[iluvwdw]

I have been DYING to do a Disney Cruise for the last couple of years. It's just SOOOOO EXPENSIVE compared to other cruises! DH is not a Disney lover, so getting him to agree to go on a Disney Cruise is not an easy task. Last year he agreed to A cruise...just not a DISNEY cruise. We went on Norwegian out of NY. I spent under $2K for 4 of us! It was an inside cabin on an upper floor. Disney wanted between $6K-$7K for that VERY same week! DH just can't justify it.

I have cruised Carnival, NCL and Celebrity. I hated Carnival, but then again, that was in 1991...something like that. I'd DEFINITELY give them another try!!! I absolutely LOVED the Freestyle Cruising concept on NCL...we ate in amazing 5 star restaurants every night. Their Steak House (Cagney's) is to die for. You get to eat whenever with whomever you want. You don't have to choose a dining time! I LOVED that. And we NEVER had to dress in formal attire.

[johnkimv]

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 totally agree!!

[llama]

Originally Posted by Cosmicwaves

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

Call me Crazy!

[bransworld]

Originally Posted by johnkimv

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.

I was thinking after i typed it that it was only 4 per order.

[rlcarmichael]

Originally Posted by cinderbella

let's talk about these cocktails. Are they free?

SODA isn't free on most cruise ships!

Disney CL is service and classic Disney. Sort of like staying at GF or Pop. Same place but not really.

[A Goofy Family]

Originally Posted by Cosmicwaves

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

This is good to know. Maybe once we can pinpoint a week next summer (between kids at camp & other commitments) we should book. I also like the idea as someone said, if rates drop after we book we might be able to get a refund or a ship's credit. Makes me a little less hesitant to book early. We'll leave out of Galveston TX.

[A Goofy Family]

Originally Posted by rlcarmichael

SODA isn't free on most cruise ships!

I'm kinda surprised by this. But if you can buy the Soda pass that's not so bad.

[Erin]

Where can I find the price of the soda pass?

We don't drink so I'm not worried about that...

I just want to know ALL the costs that it will incur so I'm well prepared.

Is there a place I can find that information?
(For Carnival, that is)


We are definitely going to cruise. I am actually thinking of bumping it up to 09. I'm pretty excited.


Shore excursions are obviously going to cost us, but what is the average price?


Can someone tell me what to expect from the staterooms? When I go to book it puts me in an ocean view with 'two uppers'.

I'm thoroughly confused.

Do my children HAVE to do the clubs designed for them? I am not that comfortable leaving my 5 year old with just anyone. She likes to have her siblings around. Will I be able to just let the three of them play together at a pool?

[llama]

Originally Posted by Erin

Where can I find the price of the soda pass?

We don't drink so I'm not worried about that...

I just want to know ALL the costs that it will incur so I'm well prepared.

Is there a place I can find that information?
(For Carnival, that is)


We are definitely going to cruise. I am actually thinking of bumping it up to 09. I'm pretty excited.


Shore excursions are obviously going to cost us, but what is the average price?


Can someone tell me what to expect from the staterooms? When I go to book it puts me in an ocean view with 'two uppers'.

I'm thoroughly confused.

Do my children HAVE to do the clubs designed for them? I am not that comfortable leaving my 5 year old with just anyone. She likes to have her siblings around. Will I be able to just let the three of them play together at a pool?

We love to cruise, Erin and here's my advice:

First of all, log on to VacationsToGo.com - we've booked all our cruises with them and they are terrific. Especially their "90 Day Ticker" - you can get fabulous deals when the lines lower their prices in the last 3 months - we've used it every time - and you have more options because you don't need airfare to consider.

Our favourite lines are Norwegian and Princess - don't feel that Carnival has the only deals - you can get a great deal on any line. I know lots of people say that Carnival's "party" rep. isn't true - but you do hear mixed stories. Our friends had a not-so-great experience with them, so we haven't tried them. Norwegian is probably the best "family-oriented" cruiseline - not stuffy - but enough luxury to enjoy yourselves. Great free-style dining so you don't have to eat at a set time. Very good kids programs (and no your kids don't need to go to the programs at all, one of the best islands (almost every cruiseline owns their own island for a day of swimming and bbq). Royal Caribbean is also a just a notch above with great programs (including rock climbing and ice skating on some ships).

Shore excursions - they're a mixed bag. Many are seriously over-priced for what you get - unless it's something you're all dying to do, skip most of them. (although things like a catamaran sail to swim in a cove, etc. is well-worth the money) I assume you're thinking the Caribbean and/or Mexico - all the Caribbean Islands will have about a gazillion cabs waiting for you when you get off the ship - you can negotiate a price and take a private tour if you liked - we've lucked out and had some great cabbies give us terrific tours - or you can take a cab to the beaches, or just stroll around the town. There are some islands where you will be harrassed constantly to have your hair braided etc. (St. Maarten is the WORST!) and some where people are friendly and not so pushy (Grand Cayman or St. Thomas).

Staterooms vary. If you don't plan on using it much, an inside stateroom is fine - just be aware you'll need the lights on all the time. Some outside deluxe rooms sleep 5 and work out cheaper than 2 insides. Often you'll get an upgrade - but it's just luck of the draw. A balcony is great for dolphin watching, etc.

