice. Calmer than royal carribean or carnival. Plenty of quieter, less active things to do. Princess cruises are VERY nice and would be well suited. It might be worthwhile to find a cruise that has speaking engagements…for instance, my mom went on Cunard and they had famous authors, actors, humorists, scientists all giving lectures on their trans-atlantic cruise. Much more upscale and less ‘excusion-y’ than some of the cheaper lines.</p>

<p>This last time we went Jamaica and Grand Caymen. Jamaica isn’t great for walking around or touring so I would avoid it. Bermuda would be nice. Bahamas okay (if you are looking cheap).</p>

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<p>If it’s a luxury line you are wanting, I suggest taking a look at Seabourn. They are smaller yacht-like ships and trust me that hold about 200 passengers so you will be pampered and spoiled beyond belief. How nice to sit in a hot tub under a crystal blue sky and be served champagne and sandwiches…sigh, great memories. </p>

<p>It is costly however. My parents have a 3-week cruise planned and with airfare are spending about $50,000. You could price a 7-day for about $10,000 if you book early.</p>

<p>Another option might be Cunard who operates the Queens… QE2 was recently taken out of service but they still have several incredible liners that are very elegant and if you look around, can be attractively priced.</p>

<p>More moderately priced mass market lines like Celebrity and Royal Caribbean are good bets if you are looking for a nice cruise at a decent cost without having to sacrifice that elegant atmosphere. It’s still mass market though so expect a less personalized service, more people, and a lesser degree of quality of products offered, such as food. Depending on ship and time of year, you can get a suite on a 7-day Caribbean sailing for two for roughly $4000 up to $12,000. A standard inside cabin would set a couple back about $1500-$2000 for a week.</p>

<p>I personally enjoy Royal’s product as far as mass market lines are concerned. We have a 12-night Inaugural cruise planned for their new ship Oasis of the Seas this December. ([Oasis</a> Of The Seas](<a href=“http://www.oasisoftheseas.com%5DOasis”>http://www.oasisoftheseas.com)) This will be my 21st cruise, 8th on Royal.</p>

<p>A great resource which I use is Cruise Critic. [Cruise</a> Critic](<a href=“http://www.cruisecritic.com%5DCruise”>http://www.cruisecritic.com)
I highly recommend becoming a member and searching through the message boards on all topics involving cruising from booking to packing to picking the right shore excursions. </p>

<p>Hope you have a great vacation!!</p>

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<p>Scott - how do you compare Seabourn to Crystal? We are taking Seabourn’s new ship, Odyssey, for two weeks in September with some friends.</p>

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<p>That Cruise Critic website is to Cruising as College Confidential is to college admissions! There is much to learn and it is all there.</p>

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<p>If you book with reputable companies you needn’t worry about being ripped off. I have booked cruises with both Online Vacation Center and Vacations to Go with zero problems. They handle all the lines…all the more easily since most are owned by Carnival Cruise Lines these days…even Cunard and Seabourn. </p>

<p>Though I haven’t been on one yet, I’ve heard good things about Azamara, a newcomer to the small but lux cruise market. Check Vacations to Go 90-day ticker for some deals. Just wish I could go too!</p>

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<p>I’ve never been on Crystal but I’ve been told that they are just as incredible. From what I hear the Odyssey is going to be magnificent and I’m jealous that I won’t be able to sail on her anytime soon. I hear the product is comparable but I can’t help but rave about my experiences on Seabourn. You are going to have a great time.</p>

<p>My grandmother and uncle have been pressuring my boyfriend and I to join them and their small group on the Miami to London World Cruise on the Crystal Serenity. Honestly, it’s something I’ve always wanted to do, but it’s 108-days and will cost us at least $100,000. (Excuse me while I catch my breath) We might wait a few years on this one.</p>

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<p>Thanks all for the great suggestions and jym for the old thread. So many choices!</p>

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<p>$100,000 bucks! Whoa…</p>

<p>Not in this lifetime! </p>

<p>Have a great time if you go…I’d rather buy a condo at a nice beach.</p>

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<p>You are most welcome, hmom5. I forgot-- there was another, shorter thread last year on this topic-- here ya go-- more to read!<a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/parent-cafe/527165-crruise-ship.html?[/url]”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/parent-cafe/527165-crruise-ship.html?&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

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<p>and NJres is right-- Cruise Critic is the cruise travel industry’s “CC” forum!! Great resource!</p>