Request for tips from the experts, which line is for us...
Sep 9th, 2004, 12:02 PM
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Request for tips from the experts, which line is for us...
Greetings all, it has been a while since I have been to Fodors and my first time to this area, cruises. I am hoping that someone experienced in this area could assist in narrowing the search for us. My husband and I have traveled internationally, the Carib and extensively in the US, and now we are 'considering' taking a cruise in the Carib next Feb., but are clueless as to which line is for us. I have been searching this site and am finding it a bit overwhelming.
Perhaps if I give our stats, someone would be kind enough to give me an idea of a Top 3, that could be for us, a place to start.
We are 37 and 46, enjoy quiet and a peaceful surrounding. Early to rise, early to retire. My concern is the noise factor on a cruise. Budget is approx. $5000. give or take for both of us, including air. Could go higher if necessary. I don't even know if that is realistic for a nice cabin on a great cruise line. We are not drinkers/party people, prefer quiet evenings with a good bottle of wine. Is there a cruise for us? I hope I am giving all the necessary info.
Thank you to anyone who takes a moment to educate me! T.
Perhaps if I give our stats, someone would be kind enough to give me an idea of a Top 3, that could be for us, a place to start.
We are 37 and 46, enjoy quiet and a peaceful surrounding. Early to rise, early to retire. My concern is the noise factor on a cruise. Budget is approx. $5000. give or take for both of us, including air. Could go higher if necessary. I don't even know if that is realistic for a nice cabin on a great cruise line. We are not drinkers/party people, prefer quiet evenings with a good bottle of wine. Is there a cruise for us? I hope I am giving all the necessary info.
Thank you to anyone who takes a moment to educate me! T.
Sep 9th, 2004, 01:19 PM
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Hi Tiff
I have limited experience with cruses. Have been on 6 or 7 in the past 10 years. Going again this Xmas out of San Juan.
This isnt expert advice - just our experience. I can recommend two cruise lines - Royal Carribean and Radisson. Radisson is a little pricey - but seems to be in your range and seems to fit what you like to do. Royal Carribean is more reasonable - but still IMO very nice. We also avoid the party boats (read Carnival) in favor of more quiet living in a room with a balcony.
Also - and this is purely personal bias and I'm sure that there are many who would disagree with me -- I like the Eastern Carribean much better. VI and all the little islands down that chain around Puerto Rico. Have been to Cosumel and Cancun and the likes and it seems to me that all there is to do is to drink. Anyway -- I said that it is just my opinion. Hope some of this helps. Good Luck.
Shrink
I have limited experience with cruses. Have been on 6 or 7 in the past 10 years. Going again this Xmas out of San Juan.
This isnt expert advice - just our experience. I can recommend two cruise lines - Royal Carribean and Radisson. Radisson is a little pricey - but seems to be in your range and seems to fit what you like to do. Royal Carribean is more reasonable - but still IMO very nice. We also avoid the party boats (read Carnival) in favor of more quiet living in a room with a balcony.
Also - and this is purely personal bias and I'm sure that there are many who would disagree with me -- I like the Eastern Carribean much better. VI and all the little islands down that chain around Puerto Rico. Have been to Cosumel and Cancun and the likes and it seems to me that all there is to do is to drink. Anyway -- I said that it is just my opinion. Hope some of this helps. Good Luck.
Shrink
Sep 9th, 2004, 01:25 PM
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Hi Shrink,
Thanks for your response, we too, agree that the eastern carib is the area for us, good advice. I will now begin to research which ships, etc, pros and cons.
Thanks again! T.
Thanks for your response, we too, agree that the eastern carib is the area for us, good advice. I will now begin to research which ships, etc, pros and cons.
Thanks again! T.
Sep 9th, 2004, 02:00 PM
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I researched next Feb. very extensively beforing booking. My input is that there on tons and tons of choices and with that budget you could do a pricier and smaller ship than most cruisers.
The deal I ended up with for a 7 day western Caribbean with 4 ports and 2 at sea days, cabin with full balcony outside Caribe deck for two, including all air fares from Chicago to Ft. Lauderdale on Star Princess is still under $3000.
The deal I ended up with for a 7 day western Caribbean with 4 ports and 2 at sea days, cabin with full balcony outside Caribe deck for two, including all air fares from Chicago to Ft. Lauderdale on Star Princess is still under $3000.
Sep 9th, 2004, 05:52 PM
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Radisson would be good if the price is acceptable to you. Keep in mind tips and many others are included in the fare with Radisson, while most other ships are not. Next level would be Celebrity and Holland America. Again when comparing prices, don't forget to add tips, wines, charges for speciality restaurants, even water to HA & Celebrity prices.
Sep 10th, 2004, 06:41 AM
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Another vote for Radisson (www.rssc.com). They have many specials such as 2 for 1 pricing. We've cruised in the Caribbean on the Diamond...just great! With your likes, I think it would be perfect for you! If you email me, I can give you a couple more websites with lots of information.
[email protected]
[email protected]
Sep 10th, 2004, 06:50 AM
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Hi everyone, Thank you for your replies. I have just hung up with an area travel agency and their 'cruise specialist' for group rates and apparently the prices just go up and up the longer you wait to book. We may not know until December whether or not we will be going. We may be taking another warm weather trip with some friends, but they won't know until about time off, etc, and then we wouldn't want to go on the cruise in addition to that other trip. So perhaps a cruise won't be an option, we may need to go with something you only two months advance notice.
