So...who here has done a cruise?

[indienoise]

Looking to do a cruise next spring for the ten year anniversary. Never been on one, wife's been on a couple but when she was younger, and I've heard quite a few things have changed since then as far as quality of some of the cruise lines...
so anyway, who's gone on them, what cruise lines do you recommend? Is there something that really stood out about a particular line you cruised on that really made the trip worthwhile? I'm sure there are no BAD ones to take, but since getting TO the port of call is an expense all its own and we do have SOME time constraints, we probably need a cruise that departs from Miami. So Caribbean or maybe Panama Canal or Mexico, or something in the Atlantic or Gulf. Any particular destination we should be hoping the boat hits? Any advice or anything we should be looking for?

[Ry Manchu]

I've taken several cruises. I also used to work for a couple of cruise lines. I don't know your age, budget, length of cruise you'd like to take or what kind of touristy stuff thrills you.

You will usually find that Carnival is cheaper than NCL, Royal Caribbeann, Princess and Celebrity. I have been on some of the bigger Carnival ships and I like them. I would advise to avoid Costa cruises. Royal Caribbean are for the laid back wine sipping grandparents, if you want tranquility, class and twice the bill, they are your guy. Ft. Lauderdale's airport is right next to the seaport; it is a great destination. I don't recommend Jamaica, it seems poor, dangerous and unstable. Each of the cruise lines has cruises and rates on their website, plus a toll-free number that you can speak to a sales rep. They can be a little pushy, but they can cut you deals not seen on the website. When they say an 8 class upgrade, it is jargon that means based on their rating system. You will still be in the same type of room, you just have a better view or location in the ship. I live in Ft. Lauderdale, so I can take a cruise whenver a balcony room comes up cheap. I like to be able to sit on the balcony, but I have a little bit of claustrophobia. The bigger the ship the less you'll feel cramped, the more activities and places to eat and drink there will be too. I'm going to Mexico next month on Carnival. If you want to hit a lot of islands, heading out of Puerto Rico will give you that, but your airfare may be higher.

[indienoise]

Well Carnival has a port in Charleston, which we can drive to no problem, and probably take a couple extra days to chill in town, which would be nice. Only Carnival leaves from there though, and I know they have a stigma of being a bit of a sacrifice in quality, but since it's so close most folks around here go that route and have good things to say. So we've not ruled it out. I've had one friend who couldn't recommend Princess highly enough to us, but that's definitely reflected in their rates.

Miami/Ft Lauderdale is the other option we're considering because we can hop an Allegiant flight from the nearest int'l airport, which is only 30 minutes away, and fly round trip for about 300 bucks. We've actually made that trip before to go to the keys. So yeah we'd fly pretty much straight there, good to know. The wife and I are pretty low-key, but I'm not sure from your description if we are THAT low key (Royal Caribbean). Carousing is not really our thing. Eh, maybe it'd be just the right thing.

I'd also rather have quality destinations rather than a half-dozen so-so stops. I do understand that the places the boat stops are pretty much just cruise-line designed tourist traps, so not to expect TOO much from them.

Thanks for the other info, will definitely try calling the cruise lines up.

[Ry Manchu]

Take a look at this 8 day cruise:

http://www.carnival.com/core/cruisedeta ... ,tierCode:,

It goes to St. Thomas, Antigua, Tortola and Nassau on the Carnival Freedom. I've been on this cruise and I like the crew, activities, amenities and food. Ocean view is $449 per person and balcony is $699/pp.

My advice if you want to drink is shrink wrap your liquor in dark 750 ml wine bottles. One per person. Don't buy the all you can drink package. Unless you plan to drink all day every day, you will not save money with the plan. You can also buy liquor bottles in the duty free store.

[RIFF]

Unless youre sure about your seagoing abilities, its not a bad idea to go on a short 3 day cruise to find out. Some folks just be sick.

[Dickarms]

ive done two

[RIFF]

ive done two

Id venture a guess, you dont get seasick!

[Dickarms]

not at all. some people on there though....holy crap. once i got over the "why the fuck did you join?" laughs, i felt really bad for them. just 6 months of unending hell. if it got REAL bad they would medevac them or send them to shore duty from one of the ports.

[Crunchtime]

USS Downes FF-1070, 1988-1992

[Dickarms]

knox class, right on man.

just saw cpt phillips. great movie, especially the second half. 100% naval accuracy for a burke class.