Of the newer ships, can anyone tell me which ones would be the best to do the Carribean run on? Also, are the ports better in the Eastern or Western?<BR>Thanks.

Tell us about you.<BR><BR>What is your age group, what would you like to do on a cruise (relax or be busy all the time), do you like to snorkel or scuba dive, are you bringing children or do you want a cruise with very few children, do you like Mexico, etc. .? Also, what month are you looking at cruising?<BR><BR>If you provide some info about yourself we can better advise you.<BR><BR>There are some great ships out there!

There will be 4 of us in our late 40's to early 50's. Not much into water sports. Like to sightsee and shop.<BR>Shows and lounges at night.<BR>We are probably going to go in June of 2003 since I am off during that month.<BR>Don't think we really have a preference on where the ship is going right now.<BR>I am new at this so please bear with me.<BR>This will be for our 30th anniversary.

<BR>Hi Cathie,<BR><BR>Best to visit a travel agency (do not talk to anyone yet). Take home a half dozen brochures and study the ships. Most tell you the year built and how large they are. Take a look at the itineraries. See what the passengers do on the ship. When you narrow your choice down to about three or four ships then talk to a travel agent about each one and have the agent get you shore tour info.<BR><BR>You have plenty of time to plan.<BR><BR>Good luck,<BR><BR>Paul

Paul is always pushing TA's as THE source of information on cruising. There are two other alternatives - one, go to the major cruise line websites and get the same information on the ships, itineraries, etc. (RCCL, Princess, Celebrity, Carnival, Holland America and Norwegian). Or, two - go to more chat rooms/message boards and read what previous passengers have to say about the different ships and itineraries - www.cruisecritic.com is a very good site.

Cathie --<BR><BR>If you are in to shopping, and Eastern Carr. itinerary might be a good choice. The Western Carr. itinereries tend to focus on beaches, snorkeling, diving, etc. Why not Southern....have the best of both worlds!!!<BR><BR>

Thanks for all your help and suggestions. I will check out some brochures and also check online.<BR>I am going to check out that website, also.<BR>Thanks for the info on the shopping with the eastern cruise. That one sounds maybe more to our liking.<BR>I do like to tour different areas as well as shop. So I will see what off ship excursions they might have.<BR><BR>

I'd have to agree w/Paul if he, in fact, is pushing travel agents. I will use a travel agent whenever I will be putting down a lot of money for a cruise.

June is a tough month to do the Caribbean because many of the ships go to Alaska and Europe.<BR><BR>Eastern or Southern is the best for shopping!<BR><BR>I think the Explorer of the Seas may be a good choice - and to my knowledge, will be in the Caribbean next summer. I can't see if RCCL has released their summer schedule for next year yet.<BR><BR>I would recommend Golden that normally does Eastern but that ship will be in Europe in June.<BR><BR>The Zuiderman from HAL is coming out this December and has a great Eastern Itiniary. I think most people on this ship will be a little older then you but it is worth considering.<BR><BR>Good luck!<BR><BR>

Yes, Paul always pushes travel agents because he is one. My guess is that you still hand write checks, take your paycheck to the bank for deposit, use a stock broker for your investments and go to the library for travel research. Join the twenty first century and use the computer you obviously have to its fullest extent. Travel agents are going down the same path as stock brokers and bank tellers!

Gee, then why is there always a long line at my bank?<BR>Why is my agency doing better this year than last?<BR>I book 99% of the Travel I sell on the Internet. <BR>Clients are just amazed when I give them the info with them on the phone without ever having to check and call them back.<BR>Not all agents are dinasors. I read so much misinformation on these Forums. I cannot understand why you people trust a stranger on a Website, but not a Professional.<BR>I know there are many pseudo agents out there, but there are also Professionals why not find one.<BR>

To: A Professional Agent<BR><BR>There's a long line at your bank because they laid off half the tellers.<BR><BR>I can't imagine why your agency's business is up with more and more travelers booking their own air, hotels and rental cars on line than ever before BY MULTIPLES OF TEN!!!!<BR><BR>If you were able to get the statistics from the cruise lines, you'd find that their website bookings are up by shocking numbers. All the information you'd ever want to know about cruising is on message boards like this one or elsewhere on the net. If you can't see that, take off your blinders.

This post was not meant for you all to bicker back and forth on rather you should use a TA or computer. I am truly sorry if my question started something here....I was just asking for some input..and yes, I do have great access to a computer and I did say that I would check out the internet as well as look over some brochures. I did check out www.cruisecritic and it is a great website and I thank you for giving it to me.<BR>I do hand write checks, but I have direct deposit and a 401K..sorry, don't go to the library either...I am partially in the 21st century. I planned my daughters trip to Ireland totally over the internet, aside from tickets that a TA got at an unbelievable rate.<BR>Sometimes it is nice to just be able to talk to a human being once in a while, though.

Cathie<BR><BR>You go girl...don't let these morons intimidate you. I am very computer saavy and still use my travel agent to do the actual booking. It's called loyalty and friendship and several other things that these guys with a penis the size of a small pickle wouldn't understand. I'm talking about you Little Peter ( maybe a Freudian slip that he picked that name - what do you think! ). I'm you age and we love RCCL and the southern Caribbean would be lovely for you and your friends. Have fun....

<BR>I wonder what is wrong with this Peter guy? He turns every thread into a slug fest. <BR><BR>We know he like to do things on his own and hates travel agents but OK why repeat and repeat and repeat?<BR><BR>Enough already.<BR><BR>Paul

Jeannie - lets be honest here. You have never used the internet (bypassed your loyal friend the travel agent) to book an airline ticket? a hotel room? a rental car? If you answer "no" to those three examples you either are not computer saavy or you are a liar.<BR><BR>And Paul - I only repeat and repeat because you repeat and repeat about checking with these beloved travel agents for help on simple things like how many formal nights on a cruise. And just to "repeat" - travel agents are like carbon paper, secretaries and bank tellers - a dying breed.

I do agree that there will be a continued momentum toward the use of the internet to book one's own travel. In marketing terms, there are Early Adoptors...but there are also folks termed Laggards (these are actual marketing terms...not anything I've made up....I promise.) There will always be a portion of the population that simply will not adopt a product, or in this case, a technology. I believe that the travel agent's job is safe for now....

If you want to cruise in June, GO TO BERMUDA. It's not the Caribbean, but it's the nicest, cleanest and safest island you can go to. Bermuda offers the nicest beaches as well as sightseeing and shopping. I would choose a cruise that docks 2 nights in Hamilton and one night in St. George. Celebrity and Royal Caribbean have ships leaving from NYC. Other lines leave from Boston to Bermuda. In any event, check prices on line and then book through their 800# so that you have someone to talk to. We have been pleased with the prices and services of Cruise Value Center, which is located in New Jersey.

Thanks to all who actually stayed with the travel question and gave me some info to go with. I will check out everyone's suggestions.<BR>Thank you all again.

<BR>Don't end this thread now. Not while Peter is picking on someone else beside me.<BR><BR>Paul