What is your opinion, did you book 6 months in advance? No last minute deal bookers ever (last minute meaning two months)????
How sad, oh well, it will work out. We always have Maui, hee.
What is your opinion, did you book 6 months in advance? No last minute deal bookers ever (last minute meaning two months)????
How sad, oh well, it will work out. We always have Maui, hee.
Sep 10th, 2004, 10:23 AM
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I would suggest booking early - you can always cancel... My husband and I have "statistics" very close to yours. I have sailed 13+ times. I would DEFINITELY recommend Radisson or Holland American and ABSOLUTELY try to get a cabin in the AFT or back of boat. That location is typically quietier and offers amazing views! Please write to me at my email address if I can be of any further help.
[email protected]
[email protected]
Sep 10th, 2004, 10:24 AM
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I pulled up the following on the Radisson website. There are LOTS of 2 for 1's (anywhere from 4 nights to 11 nights) in February. We have booked some last minute trips with great deals BUT we normally try to plan ahead if possible for best rates.
See the following:
http://www.rssc.com/voyage/search.do
You don't necessarily need to book months ahead. This can be more of a benefit for airline fares than cruise fares. Good Luck whatever you decide.
P.S. Should you decide to go with Radisson, use a TA's that truly specializes in Radisson and give better prices/perks than a typical Mass Marketed cruiseline TA.
See the following:
http://www.rssc.com/voyage/search.do
You don't necessarily need to book months ahead. This can be more of a benefit for airline fares than cruise fares. Good Luck whatever you decide.
P.S. Should you decide to go with Radisson, use a TA's that truly specializes in Radisson and give better prices/perks than a typical Mass Marketed cruiseline TA.
Sep 10th, 2004, 11:08 AM
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Thanks again... great ideas. Say petlover, how would one go about finding a TA that specializes in Radisson, just call around, or is there another resource that I can use. Thanks MWM1 for the "aft" of the ship idea, great idea I hadn't even thought of that!
Thanks again. I'll keep you posted, T.
Thanks again. I'll keep you posted, T.
Sep 10th, 2004, 11:27 AM
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Tiff, out of respect for Fodors since this is their sponsored board, I would prefer to give you several good websites in a private email where you can gather additional information. I don't want to violate any rules that Fodor may have. Please email me at: [email protected]
Sep 10th, 2004, 03:08 PM
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Hi Tiff,
I'm a travel Agent that specialises in Cruises. I'm not going to tell you what Agency I work for as I'm not trying to pitch you any kind of sales, just give you friendly advise.
Choosing a cruiseline can be overwhelming as I'm sure you know by now! Holland America is a more elegant cruiseline with a very relaxed pace on board, more of a being pamperd kind of line. Carnival is a very fast paced and louder kind of atmosphere. All of the other lines kind of fall in between. Celebrity is probably the most comparable to Holland America. (This info is based on the larger, more affordable cruiselines, as there are more top of the line cruises like Silver Sea and Seabourn which can cost a small fourtune!)I recommend that you visit each cruiselines sites to get a feel of what to expect as each line has it's own pluses and minuses
As far as the best time to book.... That can be tricky. I usually tell people that when you find something that you want at a price you're willing to pay, jump on it as prices can go up, down or sell out, it's imposible to predict. If you look early enough, it's good to book early as if the prices goes down before your final payment is due, you can cancel and re-book under the new lower rates as your deposit is (usualy) fully refundable until the balance is due. Once you commit yourself to paying the balance, you run into penalties for cancelling.
Also keep in mind that in the Caribbean in Febuary there will be alot of ships so there are some great deals out there but you'll find that when you go into a port there will be thousands of people from 2 - 5 ships all embarking or disembarking at the same time so ports can seem crowded.
I hope this helps you out a bit!
Jayson
I'm a travel Agent that specialises in Cruises. I'm not going to tell you what Agency I work for as I'm not trying to pitch you any kind of sales, just give you friendly advise.
Choosing a cruiseline can be overwhelming as I'm sure you know by now! Holland America is a more elegant cruiseline with a very relaxed pace on board, more of a being pamperd kind of line. Carnival is a very fast paced and louder kind of atmosphere. All of the other lines kind of fall in between. Celebrity is probably the most comparable to Holland America. (This info is based on the larger, more affordable cruiselines, as there are more top of the line cruises like Silver Sea and Seabourn which can cost a small fourtune!)I recommend that you visit each cruiselines sites to get a feel of what to expect as each line has it's own pluses and minuses
As far as the best time to book.... That can be tricky. I usually tell people that when you find something that you want at a price you're willing to pay, jump on it as prices can go up, down or sell out, it's imposible to predict. If you look early enough, it's good to book early as if the prices goes down before your final payment is due, you can cancel and re-book under the new lower rates as your deposit is (usualy) fully refundable until the balance is due. Once you commit yourself to paying the balance, you run into penalties for cancelling.
Also keep in mind that in the Caribbean in Febuary there will be alot of ships so there are some great deals out there but you'll find that when you go into a port there will be thousands of people from 2 - 5 ships all embarking or disembarking at the same time so ports can seem crowded.
I hope this helps you out a bit!
Jayson
