My g/f and I are looking to go on a cruise this summer

[ice91785]

Just looking for a vacation to get away from school/work for a little while (4-7 days). As the title says neither of us have been on a cruise before so I am not really sure what to look for, or WHO to look for (companies). Right now I would like to keep costs at ~$1000 or less (unless I find a fantastic deal otherwise)

If any of you have any advice for us it'd be much appreciated!

 

[olds]

If you guys aren't married, don't you need separate rooms? That will raise the cost.

 

[newb111]

Originally posted by: oldsmoboat
If you guys aren't married, don't you need separate rooms? That will raise the cost.

Don't forget another room for the chaperone.

 

[MagicConch]

try to get a room on the middle of the ship (less movement), definitely get an outside cabin. Certain lines are known for having different age brackets, like Holland America is for older people and some are for families. The best cruise line depends on where you want to go. don't buy excursions on boat instead buy them at port you will save $, unless of course you are going somewhere where safety is an issue.

 

[olds]

Originally posted by: newb111

Originally posted by: oldsmoboat
If you guys aren't married, don't you need separate rooms? That will raise the cost.

Don't forget another room for the chaperone.

I assumed the chaperone would bunk with one of them. When I was courting my wife, that's what her parents set up.

 

[Crusty]

Pics?

 

[JEDI]

Originally posted by: ice91785
Just looking for a vacation to get away from school/work for a little while (4-7 days). As the title says neither of us have been on a cruise before so I am not really sure what to look for, or WHO to look for (companies). Right now I would like to keep costs at ~$1000 or less (unless I find a fantastic deal otherwise)

If any of you have any advice for us it'd be much appreciated!

stay away from boats filled w/old people

 

[cKGunslinger]

Unless you just really love cruising, I'd say 7-days is a bit on the long end. I know I was done after 5.

While you can get by *only* paying the price for the Cruise, most end up paying a couple of hundred extra for the shore excursions (hiking, museums, glass-bottom boats, snorkeling, etc.) Then factor in some formal dinners (not required) and alcohol and sodas are not cheap. *Everyone* expects a tip at thte cruise - they usually even give you half-a-dozen "tip envelopes" on your next-to-last day for you to stuff cash into.

In short, you *can* get by only on the ticket price for an all-inclusive cruise, but it takes dedication to be thrifty as hell. If you can get by only on the meals they offer (or the free hamburger/hotdog service,) only drink water or tea (both free,) and enjoy just swimming and lounging on the deck, can *absolutely* stay off the internet and cell phone, you can get a cheap vacation.

 

[ice91785]

Originally posted by: oldsmoboat

Originally posted by: newb111

Originally posted by: oldsmoboat
If you guys aren't married, don't you need separate rooms? That will raise the cost.

Don't forget another room for the chaperone.

I assumed the chaperone would bunk with one of them. When I was courting my wife, that's what her parents set up.

Simply awesome! Haha well I plan on being the anti-christ and sleeping in the same room and PERHAPS! even the same bed as her....

None-the-less, we'd prefer something fairly spacious, also not being overrun by little kids (its fine if there are some onboard-- just don't want a 3 to 1 kid-adult ratio overall)

Also I have read quite a bit that the dining rooms have horrendous food but if there are buffets available they are fine....a lot of cruises seem to have some food built into the cost, so does this mean buffets = pay whereas dining rooms = no-pay?


EDIT: I don't plan on being an absolute cheap-a$$ but I can't say I am going to doll out $20 because a man delivers a hamburger to my room....consider me willing to give forth *FAIR* wages for how the service is. If my thinking $1000 will not be enough then by all means call me stupid so I can try to re-adjust my budget

 

[artikk]

Originally posted by: oldsmoboat

Originally posted by: newb111

Originally posted by: oldsmoboat
If you guys aren't married, don't you need separate rooms? That will raise the cost.

Don't forget another room for the chaperone.

I assumed the chaperone would bunk with one of them. When I was courting my wife, that's what her parents set up.

This sounds like a situation from the 1800s

 

[cKGunslinger]

Originally posted by: ice91785

Originally posted by: oldsmoboat

Originally posted by: newb111

Originally posted by: oldsmoboat
If you guys aren't married, don't you need separate rooms? That will raise the cost.

