Cruise questions!

[milo]

If you like to drink, I would look into an all-inclusive resort and stay far away from a cruise as the liquor bill can be a killer.

 

[theribdoctor]

You do realize when you come down you'll have to spend an extra nite and herf with the south florida crew.

 

[CWS]

Something to consider. I had a Carnival cruise booked for last May. I chose some ship that had a 100 seat cigar bar because cigar smoking was outlawed most places on the ship. That cigar bar was used 90% of each day for some other purpose than as originally intended.

Balconies are not an option for a cigar smoker, they're a necessity. Smoking is often discouraged on them but our housekeeping brought new ashtrays each day and, by the end of it, also had a bucket stocked with ice & two glasses out on the table, ready for my smoking experience. There's no question, get the balc...

Very good point, when we booked the Holland America Alaska cruise, the boat said they had a great cigar lounge. When we boarded the ship, it had been converted to a internet lounge. Only place to smoke, (Margaret not withstanding) was the fan tail and it is chilly in Glacier Bay.

 

[LongDuckDong]

Hey Justin,

Most boats are good. Find cruise that includes tips for food and room cleaning. otherwise, you will be hit w/$20 per day charge.
If you guys like being in couple of different places for the week. cruise is great. If not, Atlantis or Sandals is the place. Good Luck.

Shaun

 

[Chas]

Yeah - been on a few cruises meself - one sub (nuclear) - hi-speed hover - destroyer - aircraft-carrier ---- of the lot I recommend the aircraft-carrier - lots to do, plenty of squidies to salute me (back in the day) - good food and all the ice cream you'd ever want. As for a cigar lounge, the flight ready room and the officer's club were always nice - never liked the main deck though (too dangerous) nor the fantail (too breezy).

Ol'what'shername likes the beach, but lately been sniffing the cruise ships - told her save up her pin money and I'd go with - personally I recommend skiing off the coast of New Zealand, Oz or or down Tasmania - great country and all the sharks you could swat - Ha! G'onya Brovers ~:0)

 

[cvm4]

Been on many, always used these guys. Never any hassles.

www.vacationstogo.com

 

[Cigary43]

I get these specials all the time and this one is really good. Leaves out of Ft. Lauderdale for 7 nights with an inside cabin for $299 and an ocean view for $399. It leaves March 20 and you aren't going to see anything like this around for this kind of price. http://discounts.cruisesforless.com/cs/forms/cruiseresultsPage.aspx?skin=285&cd=1&df=3/1/2010&dt=3/21/2010&cv=578&ships=715&sort=10&ref=BS&lid=&look=&template=&ag=285&adv=&psl=Y&logo=&branch=&grouponly=false&home=http://www.cruisesforless.com/ovc&phone=800-329-9002&pin=ovc&agent_id=12

 

[Mitch]

Depends on some things, like time of year, it gets blistering hot down here in the summer. One of my favorite vacations was an Alaska Cruise and one of my least was a Caribian Curise. Most of the places like the Bahama's in the Caribian are just dirty places with lots of Fake Cubans and other toristy rip offs. Atlantas if very nice but not a bargin. I'd go with somethign like Sandals, the people are not as on top of each other as on a ship and if you check out the incluvie resorts you can find some that are more adult, more kid friendly, more romantic, more adventerous etc. to fit you idea of a good time.

 

[Jfire]

We did the Iberostar Grand in Playa Paraso Mex last year. It wasn't cheap at least for my wife and I( JJ and Lyndsy were able to get it cheaper) but I guess we are just looking for different this year and maybe longer time and cheaper if that's even possible.

 

[MichiganM]

I must be one of the few who isn't a fan of cruise ships. I have done Carnival before and if you really enjoy being on the ship, it's great. Really good food, entertainment, activities, casino, etc. And yes, a cigar bar is nice too. But as someone said earlier, I'm also a beach guy. I'd MUCH rather do some all-inclusive resort at a beautiful beach. We spent half a day on Cozumel and Key West got canceled for weather reasons. The last day was so rocky I got sick. All in all I spent 85 percent of the trip on the boat. I'd rather spend time on the beach, getting my jet-ski on.

Just my .02.

 

[tsimonitis]

I have been on two Royal Cruises and both were great. In my opinion there is a trade off to consider. On a cruise you have to pay for booze but the food is free and much better than an all inclusive resort. However, at the resort the booze is free but the food isn't as good. That is the biggest trade off. But you really can't go wrong either way.

 

[aquarich]

I say, go for Atlantis! The resort is killer and she'll have plenty of shopping to do, along with sunning herself. Knowing what little I do about Brenda, I think this is the perfect place!

 

[Cigary43]

Update on Cigars on Cruises...Do's and Do Nots

My wife and I do a lot of cruises and have sailed on just about every line out there. As is my custom I want to ensure that when we go I get to take my cigars with me and enjoy them. There is a list of Cruise Lines with "Do's and Don'ts" associated with each line and their rules. Please see link and plan accordingly before you book a cruise and then find out later you don't get to smoke your cigars.



http://cruisediva.com/smoking-policy.htm

 

[ciggy]

Excellent Thread...I needed this one too.
my wife and I talked about a possible cruise or all inclusive vacation. Neither of us have done one or the other and I would love to take her.
On an avarage...what is the cost for a decent get away?

 

[dk_fxn]

Excellent Thread...I needed this one too.
my wife and I talked about a possible cruise or all inclusive vacation. Neither of us have done one or the other and I would love to take her.
On an avarage...what is the cost for a decent get away?

My gf and I spent about 2gs apiece for a January 10 day NCL out of NYC + another grand a piece for drinks, excursions, spa, and dinner covers.

 

[Cigary43]

Excellent Thread...I needed this one too.
my wife and I talked about a possible cruise or all inclusive vacation. Neither of us have done one or the other and I would love to take her.
On an avarage...what is the cost for a decent get away?

Cruises are what you make them out to be. They don't have to be expensive and a weeks cruise into the Carribean can be had for $369 if you do an inside cabin. Ocean View is about another $100 while Balconies go for about another $200 but are great because you can smoke from your own cabin and have as much privacy as you want. If you like to get out and enjoy the ports and won't spend that much time in your cabin then an inside is all you need and you can spend $$$ on other things. Depending on the cruiseline food is good on Celebrity, HAL and Princess while most of the other ones are moderate to bad. Research as much as you can on cruiselines as they are different. The wife and I do Princess a lot because we are in their program and are Platinum Members ( tons of free upgrades like upgraded rooms,,,from Balcony to Suite,,,free internet, free laundry, free champagne, etc. so it pays to stay with a good cruiseline )

 

[CWS]

NCL no longer allows cigar smoking on the balconies. I prefer the food on NCL to HAL

 

[dpricenator]

ok, i'm gonna weigh in.

We were on a budget, so we stayed on the bottom level at the bow. No big deal neither of us have motion sickness issues. We were warned about the bar tab, because they don't acept cash, but charge it to your room. So once you get drinkin it can be hard to realize you're racking up a huge bill. So we packed several bottle in our bags, and brought them with us. We also bought the soda package. $25 for the whole trip unlimited soda, this allows for easy mixers in your room. I'm just saying if you're an all day drinker, on Vaca like we are, bringing a bit of booze, or buying some and sneaking it back onboard is a must. KNow that if you buy booze on the ship or at port and hey see it, they will hold it until the cruise is over.

 

[hdroadglide]

for any bikers out there, i would HIGHLY recommend this:

http://www.highseasrally.com/wc10_generalinfo.html