Hi, I was thinking about going on a cruise to the Caribbeans this summer with several friends. I was wondering if someone with experience with these trips can shed some light on what to expect. Any recommendations on cruise ships?
Before you think cruise line, think destination. If you want the eastern Caribbean, you're probably looking at a cruise that leaves from Florida, which means airfare. Western Caribbean might mean leaving from Galveston. Once you've decided on destination, then consider cruise line: Carnival is the cheapest, but it's basically a booze cruise that attracts a party crowd. If that's you, sign up. Carnival generally attracts a relatively lower-income clientele compared to other lines, which means the ships aren't usually quite as elegant, the food isn't quite as good, etc. Still good, just at the lower end of the spectrum. At the other end of the spectrum, you have lines like Crystal and, to a lesser extent, Celebrity. Luxury, luxury, luxury! And pricey, pricey, pricey! A lot less partying, usually an older crowd. I lean towards the middle lines: Princess, Royal Caribbean, Norwegian. I've been on Carnival, Princess, and RC, and the best balance of fun, quality food, quality destinations, quality service, quality ships etc. was Princess. For our honeymoon 10 years ago, we took the Golden Princess, which (at the time) was the Princess flagship, and it was absolutely perfect. Bear in mind, of course, that my last cruise was a decade ago.
I can vouch for NCL, always had an excellent time (I recommend Roatan, Honduras as a more unique destination). Not too sure about the newer (to me) "freestyle cruises". Has to do with the way you eat at the restaurants I guess. IMO, you shouldn't waste money on the room, you won't be spending too much time in there anyway. Instead of a window and a small bathtub along with your little shower on the upper deck, you could have maybe $500 more money to sign away if you go with a lower deck, no window. That's another thing, I think most cruises still have you sign for everything and bill you at the end of the cruise.
I've been only on Carnvial, been on 2 of them in September '09 and August '10 My '09 trip I went to the 7 Day trip (Sun-Sun) on Carnival Conquest to the Western Caribbean, going to Jamaica, Caymen Islands, and Cozumel. Had a great time doing the Dunn's River in Jamaica, swam with the stingrays and visited a Turtle farm in Cayman Islands, then went scuba diving in Cozumel. My trip last year was on 5 day trip (Sat - Thurs) on Carnival Ecstacy to Progresso, Yucatan Mexico and back to Cozumel. Visted the Mayans in Progresso, and just chilled in a resort beach in Cozumel. Carnival is the cheapest and more college crowd orientated but still have the families and elders on the cruise line. You can also pack your own alcohol and bring your own can drinks to the ship which I hear you can't on Royal Caribbean. One thing I'd suggest, is do your research. My sister went through Cruisecritic.com on getting information on excursions. The excursions they offer on the island not through Carnival are cheaper, just got to do your research and reviews from others to make sure you trust them. 7 Day trip seemed pretty long, but technically its 6 days cause you leave that day after 4pm and get back like 6am. I think 5 days is just right, but if its your first, go all out and do a 7 day trip.
Of all the cruises I've been on, I'd rate the lines like this: 1) Royal Caribbean - All around best line, IMO. Solid food, fun cruise-mates, great facilities. 2) Norwegian - Excellent food, great facilities. 3) Carnival - Fun people, average to above average food and facilities. 4) Disney - I was 12 when I took this so I remember it being tons of fun, but obviously it's not for everyone. Disney's food is comparable to Norwegian's. 5) Princess - Great for an older crowd, not so great for teens and 20-somethings. The people you cruise with and the ship amenities/facilities are all dependent upon the time of year and destinations you travel to, so be forewarned. I found both of my Princess to be the most boring, by far. If I wasn't there on huge family reunions, I probably would've hated it.
I disagree with people who say that Carnival is a booze cruise. I have been on 3 Carnival cruises and the crowd ranges from young to elderly and we never experienced any problems with drunk people or crazies. It also depends on when you go on a cruise. I would not recommend going during spring break. I have been on Carnival, Royal Caribbean, and NCL before. When we pick a cruise I start off with the port that I want to leave from. I really don't want to pay for airfare so we look at Galveston first. We always go on a 7 day cruise - seem like the best value for your money - cost nearly the same as a 5 day cruise and you go to more destinations. For example - we are going on a 7 day cruise on NCL from New Orleans this summer and it goes to 4 ports in Western Caribbean. Your choices from Galveston are Carnival and Royal Caribbean. They alternate between western and eastern Caribbean. Western usually means Mexico/Honduras/Belize Eastern usually goes to the Bahamas Like Dave mentioned, I also recommend that you check out Cruisecritic. Check out their forum at http://boards.cruisecritic.com and read what others are saying about the cruises they took, lines, destinations, etc...
