Absolutely no desire to go on a cruise. Gives me the willies just thinking about it. Being stuck on a ship with tons of people is not my idea of a vacation. But hey, if it's your thing that's fine.
Cruise ship pointers and advice
- Thread starter Orangepeel
- Start date
If you mean your initial boarding in NOLA, that is "final call" and will be NOLA time, however you can board as early as the ship is cleared from the previous cruise, typically 10:30 11:00AM. At each port, just know what ship time is when you get off and when all aboard time is. Some ships will change time during the cruise, some don't. Pay attention to ship time, forget about what time it is locally.
Mahogany Bay. . .Yes, beach right at the port. If you check the Carnival excursions for Mahogany Bay you can rent a clamshell sun shade for minimal cost, although not required.
Check out Mr. Sanchos Beach Club in Cozumel (www.mrsanchos.com). It's an all inclusive day pass beach resort. It's about $60-70pp (make reservations for a $5 deposit) for the day and a $20-ish taxi ride from the port. When we dock in Coz and if we decide to get off, that's the only place we go.
You can check out www.cruisetimetables.com to see what other ships will be in the ports the days you visit.
1. Enjoy the various dining experiences
2. Enjoy just sitting and enjoying the vast ocean
3. Take in some of the ships entertainment
4. Do a few interesting excursions
5. Don't feel the need to get off at every stop as they are pretty much all the same unless you get away from the tourist area.
I really enjoyed the cruise we went on, my wife didn't. To each their own.
2. Enjoy just sitting and enjoying the vast ocean
3. Take in some of the ships entertainment
4. Do a few interesting excursions
5. Don't feel the need to get off at every stop as they are pretty much all the same unless you get away from the tourist area.
I really enjoyed the cruise we went on, my wife didn't. To each their own.
Or buy trip insurance that covers this type of thing.
This is why if I ever go on a cruise, it will be off season when the boat is half empty.
Living very near Galveston cruising is super easy for us. I have been on 7 or 8 the last 10 years.
My experienced recommendations are:
1) Book a January or Feburary cruise. Its about half price from the peak times.
2) Book an interior room. Its about half price or less vs. a balcony. The Balcony is WAY overblown, since you spend much of your free time on a deck anyway. Also, the interior room offer the best sleep, near pitch dark and the least amount of wave induced motion.
3) You can save money on indepedant excursions. Yes, there is the "safety" of not missing the boat, but if you research reviews you will have no problem. I love the indy excursions, half the price and might even be better. never an issue, was back well before departure time.
4) Choose "anytime" dining. It offers the best flexability to attend shows or events.
5) Take advantage of the exercise spa room. Lots of weight machines to use and take power walks around the upper deck. Burn the calories and you can eat guilt free. Nice large showers with ample towels there too.
6) Choose Carnival for a more "party animal" atmosphere, choose Royal Carribean for a bit more relaxed and bit more upscale cruise.
7) Meet people! Lots of couples will know no one aboard, so look for people to meet. You might be surprized how open they are.
My experienced recommendations are:
1) Book a January or Feburary cruise. Its about half price from the peak times.
2) Book an interior room. Its about half price or less vs. a balcony. The Balcony is WAY overblown, since you spend much of your free time on a deck anyway. Also, the interior room offer the best sleep, near pitch dark and the least amount of wave induced motion.
3) You can save money on indepedant excursions. Yes, there is the "safety" of not missing the boat, but if you research reviews you will have no problem. I love the indy excursions, half the price and might even be better. never an issue, was back well before departure time.
4) Choose "anytime" dining. It offers the best flexability to attend shows or events.
5) Take advantage of the exercise spa room. Lots of weight machines to use and take power walks around the upper deck. Burn the calories and you can eat guilt free. Nice large showers with ample towels there too.
6) Choose Carnival for a more "party animal" atmosphere, choose Royal Carribean for a bit more relaxed and bit more upscale cruise.
7) Meet people! Lots of couples will know no one aboard, so look for people to meet. You might be surprized how open they are.
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My brother is a big fan of Sanchos, but I really liked Paradise Beach Vlub a little further down the road. if you eat there (likely to do that anyway) its free admission. Super clean too.
I'd have to get paid handsomely to sign up for a regular cruise. Overcrowded cattle wagon full of obnoxious people. An Arctic cruise on a smaller ship may be something to consider. I spent time on a merchant ship just for the experience. At least it wasn't crowded but constantly painting the blasted ship wasn't my idea of fun as a young fellow. Painting over rust no less. Totally against my sensibilities.