Don't forget another room for the chaperone.

I assumed the chaperone would bunk with one of them. When I was courting my wife, that's what her parents set up.

Simply awesome! Haha well I plan on being the anti-christ and sleeping in the same room and PERHAPS! even the same bed as her....

None-the-less, we'd prefer something fairly spacious, also not being overrun by little kids (its fine if there are some onboard-- just don't want a 3 to 1 kid-adult ratio overall)

Also I have read quite a bit that the dining rooms have horrendous food but if there are buffets available they are fine....a lot of cruises seem to have some food built into the cost, so does this mean buffets = pay whereas dining rooms = no-pay?


EDIT: I don't plan on being an absolute cheap-a$$ but I can't say I am going to doll out $20 because a man delivers a hamburger to my room....consider me willing to give forth *FAIR* wages for how the service is. If my thinking $1000 will not be enough then by all means call me stupid so I can try to re-adjust my budget

Depends on the actual cruise price, but I'd count on at least bringing ~$200 in cash. You might want to send some postcards, buy some tourist gear on an island, have a fancy pineapple/coconut drink, or take a sight-seeing tour. They have ATMs on the boat - but, like everything else, there's a huge premium.

I'm also assuming a Caribbean cruise, rather than Alaska or whatever?

 

[ice91785]

Caribbean/Mexico/Bermuda would be ideal.....

What about carnival vs royal Caribbean vs celebrity cruises? Or is this like ford vs chevy vs dodge...

 

[cKGunslinger]

Originally posted by: ice91785
Caribbean/Mexico/Bermuda would be ideal.....

What about carnival vs royal Caribbean vs celebrity cruises? Or is this like ford vs chevy vs dodge...

I think so. We did Royal Caribbean. Ship was 'Rhapsody of the Seas.' Did 7-day Carribean. Drove down the Galveston to catch it. Got surpised by the "Cash Only" 1-week parking fee of $75 for some shady-looking lot run by even more shady-looking guys. Car (rental) had a flat tire when we returned, but otherwise unharmed.


I'd say:

5-day Caribbean leaving in April/May.
~$400-500 per person for a non-suite room.
~200 cash for misc.
$XXX for whatver you have to do to get to the port.

I'd figure ~$1200 to ber safe. You can always catch some deals, too.

 

[T9D]

...

 

[shortylickens]

Bring camcorder.
Make porno.
Show us.
Profit?

 

[xSauronx]

my sis just went on a cruise and the cruise itself cost her and her husband about $1400 just to book.

i had nothing to do with looking, she claimed that was the best price she could get (granted, she booked the trip not 3 weeks before going, no idea if that makes a difference or not)

 

[Turin39789]

pics

 

[ice91785]

BTW how long does it take to get a passport? I've heard 6 months...I've heard 6 weeks...

 

[AVAFREAK182]

Originally posted by: ice91785
BTW how long does it take to get a passport? I've heard 6 months...I've heard 6 weeks...

Mine took 6 weeks or so.

 

[ddjkdg]

Originally posted by: ice91785
BTW how long does it take to get a passport? I've heard 6 months...I've heard 6 weeks...

Right now it won't take too long, approx 3 weeks. Expedited service will get it back in 2 weeks but I think it costs an extra $60 per passport. Check this page - http://www.travel.state.gov/pa...g/processing_1740.html


Passport faq - http://travel.state.gov/passport/fri/pubs/pubs_854.html

The cruise line itself can make a big difference. Like someone else said above, some cater towards older people, some towards families, etc. This page should get you started

http://www.fodors.com/news/story_1407.html

 

[wiredspider]

Where are you guys located? A big factor in the cost might be tickets to get to the port locations (Florida or California usually), some of the cruises seem really cheap now because of the economy, but then adding in that flight makes it seem not so good .

 

[ice91785]

ddjkdg....great links man; thank you.

We are located in MN btw also

 

[DayLaPaul]

You guys will have broken up by day 3.

 

[ice91785]

Thank you for the very helpful post..

 

[ed21x]

cruises are booooring. make sure you guys both really want to go on one. otherwise, I would suggest spending the money on airfare and going to an exotic country or vegas... anything over being bottled up on a boat.