Qeustion about 1st time on a CRUISE

[lawtchan]

thinking about taking the family on a cruise next year..

none of us have ever been...

kids will be 10, 9, and 4 at the time..

thoughts...

disney has a special...kids cruise 'free' with two full paid adult fares....so checked into that..over $5,000 for a 5 day cruise...NOPE...

found on price line...7 day, Western Caribbean on Norweigan Cruise lines out of new orleans for about $2,000 total....

anyone know when the 'down' time for cruises are...not trying to go 'cheap' just really don't know what to expect and would hate to blow a few thousand on a 'chit' experience...

thanks...

 

[The Joker]

thinking about taking the family on a cruise next year..

none of us have ever been...

kids will be 10, 9, and 4 at the time..

thoughts...

disney has a special...kids cruise 'free' with two full paid adult fares....so checked into that..over $5,000 for a 5 day cruise...NOPE...

found on price line...7 day, Western Caribbean on Norweigan Cruise lines out of new orleans for about $2,000 total....

anyone know when the 'down' time for cruises are...not trying to go 'cheap' just really don't know what to expect and would hate to blow a few thousand on a 'chit' experience...

thanks...

Been on a cruise - love it!

I have a 2 friends that told me the the Disney Cruise is outrageously fun for both adults and kids.

Apparently they do a great job of making sure everyone in the family has a great time.

Also, you will gain 10lbs. from the amount of food they give you. I did.

 

[vinnie]

CHECK OUT PRINCESS THEY HAVE GOOD PRICES, GOOD FOOD, ANYTIME DINING & A LANDRY MAT .

vacationstogo.com

 

[marine]

thinking about taking the family on a cruise next year..

none of us have ever been...

kids will be 10, 9, and 4 at the time..

thoughts...

disney has a special...kids cruise 'free' with two full paid adult fares....so checked into that..over $5,000 for a 5 day cruise...NOPE...

found on price line...7 day, Western Caribbean on Norweigan Cruise lines out of new orleans for about $2,000 total....

anyone know when the 'down' time for cruises are...not trying to go 'cheap' just really don't know what to expect and would hate to blow a few thousand on a 'chit' experience...

thanks...

I've got friends that did the Disney cruise and from what they say.. worth every penny.

#1 reason.... child care. you ship the kids off to their activity in the morning and you never see them again until you go and pick them up whenever.

I'd never, ever, do a cruise - too much time on a navy ship and i associate ships with work and not fun stuff.. so to imagine chasing 4 kids around on a cruise ship.. well... I just can't fathom it. But the disney cruise is the one boat that I even halfway consider because its catered to the kids so much and I wouldnt have that stress of making sure they are occupied.

 

[Chadman]

It's hard to say. Cruises are definitely different strokes for different folks. I've never been sure about taking several small kids on a cruise, especially if you have to be stuck in an inside cabin - they are really small, and you'll be spending a lot of time together. Usually to save a lot of money you have to be in one of those.

Do you or your wife have any trouble with seasickness? This is a big problem for many people, although there are things to take, patches, etc. But if you have a lot of trouble there, I'd recommend against it.

A couple thoughts - depending on where you go, the shore excursions can be great, but would be expensive for the whole family. And I'd be hesitant to take kids into foreign countries, to any extent, without being on a cruise approved excursion. And even then I'd be concerned. The lines to get on and off the ship can be quite long, and with kids, that could be problematic.

ALL THAT BEING SAID - I love cruises. I love seeing several different places in one trip. The kids (and you) will probably think the ships are cool, lots to do on them, have heard Disney is great for all the above reasons, but yes, expensive. Have enjoyed Carnival for a younger crowd, and Norwegian for a less young crowd.

My gut instincts: Maybe not a cruise with the kids, unless you want to spring for the Disney thing. Maybe an all-inclusive resort on the Riviera Maya or something like that? But others who have done it probably have a better feel for it. There are just so many people and not much room on those ships, that I'd probably never feel like I could really relax with kids to keep track of.

Not sure if this helps, or hinders. Just some rambling thoughts. I've had some GREAT experiences on cruises, and could give you some good ideas, if you like.

 

[Redhog]

Cruises are alot of fun.....we took the kids on our first one and everyone had a blast......Carnival has Camp Carnival where you can drop the kids off and they have planned activities for them from Morning to late night.....Most kids love being there.........The experience is awesome and we are now addicted to cruising.

 

[lawtchan]

7 nights departing November 29, 2009 on
Norwegian's Norwegian Spirit




Brochure Inside $1,399
Our Inside $299
You Save 79%
Brochure Oceanview $1,599
Our Oceanview $399
You Save 75%



Brochure Balcony $1,999
Our Balcony $649
You Save 68%
Brochure Suite $5,999
Our Suite $2,399
You Save 60%



$$$ Norwegian past guests qualify for additional discounts on select categories. Click here for details.
Promotions may not be combinable with all fares.


The prices shown are US dollars per person, based on double occupancy, and subject to availability. They include port charges but do not include airfare or (where applicable) airport or government taxes or fees.




ITINERARY


DAY DATE PORT ARRIVE DEPART
Sun Nov 29 New Orleans, LA 5:30pm
Mon Nov 30 At Sea
Tue Dec 1 Costa Maya, Mexico 10:00am 6:00pm
Wed Dec 2 Santo Tomas de Castilla, Guatemala 8:00am 6:00pm
Thu Dec 3 Belize City, Belize 8:00am 6:00pm
Fri Dec 4 Cozumel, Mexico 8:00am 5:00pm
Sat Dec 5 At Sea
Sun Dec 6 New Orleans, LA 8:00am


thoughts....

