Cruises

I don't post much but people here always give honest advice about a wide variety of topics. I want to take the wife on a cruise because she's always wanted to go. I, however, know next to nothing about them, so what are the best lines, times, ways to save money, etc. Thanks in advance for any help.

 

You have to let us know where you want the cruise to be and then we can start giving specific advice.

Is it a Bahamas cruise, a Carribean Cruise, an Alaskan cruise, a Mediterrian cruise, etc. ?

Once we establish where the cruise is going to take place and where you live, I can start giving some advice.

 

If you need a passport you need to get on the ball with ordering them. If you're not concerned about it being the peak time (May/June) the November cruises are dirt cheap. A friend of mine went on one last November, buying the tickets last minute for $175 for a four day cruise.

 

QE2.

 

Mediterrian, QEII, windjammer all have their appeal, depending on your tastes. Just don't go cheap with a three-day, lower-deck Carnival Line debacle if you can avoid it.

 

I did a three-day, lower-deck Carnival debacle and loved it. Won a couple hundred dollars playing three card poker. Hit the buffet. Good times.

 

When you walk up the gangway, yell, as loudly as possible, "We goin' to da ship! We goin' to da ship!"

 

My advice: spend the extra money if you can to get the all-inclusive package; i.e., food, tours, excursions, airfare, accommodations, etc.

 

I did a lower level four day cruise on Carnival and had a great time. We really just used the room for sleeping and showering.


My one bit of advice is: If you smoke cigars, buy a Cuban. Maybe it was the relaxed mood of the boat, but damn was that cigar tasty.

 

If you want to party non-stop -- and don't mind hearing others doing the same -- go Carnival.

If you want something classic and traditional, go Holland American or Princess.

If you want to do whatever, whenever, go Norwegian Cruise Lines.

Our last cruise was NCL from Boston to Bermuda. It was like cruising on a Holiday Inn. Everything was nice, nothing was too fancy, and the price was good (worked out to $100 per person per day). PM me if you want any specifics.

There's a good Web site I looked at for information before booking last time: www.cruisecritic.com

 

I just applied for my passport this week. It's taking almost 3 months to get them back to people, according to the woman at the passport office. FYI.

 

Tom and Penelope Cruise-Cruz.