New to cruising

[Shaun Doyle]

New to site and to cruising. Celebrating 25th Wedding Anniversary in June 2009 and already planning special cruise to Caribbean for my wife and I. Looking for a cruise which is not too upmarket (QE2) but not too casual (Ocean Village). Also looking for good onboard entertainment and sailing the Caribbean (Western or Eastern, I don't know the difference) Anyone with any info and guidance please get in touch.

Thanks
Shaun

[digs123]

Hubby has been looking at cruises for my 40th birthday and was advised that if we wanted something not too posh or casual to try Princess Cruises or Royal Caribbean. We had brochures for Princess and were impressed by the facilities and also the destinations that you visit. They do both Eastern and Western Carribean and also take in Miami. We took this advice from a cruise specialist.

Prices were around those of Ocean Village but supposed to be of much better quality.

Hope this is of some help.

[Shaun Doyle]

Thanks, that is useful. Princess Cruises and Royal Caribbean appear to be two of the more popular cruise lines which fit the bill of what i am looking for.

[carol bozward]

i have been to the caribbean on ocean village and it was fone for me.. great in fact very relaxing.. and not to formal.. well not formal at all. The cabins are bigger than the princess 188 sq.ft.. (check princess brochure). I would like to travel on one of the princess boats, but there are a lot of add-ons, if you look at the small print for tipping for example.. threy tack on $10 dollars per day each passenger for tips, and that includes children. As I am going on OV for the third time next year with my grandchildren and their mum and dad, that will be an extra $60 per day.. $420 for a week, this is a lot of money..to add to your account, as all extras drinks etc, also incur a 15% tip on your bill. If you can find it TENPIN gave a reply to someone re: Royal caribbean, or NCl and he was stating that there was a lot of kerching, kerching.. as he put it for many items that you would think would be free.. Ocean village are doing a panama canal and mexico cruise winter 07/08 and that looks good..and of course the crossing, the transatlantic trip, is very good, usually these are in October and April.. when all ships return their boats from the med to the caribbean and visa versa.. I am sure I will travel on one of these posher ships sometime..but I am not much for too much formal dressing up..but its your choice, but just remember to look at all the costs involved..OV do not add on any extra charges..(look at page 69 "im bit unclear about tipping"in the 2007/2008 princess caribbean cruises brochure.

CAROLB

[carol bozward]

Hi Sean, If You Look At' Just Booked My First Cruise'- So Excited... From The Forum .. Dated 1/10/06 By Shazza, You Will See The Reply From Tenpin There..re Kerching!!

[Shaun Doyle]

Thanks for that carol

[HW tenpin]

Hi Shaun,
I am in Fort Lauderdale on the Coral Princess at the moment,
so far Princess have live up to all our expectations plus more.

Just one thing to look out for if you want a particular cabin location, do not take a guarentee booking but ask for certain cabins by number, else you might just end up on the Stern which can be noisy.

Will reply to any questions you may have, next weekend on our return to the UK.

[carol bozward]

HI shawn,

told you TENPIN would get in touch...cruise guru..he will give you an honest assessment of most cruises.. and has no snobbery attached with his thoughts and reviews... hope you get sorted out, but like most people if you have not cruised before, you will be hooked, and land-based holidays do not appeal now.. next cruise will include the grandchildren, so it won't be as relaxing, but so pleasureable for us to see their little faces..on-board.


CAROLB

[HW tenpin]

Hi Carol,
Thank you for your kind words, hope you had a great cruise, meant to write before you left but run into a few minor problems with this trip which needed urgent attention.
Leaving Ft Lauderdale later today for the final leg of our journey.

Catch up with you all on the flip side.

[HW tenpin]

Hi Shaun,
Back from our Princess Cruise, review has been submitted.

Sounds as if either Princess or Costa would be ideal for your 25th.
both offer extra deals for some cruises when an anniversary is being celebrated, look out for those, up to $150 on board credit plus some other goodies. Also worth looking at is up-grading to a mini-suite if you are booking early and free upgrades are being offered, book a superior outsideand quite offen you get a mini-suite. Ask your agent.

Don't worry about formal or casual now most ship now are more relaxed about this, and have just one or two dressy up nights, but a jacket & tie on those nights are a common sight.

Any questions on most days and will reply ASAP.


cruising is like 'Being in The Garden of Eating'