Need suggestions on cruise for my parents
Jun 8th, 2001, 06:08 AM
#1
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Need suggestions on cruise for my parents
I am looking into purchasing a cruise for my parents and since I have never been on a cruise I would like your opinions. They would leave out Florida (maybe fort Lauderdale?) and I think something short would be best for this first trip to see if they enjoy it. They don't drink and would not enjoy a cruise that is too formal that you have to dress for dinner. Looking for something that is reasonable in cost but I am not sure what that number is yet. any ideas?
Jun 9th, 2001, 01:42 AM
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<BR>Hi Debbie, <BR> <BR>Not knowing what your parent's lifestyle is, you have posted a tough question. <BR> <BR>I would choose Celebrity but they do not have short cruises so I believe the next best would be Royal Caribbean. <BR> <BR>But then again there is a heck of a lot of fun-loving seniors on Carnival. <BR> <BR>You will find a bunch of kids on both lines. <BR> <BR>If they have been to Disneyworld and love it, book them on the Disney ship. They have three and four day cruises and tons of stuff for adults only on the ship. Even on their private island there is the adults only beach. I found an even mix of adults with and without children. <BR> <BR>Paul
Jun 9th, 2001, 05:59 AM
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I know that carnival has the shorter trips but I am a little unsure if that is the right line for them unless they have ships specific to older people. I don't want to put them on something that they will be uncomfortable with the people around them although I am sure it is a mix of people. They are low key people that would enjoy Branson Missouri over a fabulous dinner in New York. I will check out Royal Caribbean.
Jun 9th, 2001, 07:44 AM
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You might check out Holland America. The average age on their ships is about 70 with very few children. They are very low key and do not push drinks or gambling. They have many ships from Ft. Lauderdale although I'm not sure they have cruises shorter than one week. While we have sailed with 5 other major lines, I have never seen more loyal cruisers. It seems the people on Holland will not go with anyone else. As for dressing for dinner, no line will accept jeans or shorts at dinner time. For a one week cruise there will probably be 2 dress up nights and your parents can skip them by eating at the buffet, where any type of clothing is allowed, except bathing suits.
Jun 11th, 2001, 08:47 AM
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Debbie, <BR> <BR>I think you should consider a travel agent's help. Maybe you have friend who has a good agent they could refer. <BR>Although I personally could have fun on a Carnival ship, I'd suggest Royal Caribbean, NCL, Princess, or Celebrity to start your research. Cruises for a week are usually a better value if you look at daily cost than the shorter 3 & 4 day itineraries.
Jun 11th, 2001, 02:35 PM
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Also FYI if your parents live in Florida, there is a free courtesy bus that most cruise lines use to pick up passengers from major cities in Fl. and transport them right to the pier. I used this service from Ft. Meyers to Miami last Jan. and was pleasantly surprised at the convienience, comfort and promptness of these luxury busses. (they even have movies to make the drive seem faster) You DO have to ask for the bus service and have them put their names on the manifest. They'll tell you where the pick-up place is (usually a local fast food lot), and at what time. It's a great leisurely way to get there. As for the ship, the Sovereign of the Seas (RCCL) is a beautiful ship with a short cruise out of Port Canaveral. good luck!
Jun 11th, 2001, 03:09 PM
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<BR>Debbie, <BR>Your parents sound like mine, altho their daughter is a world traveler who loves expensive dinners in NYC, they do not. Because a short cruise limits your options, I would like to suggest you look at RCCL or CCL. My parents liked Carnival the best as there is LOTS to do onboard. They want to be kept busy as they don't sit around a pool on "Sea" days. Also, the nicer the cruise the most affluent, well-traveled people will be the normal. Since my parents can't speak of the opera, travel to Europe and Asia, etc, it is most comfortable for them to be on a lower end line. Hope this helps.
Jun 12th, 2001, 09:53 AM
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We traveled on our first cruise last year. I'm 44, my husband's 33. My inlaws decided to go with us (their idea, not ours). But we all fell in love with Celebrity. We sailed on the Century from Fort Lauderdale. Once on the ship, we mostly met for dinner. Sometimes we saw our folks walking the deck while we were sunning and once we went on a shore excursion. <BR>They are very middle class working people (so are we) and they don't like to dress up either. On the dress up nights there was a vast array of styles. My father-in-law wore a suit and my mother-in-law and shimmery, knee-length polyester dress and they were both comfortable. <BR>I must say that Century is incredible! It is luxurious yet relaxed. There's a zillion activities from bingo to art auctions to shows to movies to basketball to swimming, etc. etc. <BR>We got a "last minute" special. We booked through Budgetcruising.com (Sheryl) about 60 days before sailing. We paid 575 each for an oceanview room on the Vista deck. That price included port and taxes. That was a steal but you can come close to that price if they are willing to sail in Sept./Oct. <BR>Write me if you want more details about the ship/cruise lines.
