I'm going on a Caribean cruise next month and I was not sure what to expect.I have heard mixed reviews on cruising. People love it or hate it. What did you think?
I'm going on a Caribean cruise next month and I was not sure what to expect.I have heard mixed reviews on cruising. People love it or hate it. What did you think?





I've been on two and loved the both. The first was a 3 day sailing from San Diego to Catalina and Ensinada. It was short but like one big 3 day party. My wife and I then took my second. We took two honeymoons after we were married. The day after the wedding we went to all the big theme parks in Cali for several days and 2 months later took an 8 day Mexican cruise. It was a blast. We're planning a Rome cruise for later in the year leaving the Bahamas and sailing trans-Atlantic.
A lot of your experience will depend on the cruise line. Generally the cheaper lines will draw a younger crowd so it will be a little more casual. If you want something more formal (and a more mature group) then you will tend to see that with the pricier cruises. Plan on bringing quite a bit of money with you if you are planning on taking excursions. On my 8 day cruise, we took 3 excursions (snorkeling, trip to a Mexican spiritual festival and a tour of Tequila factories (yum yum).) Then, when we were in Cabo, I rented a jet-ski for 2 hours while the wife went shopping. In total for the two of us for just excursions the total was about $1,600. Of course all meals are included and are usually really awesome but one of the newer things the cruise lines are doing is offering an extra fine-dining experience in a special restaraunt. On our ship, it was a steak-house at $50.00 per person and was worth every penny. Also, the price of booze on the ship is not included with the price and the prices usually range somewhere between the price at your local bar to those of a SC. You'll receive an on-ship credit card for things like that. Also be prepared to do a lot of shopping too. You'll be amazed at all the junk you wind up buying through the week.
Depending on the size of the ship, there will be tons of things for you to do. Taking a cruise can be as relaxed or as busy as you want it to be. Every day you'll receive an itinerary of all the activities going on and many of them are a blast. You can do everything from play in a Pictionary tournament to goofy olympics by the pool or read in the library. Entertainment is usually pretty good too. Most ships have an actual showroom where they will have a Vegas-style show a few nights and they usually will have a comic (who is usually lousy) and a magician.
All expenses aside, you really can't beat a cruise when you consider your bang for a buck. Everything is taken care for you...meals, entertainment, activities, etc. Compared to a "regular" vacation, the value is tremendous and you'll have memories from it for years. I never thought I would have enjoyed them so much but now that I've done two, I'm looking forward to #3.
The ORIGINAL Stripper Sales School
-
Things may come to those who wait, but only the things left by those who hustle. ~Abraham Lincoln





Does your cruise have a TOPLESS AREA on deck? (This is for sun and the exhibitionists among you. Of which there must be several here.)
It's great if you like looking at water, water, everywhere. It's also great if you like pigging out for days on end and the activities on your particular cruise ship.
I loved going to strip clubs; I actually made some friends there. Now things are different for the clubs and for me. As a result I am not as happy.
Customers are not entitled to grope, disrespect, or rob strippers. This is their job, not their hobby, and they all need income. Clubs are not just some erotic show for guys to view while drinking.
NOTE: anything I post here, outside of a direct quote, is my opinion only, which I am entitled to. Take it for what you estimate it is worth.





Egads I haven't been on a cruise in 18 years, so I'd be of little help.... I doubt things are the same at all now.
Number of times Rickrolled on stage: 6
*******************************
Marasmus ... "Ladies don't fart. They butt-laugh."
Marasmus says, "Oh no, that wasn't gas, it was merely a rectal chuckle."
Marek says, "A friend of mine got punched in the face by a dominatrix stripper about two weeks ago and I thought of you."
I think that the cruise line largely determines what experience you will have. So, what line did you choose?
yeah, I've been on like 15 of them from mass market lines to luxury lines...from 3 days to 12 days.
they're alright
(and I never do the topless deck! a buncha pervs and they don't even tip.)
I hated it, but i was sick the whole time.... and i missed H.... and i was to big to wear a bikini.... and i was bored





