[A Goofy Family]

I'm so glad you asked this Bella! We're thinking about a cruise for our 20th wedding anniversary...yes, the kids will be in tow, but we'll book them their own room (maybe grandma will want to cruise too and room with them). Disney is out of our price range for now, so we've been looking at Carnival too..they sent us a vacation video, not as good as Disney's but pretty good info. Convinced the kids to go (they thought a cruise would be "boring"...gotta love teenagers!) and they don't even mind the idea of an inside room w/out windows. We're looking to do something next summer and hoping for good rates too.
Is it better to book a cruise several months out for best choice of room, etc? OR wait and grab a last minute deal? We're able to drive to our departure port so booking airfare won't be an issue.

[bransworld]

I am going on my first cruise ever in 45 days. Originally we were planning a land/sea trip with Disney but after looking at the prices of other cruise lines we decided to go with Carnival. It also helps that my best friend and her husband and son will be going on the same cruise we are.

We also purchased drink coupons, it is about $21 for 5 coupons, so we have purchased them through out the past six months so that we will have enough to last us through out the week. Once less thing we will have to pay for on the ship.

My biggest fear now is that I will love cruising and Greg will end up hating it and I will never get to go again.

[bransworld]

Originally Posted by A Goofy Family

I'm so glad you asked this Bella! We're thinking about a cruise for our 20th wedding anniversary...yes, the kids will be in tow, but we'll book them their own room (maybe grandma will want to cruise too and room with them). Disney is out of our price range for now, so we've been looking at Carnival too..they sent us a vacation video, not as good as Disney's but pretty good info. Convinced the kids to go (they thought a cruise would be "boring"...gotta love teenagers!) and they don't even mind the idea of an inside room w/out windows. We're looking to do something next summer and hoping for good rates too.
Is it better to book a cruise several months out for best choice of room, etc? OR wait and grab a last minute deal? We're able to drive to our departure port so booking airfare won't be an issue.

From the research i have done if you are not that worried about the room that you get then you should book a guaranteed stateroom. They will assign a stateroom for you about 75 days or so from the cruise date. If they sell out on the staterooms your guarantee was for there is a good chance you will be upgraded to a "better" room.

[Cosmicwaves]

Originally Posted by cinderbella

So basically in the price..food and regular drinks are included along with all the shows and stuff? Is the formal night included?

We would probably do a small cruise because we've never been on one before and if we hate it or get sea sick we would probably be miserable. There are some cheap Carnival ones for about $300 a person plus fees and stuff..that's blowing my mind because the cheapest Disney one was about $1200

On Carnival, all food is included with the exception of the "supper clubs" which are offered on some ships, and are comparable to "five star" type dining...those are extra if you chose to partake.

Formal nights are included.
Gourmet coffees at the coffee bar are also not included.
Sodas are not included...you can buy a "soda card" for unlimited sodas

Iced tea, juice, milk and "regular" coffee is included.
All shows are included.
Spa is extra.
fitness center is included.

[Cosmicwaves]

Originally Posted by bransworld

From the research i have done if you are not that worried about the room that you get then you should book a guaranteed stateroom. They will assign a stateroom for you about 75 days or so from the cruise date. If they sell out on the staterooms your guarantee was for there is a good chance you will be upgraded to a "better" room.

I booked an "inside guarantee" on our last cruise, and we were upgraded to oceanview!

[Cosmicwaves]

Originally Posted by A Goofy Family

I'm so glad you asked this Bella! We're thinking about a cruise for our 20th wedding anniversary...yes, the kids will be in tow, but we'll book them their own room (maybe grandma will want to cruise too and room with them). Disney is out of our price range for now, so we've been looking at Carnival too..they sent us a vacation video, not as good as Disney's but pretty good info. Convinced the kids to go (they thought a cruise would be "boring"...gotta love teenagers!) and they don't even mind the idea of an inside room w/out windows. We're looking to do something next summer and hoping for good rates too.
Is it better to book a cruise several months out for best choice of room, etc? OR wait and grab a last minute deal? We're able to drive to our departure port so booking airfare won't be an issue.

If you are very particular about where you want a room, then book early. If the price drops, then they will either take the price off of your final payment, or give you on board credit...but you usually have to ask for the credit.

[Cosmicwaves]

Bella, we did exactly what you are thinking of. We were afraid that we would either get sea sick, or hate it, so we booked a 4 day leaving Port Canaveral, and going to Nassau and Freeport Bahamas. We wished it were longer!
The second cruise, we booked a 7 day...perfect!

