Urgent... need advise to find last minute cruise '09 March Spring Break
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: May 2003
Posts: 658
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Urgent... need advise to find last minute cruise '09 March Spring Break
**I've posted this same question on the Cruise forum also, but thought I might get a faster response on the US forum.
We have decided (very last minute) we would like to take a cruise during spring break (group of 4 for early March.) Budget not a huge concern, just getting a reservation will be the problem. We are located in Texas, so leaving from Texas port makes most sense, but would consider others. We are thinking Mexico or Caribbean for 5/6 days. Where is the best place to even start looking for last minute deals for cruises? The little bit of research of I've done is so overwhelming. (I've only been on one other cruise and that was 10 years ago.) Are we crazy to even think this is possible? Any advise would be greatly appreciated.
We have decided (very last minute) we would like to take a cruise during spring break (group of 4 for early March.) Budget not a huge concern, just getting a reservation will be the problem. We are located in Texas, so leaving from Texas port makes most sense, but would consider others. We are thinking Mexico or Caribbean for 5/6 days. Where is the best place to even start looking for last minute deals for cruises? The little bit of research of I've done is so overwhelming. (I've only been on one other cruise and that was 10 years ago.) Are we crazy to even think this is possible? Any advise would be greatly appreciated.
#2
Join Date: Jun 2005
Posts: 4,039
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I just got back from a 4-night cruise out of Galveston on Carnival's MS Ecstasy. They have 4-night and 5-night cruises on this ship in early March (March 2, 7, 12). It was a great trip and we learned that this particular ship earned Carnival's highest award, the Crystal Eagle, for excellence in customer service in both 2006 and 2008. I can certainly see why because it's such a friendly ship.
A check of the Carnival website shows that all three sailings have cabins available, although it appears there are fewer available cabins for the March 7th sailing.
Royal Caribbean also sails out of Galveston, but their cruises are 7 nights.
A check of the Carnival website shows that all three sailings have cabins available, although it appears there are fewer available cabins for the March 7th sailing.
Royal Caribbean also sails out of Galveston, but their cruises are 7 nights.
#4
Join Date: Sep 2008
Posts: 223
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
katiekate-Just wanted to point out that most of the ships leaving from Texas are fairly old ships and have a limited itinerary! The Carnival Conquest is probably the newest at 6 yrs old and it's a 7 day! It travels to Cozumel, Jamaica and Grand Caymans! Awesome itinerary! If you can fly to Miami your options for destinations are endless! Last year we did the Carnival Triumph which stopped at an island in the Bahamas, St Thomas,
Puerto Rico and Grand Turk! We loved it! I would call Carnival directly! I recently saw a special on their website about free upgrades!
Happy Planning
Puerto Rico and Grand Turk! We loved it! I would call Carnival directly! I recently saw a special on their website about free upgrades!
Happy Planning
#5
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 12,885
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
#6
Join Date: Jun 2005
Posts: 4,039
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
We are members of USAA, so we just went through their affiliated travel agency which had booked tours for us in the past. You can always book directly with Carnival or there are a number of online cruise travel agencies. Perhaps you have a "cruise specialist" travel agency in your hometown that could help with the booking. (I went that route with my first cruise since I had a lot of questions.)
I might suggest you take a look at the Cruise Critic website. If you click on "Reviews" on the far right side of the toolbar and then "Ship Reviews" you can read reviews of any ship you like written by Cruise Critic editors. It should give you a lot of good information of what to expect on that particular ship. That's what sold me on the Carnival Ecstasy.
As tambennet mentioned, the Ecstasy is not a new ship, but it was recently refurbished and I thought it looked great. Plus, while it might not be the fanciest ship in the Carnival fleet, it is an award-winner for being the friendliest ship.
I might suggest you take a look at the Cruise Critic website. If you click on "Reviews" on the far right side of the toolbar and then "Ship Reviews" you can read reviews of any ship you like written by Cruise Critic editors. It should give you a lot of good information of what to expect on that particular ship. That's what sold me on the Carnival Ecstasy.
As tambennet mentioned, the Ecstasy is not a new ship, but it was recently refurbished and I thought it looked great. Plus, while it might not be the fanciest ship in the Carnival fleet, it is an award-winner for being the friendliest ship.
#7
Original Poster
Join Date: May 2003
Posts: 658
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I want to thank everyone for their suggestions and help. We have decided to not do a cruise at this time. Seems like dates/ship/availability/cost just weren't working out for us. Maybe another time with a little more lead time.
Thread
Original Poster
Forum
Replies
Last Post
SHHHHHHHH
Cruises
6
Feb 3rd, 2011 11:18 AM
katiekate
Cruises
13
Feb 19th, 2009 08:31 AM