Which cruise line (in your opinion) is best for a 1st time cruiser, and why?
The Rangers
plan it for whenever we want this year. We have $3,100 to spend, but that
has to include airfare. We have never been on a cruise before, so my
question to you is:
What is the best cruise line for first time cruisers and why?
Thanks for your opinions!
Julie
D Ball
Best pricing all year 'round -- as a general rule, there are always exceptions
-- is for Carib cruises during the first two weeks of Dec., right after Thanksgiving,
just before Hanukkah/Christmas. You can cruise on some more "luxurious" lines/ships
at that time for a very favorable price.
Priciest times are holidays, followed by times are when kids are out of school
& families travel together--spring break and summer. Alaska is less in May
& Sept. vs. peak season Jn/Jly/Aug. You might be able to find a Hawaii deal
within that budget for late spring (after Easter/early May) or fall. Don't
think you could fit So. Pacific, Europe, etc. w/i that budget including air,
but there are some low seasons for those destinations, too.
It might help us to know what destination you are most interested in and
where you are located to factor in air cost and/or give you some ideas re:
drive-to-port options. There are now more cruise ports around the US than
ever before.
And without knowing your demographics, likes and dislikes, it's hard to say
what line/ship might be a good match for your tastes and interests. There
is a fun "test" you can take that might give you some guidance:
http://www.02cruise.com/LineSearch/index.asp
Also, don't forget that your public library will stock a lot of current cruise
and destination travel guides that could help you narrow your choices. And
the online resources are fabulous...take a look around the 'net, you'll find
many. I think http://www.cruisecritic.com is especially helpful, as well
as http://www.cruisemates.com and the home site for this newsgroup, http://www.seacruisereviews.com/
I always say a first cruise is like your first kiss or car--it's always special.
So no need to stretch your budget. Find something that is a comfortable fit
pricewise and with your tastes...you'll probably come back like most of us,
addicted!
Diana Ball
Near Houston, TX
http://www.dianaball.net
Next up: Celebrity Millennium – Med – June 04
RCI Mariner – E Carib – Holidays 03
RCI Serenade – Transatlantic – Maiden 08/04/03
Star Princess – Mex Riviera – Holidays 02
Dawn Princess – Alaska – July 02
NCL Star – Hawaii – June 02
RCI Rhapsody – W Carib – Holidays 01 (back-to-back)
RCI Explorer – E Carib – Holidays 00
NCL Sea – W Carib – Holidays 99
Becca
are a lot of fun, they have good food and nice entertainment.
Do you live near any cruise ports? If you can drive to the port, it
will save you airfare. Remember, there are some decent cruises from
states other than Florida, such as New Orleans and Texas, but there are
many others.
Cruising costs more during holidays and school breaks. If you can
cruise during the school session, it will be less expensive. Check with
Travelocity or Expedia for prices.
Becca <-----thinks you will be hooked on cruising...
Mariner of the Seas 3/04
Norwegian Dawn http://www.cruisemaster.com/dawn.htm
Sleazy3 http://www.cruisemaster.com/sleazy3.htm
MOAGC http://www.motherofallgroupcruises.com/
Benjamin Smith
> My husband and I have the opportunity to take our first-ever cruise. We can
> plan it for whenever we want this year. We have $3,100 to spend, but that
> has to include airfare. We have never been on a cruise before, so my
> question to you is:
>
> What is the best cruise line for first time cruisers and why?
>
Can't answer that one without you first expressing what you are looking
for. Any answer that specifies a cruise line is their idea of what is
best for you based on what you want to spend only.
Ben S.
Mason Barge
>For a first cruise I would suggest Carnival or Royal Caribbean. They
>are a lot of fun, they have good food and nice entertainment.
Sorry, Bekka, I disagree about Carnival and RCI (without knowing more
about them). I have spoken to two different people whose introduction
to cruising was a Carnival cruise. They hated it and decided never to
cruise again.
>Do you live near any cruise ports? If you can drive to the port, it
>will save you airfare. Remember, there are some decent cruises from
>states other than Florida, such as New Orleans and Texas, but there are
>many others.
Don't forget the left coast.
>Cruising costs more during holidays and school breaks. If you can
>cruise during the school session, it will be less expensive. Check with
>Travelocity or Expedia for prices.
All great advice :)
Mason Barge
"If this is coffee, please bring me some tea. If this is tea, please bring me some coffee."
-- Abraham Lincoln
Mason Barge
I don't think it matters first-time versus twentieth time really.
It's just finding the right cruise for you. If you answer these
questions it will help a lot:
1) What is your approximate age and where do you live?
2) Do you like to do a lot of athletic stuff?
3) How much of a party animal are you? Do you see yourself in a
disco after 1 a.m.?
4) Would your preferred dinner out be A) Red Lobster, B) small but
upscale French restaurant, C) fancy gourmet restaurant?
5) Would you rather go to the beach or see a new city/town?
Tom & Linda
you. Do you want a sports car, a mini-van, an pick up truck, an SUV, a 4
door sedan?
Cruises are the same. It depends on your style and preferences. How old
you are. If you're mid 20's I might give one answer... if you're mid 50's I
might give another. Do you want elegant and pampering? Or hopping discos
and non stop action? Is food a critical aspect? Do you prefer beer or
wine? Do you want romantic or would you rather have something a bit more
wild?