Take one of the 5-day Western Carribean cruises out of Galveston. It's pretty cheap and it's a great vacation. We're lucky to have a good cruise port so close to town. I would recommend Royal Caribbean over Carnival, but I think the booze cruise aspect is less bad on the longer cruises, so if you do a 5 day cruise it won't be so bad.
Cruises are a bunch of obese people lined up like cows for the slaughter to gorge on mediocre buffet food. The spaces are cramped and uncomfortable, there are hand sanitizers everywhere because the crowded conditions lead to the exchange of all manner of diseases. It's a chore to get off the boat and get to the destinations, leaving you just enough time to buy the crap from tourist vendors. But have fun! (pick a place and just go there)
<iframe title="YouTube video player" width="480" height="390" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/deX7R9RbmX0" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe> FYI - Most cruises end up like this -- the ship was leaving Galveston Bay ship channel when it hit rough water.
WTH?? Really? You are saying that most cruise ships end up tipping over like that? I can't tell if you are kidding or not. Also, that ship was Olympia Voyager - no where close to Galveston Bay - the incident happened in Greece (2001 or 2002). Things like this are very rare considering how many ships there are and how many times they travel weekly.
Sounds like you have never been on a cruise. Bunch of obese people? No more than you would see anywhere else here on land. Spaces are cramped? Have you ever been on a real cruise ship...fishing boats do not count. All the ships I have been on have plenty of space - actually way more than enough - there is always something to do and there is always empty spots if you want to get away from people. Hand sanitizers? Again - no different than on land - except cruise lines have to take more precaution because if you get sick on board there is no where to go and you can infect others but it has nothing to do with over crowding. Chore to get off the boat? Again..have you ever been on a cruise? Getting off the boat does not take more than about 5 - 10 minutes - same thing as getting back on.
I work in the industry. Newer ships leave from FL. Galveston ships are usually the slightly dated ships. Bear in mind if leaving from Texas it will take longer time to get down to the caribbean. If you can get to San Juan for example, then you might get more stops and more ports vs. more days at sea. Of course air to San Juan can be a major expense. so you need to decide whether you want days at sea vs many ports, newer ship vs. convenience of port like Galveston, party scene vs. laid back. Are you willing to throw down and spend the money or are you a cheap b*stard? group pricing usually starts at 8 cabins (16 passengers) There definitely levels of service and they can range. Remember you get what you pay for. The pricing can range big time too. Spring Break , and the obvious xmas , new years will be more expensive. You may want to look at the themed option since there are singles cruises, church groups,star trek cruises etc.They even have swingers cruises where they rent out rooms and you can bang someones wife. If you do want to party you need to remember when it is and what it is. Don't go on Holland America and not expect to see old people, and dont go on Disney and not expect to see baby crap. It's part of the deal.
I went on a Carnival cruise last september. 5 days to Progresso and Cozumel. It was really fun and every time of the day they have something going on that you would enjoy. They had comedians, and other shows that were all cool to go to. I would recommend doing an excursion on one of the islands you go to because they are really fun. We went snorkleing in cozumel and the water was amazing, then they brought us to a private island and got to do what we wanted and served us free margaritas and beer. One night at 10pm they themed the main deck for mexico and served mexican food and at midnight there was atleast 300 grown men and women doing the macarana. All in all it was the coolest thing i've ever experienced. Progresso sucked BTW.
Galveston will be getting the newest Carnival ship later this year - Magic. Last I heard its doing sea trials right now. Also, Royal Caribbean is moving Mariner of the Seas (2003) to Galveston to replace Voyager of the Seas (1999). Also, Princess just announced that they are bringing back to Galveston. Ship was built in 2006 and carries over 3000 passengers. So Galveston is getting better with these ship upgrades.
