Let's say you've decided to take a cruise at a certain time. How do you choose that cruise?<BR><BR>Is the decision influenced most by the itinerary? Or by the name and amenities of a particular cruise line? Or by finding a real bargain on accomodations?

It's a combination of the cruiseline and price. There are certain ships I'm willing to sail, and then I look for a bargain on those ships. If I don't find one, we don't go. We only go with my mom, sister, me and our kids, husbands stay home, so a cruise isn't a splurge vacation for us.<BR><BR>So far we've managed to get some great cruises at discounts, Disney Magic, Celebrity Mercury, RCCL Grandeur and Nordic Empress to Bermuda (love the Bermuda cruise, but only smaller, older ships go there). I won't consider Carnival, it just doesn't seem like the right fit, and I haven't heard rave reviews on NCL either. I'd like to try Princess though, I've heard good things about it.

When we first started cruising-we didn't know one from the other. We went by price and when DH had vacation.<BR><BR>After being on about 6 lines and retired.We pick when we want to cruise and, still, price. Having been to most of the Caribbean,multiple times, the itinerary is not as important, the ship is the destination, the ports are extra.<BR><BR>We now like to cruise when it is not so hot, but I would not prefer to fly, so we have trips planned to the New England area,Hawaii, and NW Canada-Alaska) all without flying.<BR><BR>We are still on the young side of retired and still like HAL the best, because we do 10 days or longer and could not take a 'wild &amp; crazy&quot; atmosphere for that long.<BR><BR>Don't mind inside cabins but will book outside if the price is right.

Maryann, How do you cruise such far flung places as Alaska, New England and Hawaii without flying?<BR><BR>I thought it was only those people who lived in Florida who were lucky enough to cruise without flying!

Only two things: The ship and the likely passangers.

Maryann .. I like your phrase, &quot;We are still on the young side of retired...&quot;<BR><BR>Us, too and we're grateful to be able to do some fun things. Cruising is one of them!<BR><BR>We're on the mailing list for many cruise lines, consolidators, etc. We usually give them a quick scan when they come in the mail (in case of any tempting offers that are time-sensitive). <BR><BR>Frequently, something interesting comes up with a good rate on a cruise line we like. Itinerary is less important because we simply love cruising. While we'll often taxi/walk around ports, we don't take many tours. Either we've been there before, or just don't want bus rides and such. Truth be told, we like the sea days best! <BR><BR>So, the answer for us is: combination of cruise line and price (price meaning that we consider it a &quot;good value&quot;, whether its an Inside or a Suite).

Lew, So how do you explain your preference for HAL AND Carnival then? Seems to me the passengers would be polar opposites..

Have in all my eighteen years of cruising gone by itinerary and have never been to St. Maartin, Nassau or Bahamas among other cruise ports, but did at the beginning go to the San Blas Islands. Nina..for your information NCL has the Majesty in Boston where it's been based for I believe this wll be the 11th year and it's the most rebooked ship they have because of the destination of Bermuda. As you may know the ship was stretched and is still usually full going out. This is one shiip that if your particular where your cabin or deck is you do not hesitte to book in January or before. Because of itinerary we are doing the NCL Sea from NYC because it is doing all three docks in Bermuda.. Having spoken personally to one of the &quot;movers and shakers&quot; of Bermuda I am surprised they are allowing a large Carnival ship in. They were quite distressed when the Majesty was stretched. There are/were strict regulations as to how many people can be on a ship etc. etc. in Bermuda so that it doesn't strain their resources and cruise ships MUST leave if there is a threat of a storm. Seeing the thousands of people disembarking in Hamilton is pretty scary lol. I am a BOP..Bermuda Obsessed Person and pretty darn proud of it..

I love Bermuda too, 4 times on land, 1 by sea on the Nordic Empress. I do see that there are more ships going this year which is good and bad, good becase more competition will bring prices down, and bad because I don't want the island to be spoiled by too many cruise ships! Cruising is still the least expensive way to see my tied for first place island (with Nantucket).

