OT: Favorite Cruise Line
Looking to take the wife on a cruise in early April to celebrate 15 years. Younger kids are staying with family, so want to stay Caribbean/Mexico
Favorite cruise lines?
August 11th, 2019 at 3:08 PM ^
Bolivian Cruises, come on in, the water is warm.
August 11th, 2019 at 3:20 PM ^
I'm guessing you are almost there?
August 11th, 2019 at 3:24 PM ^
Might be angling for a one-way ticket
August 11th, 2019 at 5:08 PM ^
Even after being called out, he/she is still posting numbers in succession. What an ass clown. Account needs to be suspended
August 11th, 2019 at 5:49 PM ^
Where’s MGoWill when you need him?
August 11th, 2019 at 8:49 PM ^
Good one, Troll.
August 11th, 2019 at 9:40 PM ^
Can't embark quickly enough.
August 11th, 2019 at 3:21 PM ^
Skip the massive cruise ships. Find a charter catamaran and go to several smaller islands that they can't go to. It'll be less touristy, the food will probably be better, and you can do something that the overwhelming majority of people will never do.
You can find good companies on USVI that you can book starting at about $2000.
August 11th, 2019 at 6:06 PM ^
Two words:
Noro Virus.
If that doesn't scare the OP off, the hordes of fat, rude, entitled, "ugly" Americans should turn the OP off.
August 12th, 2019 at 9:57 AM ^
Meh. Noro virus things is a bit over-blown. You can get the same thing at a terrestrial resorts just as much as on a cruise ship. Ditto for "ugly American".
Cruise is a very relaxing way to spend your vacation. You don't have to plan things out or figure out where to eat everyday. Just veg, relax, and eat.
Of all the cruise lines I have tried, here is my list:
1. Disney (especially if you have kids)
2. Royal Caribbean (boats with top amenities)
3. Norwegian (really great dinning options)
4. Princess
August 12th, 2019 at 4:20 PM ^
A CLIA document shows one has a 1 in 15 chance of getting norovirus on a cruise. 1 in 15!
August 12th, 2019 at 3:12 PM ^
White Star Line
That one tiny smudge on their reputation was erased when the Titantic finally showed up in Ghostbusters II.....
August 11th, 2019 at 3:22 PM ^
I did an Alaskan cruise with Celebrity many years ago and then a Caribbean with Princess about 5 years ago. I thought they were both pretty good.
August 11th, 2019 at 5:52 PM ^
Celebrity is my family’s personal favorite. Been on the silhouette and it’s sister ship a few times. Great food and bars.
Went on royal Caribbean once and thought it was a little trashy - too many of the type of people who sit all day at the pool bar at all inclusives
have not tried any of the mega ships but heard the lines can be bad at times
August 11th, 2019 at 3:27 PM ^
I can't remember which one it is, but take whichever one now has Norwalk virus outbreaks relatively under control.
"How many people do you lose on a normal cruise? 30? 40?" - G. Costanza
August 11th, 2019 at 3:27 PM ^
My wife and i liked celebrity the one time we cruised with them on a Christmas cruise and we're eager to do their Galapagos cruise when we're a bit older and all the kids will be old enough to remember it. Royal Caribbean was good (I'd cruise again with a deal).
August 11th, 2019 at 3:28 PM ^
"I feel the need...the need for speed!" and "Show me the money!" are two of my favorites.
August 11th, 2019 at 3:35 PM ^
not bad fugitive. I had to think about that one for a minute.
August 11th, 2019 at 9:52 PM ^
"Princeton could use a man like you."
August 12th, 2019 at 1:16 PM ^
"Help me, Rod. Help me, help you!"
This was the first thing that popped into my head when I saw the title of this thread. Then I read the actual OP and got disappointed.
August 11th, 2019 at 3:30 PM ^
The MIL will only do Princess cruises. Celebrity is nice. Royal Caribbean I hear is nice. Carnival if you’re a drunkard on a budget.
August 11th, 2019 at 3:52 PM ^
As a drunkard on a budget, can confirm.
August 11th, 2019 at 4:19 PM ^
Except Carnival's drink package limits you to 14 per day. Celebrity/RCCL are unlimited and believe me I tested it and it works. Carnival nickels and dimes you to death and anyway the whole ship is full of Vinny from New Jersey/Spartan Juggalo types.
August 11th, 2019 at 3:46 PM ^
Nat Geo. Their boats are smaller so you don’t have to share with 1,000 of your closest friends.
August 11th, 2019 at 4:13 PM ^
Or Chinese. Mainland Chinese are horrific to share space with on vacation.
August 11th, 2019 at 4:46 PM ^
You got that right Hillbilly. No manners whatsoever.
August 11th, 2019 at 8:45 PM ^
In my experience, first generation "travelers" are often rude through ignorance of xyz for instance how they are in everyone's way, that was a line they bypassed (on accident), or simply different customs, but we should be celebrating that it's no longer only western elites who travel.
A generation ago the people who were rude travelers were often us, and sometimes still are.
August 11th, 2019 at 5:12 PM ^
Wait, wait, wait, you gents don’t all have your own private yachts by now!?! And you call yourselves “Michigan Men.” For shame, you Walmart types. Me, Rossy and Martin always have a tottie on the Flying Wasp before each big game.
in fact, one day late in 2007, Martin’s phone rang while on my yacht and I said “ I don’t care whose agent that is, there is no business here” and then we each ate 6 lobsters and poured 3 bottles of Dom over the side.
August 12th, 2019 at 11:40 AM ^
All the +1s to you good sir.
Meanwhile, I don't go on cruises because I spend my summers at the family's still-rustic cabin in the pristine UP, re-reading great books, fly fishing and [insert other thing which crusty old Michigan types do here].
