Cruises

PharCyDe · Joined: 10 Apr 2004 Posts: 64 Location: Tennessee, USA

I have always wanted to take a cruise. Looking at all those commercials with the luxury cruise ships makes me think that would be one awesome vacation. Has anyone ever been on a nice cruise that they would recommend as the one to pick? How did you deal with the motion sickness, or did it bother you? I've never been on any kind of ocean boat, and am nervous that it would be me nauseous.
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- Ryan -

Laura · Joined: 16 May 2004 Posts: 446 Location: San Francisco

I've taken four cruises in my years:

Cunard Queen Elizabeth 2 from Southhampton, England, to New York
Princess Star Princess from Seward, Alaska, to Vancouver
Royal Caribbean Viking Serenade to Catalina Island, San Diego, and Ensenada Mexico
Celebrity Century to San Juan, St. Thomas, St. Martin, and Nassau

Of all of these, the best boat by far was the Celebrity Century. It costs more than the mass-market leaders (Carnival, Princess, Royal Caribbean) but it was worth every penny! The food was AMAZING (and I'm from San Francisco, a gourmet city if there ever was one), the boat was really pretty and EXTREMELY well kept, and everything related to the trip went smoothly. Cruises are great relaxing fun, I'd rather go on one than go to a beach resort.

As far as scenery goes, the Alaska trip was the best because we got to take the boat up into the fjords and see the glaciers close-up.

PharCyDe · Joined: 10 Apr 2004 Posts: 64 Location: Tennessee, USA

Thank you very much for the reply. I looked at a few of the cruises you suggested and I must say I am impressed. Looks sooooo fun and quite romantic. I think ill be going on one here soon Smile

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- Ryan -

Laura · Joined: 16 May 2004 Posts: 446 Location: San Francisco

One thing about cruises: the average age of the passengers varies greatly from cruise line to cruise line. If you're younger you're going to want to go on a boat with a younger demographic. Otherwise you'll be surrounded by people in their 60's-80's and will feel like you're spending a week with your grandparents and great aunts.

Booking your first cruise is the one time I'd suggest talking to a travel agent -- and especially one that specialises in cruises.

Some cruise lines good for younger people tend to be:
Carnival
Windjammer Barefoot Cruises
Royal Caribbean

It really does vary from cruise line to cruise line, and even from ship to ship, and even from itinerary to itinerary. Picking the right boat for you will make or break your trip. I love Celebrity, but then I'm a little older and am not a party hound anymore.

cocodrilo · Joined: 12 Apr 2004 Posts: 494 Location: Western Japan

I once took a Holland-America cruise to the Caribbean on the SS Volendam. It was a very pricey cruise, which explained why everyone was retirement age or over. I was with my mom, and that didn't stop us from having a good time. Expensive cruise means gourmet food, fabulous drinks, top-notch entertainment and all the other extras! Must mention that although there were no boys my age on the cruise, I did manage to hook up with some of the gorgeous Dutch boys in the crew, and some funky New Yorkers from the band, to party with after hours(there was a disco & casino on board!)... Wink

cocodrilo · Joined: 12 Apr 2004 Posts: 494 Location: Western Japan

Neglected to comment on seasickness. Yes, it can hit you when you least expect it. Dramamine will put you to sleep, but there are some patches(that are placed behind the ear) that I've heard are effective. These you get with a prescription from a doctor I have heard. There are also elastic wristbands which apply pressure to the shitasu(acupressure) point that prevents seasickness. Friend of mine said they work!

Zack · Joined: 21 Feb 2005 Posts: 15

I have been on one cruise, and it was the Disney Cruise. It was great. I didn't get sea sick at all, and the stop off locations were fantastic.

I am looking into a cruise that sails along the western coast of the U.S to New England and all of those places.

**EDIT**, I mean east coast, nice catch laura...lol.

Laura · Joined: 16 May 2004 Posts: 446 Location: San Francisco

Several cruise lines have cruises that leave from various points on the East Coast and go to either the Bahamas, the Eastern Caribbean, Bermuda, or New England and Canada. Some of the ones that leave from the north east make stops along the US East Coast as they head to the Caribbean.

On the West Coast, there are Alaska, Pacific Northwest, and California cruises, not to mention crossings from the mainland to Hawaii. There's also a few that go to Mexico that make some California stops along the way.

Laura · Joined: 16 May 2004 Posts: 446 Location: San Francisco

So I forgot to mention...my mom & I are taking another cruise in about a month. We took one last year and had a fantastic time, so we're trying to make this a yearly thing from now on. We'll be on Celebrity's Horizon for 8 nights, going from Tampa FL to San Juan. I'll let you know how it all works out! We're very excited...it's our yearly "girl time" get-together.