So my first cruise is over . . .

[Rike]

About a month ago I asked for advice in this thread. Lots of helpful advice.

We've been back now two weeks and I still feel like I'm in the afterglow. I now understand why people rave about cruises; I can't think of a better, low stress, high value vacation. We were on an 10-day Alaska cruise on the Dawn Princess, round trip from San Fransisco. We hit the inside passage, Ketchikan, Juneau, and Skagway, Tracy Arm and then a brief stop in Victoria, B.C.

It was amazing. A few photos if you care.
Sunset over Juneau
Inside Tracy Arm The biggest problem with the pics I took of in Tracy Arm is there's nothing to help give you scale. The smallest chunks of ice in the water in the closest foreground are around 1.5-2 meters at their longest point.
Sunset after leaving Victoria, taken off the stern of the ship

We had some rain, some wind, some sun, saw bald eagles the way we see hawks at home, we saw dolphins, humbacks, orcas, the food was amazing and I would recommend Princess to anyone as a cruise line. In short, we had a great time and feel like it was worth both the time and money.

 

[mharr7]

god i cant wait to go on another cruise....best time of my life...

 

[Fraggable]

I know what you mean. I've been on 2 Caribbean cruises and at this point I think it's the only big vacation I'll ever take again. An incredible value for what you get and so relaxing as long as you stay away from Mexico and know how to deal with island natives trying to sell you crap...

Have you seen the pics of the Oasis of the Seas? That's my next cruise, I'm saving already.

 

[JEDI]

Originally posted by: Rike
About a month ago I asked for advice in this thread. Lots of helpful advice.

We've been back now two weeks and I still feel like I'm in the afterglow. I now understand why people rave about cruises; I can't think of a better, low stress, high value vacation. We were on an 10-day Alaska cruise on the Dawn Princess, round trip from San Fransisco. We hit the inside passage, Ketchikan, Juneau, and Skagway, Tracy Arm and then a brief stop in Victoria, B.C.

It was amazing. A few photos if you care.
Sunset over Juneau
Inside Tracy Arm The biggest problem with the pics I took of in Tracy Arm is there's nothing to help give you scale. The smallest chunks of ice in the water in the closest foreground are around 1.5-2 meters at their longest point.
Sunset after leaving Victoria, taken off the stern of the ship

We had some rain, some wind, some sun, saw bald eagles the way we see hawks at home, we saw dolphins, humbacks, orcas, the food was amazing and I would recommend Princess to anyone as a cruise line. In short, we had a great time and feel like it was worth both the time and money.

lots of old or middle aged people?

 

[JEDI]

Originally posted by: Fraggable
I know what you mean. I've been on 2 Caribbean cruises and at this point I think it's the only big vacation I'll ever take again. An incredible value for what you get and so relaxing as long as you stay away from Mexico and know how to deal with island natives trying to sell you crap...

Have you seen the pics of the Oasis of the Seas? That's my next cruise, I'm saving already.

"incredible value "

Esplain pls

 

[maddogchen]

i've been on the Dawn Princess, very nice ship. I loved my trip on it.

 

[richardycc]

Originally posted by: Fraggable
I know what you mean. I've been on 2 Caribbean cruises and at this point I think it's the only big vacation I'll ever take again. An incredible value for what you get and so relaxing as long as you stay away from Mexico and know how to deal with island natives trying to sell you crap...

Have you seen the pics of the Oasis of the Seas? That's my next cruise, I'm saving already.

whats wrong with Mexico cruises? my next cruise might be going to Mexico, since they are so cheap, like 7nites balcony for $699/pps + fees.

 

[Rike]

Originally posted by: JEDI

Originally posted by: Rike
About a month ago I asked for advice in this thread. Lots of helpful advice.

We've been back now two weeks and I still feel like I'm in the afterglow. I now understand why people rave about cruises; I can't think of a better, low stress, high value vacation. We were on an 10-day Alaska cruise on the Dawn Princess, round trip from San Fransisco. We hit the inside passage, Ketchikan, Juneau, and Skagway, Tracy Arm and then a brief stop in Victoria, B.C.

It was amazing. A few photos if you care.
Sunset over Juneau
Inside Tracy Arm The biggest problem with the pics I took of in Tracy Arm is there's nothing to help give you scale. The smallest chunks of ice in the water in the closest foreground are around 1.5-2 meters at their longest point.
Sunset after leaving Victoria, taken off the stern of the ship

We had some rain, some wind, some sun, saw bald eagles the way we see hawks at home, we saw dolphins, humbacks, orcas, the food was amazing and I would recommend Princess to anyone as a cruise line. In short, we had a great time and feel like it was worth both the time and money.

lots of old or middle aged people?