i love cruising! but, i've only been on one.. and it was with Emily. i'll be going on a family cruise in may to the caribbean, what cruiseline are you taking?
Love it!
It's Princess Cruises. I'm not sure about the topless deck.
I don't think Princess has a topless deck. I believe that's just Carnival.
I took Princess to the Southern Caribbean. It was alright.
I love cruising, but lately my cruises are getting more adventurous. I'm getting tired of the same old thing, but if you've never done it, then it's not "same old" and you'll probably like it.
Just alright? I have never done it before so it will be different than what I have done on other vacations. My travel partner and I get along really well so that's a plus. I have just heard a lot of people say they go stir crazy on the boat.
I say alright because the ports are prety much all alike. They are so touristy and have the same activities, but they are fun activities to do at least once.
It is what you make of it. You can meet a lot of cool people, hang with your SO the whole time or be alone. You can sit around and be bored or take part of the activities. Some people get blasted drunk and act like fools the whole time. I'm more of be alone by the pool and spend time in the casino kind of person, but sometimes that gets old after awhile....which is why I started doing more exotic iteneraries. In a couple of months, I'm going on a Singapore to Dubai cruise.
It's really hard to get stir crazy, especially on a caribbean itenerary because there are not a lot of sea days. You'll be able to get off at the port pretty much every day. It's a real test of a relationship though because you can't get away from each other! I remember being on a ship with my then boyfriend and he got mad and stormed off (I spent all night in the casino and left him to fend for himself) and it was funny. I mean, where is he going to go?![]()





I've been on one (to the Bahamas) on Disney's big red boat. Combo of 3 days at Disney & 4 days on the ship.
Everybody else has said pretty much how it was. But I must repeat, the FOOD is awesome. All day, all night, delicious FOOD!!!!
I even got pretty "close" with one of the hottie waitersHe took me to get some local herbs when we docked in Nassau, GOODTIMES!!!





i just took a 5 night Royal Carribean cruise to Cozumel and it was awesome! Food, food, food! Drinks, drinks, drinks! The drinks were really expensive, though. Our tablemates brought their own liquor in shampoo bottles and that seemed like a really good idea. I brought on some green in my pants.
Last edited by austinatalie; 04-28-2008 at 07:07 PM.
I've been on a Caribbean cruise. It was all right. Just one caution - it was in March, and the seas were somewhat rough. I took a walk at night, and there were people towards the front of the boat ralphing.
Lots of food (free), lots of booze (for a price), lots of gambling (bad odds), lots of shows (reasonably entertaining), lots of socializing available. The ports were fine. It was fun enough, but not enough to draw me back before I've done other things in my life. Different people like different things.
Something I didn't know about cruises was that most of the time your drinks are not included and if you're going for a week, this could add a couple hundred dollars onto your expenses, so I would check on that if I were you. 5 drinks a day x $8 or more per drink (wine or whatever) x 7 days + tip=$300+. I personally LOVE all inclusive resorts. Remember, it's VACATION. Have fun no matter what.





"He will come in one of the pre-chosen forms. During the rectification of the Vuldrini, the traveler came as a large and moving Torg! Then, during the third reconciliation of the last of the McKetrick supplicants, they chose a new form for him: that of a giant Slor! Many Shuvs and Zuuls knew what it was to be roasted in the depths of the Slor that day, I can tell you!"
I went at age 20. It was fun. We hung out by the pool on the boat while moving. Each night we got hammered at the nightclub and fooled around with some young hotties. The food was good, the shows were cheesy, as were the activities. I got to spend a day in San Juan, PR, and wish I could have spent more time there. We also went snorkling in the Virgin Islands. The other stop was one of those private beach islands, and I'm pretty sure I didn't do a whole lot.
You'll have fun if you can have fun anywhere, if that makes sense.
"Have you ever been to American wedding? Where is the vodka, where's marinated herring?" - GB
"And do the cats give a shit? No, they do not. Why? Because they're cats."-from The Onion
Originally Posted by Mia M