Really surprised Princess pull out of Bermuda and I too am surprised at the number of ships going in considering the feelings and opinions of &quot;one of the movers and shakers&quot;..but I really wanted to dock in the Dockyard and Hamilton for one day and with the new NCL on-shore dining program it's going to make an interesting trip..Heard that the RC Serenade of the Seas is being chartered to go out of Boston for a 3 and 4 day cruise to Canada...haven't read the itinerary yet...or the prices.. this is in mid-August and only available I understand through Vacation Outlet--I love some of the Canadian cities like St. John and Halifax.

Nina--my preference is for HAL and Cunard, most definately not Carnival. <BR><BR>The Carnival cruises I have been on were for either an inaugural or the itenerary...4 out of over 30 cruises does not make a fan. Each time I have been disappointed.<BR><BR>

Nina,<BR><BR>We like to drive and combine it with Amtrak.<BR><BR>By the way, we live in south Florida,so,many Caribbean cruises.<BR><BR>In August, we are taking the train to Tucson,AZ,picking up a rental car-going to Grand Canyon,Las Vegas,Lake Tahoe, Idaho, Banff/Jasper NP in Canada,then Vancouver-drop off the car,Take ship to Alaska,tnen the repositioning back to Ft. Lauderdale. Sure it sounds (and is) a long trip, we take our time and enjoy so many places along the way.<BR><BR>We are fortunate that we can (and that my hubby likes it,too)

Maryann --- what a neat trip!

Lew, Oh, thought it was odd that someone would cruise HAL and Carnival.<BR><BR>Maryann, We leave this Friday for Arizona and Grand Canyon, can't wait, we only have a week though, my husband isn't retired. Someday.

Hi,<BR><BR>Unfortunately we ars not yet retired so we don't have the luxury of Maryann. <BR><BR>But I choose my cruise based on embarkation city. The reason for this is, like Maryann, we don't like to fly. I live in Wisconsin so we take the Amtrak to New Orleans and get the ship from there. It warks out really well for us. Florida is out of the question as that is a 2 day train trip from home. I know it seems strange to most people, but we really love train travel.<BR><BR>

to Hawaii-Amtrak to San Diego-then 14 day r/t to Hawaii and either a repo. to Ft. Laud or Canaveral.<BR><BR>New England-Amtrak again - then ship -either repo. again or rental car home ( to stop along the way) it can be done without flying most places (but you need the time). You can even get 25% off with a HAL/Amtrak pkg.(on the train portion).<BR><BR>Now I have to figure we would need at least a one-way flight to Europe (eeks) and can back-to-back home (aah).

&quot;Lew, Oh, thought it was odd that someone would cruise HAL and Carnival&quot;<BR><BR>Nina...only once did I choose to sail Carnival, and that was the Baltic inaugural sailing of the Legend last summer. That was for the ports.<BR><BR>Once I tagged along as my late wife was obtaining a CEU for her certification.<BR><BR>Twice I was paid to speak at on-board siminars, so the price was right.<BR><BR>Should have mentioned that before.<BR><BR>

Maryann and ktyson,<BR>I do not like to fly either but I must and I do. Many years ago I took a Fear of Flying class with US Airways which helped but also through talking to others like me, I discovered Ativan. It has saved me. I know a lot of people don't like to take medication but I wanted to mention it since you mentioned Europe. I have been able to do the done thing I never, ever thought I could do, fly in commuter planes.

Shon- Is Ativan a tranquilizer? or just completely knocks you out? When I worked in the Bahamas, I flew at least 3 x a month, until a bad experience on an 8 seater commuter plane. now, if there is an alternate to flying, I'll choose it.<BR><BR>Nina- one thing I was sorry we did not do at the Grand Canyon-is stay in their Lodge so we could see it all times of the day. As the sun travels it gives it all new vistas.<BR>Hope you get a chance to do it. Have fun!

Shon, A lot of great info for those that are actually afraid of flying. I'm not afraid, I just don't like it. So when there is an alternative I take it. I know it takes a lot more time then flying, but Amtrak is great. I've met quite a few really interesting people on the train.<BR>