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I have been to the Western Caribbean on Royal Caribbean and had a very nice time. The food and service were both good. The entertainment was very good.
Also the Western Caribbean area on Celebrity Cruise Lines. The food and service were even better than RC. And the excursions, although more expensive, were much better.
We went to Alaska on Celebrity, and had a wonderful time. The cruise/land tour package is excellent. The food was exceptional.
Recently went on an Eastern Caribbean cruise on Princess. The food was 'acceptable', and the service was poor compared to Celebrity. I know the 'cruise circuit' is hard on people, but I don't need to hear them whine and complain about how tough it is while they are serving me.
I've been on 3 cruises and loved everyone of them! My next one - some day - will be to Alaska. I think the only bad thing about any of them was my first one. I was pregnant and them smell of alcohol made me sick to my stomach one night so I stayed in the cabin. It had a huge window, which was nice. We splurged on the second cruise and got a suite with a balcony. I was in heaven! The third and last one was an inside room with two bunk beds. My 3 boys an I were in that one and my husband and his dad were in the one next to us. Very cramped quarters but we weren't in there for much more than sleeping. All three were to the Mexican Riviera. My husband HATES to fly and since we live in So. Cal. it was the obvious choice. When we go to Alaska, we'll plan for a lot more time so we can drive up there and see the beautiful scenery along the way. I absolutely LOVE cruises!
When we went to Alaska we departed from Vancouver, B.C. If you leave from Vancouver you should plan an extra 2 to 4 days after the cruise to see the city. Vancouver is beautiful and clean, with some of the best Asian food I have ever eaten. My wife said the same thing - and she is from NYC. You can also take the BC Ferry from Vancouver to Victoria. Victoria is also very beautiful, with plenty of small shops, nice restaurants, and full of friendly people.
We have both said several times since the cruise that it would be wonderful to retire to Vancouver.
It's funny how different experiences can be. My parents go on cruises 2 or 3 times a year and swear by Princess. They've tried the others, but always go back.
I've been on Carnival, and liked it. Then, when I was planning my honeymoon, research led me to book on Royal Carribean. I had an awful experience. The staff was so rude! Food was average, service was lousy. I couldn't believe it! Carnival, which at that time was a young, singles cruise line, was pure luxury in comparison.
I guess it can vary from ship to ship. Different staffs, different mgmt.
Location: Lots of sun and palm trees with occasional hurricane :)
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OK. Now I can speak :-) LOL
I've only been to the Caribbean - Western and Eastern a few times (I'm in Miami so that's easy). As much as I liked Royal Caribbean, I went to Carnival after that. No comparison but, as far as the food went, Carnival's was better.
Besides my 180 days cruise around the world, LOL, I'd like to go to Alaska on Norwegian because I think they are a little more comfortable and because of their unstructured meals policy. You're not stuck to a specific dinner sitting and have to go to the buffet if you miss that (which is really very good too). Alaska is very far for me but when I do go, I need extra time to visit Seattle and Vancouver and, is it Victoria Island???
Only been on one cruise, Carnival out of Galveston. Cruise was nice, food was nice, ship was nice. The stops, two were good (one being GREAT) and one totally sucked. It was some Mayan small fishing village that Carnival built a dock and stores at. The only good thing going there was that beers were $1. So we had plenty to drink before we got back on the ship. Belize was GREATNESS!!!!! Must go back there. I'd take some more cruises but hubby has the "done that" type of thing going on. He thought it was just "okay". I was going to book us for a cruise for his Christmas present this year, Carnival for 3 nights out of Miami on Jan. 3 w/ Lynyrd Skynryd, 38 Special and a LOT more bands.
What cruise I do want to take someday and it is not the norm is a Windjammer. Anyone been on one?
Location: Lots of sun and palm trees with occasional hurricane :)
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Quote:
Originally Posted by momof2dfw
Only been on one cruise, Carnival out of Galveston. Cruise was nice, food was nice, ship was nice. The stops, two were good (one being GREAT) and one totally sucked. It was some Mayan small fishing village that Carnival built a dock and stores at. The only good thing going there was that beers were $1. So we had plenty to drink before we got back on the ship. Belize was GREATNESS!!!!! Must go back there. I'd take some more cruises but hubby has the "done that" type of thing going on. He thought it was just "okay". I was going to book us for a cruise for his Christmas present this year, Carnival for 3 nights out of Miami on Jan. 3 w/ Lynyrd Skynryd, 38 Special and a LOT more bands.
What cruise I do want to take someday and it is not the norm is a Windjammer. Anyone been on one?
You know what I think would be nice too? Those small, personalized sailings, with only 20 or 30 people, to the Galapagos. That must be an awesome experience.
You know what I think would be nice too? Those small, personalized sailings, with only 20 or 30 people, to the Galapagos. That must be an awesome experience.
I know. I so want to take one some day. It would be a REAL vacation as you would not have to worry about all the fancy clothes for dinner (though I do like dressing up for that.....). Just shorts and your swimsuits. All day long every day. Some friends of ours bought a sailboat and refurbished it and are doing sailings and scuba lessons. We may do something like that sometime. You can also rent sailboats in the Carribbean and island hop. Oh yeah............ bring it on.
I've been on quite a few, so I'll just give a quick run-down...
Royal Caribbean: 3-4 cruises with them, to the Caribbean & Bahamas... I think they're the best in that class, and we've always been fairly pleased. The food is really good, service is excellent, and they have some cool amenities - for instance, I went on a ship that had a rock-climbing wall & ice skating rink! They aren't that "luxurious" compared to some, but who needs all that anyway? They also have some good shopping, especially on the mega-ships... and there's nothing better than their midnight chocolate buffet!
Norweigan: Went to Hawaii on this line, and it was pretty nice. I like the "freestyle dining", where you have a variety of restaurants to choose from. Nicer than having to eat in the same dining room, at the same time, with the same people every night! It has some nice luxuries too, like the lounges and spa. I'd say it's comparable to Royal Caribbean, though a bit quieter/calmer.
Orient Line: My mom & I took their Mediterranean cruise, which went to Turkey, Greece, Malta & Italy. It's a really nice smaller boat, that only holds about 400 passengers... this boat is probably a step below the super-luxury lines, like Seabourne & Crystal, but a step up from RC, Princess, etc. It doesn't have as many amenities as the big boats, like no casino (which really ticked me off!)... but it's also quieter and better for people traveling without kids. That was a great trip!
Holland America: Took their cruise to Alaska, which was very nice... I'd say it's about the same as Norweigan, and probably the same price range too. The trip itself was great, but I don't remember anything spectacular about the boat.
Disney: My family went to the Bahamas on them, when I was about 14 yrs. old. it's obviously a great ship for kids, and we had a blast! I think for an older couple or adults traveling alone, it wouldn't be the best choice.
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