Yes. Not the ship for you if you were looking for a singles scene. But it was our tenth anniversary, so all we really cared about was each other.

 

[Descartes]

Glad you had a great time. I felt the same way after my first cruise just last year. It really is a great time, and the low stress aspect of it is enough to keep me going.

 

[Savarak]

cruising was one of the best times in my life!!

 

[xanis]

The last cruise I took was in 2005.

I've been talking with some of my close friends and we're thinking of doing a cheap, short cruise to Cozumel/Key West or somewhere similar once we turn 21.

 

[skulkingghost]

I just got back from Alaska as well. I am not a big fan of cruises though as I get restless, but your looks amazing. I will definitely have to try it.

 

[AgaBoogaBoo]

Cruises are amazing... the only way I describe it is as a place where you hop on, and they take care of everything else. You don't even have to spend money on food while on the ship, no worries about tipping people if you do the auto tip thing, etc. It's the best kind of vacation out there. I think the only decision you have to make is what you want to spend your time doing on the islands when you get there, which is something I can definitely handle.

For those wondering what you'll do while on the cruise, just stop thinking about it, they'll keep you as busy as you'd like. You can go to comedy shows, gamble if you'd like, sit out on a deck, play small area sports like table tennis, go get food whenever you want, etc. There's really no end to what you can do, and you don't ever need to worry about finding a good restaurant in a different city, asking for directions, getting a cab, etc. Even if you do need directions, how hard is go to the 4th floor and take a right turn?

One plus of a cruise is that you're away from land (duh)... that means no cell phones, PDA's, limited laptop/computer usage, etc. It's enjoyable to finally be in a place where no one has access to those things - it gets down to the basics of enjoying yourself.

If you haven't been on a cruise, just go take one. I've been on two so far, and hope to take more in the near future. It's the most stress free vacation you can take.

 

[runzwithsizorz]

Love going on cruises, my only regrets are the 15, or more pounds I have to work off when I get home. All those tables filled with great food, beckoning, tempting, and calling out my name 24/7. Wives, it's 2 am, do you know where your husbands are? Down at the buffet table with a huge plate of crab legs, and shrimp.

 

[SearchMaster]

Originally posted by: JEDI

Originally posted by: Fraggable
I know what you mean. I've been on 2 Caribbean cruises and at this point I think it's the only big vacation I'll ever take again. An incredible value for what you get and so relaxing as long as you stay away from Mexico and know how to deal with island natives trying to sell you crap...

Have you seen the pics of the Oasis of the Seas? That's my next cruise, I'm saving already.

"incredible value "

Esplain pls

My wife and I are "bargain cruisers" and our target is $50-60 per day per person. So for the two of us, it's generally under $125/day. So that includes lodging, meals (sometimes incredible, sometimes just very good), entertainment, etc. I consider that an incredible value.

 

[Fraggable]

Originally posted by: JEDI

Originally posted by: Fraggable
I know what you mean. I've been on 2 Caribbean cruises and at this point I think it's the only big vacation I'll ever take again. An incredible value for what you get and so relaxing as long as you stay away from Mexico and know how to deal with island natives trying to sell you crap...

Have you seen the pics of the Oasis of the Seas? That's my next cruise, I'm saving already.

"incredible value "

Esplain pls

If you have to fly to the port, especially these days, it's not so cheap. If you can manage to drive to one it is cheap. Imagine for ~$900/person for a week you can get a room with a outside window or balcony, meals for 7 days/nights, you're staying in a 4-star resort with pools, spas, a mall, shows every night, and activities all day. On top of all that you're stopping at 3 or 4 ports where you can sit on the beach for free, or go do any number of things. I call that a great value.

Originally posted by: richardycc

Originally posted by: Fraggable
I know what you mean. I've been on 2 Caribbean cruises and at this point I think it's the only big vacation I'll ever take again. An incredible value for what you get and so relaxing as long as you stay away from Mexico and know how to deal with island natives trying to sell you crap...

Have you seen the pics of the Oasis of the Seas? That's my next cruise, I'm saving already.

whats wrong with Mexico cruises? my next cruise might be going to Mexico, since they are so cheap, like 7nites balcony for $699/pps + fees.

Maybe it's just my personal experience but no one I met in Mexico was friendly at all unless you were buying something or looked interested. Other than that they were usually downright rude. I always enjoy the islands a lot more - Grand Caymans, St. Maarten, and Puerto Rico were my favorites. Haiti was annoying (Royal Caribbean's part of the island). The natives were way too pushy and in-your-face.