I was shopping around for some cruises for my wife and I, and I noticed that Carnival sails out of Galveston.....which is convenient. Have any of you taken cruises on Carnival, or any other cruise line, out of Galveston? If so, how long, what ports did you visit, and what was your experience like? Sure, I can read reviews on Hotwire, TripAdvisor or a similar site, but I figured you all would shoot straight. Gimme the scooooooop....
I was thinking about taking a cruise later this year but all I have been hearing about is people getting sick on these voyages.
I 2005 I went on a Royal Caribbean cruise that stopped in Jamaica, Cozumel, and the Grand Caymans. The entertainment and food were awesome on the ship, and the service we received was amazing. Highlights at the stops were Dunn's River Falls in Ocho Rios, Jamaica (climbing a waterfall, so ridiculously fun), swimming with the manna-rays in the Caymans, and lying on the beach in Cozumel. I believe it was a 7 day cruise. If I ever go on another cruise it will be Royal Caribbean in a heartbeat.
When I was at St. Johns enjoying a relaxing day at the beach bus loads of obnoxious cruise ship tourists showed up just about forced us to leave. Luckily a sympathetic taxi driver took us to a kind of secret, secluded beach. I would never get on one of those ships.
it seems like at least 1/3 of the people i talk to have some miserable experience. i have no interest in a cruise.
We went on a cruise and while it wasn't terrible, it wasn't the bestest thing we ever did. I think that a cruise can be a ton of fun if you go with a group of people but going by yourself if kind of boring. Also, everyone raves about the food and we didn't see it. Perhaps we are just food snobs, which we are, but the food was less than specatular. There is a ton of it which is great I guess but the quality is not what I expected. I still think we would do it again but it would have to be with friends.
I went on a 7 day cruise on the Carnival Conquest cruise ship out of Galveston to Jamaica, Grand Caymon and Cozumel two years ago. I loved every minute of it. The ship is one of the newer Carnival Ships so it's nice. (I've been on the Triumph out of Miami and the Conquest is nicer) The food is good, room service is free, the atmosphere on the ship is great. You will love it. Make sure you go up above the BB court (without your wife) to the topless deck. If you go on the same cruise, in regards to the ports, be prepared to get bugged by a bunch of Jamaicans to purchase weed and or trinkets. Go to Jimmy Buffet's Margaritaville in Jamaica if you get a chance. Grand Cayman is very pretty but expensive and Cozumel is a nice town. If you can get someone to drop you off and pick you up when you return, you can save 70 bucks in parking your vehicle. I'm headed to LA at the end of May for a cruise down to the Mexican Riviera on Royal Carribean. All in all, a cruise is a great way to relax. They take good care of you on Carnival and you will enjoy yourself.
I've been on two cruises with Royal Caribbean. One was great and one ended in complete, utter and indescribable disaster. I suggest trying Carnival.
I agree with this. Go with a bunch of friends, relax, drink a lot, and enjoy the great places you'll visit. It's nice not having to pay for much outside of alcohol (which can be avoided with a little bottle smuggling) and while the food isn't great, considering that you aren't paying for your meals, it's not bad.
I did the same trip with Carnival in 1994. Loved it. I did get sick one night, but I went on two other cruises after that and was fine.
The water is a little rough for a few hours after you leave Cozumel. It has something to do with the currents in that area I was told. It didn't effect me but one of the kids who came with my son got a little queasy.
Are you supposed to tip on these cruises? I have only gone on all inclusive vacations to a variety of places, and I usually tip on those simply because I understand the people on the resort make very little money. But I have heard from some that you tip at the end (or have the option to do so) of the cruise. How does this work? I don't tend to get any motion sickness or have any issues on a boat....but my wife does. I've been told that the inside staterooms are the best to avoid any motion-type issues....and the lower in the boat the better? Thanks for the info. We are juggling with what and where we should go.
We went on the Norwegian Cruise Lines on an Alaskan cruise. It was AMAZING. one of my favorite things I've ever done. I think that was the company, maybe it was Holland cruis lines. not sure.
Cruise ships are crowded, the food is buffet fare, it's hard to get on an off at destinations and tightly scheduled. It's usually all really fat people who go to pig out on all the desserts you can eat. We went on a Blues Cruise in 07. Then it was cool to have 24 hour access to food and drinks, and to be able to stumble 100 yards to your room at 3 AM. There were 2 or 3 bands playing any anytime from noon on and you got to hang out with them between sets. But rough seas made some of the performances iffy and a lot of pasengers ill. Other than that, I'll always opt for the freedom to make my own choices; a centrally located, humble abode and some self directed transportation.
A lot of time gratuity is already added into the bill. At the free restaurants, we would usually give the waitress a tip since we had a large group.