[llama]

We've taken 8 cruises (2 Disney) and others on Princess, Norwegian, Holland-America. And they've been great - I love cruising - we think it's the perfect holiday. Yes, Disney does have all the bells and whistles - the ships are gorgeous, the adult areas are completely segregated, the dining rooms are amazing - I loved both our cruises and don't have a complaint about them - except the price. Disney cruises are VERY expensive.

Although I don't think I'd do a Carnival Cruise (we're not really party people) or a Windjammer (too small and rolly) all the other lines we've sailed on have been wonderful too. Personally I prefer Norwegian and Princess - they have a nice mix of people, the ships are beautiful (I love Norwegian's free-style dining). Holland-America is a little more - well - stuffy and tends to draw an older crowd. I also rate Holland-America's food last (definitely still good - but not as good as Princess or Norwegian). Royal Caribbean is another great line. We have friends who won't sail on any other ships. The only reason we haven't is because a convenient cruise for us hasn't come up on that line.

If you MUST have Disney - then you won't be disappointed. But if you want the experience of a cruise, all the top lines are worth trying.

Other than using DVC points for Disney - we've booked all our Cruises on Vacations to Go.com - we booked our last 14 days in the Med. with just 3 weeks to get ready! BUT you can get fantastic last minute deals on their 90 day ticker - especially if you're flexible. All the lines offer different discounts and perks. Sometimes you'll get a credit (up to $200. per person, for booking early). Personally, I'd definitely book an outside stateroom - we always get a balcony and use it everyday - it's nice to be outside and yet away from the hordes of people.

[Cosmicwaves]

Originally Posted by llama

Although I don't think I'd do a Carnival Cruise (we're not really party people)

We're totally not party people either...pretty boring in fact.
Carnival really isn't the "floating party" that it has the reputation to be.

[llama]

Originally Posted by Cosmicwaves

We're totally not party people either...pretty boring in fact.
Carnival really isn't the "floating party" that it has the reputation to be.

I've heard so many mixed reviews - I'm just a little leary that I'd get the party boat...

[Cosmicwaves]

Originally Posted by llama

I've heard so many mixed reviews - I'm just a little leary that I'd get the party boat...

hanging out with a bunch of drunk guys preparing for the hairy chest competition isn't your idea of fun?

[E&B's Mom]

Originally Posted by A Goofy Family

Is it better to book a cruise several months out for best choice of room, etc? OR wait and grab a last minute deal? We're able to drive to our departure port so booking airfare won't be an issue.

It depends on where you want to be in relation to your kids. And some cruise lines (RCCL) will no longer allow you to book kids under 18 in a separate room uless they are adjoining or directly accross the hall. If you wait too long, there may be no options left that fall within those restrictions, or they may not be the type of cabins you want.

[dixie]

Would it be dumb of me to ask where they go to?? or do they go everywhere? I just figured if they were out of Miami they would head to the Carribean?
I am a real cruise novice and we too are considering one for next year and are open to any suggestions- flying into the USA wouldn't be a problem either, so if anyone has info I'd be morst grateful- those two ships sound lovely Bella Carnival and the other one...

[bransworld]

Originally Posted by dixie

Would it be dumb of me to ask where they go to?? or do they go everywhere? I just figured if they were out of Miami they would head to the Carribean?
I am a real cruise novice and we too are considering one for next year and are open to any suggestions- flying into the USA wouldn't be a problem either, so if anyone has info I'd be morst grateful- those two ships sound lovely Bella Carnival and the other one...

The cruise i am on is Carnival's Splendor out of Ft. Lauderdale, Florida and it is going to St. Thomas, Virgin Islands, Nassau, Bahamas, San Juan, Puerto Rico and La Romana, Dominican Rebublic.

There are cruises to just about anywhere, Carribean, Mexico, the Mediterranean, Alaska and many other places. Or there are some that are cruises to nowhere. Which means they dont go to any ports.

[johnkimv]

Originally Posted by bransworld

We also purchased drink coupons, it is about $21 for 5 coupons, so we have purchased them through out the past six months so that we will have enough to last us through out the week. Once less thing we will have to pay for on the ship.

I always purchase the bar coupons when we cruise. You will get 4 coupons, not 5. Also, the price of drinks has gone up and you will have to pay the difference. This is the first time we had to pay the difference.