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I've watched those cruise ship shows on tv, the only thing I would be interested in is the food, maybe sights from the boat, the engine room etc. I would not like crowds and lines, and would only slightly consider it if restaurants were open 24-7. I'd be up enjoying everything when everyone else is sleeping 
Much smaller boats, I can see why they would love it.
Any place besides the US is going to be cheaper to stay in a hospital. LKikely even if you're insurance covered in the US.
Watch a yuge floating city de-barge in little Juneau AK and you will be a) amazed at the riff-raff and b) simply delighted the sheer volume of humans who overflow a town.
1) There has to be good-better-best food options. Are there? Do the cruise lines say so clearly?
2) Cruises go on for what, 3, 5, 7, 9, 11 days? ...and cover how many miles or stops?
3) My follow-up question re Q#2 is:
How much time do you really have when these ships reach a port? What happens on the ship whilst in port?
4) How is "housekeeping" handled? Do you need to be clear of your room at given times?
5) Do these ships really dump their sewage as they sail about?
6) Post #53 sounds like a grousing cheap shot to me. (nothing personal Jetronic)
7) Post #46 is rich. Thanks to gfh. Q: Are the patrons 'different' during Jan. and Feb.?
A comparison, if I may.
When you walk to the top of the Shilthorn (a mountain), you're with like minded people who want to see Mother Nature.
When you're on a cruise ship, you're packed in with hoards of people who'll say (and think), "Can't you do the brakes on just one side?" or worse, "Changing oil! All mechanics are thieves".
2) Cruises go on for what, 3, 5, 7, 9, 11 days? ...and cover how many miles or stops?
3) My follow-up question re Q#2 is:
How much time do you really have when these ships reach a port? What happens on the ship whilst in port?
4) How is "housekeeping" handled? Do you need to be clear of your room at given times?
5) Do these ships really dump their sewage as they sail about?
6) Post #53 sounds like a grousing cheap shot to me. (nothing personal Jetronic)
7) Post #46 is rich. Thanks to gfh. Q: Are the patrons 'different' during Jan. and Feb.?
A comparison, if I may.
When you walk to the top of the Shilthorn (a mountain), you're with like minded people who want to see Mother Nature.
When you're on a cruise ship, you're packed in with hoards of people who'll say (and think), "Can't you do the brakes on just one side?" or worse, "Changing oil! All mechanics are thieves".
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This is the on line travel agency I use to find all the information on cruises, rates, ships, port calls, etc etc etc
https://www.vacationstogo.com/
https://www.vacationstogo.com/
A tour of all the mechanicals and engine room is something I’d pay extra for!I've watched those cruise ship shows on tv, the only thing I would be interested in is the food, maybe sights from the boat, the engine room etc. I would not like crowds and lines, and would only slightly consider it if restaurants were open 24-7. I'd be up enjoying everything when everyone else is sleeping
I say the same about touring "underground Disneyland". I'd love to see the rumored garbage chutes which eliminate employees dragging bags and quads ferrying garbage about topside.
1) There is a wide variety of food choices. On carnival for example, you can get pizza or deli food 24 hrs. The "main dining area" has breakfast, lunch and dinner buffets, each open for 2-3 hours. Huge variety availible. Then there is dining rooms that have semi-formal evening dining with steak, shrimp, etc. Really nice. On top of all that roome service is availble 24/7. Almost endless choices available.
2) 3, 5, 7, 9, 11 days?, YES. Mileage varies greatly.
3) Varies, but generally 9am-3pm.
4) You pay a gratuity up front, then they do the rest. They will work around you. A door hanger is readily availble to let them know.
5) No idea. But I am sure they are responsible and follow maritime laws.
7) Around spring break you will see many college age cruisers, summer will bring more children aboard, Jan-Feb older, more budget concious cruisers, but there is still quite a mix at anytime.
RE, "comparison" The cruisers are very diverse. From party animals, to families, to retirees, to the wealthy. Some drink and dance all night while others lay out, sunbathe and sleep. Young and old all mixed in.
And, it is not true that if a passenger falls overboard, the cruise ship just sails on, claiming you never got on board.
and unlike "The Sludge Boat", trash and untreated sewage do not get dumped into the ocean during the night.
And passengers who die in mid ocean are not buried at sea.
and unlike "The Sludge Boat", trash and untreated sewage do not get dumped into the ocean during the night.
And passengers who die in mid ocean are not buried at sea.