Just did the NCL - Pride of Hawaii. There are only two overnights in port, so it was mostly day's on the Island doing stuff, and nights on the boat. You get to see 4 islands, which includes both major areas of the big island (Kona and Hilo).
Apparently, the first thing you do on a NCL cruise is make dinner reservations, so you don't get shut out of the decent restraunts later in the week. I didn't enjoy a single meal in a "no cover" restaurant, other than the buffet, the cover runs 10-20 a head.
The drinks were strong, and prices were standard, maybe cheap to some of you. 6.75 for a Stohli-O and soda, Grand Marnier 6.50, GG and Red Bull 8.50
I feel like such grumpy little black cloud, about to weigh in as the sole negative commentator, but for the sake of balance, I'll add my $0.02.
It wasn't my thing. The things people say they enjoyed above, well, it goes without saying that these are FINE things to enjoy. No doubt. It's just not my style. I went on a Mediterranean Cruise with my family this summer - first time on a cruise, and this was Celebrity). Now, I am truly grateful I had this time with my family, and a 10-day vacation? All things considered, your life really doesn't suck if you get to do something like this.
Okay. I'm all for R&R, but when it comes to seeing the world, I'm more of throw on the backpack, get on the Eurail and figure it out as I go kind of girl, not a lounge around the pool kind of girl (though I have nothing against that in limited quantities). And I don't have enough money to enjoy losing it at casinos.A traveller, not as much a vacationer, if such a distinction can be made. The ports were absolute freakin' TORMENT to me. SIX hours in FLORENCE? One of the most incredible cities on this planet? SIX?!? You have got to be kidding me. Six DAYS would not do it justice.
Same for all our other stops. It was just a horrible tease, seeing such wonderful places and only getting a few hours in each. On top of that, the practicality of seeing such places in such a short amount of time requires that many of the activities be very touristy, sanitized, Disneyfied experiences. I will say this, though, it certainly gave a a good idea of where I'd like to return for real. Like a sampler platter.
As for on board the ship, the food was indeed good. Not blow my mind good, but definitely good and plentiful. But do be very aware of all the sneaky hidden charges. I felt nickeled and dimed to DEATH. Not just alcohol, but soft drinks were extra - at practically movie theater prices. Can't take classes at the gym without paying fees as you go or buying a package. On and on. And honestly, I know this sounds bizarre, but even though the staff was extremely nice, I'm NOT a fan of having every single thing taken care of for me. I can carry my own tray to my table from the buffet, thanks.
Last edited by RoseWhite; 02-14-2007 at 08:45 AM.
"Before I conceived you, I wanted you. Before you were born, I loved you. Before you were here an hour, I would die for you. This is the miracle of life." -- Maureen Hawkins
"I just can't get over how much babies cry. I really had no idea what I was getting into. To tell you the truth, I thought it would be more like getting a cat." -- Anne Lamott
And now I'll add some actual helpful info:Celebrity also has one. In theory. I did try to partake in it, but there were constant oglers and no enforcement of the Topless Ladies ONLY policy.
Man, what a grouch I sound like in the post above! I did have some fun, I did. It's just not a choice I would make again1 (David Foster Wallace2 wrote the best snarky cruising essay ever, which in turn sports a title that sums it all up for me: ""A Supposedly Fun Thing I'll Never Do Again").
1. I would make one exception: An Alaskan cruise is reputed to be the best way to view a lot of the gorgeous scenery.
2. Yes, these footnotes are, in and of themselves, an homage to D.F.W.
"Before I conceived you, I wanted you. Before you were born, I loved you. Before you were here an hour, I would die for you. This is the miracle of life." -- Maureen Hawkins
"I just can't get over how much babies cry. I really had no idea what I was getting into. To tell you the truth, I thought it would be more like getting a cat." -- Anne Lamott
it depends on the cruise you take. Some ships stay a few days in certain cities. Like when I did my mediterranean cruise, it stayed two days in Venice, Athens and Istanbul.
This one I'm doing in May does two overnights in Myanmar and one in Dubai (plus it starts and ends in the two major cities so you can extend your stay in the most interesting ones, which I'm doing.) But I'm not thrilled about getting only 8 hours in Phuket.
http://www.crystalcruises.com/cruise....aspx?CID=7211
But for a caribbean cruise, all the ports are pretty much the same and you probably won't even want to get off the ship in the end. Alaskan crusies are pretty cool, but even those ports get a little old after awhile. Oh, another whale watching tour. Oh, another glacier. Yay.
And the nickel and diming only happens on a mass market lines. The luxury lines cost more, but they include more in the price.
I'm with Rose, too. A cruise is like booking a ten-day vacation and then spending 90% of it in the hotel. You don't really get to SEE the place you're going to, or get a real feel for it, or connect with the local lifestyle. I never understood the point.
Bookmarks