August 11th, 2019 at 4:03 PM ^
Having cruised many times, it all depends what you want to do. I'm in my mid 40's and we(the family) like Royal Caribbean then Norwegian. We always look at them 1st. Princess is a bit older and quieter crowd.
August 11th, 2019 at 4:16 PM ^
We prefer Celebrity as there are very few kids onboard and it is more adult and upscale. We booked a suite for our wedding anniversary and it was fantastic. Royal Carribbean is our next favorite - especially Oasis and Allure. Get the drink package and be hammered for 7 days at a very affordable price!
August 12th, 2019 at 10:50 AM ^
Drink package on RC is just under $900 for the week. Not exactly cheap.
August 11th, 2019 at 4:25 PM ^
Carnival is cheap but I think good value, considering that the sun and the water are the same whether you are paying a lot or a little. Also, I think Carnival has been consistently rated as the best food (and my family members who have compared it to RCCL and NCL confirm). My cruise preferences are to sit outside and read/sleep as much as possible during the day, only getting up to eat on a regular schedule. If you are into the shore excursions or need more on board distractions like a rock wall or whatever, then maybe the other lines would be better.
My other advice is to take your kids with you. As a kid I traveled on many cruises with my sisters and parents. I guarantee that the kids will have more fun than you do, all the ships have kids programs that keep them entertained all day and night. They'll make friends and do more than play video games. But if you find a fun activity you can do as a family, you'll have the chance to create those memories as well. If you can make it work with school schedules etc., it's totally worth bringing them along.
August 11th, 2019 at 7:38 PM ^
Agree re: the bring the kids advice unless they are quite young. If they aren’t grade school age, they likely won’t be able to enjoy or appreciate any kids programs enough to make it worth paying for them to come. It’s also for the OP’s 15th Anniversary, so maybe he and the wife are looking for more one on one time.
August 12th, 2019 at 6:40 AM ^
Disney Cruise Line. Amazing for kids. Not too bad for adults either.
August 12th, 2019 at 9:33 AM ^
It’s the 15th anniversary, unless they started really late, I was assuming the kids are older than toddlers.
I should add that the cruise ship staff generally love kids and do a great job entertaining them, and not just the kids club people. The waitstaff, performers, and cruise directors get plenty of generic couples, but kids allow them to have more fun, I think. Think funny pictures, dancing, hats, towel animals, stuff like that.
August 11th, 2019 at 7:40 PM ^
Went on a Carnival Cruise last month with the whole family. They enjoyed it. All in all, it was a great time. The food was good, the beverages were fantastic, and it didn't hurt that I cleaned up at the casino. Be certain to get an Oceanview balcony room- it is completely worth it.
August 11th, 2019 at 11:58 PM ^
That is funny what you said about the balcony room, as I prefer the indoor cabins. It gets pitch black at night, which I like and the boat rocks you too sleep. I never sleep better than when I am on a cruise. Why I said it was funny though was the last cruise we were on my sister got an oceanview balcony because she felt it would help here with sea sickness (which it did) but she said it was just staring at miles and miles of open water which you could have done from the outer decks. Different strokes I guess
August 11th, 2019 at 4:29 PM ^
I like Royal Caribbean the most. It is a great line and they have a ton of options for the Caribbean and Mexico. Celebrity is also nice and they cater to adults more than families.
It is not a bad idea to work through a travel agent. You can get some perks (like a free meal in a specialty restaurant on board) and maybe an extra gift or two. Using a travel agent might be counter-intuitive - but I have been happy I did. I can give a recommendation of someone in the Ann Arbor area.
There are a ton of options out there - hope you find one that matches with what you are hoping for.
In terms of ports, some people do not love Nassau (it can be crowded). I have liked every stop I have made - but was particularly happy with Key West.
August 11th, 2019 at 4:42 PM ^
My favorite ports are Eastern Carribbean - primarily in the Virgin Islands area - St. Thomas (for St. Johns), St Maarten, St Kitts, Grand Turk (Nothing there but a Margaritaville and a Beach which is perfect for me!). Cozumel and Ocho Rios are run down areas not good for much. Belize is decent for the Mayan ruins but not much else there. Grand Cayman is nice but my cruises have missed it 50% of the time due to the lack of a deep water harbor. Bahamas are meh to me - full of annoying scammers and beggars unless you take the tour to Atlantis which is a fun place.
I want to get to Bermuda someday.
August 11th, 2019 at 5:11 PM ^
Cozumel is run down? Did you actually go there, or did you pass out on the boat?
August 11th, 2019 at 6:11 PM ^
Google Cozumel tourist crime. It's turned into a real shithole.
Many places in Mexico formerly known as touristy are surviving only because they have turned their resorts into armed compounds.
August 11th, 2019 at 5:49 PM ^
Could you please just make a list of all the places you like to go so I know all of the bougie places to avoid?
August 11th, 2019 at 4:33 PM ^
Only did two cruises, both with Royal Caribbean, so have nothing to compare them with. We liked both cruises and would sail with them again.
August 11th, 2019 at 4:39 PM ^
Go with Carnival if you want to see People of Walmart come to life
August 11th, 2019 at 4:43 PM ^
100% Correct. Lots of Spartan and Buckeye tshirts on those cruises
August 11th, 2019 at 4:56 PM ^
My cruising buddy (knows the big guys) says Princess > whatever else > Carnival.
August 11th, 2019 at 5:03 PM ^
I spend my vacation allowance on my PSD every year.
August 11th, 2019 at 5:32 PM ^
Went on a cruise once. Won't go again.
Problem with cruises is that your stuck. on a boat. You can't leave. Even if you are having a bad time.
I rent vacation homes and then when I go on the water I rent a boat.