Anyone ever....

My2Beauties wrote: went on a cruise? If so did you enjoy yourself? What cruise line? Where did you visit? Fow how long?

DF and I are trying to find somewhere to go for our honeymoon, he suggested Vegas again which is sort of un-romantic to me. I wanted to go to the beach but in a way thought that would be sort of boring since all there is to do is swim and shop, so a co-worker suggested a cruise since you get the exotic beaches, plus the gambling as well as other entertainment all in one big vacation, I thought it was a pretty good idea and now I want feedback from people who have went on cruises before!!!

Please let me know anything you can.

amynicole21 replied: Do a cruise! You will NOT regret it

I've been on 2 so far, both on Norwegian, and both to the Eastern Carribean. I had such an amazing time on both. We're going on one in October (Royal Caribbean) with Sophia and I can't wait!

Boys r us replied: Cruise!!!! go on a cruise! They're amazing! We used Carnival cruise lines!!!

We want to plan a cruise to Alaska, my parents went on one and said it was AMAZING!

Josie83 replied: I've never been on a cruise, one because we could never in a bazillion years afford it and two because I hate boats and water! Lol!! But if that sort of thing's what you'd like and you could afford it, go for it! Let us know if you book it!! xx

My2Beauties replied:

Alice replied: YES!! GO BOOK ONE NOW!!

I've been on three: one with a college girlfriend, one with another teacher and 14 teenage girls we were chaperoning (because of the Achille Lauro incident when we were planning on Europe) and finally on my honeymoon. I would go today if we had the money.

Since I live on the East Coast, 2 of mine were to Bermuda, the other to the Bahamas. I love Bermuda-- it's just beautiful. They speak English. They take American money and love Americans. There's no visible poverty. The beaches are amazing-- you can stand up to your shoulders and still see your toes. Yet it's British enough that you really feel like you're away from home. (If you or your husband golf, the golfing there is terrific.) But Bermuda has no gambling-- I think it all has to shut down once they enter Bermuda's waters. You'll want to check with the cruise line if this is important to you. The Bahamas does offer gambling-- Paradise Island is nice, and my sister loved the Atlantis.

If you do choose a cruise, do your homework. You'll want a cruise line that caters to people in your general age group. Do you want to have to get dressed up each night for dinner or would you rather something more casual? Do you want open seating, or to sit at the same table with the same people each night? The large ships tend to have lots of eating choices and lots to do... and lots and lots of people. The smaller ships can dock almost anywhere-- the larger ships may require that you take a tender (small boat) to the dock while they anchor a bit out-- so you may have to work around the schedule for the tender. It's a matter of personal preferance.

As far as the cabins go, be warned: they are small-- think college dorm and then shrink it a lot. For our honeymoon we splurged and got a suite-- so we hosted the "Use up all the champagne party" for the other 2 couples we became friendly with. But one of the other honeymoon couples had a TINY room and had no problem with it. If seasickness may be an issue, you may prefer a cabin in the middle of the ship-- there's less rocking there. And see your doctor about a patch or something if you are concerned-- or pick up some Dramamine at the drug store. (I had no problem with it.)

Another good thing is that they are all-inclusive (except booze & excursions) so they make budgeting easy.

Be sure to let them know it's your honeymoon, and bring some "Just Married" balloons onto the ship. You'll be instant celebrities and probably get some free champagne.

Overall, my advice: go online and look around. (Celebrity, Royal Carribean, Norweigan American...) Then speak to a travel agent-- they can handle some of the intangibles that the cruise lines don't mention.

Is there anything else I can tell you?? Feel free to ask.

dolfinrse replied: I have been on a total of 3 cruises. 2 Carnival and 1 Royal Caribbean. DH and I went on Royal Caribbean for our honeymoon, and it was great. Like Alice said you have to find one for your age group and if I am correct you are about my age (25), so I would recommend Carnival. Although Royal Caribbean was great, it was more geared towards the "older" crowd. Carnival tends to be more "young". All of my cruises have been to the Caribbean, so I can't help you with any other destinations, but if you have questions about any of the islands, just ask.

Alice replied: How sad.. I'm vacationing vicariously through you. But some things occured to me after I shut off the computer last night:

If you do go, be sure to get travel insurance. Your travel agent may not mention it, but it's important. All those little islands are at the mercy of some severe hurricanes. My brother in law had a cruise to Bermuda planned a few years ago. A hurricane had the cruise line changing it to a cruise to the Canadian Maritime provinces... a nice cruise, but he lives in the snow belt and wanted Bermuda. Fortunately, he's a lawyer and was able to get a "rain check" for a cruise the following year.

Also, consider Aruba. I've never been there, but everyone I know who has been there has gone back. It's supposed to be beautiful.

Happy planning!

Kirstenmumof3 replied: I haven't but I sooooo want to someday! DH wants to take the Disney Cruise!

My2Beauties replied: WOW!! Thank you guys for the wonderful information you have given me. This will definitely make my planning a lot easier. Unfortunately I'm the planner of everything and DF is just like kicked back and says whatever you want to do babe So I want this to be a wonderful trip and an afforadable one at the same time. I went on Carnival Cruise Lines website yesterday and saw the accomodations and looked at the different things you can do at each destination. I looked at the Eastern Carribean cruise to Puerto Rico, Virgin Islands, and Nassau, Bahamas. The accomodations looked small with the exception of the suite but iI guess you don't spend a lot of time in your room anyways!

3xsthefun replied: No, but we want to. Maybe someday.

A&A'smommy replied: We plan on going on one soon and if we do it will probably be with Carnival (heard WONDERFUL things my SIL and her husband went and LOVED it!) and no you don't spend a lot of time in your room "unless lol" there is SOO much to do. I want to go to Alaska and to the exotic beaches hehe I can't wait!

Alice replied: Can one of your PLEASSSSE take me??? I'll carry all your bags!! Please????

My2Beauties replied:
Sure you're more than welcome! Come along!!! (Oh yeah, and I wouldn't be so mean as to make you carry my bags!! )