Trying to plan my first cruise

HELP!!

I don't even know where to start. Looking for a week to the Carribbean. I am looking to stay on the inexpensive side, but want good food and good entertainment.

Depart from NY or another city?

Is a balcony really that much better then ocean view?

Which destinations are the best? We've been to DR and Aruba (would love to make a stop at Aruba again though, if possible)

What is a realistic budget? Can I get away with under $2000?

How much to budget for costs on the boat?

THANKS!!

Re: Trying to plan my first cruise

I think the cruise cost will largely depend on how long of a cruise you are looking to take.

Re: Trying to plan my first cruise

I was looking into a 7 day cruise

Re: Trying to plan my first cruise

It really depends on time of year, room type and cruise line.

If you go during the summer, or holiday weeks it is going to be more expensive. Xmas week is usually 50% or more than the week before. We try to go during the school year for both the lower prices and ratio of adults to kids. We try to go in late May/early June or late October/November. Caribbean, Bermuda still have good temps then and school is still in session and therefore prices are lower.

As for room type, you can go very minimal to butler. We've had all ranges from insides to suites. Unless it's a special itinerary (Alaska, Panama Canal) we stick with insides. You can get a 7 day inside for 500 a person. Meanwhile, a balcony will run you 1K a person. Personally, I'd rather have 2 weeks of vacation in an inside instead of 1 week in a balcony. We are never in the room enough to make that balcony worthwhile. We woudl probably have breakfast from room service on the balcony, but that would be it. To us it is not worth it. Balcony in the caribbean is ho-hum for me; 'hey look, more sand!' where balcony in Alaska was amazing where you are cruising next to glaciers and forests with wildlife. Even within your room type, depending on location of that room you also will pay different rates. If you get a room on a lower deck, or very far forward (front) or aft (back) you pay less. Midship on a high deck usually pays the most, this is where the suites are located. We try to get a room 2 levels down from the pool. You dont want a room under the pool or you will hear them moving the chairs in the early AM. 2 flights of stairs to the pool/food/activities is bearable. Being on deck 3 when the pool is on 11, isn't very convenient.


I would recommend Royal for a first timer. Nice mix of activities, good service, good food.

ETA: Ship age also has a lot to do with price. A brand new ship (Oasis, Allure, Epic) will cost more than a ship that has been into service for a few years. That's not to say that the ship that is older is worn down, they keep them in tip top shape, but they might not have all the 'amenities' of a newer ship. I think our favorite ship so far was Liberty of the Seas.

As to your departure port, if you want the caribbean you're better off going out of Florida if you can swing it. They have 3 ports there, and its a 'quick trip' to the islands. You'll see more land ports if you leave out of FL instead of leaving NY. There are so many ports and so many ships in florda that prices are much lower than a cruise out of NY where all those items are limited. Right now I'm on a medical 'no fly list' so we leave out of NY - but if I could fly I would leave out of Florida.

Message edited 6/29/2011 1:40:41 PM.

Re: Trying to plan my first cruise

I think a trip from Florida would be your best bet..n I really prefer royal Caribbean..but you can def do 7 days for under 2 grand

Re: Trying to plan my first cruise

Royal Caribbean is awesome, I just went on my first cruise a few months ago. We did a 5 day/4 nighter to Mexico. Inside state room. We left out of FL because if you leave out of NY or NJ you spent a day or 2 on the boat just to get down there (so you would really be losing 2 days of possible port stops).

The whole trip cost us maybe $ 800-$1,00 between the 2 of us which included airfare (booked via Expedia) and on board drinks/excursions.etc. We also got a $ 100 or $150 on board credit because we got a deal through BJ's Travel.

Balcony rooms are cool but in my opinion, not really worth it for cruises of 7 days or less length. You won't be spending that much time in the room anyway!


Oh and don't forget to read up the reviews about all types of Cruises over on the Cruise Critic message boards:

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/

Message edited 6/29/2011 2:25:03 PM.

Re: Trying to plan my first cruise

Great advice!

Re: Trying to plan my first cruise

For the Caribbean, if you leave form NY, you will have a lot of days at sea.

Both times I went (7 days, Adventure of Seas), I left from San Juan, which I reccomend, but you can probably find cheaper airfaire to Florida, so weigh your options.

For me, a balcony is definitely worth it--I had never been to the Caribbean or on a cruise before, so I wanted to soak it in as much as possible the first time, and then I loved it too much to go without the 2nd time! I would chose a balcony over being closer to the pool. I liek to wlak the ship & take the stairs anyway. It is personal preference.

Royal Carribean is a great first cruise line. Carnival might be less expensive though. It has a rep as a "party boat". I've never been, but there tend to be a lot of larger goups travelling together because it is convienent & affordable.

As for itinerary, see what is available & then go from there--people here can answer about specific islands. I like the southern & eastern Carribean itinereraries usually.

Cruise Critic is great, but there is a LOT of info there, from people that cruise multiple times a year--it can be overwhelming.

What time are you looking to go?

Message edited 6/29/2011 5:43:40 PM.

Re: Trying to plan my first cruise

Looking to go next March, April or May. Def not during spring break or any holidays

Re: Trying to plan my first cruise

Check out cruisecritic.com - it is a very helpful site - it breaks it down by line and you can do some research over there. I can tell you that most of them have beverage threads.

How much you spend really depends on the individual. Do you drink a lot? Not drink at all? Want to do a lot of excursions? Gamble a lot?

I think almost all the lines have some sort of drink packages - depending on what you want it is or is not worth it. Most of the boards on cruisecritic I think have lists of what the drinks cost.

As far as other charges - it really depends on the line - some have a lot of specialty restaurants - which have surcharges - so it depends on whether you plan to eat in those or in the main dining room.

Additionally - if you plan to use the spa a lot or gamble that could run up your bill. Or if you plan to do a lot of excursions that too can add up.

But if you are someone who will drink mostly water, coffee, tea and lemonade (those are some of the drinks that can be free on many lines) and plan to spend the day by the pool or do your own touring, don't shop etc, then you can get off with a next to nothing bill.

Also remember tipping - you can find the amounts either on the cruise sites or on cruisecritic to put into your budget.

As far as a room - Honestly - do you think you will want to spend a lot of time relaxing in your room? I personally like to have a balcony - b.c I will bring a drink back to the room and sit out there for some of the sail aways. It is nice to be able to have breakfast on your balcony or other meals if you want some quiet time. It is also nice to sit out there when you want some quiet time. Now having said that - I have had outside rooms (never been in an inside though) and they are just as great. You don't NEED the balcony it is a great perk but you can definitely have just as great of a time without one if it isn't in your budget. When I had an outside cabin I just went up on deck to the deck parties for sail away. Which is just as much if not more fun. So it really is a personal preference and what you personally want to get out of the cruise.

As far as pricing - check out cruisecompete.com and bestpricecruises.com - they have pretty good prices - the 1st one you put in what you want and different companies will send you quotes. Make sure you shop around. Leaving from NY can be more expensive but you don't have to fly so it can work out - you have to kind of price out a bunch of lines and cruises - you can do it at that price BUT it depends on the cruise line, the week you are looking to go, the destinations and the category room you choose. So I would play around and see.