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Who's Been On A Cruise?


Wease

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My wife, daughter, and I are probably going on a cruise this summer. We've never been before, but we're pretty sure it will be a 7 day cruise out of either Miami or Tampa, Eastern Carribean or Western. Who has been on either of those before, what can you tell me about cruise lines, what to do, what not to do, where to stay on the ship, etc.? :confused:
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we went on one this time last year... it's fun.... I recommend not to book any excursions... trust me, most of them, you can go there and do for half the price, or just hang out at different places... we booked excursions at every port and we were running non-stop and didn't really get to see everything that we wanted to.

 

we did Carnival which seemed to be a good mix in between families and couples.

 

Also, There are hidden fees in things that you do there... (IE: 20 dollars a day for gratuity)

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I went on a few carnival cruises as a kid, I had a blast. It's more family oriented, and the ships I believe are non-smoking now, so that makes it nice for those that don't smoke. We did eastern carribean, Cayman Islands, St.Thomas, Puerto Rico etc.. There's tons to do on the boat, so you won't be bored. It's nice to just sit back, relax, and look at the water. I plan on doing one next year myself, but this time it'll be a booze cruise.
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Cruises rock.

 

We've been on Carnival and Royal Caribbean. Carnival seemed a lot more of a party ship, tons of younger half naked girls dancing all day around the pool, getting drunk and passing out on top of each other. :D

 

Royal Caribbean was a nicer ship, better food and just an overall better experience.

 

Royal Carib was a little more plus their daily charge was more.

 

 

Also, bring your own bottles of booze in your luggage..

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we went on one this time last year... it's fun.... I recommend not to book any excursions... trust me, most of them, you can go there and do for half the price, or just hang out at different places... we booked excursions at every port and we were running non-stop and didn't really get to see everything that we wanted to.

 

I agree...never book excursions through the cruise ship. My mom saved over $300(for about 5 people total) on an excursion by booking it outside of the cruise ship in November.

 

Go on cruisecritic.com and read around a little bit...especially on the forums to see what people have to say about each boat and stuff...

 

I've been on 4 and have another planned for January of next year. They're a ton of fun.

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I've been on them. It depends where you go whether to venture too far off alone. Just wait until you get to each place to find things to do. The brochures they give you to places look far better on paper than they do in person. Also, you may be able to find cheaper/better things once there. Also, make sure you are back...cause boat leaves w/out you.
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My wife, daughter, and I are probably going on a cruise this summer. We've never been before, but we're pretty sure it will be a 7 day cruise out of either Miami or Tampa, Eastern Carribean or Western. Who has been on either of those before, what can you tell me about cruise lines, what to do, what not to do, where to stay on the ship, etc.? :confused:

 

I just got back from my cruise TODAY. I went on the Carnival Victory out of Miami and went to St Thomas, Puerto Rico, and St Martin. I went with my roomates so we didnt exactly get the family expierence. I saw alot of kids on the ship and they looked like they were having alot of fun. Cruises are really good about catering to everyone in the family. They have tons of kids stuff so your daughter wont be board. And plenty of adult entertainment so you guys will have a great time too.

 

Ive been on Celebrity and Princess cruise lines as well those seemed to be more family oriented. I was younger when I went on those so it just might have seemed that way.

 

TO DOS: Get a exterior room having the balcony is sweet. Makes everything better even though you wont be in the room much its cool just to chill and watch the ocean. GAMBLE!! I had a blast, I learned how to play craps and made a good amount of money. Go to the shows they usually are really good. If you or your wife like to shop St Thomas is a sweet place to go. They dont have sales tax and stuff is usually alot cheaper there. Go check out the islands and if you go to Puerto Rico go to Marias bar. They have a drink thats called the Los Notos or something like that and its amazing.

 

Donts: Dont stay in the room long! You will miss out on all of the fun there is a tun of stuff to do any time during the day. Dont get the drinks they bring around in the "cool" cups because those are expensive and barley and liquor inside them. Get your drinks from the bar watch them make it they were alot better when we did that.

 

I would totally recommend going you and your family will have a blast. It would be border line impossible not to have a good time on a cruise. Your daughter would have a blast because she would be able to do all the kids things. They have a full staff just dedicated to kids. You and your wife would just be able to chill and thats what vacation is all about.

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I should probably mention that my daughter (actually my step-daughter, I would have been 14 when she was conceived :lol: ), is 18 years old. This is kind of a graduation present, as she's Valedictorian of her class this year. :nod:

 

Great info though, keep it coming... :D

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I should probably mention that my daughter (actually my step-daughter, I would have been 14 when she was conceived :lol: ), is 18 years old. This is kind of a graduation present, as she's Valedictorian of her class this year. :nod:

 

Great info though, keep it coming... :D

 

lol I was way off.... well the clubs are bad ass

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oh, one thing to also do is go get dramamine or the patches behind the ear... we were sick as a dog the first few days on the ship. before we go again, we will deffinately go get the patch.... nothing worse than being dizzy non-stop unless you are sitting out on the deck or in the pool.
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I just got back from a norwegian cruise line a couple weeks ago. the ship was great, very nice. went to cozemel and grand caymen. my wife and I loved it. I agree don't do the excrusions.

 

get a room in the middle of the ship as that is where there is the least movement.

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The wife and I have went to the Bahamas with Royal Carribean. We did it in a nice cold January and it was very cheap. total trip was about $1500 and wife one a few hundred back in the ship's casino.

I don't think I'd go in summer due mostly to the high temps. `80's was plenty of heat for a couple of hillbillies anyway.

 

I also agree about excursions. We browsed the catalog, but they were very over priced and "lame" especially the snorkeling since for $150 per person you got some flippers, mask, and snorkel and got to stick your head in the same water, in the same spot that everyone else did for free minus the gear.

 

Evan

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I have been on 3 and absoultley love them. I went on the princess first and two carnivals. I cruised the caribean and did the 7 and 10 day cruise before. I would not recomend stoping off at jamica though, its filthy and the poverty is horrible, everywheer else is very nice. Since your daughter is 18 she should love carnival. They have alot of things to do for teenagers. Priness was nice but more towards the older fancy crowd.
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I should probably mention that my daughter (actually my step-daughter, I would have been 14 when she was conceived :lol: ), is 18 years old. This is kind of a graduation present, as she's Valedictorian of her class this year. :nod:

 

Great info though, keep it coming... :D

 

Dibs.

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