Most ships have a ton of stuff to do - I stick to the free stuff mostly - but I have learned how to fold napkins into 4 different animals. There are usually crazy games at the pools in the afternoon. There's art auctions (you don't have to buy - but they're fun to go to). Most ships have a movie theatre (free) and free entertainment every night. Shopping while at sea is fun - but not cheap.

I'd recommend a cruise to anyone - but be aware that all the "extras" cost - stay away from them (and it's not hard to do, my only luxury is usually a spa treatment). The food is just as you hear - usually great, too much, and constant. Eating is the main cruise activity. From fruit buffets at the pool to chocolate buffets at midnight - you'll never stop eating.

I think every line has a different "take" on the soda cards - they all have some sort of "Disney-type mug thing".

I randomly looked up a 7 day Caribbean cruise on the 90 day ticker - on the Norwegian Pearl -


Inside cabin - $279. per person
Oceanview - $349. per person
Balcony - $549 per person

We haven't cruised with our kids for a long time - but I'm pretty sure there is a discount for kids (someone here will know). That includes port taxes and fuel surcharge. The itinerary is:
Miami
At Sea
Raoton, Honduras
Belize
Cozemel, Mexico
At Sea
Great Stirrup Cay (Norwegian's Island)
Miami

So that just gives you an example.

[Erin]

Originally Posted by llama

We love to cruise, Erin and here's my advice:

First of all, log on to VacationsToGo.com - we've booked all our cruises with them and they are terrific. Especially their "90 Day Ticker" - you can get fabulous deals when the lines lower their prices in the last 3 months - we've used it every time - and you have more options because you don't need airfare to consider.

Our favourite lines are Norwegian and Princess - don't feel that Carnival has the only deals - you can get a great deal on any line. I know lots of people say that Carnival's "party" rep. isn't true - but you do hear mixed stories. Our friends had a not-so-great experience with them, so we haven't tried them. Norwegian is probably the best "family-oriented" cruiseline - not stuffy - but enough luxury to enjoy yourselves. Great free-style dining so you don't have to eat at a set time. Very good kids programs (and no your kids don't need to go to the programs at all, one of the best islands (almost every cruiseline owns their own island for a day of swimming and bbq). Royal Caribbean is also a just a notch above with great programs (including rock climbing and ice skating on some ships).

Shore excursions - they're a mixed bag. Many are seriously over-priced for what you get - unless it's something you're all dying to do, skip most of them. (although things like a catamaran sail to swim in a cove, etc. is well-worth the money) I assume you're thinking the Caribbean and/or Mexico - all the Caribbean Islands will have about a gazillion cabs waiting for you when you get off the ship - you can negotiate a price and take a private tour if you liked - we've lucked out and had some great cabbies give us terrific tours - or you can take a cab to the beaches, or just stroll around the town. There are some islands where you will be harrassed constantly to have your hair braided etc. (St. Maarten is the WORST!) and some where people are friendly and not so pushy (Grand Cayman or St. Thomas).

Staterooms vary. If you don't plan on using it much, an inside stateroom is fine - just be aware you'll need the lights on all the time. Some outside deluxe rooms sleep 5 and work out cheaper than 2 insides. Often you'll get an upgrade - but it's just luck of the draw. A balcony is great for dolphin watching, etc.

Most ships have a ton of stuff to do - I stick to the free stuff mostly - but I have learned how to fold napkins into 4 different animals. There are usually crazy games at the pools in the afternoon. There's art auctions (you don't have to buy - but they're fun to go to). Most ships have a movie theatre (free) and free entertainment every night. Shopping while at sea is fun - but not cheap.

I'd recommend a cruise to anyone - but be aware that all the "extras" cost - stay away from them (and it's not hard to do, my only luxury is usually a spa treatment). The food is just as you hear - usually great, too much, and constant. Eating is the main cruise activity. From fruit buffets at the pool to chocolate buffets at midnight - you'll never stop eating.

I think every line has a different "take" on the soda cards - they all have some sort of "Disney-type mug thing".

I'm going to look now!! THANK YOU SO MUCH! You have really answered my questions and I'm going to look into Princess now, because I like the name Princess.

[Cosmicwaves]

Erin...check out Cruises, Cruise Reviews and Cruise Deals - Cruise Critic you will find more info than you will ever need.
I think for a 7 day cruise the "Fountain Fun Card" as Carnival calls it was $40 for adults...not sure how much for kids. It costs less for the shorter cruises. We did not buy the card...we just drank the iced tea and lemonade that is free at the buffets.
If you have any other Carnival specific questions...since I've only cruised Carnival...not intentionally...just got the best deals...let me know!

[llama]

Originally Posted by Erin

I'm going to look now!! THANK YOU SO MUCH! You have really answered my questions and I'm going to look into Princess now, because I like the name Princess.

Princess is a GREAT line - luxury, but still nice. We were on the Princess Sun a couple of cruises ago and it was wonderful.

[Erin]

I looked at Princess and it was kind of high-priced.

I registered at vacationstogo.com and I'm hoping they'll really be able to help me find everything I need.

Because I do have something else that may cause a problem.


We've never immunized our children. We do not immunize.

I wonder if our waiver will be sufficient or if we're going to have to get 8454357 shots to go.

[Erin]

Royal Carribean will only let us have 4 guests per reservation and we're NOT booking two rooms, I can tell ya that!

:frustrated smiley:

I think that's why people have travel agents, yes?

[Erin]

I'm checking out Norwegian. I like the website.