I would also suggest taking the test that Diana showed the URL for.
You can get a cruise these days for $449 pp for a 7 night sailing, and many
leave from all over the country. So price shouldn't be a concern given your
budget.
If someone gives you an answer without asking about your style and
preferences (Carnival, NCL, Royal Caribbean, etc.)... then I'm not sure what
basis they made the recommendation on... unless it's based on what THEY
like... not what YOU like.
I would first suggest taking the test, and figuring out what YOU want from a
cruise.
--Tom
"The Rangers" <jmra...@earthlink.net> wrote in message
news:okPWb.2792$W74....@newsread1.news.atl.earthlink.net...
The Rangers
don't drink. Not big dancers, but might try on a cruise. I LOVE to shop.
He's more of a sports guy. Does this help?
Julie
"The Rangers" <jmra...@earthlink.net> wrote in message
news:okPWb.2792$W74....@newsread1.news.atl.earthlink.net...
Benjamin Smith
The Rangers wrote:
> I'm sorry for the lack of details. My husband and I are 33 and 31. We
> don't drink. Not big dancers, but might try on a cruise. I LOVE to shop.
> He's more of a sports guy. Does this help?
You're getting there. When you dance what type of dancing is it and in
what type of environment? Do you like fine dining? Do you like "dressing
up" or casual? Do you like activities such as limbo, pool games? Do you
like lectures? Are you looking for a line with flexible dining times or
more set dining times? Do you enjoy meeting people and eating with the
same people every night at an assigned table or would rather eat when
you want or with whom you want? Does the interior aesthetics of the ship
matter and if they do what type of aesthetics do you prefer? Does amount
of children matter onboard the ship matter? What is it exactly that you
think you will be doing? How important are the ports and port activities?
Shopping will be available at ports, some ships have sports bar and
sports activities, so you may want to look into Royal Caribbean's
Voyager ships if other aspects of the ship look good to you.
Most of the lines do much of the same thing but they do it differently
and attract somewhat different passengers depending on the time of
sailing and, importantly, the length of sailing.
Ben S.
Charles
Rangers <jmra...@earthlink.net> wrote:
> I'm sorry for the lack of details. My husband and I are 33 and 31. We
> don't drink. Not big dancers, but might try on a cruise. I LOVE to shop.
> He's more of a sports guy. Does this help?
I suggest Royal Caribbean. One of the Voyager class ships. Voyager,
Mariner, Explorer or Adventure. I believe they would best fit your
profile for your first cruise.
--
Charles
Susette405
You have answered how I was thinking myself. Needs to be qualified! But if she
is saying she has $3100 can I afford a cruise with that amount . Yes you can if
you are flexible
Susette
Join us on our Annual Group Cruise 04Dec04 Jewel of the Seas!
Check out our website: www.cruiseoutlets.com
Susette405
Thomas shop til you drop!
if you can go first 2 weeks in Dec.. prices are great and weather is usually
good too..
Also Sept but sometimes Mom Nature doesn't Behave.. but all the Sept. Cruises
I been on have been fine.. go figure!
Surfer E2468
Tom & Linda
--Tom
"Surfer E2468" <poco...@webtv.net> wrote in message
news:3945-402...@storefull-3357.bay.webtv.net...
> PRINCESS or HOLLAND AMERICA
>
Brian K
electronically interjected:
You can research all the cruise lines on the internet. They all have
web sites with detailed information about rooms, dining options, ports
of call, on ship entertainment etc. You can also drop by your travel
agent's office and pick up some brochures to look through. Select an
experienced agent with extensive knowledge on cruising. A good agent
will work to get you a free room upgrade, and help you find a ship that
best fits your needs as well as your budget.
--
________
To email me, Edit "xt" from my email address.
Brian M. Kochera
"Some mistakes are too much fun to only make once!"
View My Web Page: http://home.earthlink.net/~brian1951
Roz
Mason Barge
wrote:
>I would say then Rangers that you like to SHop you want EASTERN Caribbean... ST
>Thomas shop til you drop!
Unless,like me, you think St. Thomas is the most undgodly horrible
place to go shopping in the world.
My favorite shopping site in the Caribbean might be Marigot, on the
French side of St. Maarten's.
Mason Barge
<jmra...@earthlink.net> wrote:
>I'm sorry for the lack of details. My husband and I are 33 and 31. We
>don't drink. Not big dancers, but might try on a cruise. I LOVE to shop.
>He's more of a sports guy. Does this help?
>
>Julie
Given your price range, then, I'd say either Royal Caribbean Radiance
or Celebrity (any of the newer ships).
The cabins, service, and food are better on Celebrity. The
entertainment and sports stuff are better on RCL. The crowd might be
a bit more your age on RCL too, if that matters, although this will
not be so true on a 7-day cruise. All of these ships are gorgeous,
clean, and well-maintained.
The only exception would be that, if you go to Alaska, Holland America
might be better. And actually, Alaska is a great destination for a
first cruise -- it is more fun that you can imagine.
Any of these will pretty much guarantee you a wonderful holiday.