$1500.00 for 5 people for 7 day cruise....

Is Mexico safe ????

sounds reasonable...

don't care about an 'inside' cabin....like disney world..will pro bably be so worn out will need room just to sleep...

 

[rusty]

lawchen,
My family went on your homebased ship this summer the norweigian spirit.The Boston to Bermuda cruise.

We had a great time Bermuda was nice.My only thing is that obviously your paying for booze which is expensive,but on top of that the soda is not free.
Thought that was crazy.The shows were great.

The bartenders and waiters can be pushy.
Expect to spend alot on board,thats why the food is free.Speaking of food they have free restuarants plus some that charge a fee to go to.My experience was very positive but expensive.

I say do it.I would also do a cruise thats not to far from port to port to lower risk of disease and sea sickness .

GL!

 

[lawtchan]

lawchen,
My family went on your homebased ship this summer the norweigian spirit.The Boston to Bermuda cruise.

We had a great time Bermuda was nice.My only thing is that obviously your paying for booze which is expensive,but on top of that the soda is not free.
Thought that was crazy.The shows were great.

The bartenders and waiters can be pushy.
Expect to spend alot on board,thats why the food is free.Speaking of food they have free restuarants plus some that charge a fee to go to.My experience was very positive but expensive.

I say do it.I would also do a cruise thats not to far from port to port to lower risk of disease and sea sickness .

GL!

thanks for the feedback..couple of things..

i'm figuring on spending what I am payign for the cruise...shopping, soda...wtf....little gambling...

is norweign spirit 'kid' friendly...

are there a lot of activites to do while at sea....

it says 7 days, but the iterenary has us levign at 5:30 pm and getting back to port early a.m.....so really 5 days....

any other thoughts is appreciated...thinking about pulling the trigger on this deal....

thanks

 

[lawtchan]

7 nights departing November 29, 2009 on
Norwegian's Norwegian Spirit




Brochure Inside $1,399
Our Inside $299
You Save 79%
Brochure Oceanview $1,599
Our Oceanview $399
You Save 75%



Brochure Balcony $1,999
Our Balcony $649
You Save 68%
Brochure Suite $5,999
Our Suite $2,399
You Save 60%



$$$ Norwegian past guests qualify for additional discounts on select categories. Click here for details.
Promotions may not be combinable with all fares.


The prices shown are US dollars per person, based on double occupancy, and subject to availability. They include port charges but do not include airfare or (where applicable) airport or government taxes or fees.




ITINERARY


DAY DATE PORT ARRIVE DEPART
Sun Nov 29 New Orleans, LA 5:30pm
Mon Nov 30 At Sea
Tue Dec 1 Costa Maya, Mexico 10:00am 6:00pm
Wed Dec 2 Santo Tomas de Castilla, Guatemala 8:00am 6:00pm
Thu Dec 3 Belize City, Belize 8:00am 6:00pm
Fri Dec 4 Cozumel, Mexico 8:00am 5:00pm
Sat Dec 5 At Sea
Sun Dec 6 New Orleans, LA 8:00am


thoughts....

$1500.00 for 5 people for 7 day cruise....

Is Mexico safe ????

sounds reasonable...

don't care about an 'inside' cabin....like disney world..will pro bably be so worn out will need room just to sleep...

JUST BOOKED It>>>>:00hour :00hour

leaving nov. 29th for 7 day's o fun.....

 

[Nosigar]

thanks for the feedback..couple of things..

i'm figuring on spending what I am payign for the cruise...shopping, soda...wtf....little gambling...

is norweign spirit 'kid' friendly...

are there a lot of activites to do while at sea....

it says 7 days, but the iterenary has us levign at 5:30 pm and getting back to port early a.m.....so really 5 days....

any other thoughts is appreciated...thinking about pulling the trigger on this deal....

thanks

On the day that you leave, get to the ship early, say noon or so. You can eat, and do most of the activities until the ship leaves. Casino doesn't open until they are in int'l. waters.

I recommend Royal Caribbean for both adults and kids. My kids can't wait to get on the ship (they are 5 and 13). We do several 3 day weekenders a year and 1 - 2 5 day cruises. Or course, it's easy from S. Florida.

Lots of info. here since have kin folk who are big time cruisers (35 + cruises). Just got hooked a couple of years ago.

 

[MadJack]

cruises blow

 

[SixFive]

cruises blow

never been, but I agree.

 

[ppabart]

never been, but I agree.

:thinking:

Moose don't like water :shrug:

 

[SixFive]

:thinking:

Moose don't like water :shrug:

just doesn't appeal to me to go on a cruise. :shrug: my wife gets seasick, and even though you're not supposed to get sick on those huge boats, she's still never going to go, so I'm safe.

 

[ferdville]

love cruises but taking the kids will be a buzzkill - well it would be for me - I'm sure others wouldn't mind

 

[ppabart]

just doesn't appeal to me to go on a cruise. :shrug: my wife gets seasick, and even though you're not supposed to get sick on those huge boats, she's still never going to go, so I'm safe.

Sounds like you are safe indeed. I guess I'm on the fence about cruises. I think they could be fun...but at the same time, you could get a lousy draw and have a crap time for the money.

 

[lawtchan]

LEAVING IN A FEW HOURS.....


7 days of fun.......:00hour :00hour :00hour

 

[MadJack]

LEAVING IN A FEW HOURS.....


7 days of fun.......:00hour :00hour :00hour

:00hour :00hour

 

[vinnie]

LEAVING IN A FEW HOURS.....


7 days of fun.......:00hour :00hour :00hour

stay thirsty my friend :mj06: