Best price you paid for your cruise
Jan 16th, 2006, 10:21 AM
#22
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As it's been already said before by other people here, avoid short 3-5 days cruises and old ships, and you will have fun. During my latest cruise on Conquest, I could hardly believe I was on Carnival during afternoon tea and evening shows - so much class! I also cruised with RC and Princess.
Jan 16th, 2006, 10:38 AM
#23
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Agree with Spur. We had a wonderful time on a 7 day Carib. cruise on the Destiny. Go longer ans w/ a newer ship and I think you will be fine. CCL may have started that way decades ago but it has changed alot! Read the professional reviews on Cruisecritic and the passenger ones as well. I'll bet it won't be your last cruise with them. Our ship was clean, had larger cabins, WONDERFUL food, good shows and all-in-all we have no 2nd thoughts about going with CCl again. 
Jan 16th, 2006, 11:36 AM
#24
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Huh? Why would you give this advice Spur "Book Carnival and don't listen to negative staff you may hear"
Personally, I've cruised Celebrity, Disney, RCCL, NCL and Carnival, and I would absolutely, positively never cruise Carnival again (I even have a generous future credit). I cruised on a brand new ship, but it was still tacky, loud, long lines and not worth it, even at lower prices.
BTW, best deal I ever got was the an RCL 7 day cruise to Bermuda from NYC for $578 (an inside but so what). It was a great cruise. I also paid $600 for an inside on the Celebrity Mercury.
You don't have to cruise Carnival if you're on a budget, and my recommendation is, avoid it, you can go on a great cruise for a great price if you are flexible and pay attention.
If you can cruise last minute or in off-season, there are great deals to be had, even on the better lines.
Personally, I've cruised Celebrity, Disney, RCCL, NCL and Carnival, and I would absolutely, positively never cruise Carnival again (I even have a generous future credit). I cruised on a brand new ship, but it was still tacky, loud, long lines and not worth it, even at lower prices.
BTW, best deal I ever got was the an RCL 7 day cruise to Bermuda from NYC for $578 (an inside but so what). It was a great cruise. I also paid $600 for an inside on the Celebrity Mercury.
You don't have to cruise Carnival if you're on a budget, and my recommendation is, avoid it, you can go on a great cruise for a great price if you are flexible and pay attention.
If you can cruise last minute or in off-season, there are great deals to be had, even on the better lines.
Jan 16th, 2006, 11:38 AM
#25
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I just want to add that my Carnival cruise was on the Glory in April of '05, so it was recent. I listened to people who said Carnival had changed, and all I can think is, I can only imagine how bad it would be on an older ship a few years ago if this was supposed to be an improvement.
Jan 16th, 2006, 11:48 AM
#27
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Which line? Personally I think Celebrity and Disney are the best quality, but usually Disney is WAAAYYY more expensive. The Disney ships are stunningly beautiful and you can't beat the customer service and quality of the shows, etc., but the food is better on Celebrity.
I don't know if it's an issue (it isn't for me), but Disney has no Casino, they use that space for their phenomenol kids facilities, which are second to none.
My kids literally cried when we had to disembark from our Disney cruise, it really is a fantasy trip.
I don't know if it's an issue (it isn't for me), but Disney has no Casino, they use that space for their phenomenol kids facilities, which are second to none.
My kids literally cried when we had to disembark from our Disney cruise, it really is a fantasy trip.
Jan 16th, 2006, 11:52 AM
#28
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Ziana, are you cruising with kids?
RCL has great kids programs and I've enjoyed both my cruises with them. If you don't want to break the bank with Disney, I'd book a radiance class RCL ship in a heartbeat, I'm not wild about the monstrous sized ships that hold 3,000 people.
Who's going and what ages, maybe I can help you out more. I've cruised with kids from 9 months to 16 years, so I have a bit of insight.
RCL has great kids programs and I've enjoyed both my cruises with them. If you don't want to break the bank with Disney, I'd book a radiance class RCL ship in a heartbeat, I'm not wild about the monstrous sized ships that hold 3,000 people.
Who's going and what ages, maybe I can help you out more. I've cruised with kids from 9 months to 16 years, so I have a bit of insight.
Jan 16th, 2006, 12:02 PM
#30
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Disney does seem expensive and my child is under 3 so he wouldn't use the child care programs (he's not well potty trained yet) and I think that's a requirement on Disney.
So for me I'm not married to disney line but I thought it would be easier but if he's not going to be in the actual disney programs, I would be just as happy on another ship that wouldn't mind a child on it. Obviously I wouldn't take a 3 year old on a older adult quiet atmosphere ship yet I don't want to be on the party boat either.
Oh man, there are so many choices...I just want the best experience, food, quaality for the best price. And I'm hoping this will be a fun, relaxing trip since it took me over a year to talk my husband into trying a cruise.
I'm open to all suggestions
So for me I'm not married to disney line but I thought it would be easier but if he's not going to be in the actual disney programs, I would be just as happy on another ship that wouldn't mind a child on it. Obviously I wouldn't take a 3 year old on a older adult quiet atmosphere ship yet I don't want to be on the party boat either.
Oh man, there are so many choices...I just want the best experience, food, quaality for the best price. And I'm hoping this will be a fun, relaxing trip since it took me over a year to talk my husband into trying a cruise.
I'm open to all suggestions
Jan 16th, 2006, 12:34 PM
#32
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Ok redshoe, if you had to convince your husband, you don't want to choose a cruise that might turn him off to cruising. Just something to think about.
I would seriously consider waiting until your child is three so he/she can make use of the kids programs, they really are wonderful and there aren't a whole lot of other options for entertainment for the toddler set. It's worth the wait, plus, you and your husband can enjoy dinners out if your child is in the kids program.
I would seriously consider waiting until your child is three so he/she can make use of the kids programs, they really are wonderful and there aren't a whole lot of other options for entertainment for the toddler set. It's worth the wait, plus, you and your husband can enjoy dinners out if your child is in the kids program.
Jan 16th, 2006, 02:00 PM
#33
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If I go in October he will be three by then. But oh boy, am I getting travel here in cold chicago! I can hardly stand it I've got to get my toes in the sand/ocean. But if I got a cruise booked---it would give me something to look forward to
Jan 16th, 2006, 02:52 PM
#34
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Sceneisle: Thank you. That's still awfully good. I just found out (too late) that a group cruise rate was available from cruisecritic for the date we are sailing and we could have saved around $250.00. Oh well.
That's still awfully good. I just found out (too late) that a group cruise rate was available from cruisecritic for the date we are sailing and we could have saved around $250.00. Oh well.
Jan 17th, 2006, 06:10 AM
#36
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Its one cabin, a BA category on the 7th deck with a balcony. Its actually forward facing so it should be nice. I posted a question or two on the discussion board on the cruisecritic web site about the cruise and one member there emailed me trying to found out if I was part of their group. Thats how I found out about group rates.
Jan 17th, 2006, 11:38 AM
#38
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Ziana: This is the way it works. The cruisecritic board buys a block of cabins which of course means they can get them for a reduced rate. That is then passed on to members there. I think all you have to do is sign up B4 all the cabins are gone. Its just like wholesaling (wholesailing 
). If you buy in bulk you save more. I did not buy a package of tickets but the cruisecritic board did and made the saving available.
). If you buy in bulk you save more. I did not buy a package of tickets but the cruisecritic board did and made the saving available.
Jan 17th, 2006, 02:00 PM
#40
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Check this out, look into "contacts" and good luck.
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