So I survived a cruise...

[Sammconn]

I may get long winded and off Topic a bit...CIEMR...

So I had a 'free' cruise that I chose to use.
It was with Norwegeian, if you get a letter from them about a free cruise it may well be. This is not how I came to have mine, but from a fellow that uses them regularly.

I hate people...like everyone...like badly.
Charles understands, and probably some others also.

So I was hesitant to do this to say the least.
But it was free...wait nothing is free right, well I believe that I could have got away with the port fees and gratuities on this one, so yeah that free.

So I did a bit of research to find that the beds in the rooms are not necessarily a queen, may be two singles...well this is not goona work.
I'll add our 20th anniversary is tomorrow, so if I was to do it I would do it.
I began to look at suites, and settled on a rear balcony penthouse suite.
Sounds expensive, not the case when I booked, about 700 bucks, I think the cost is space based.

Little did I know,this was the best move I made.

With that little upgrade, we ended up as VIP's, and to the real meaning of it.
Express check in, out on the side, no line ups, escorted around the rest of the mob style check in, with food and drinks etc to boot.
We then found out we also had access to one dining room for breakfast and lunches, so quite menu and no loud buffet.
Also gave us priority boarding and disembarking privlages at all the ports.

Some of the freebies that were also included at the time of booking were $50 excursion credit, specialty dining package, beverage package, and an Internet package.

Not sure on final cost yet, but I was quite happy with how his thing turned out.
The freebies were worth a fair chunk, and if anyone is thinking about a cruise, the beverage package is the big one. I'm not a big drinker, but enjoyed several a day, and maybe a good few one day. The package is $79 per person per day...all in room, all days, so not a cheap option. $1000 freebie give or take. And, we never had to buy a drink, or pay for one in the end, so it worked.
We had to add, well we didn't, three more dinners. It came with three, but in order to avoid buffet lines I added three more dinners. This made for six nights of a la carte dining with some seriously good eats.


I'm no expert.
This was my first cruise.
Likely not my last.
Only because I did this one right.

The last is from a couple we met that was on multiple cruises.
They didn't do it right once and didn't like that one.

[wrzem]

Really happy to hear your first cruise was a good one. I'm taking my parents on a cruise to the Panama Canal in a couple weeks and none of us has been on a cruise.

I too debated the beverage package, but in the end opted to add it. On Princess it was $58 a day.


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[Flyin6]

Great report and intel!

I'm stuck with taking a cruise. Kat turns 50 this year. She has vowed to take a cruise with all her friends. I was hoping to get lost in the shuffle! "Ah, honey, you forgot to book me? Wow. too bad, bummer. Well, I'll just suck it up and stay home."

My plan is not working out. I am hoping for a war or something where I get recalled and have to go away for a year or two to avoid it. I figure getting mortared and rocketed nightly is better than having to put up with the tons (and I mean TONS of Americans." And all that tonnage falling out of skimpy bathing suits...excuse me a moment...

OK, felt ill just then...

I went on our last on Carnival. It was awful. Mattress was lumpy. Pool stuffed with humanity. Gym was OK, because NO ONE was in there! Food was pretty good, right up to the point where I got food poisoned in Cozumel. The plumbing overflowed in our "Suite" and stank to high heaven for a day and a half, and well, you get the picture.

I vowed never again to get on a cruise ship unless I was fast-roping seals on deck and I got shot down there!

I'm not a fan...

[Bear9350]

My wife and I have discussed this in the past.  Luckily we are both on the same page.  We both agree the only cruise we would even consider is an Alaskan cruise.  I think the vantage point could allow you to see some nice sights.  Never really looked into it though.

[wyorunner]

Cruising.... an interesting idea and vacation. My wife and I have done 4, and our fifth is this year. For the most part they have all been very good. The thing is for us is that we have always gone on Disney. From our understanding they seem to be at the top for quality... of everything on board. The cleanliness, the food and the service.

The problem with Disney is just like ANYTHING that has their mark, they are some what more expensive.

Now, everyone is probably thinking Disney, wouldn't that be just for families with kids? Simple answer no not at all. Our first was before we had a kid and it was a hoot. They have a lot to cater to adults.

The one thing I like about Disney is no casinos. Which means less noise and generally less chaos.

The drinks like pop and coffee, are included in the overall price. Alcohol is of course not but there are beer and wine packages you can purchase.

Dollar for dollar, a cruise can be a cost effective vacation because of what is included. When you stop to add up room and food costs of a similar length trip, and quality of food you can easily spend more on the road than on a cruise.

One thing I recommend to everyone even considering going on one, is look into insurance, because if you have to get lifted off the cruise for any reason it can get very expensive very fast. This is especially important on cruises like a transatlantic or a Panama Canal cruise. It is unlikely anything will happen, but something could.

We ran a race on disney's island and at the end of it talked with a couple about a panama cruise, the weather was awful the whole time but the captain made up for the detour around the storm by pulling out all the frills on ship, to include free alcohol and significant character visits. On this cruise they mentioned someone had to be removed, and that's where they learned the importance of insurance which they passed on to us.

The other thing about insurance is it is about the only way you can get all your money back if you can't go on the cruise for some reason.

Do note, I am not an expert, just a man who loathes big crowds but finds ways to deal with them. And pays attention when vacationing.

Oh, and we're probably doing a 14 day Norwegian cruise and rail trip next year for our 10th.


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[BobbyB]

I'd like to take one of those Viking river cruises. But then again I'm partial the more scenery than water in a complete 360.

[TexasRedNeck]

I hate people...like everyone...like badly.
Charles understands,

Yes.  I hate people and especially crowds..

" And all that tonnage falling out of skimpy bathing suits...excuse me a moment...

OK, felt ill just then...

Reminds me of the first time in Mexico back in the early 90s.  Walked out to the pool and the belgians had taken over.  Large topless women with arms above their head lounging on chaise lounge and large furry patches under their arms.....

I'd like to take one of those Viking river cruises. But then again I'm partial the more scenery than water in a complete 360.

Ive heard good things but wifey no likey boats.

[BobbyB]

Ive heard good things but wifey no likey boats.

If I made the money, there's a 2 week river cruise that starts in Hungary and ends at the English Channel, if I'm remembering correctly. That would be relaxing, exploring all the rivers and the history.

[stlaser]

My wife and I have discussed this in the past.  Luckily we are both on the same page.  We both agree the only cruise we would even consider is an Alaskan cruise.  I think the vantage point could allow you to see some nice sights.  Never really looked into it though.

I agree, we've had family members on both side cruise Alaska & they would all do it again.