cruisyvibes

104 pages, so is that all? I kid, I kid! Started reading from page 1 to about 34 till I realized some of that stuff was old school (although I did make notes from some). Then skipped to page 54 to about 74, circa 2013 but that was still making my eyes dizzy from all the reading and noting. So finally skipped to page 94 to present. Holy cow! I have been schooled!

Over preparing? Perhaps but this coming from the same person that bought The Unofficial Guide to Disney World with over 800 pages for a 1 week trip. If I learned something from over preparing is that while people like my husband are waiting in long lines and having the "we'll see when we get there" attitude, I am the one knowing exactly what to do/not do. It's hard totally abandoning the same skills you use at work every day.

One last thing (kind of mentioned in different manner, orange scent spray) my neighbor is the inventor of this nifty toilet spray:

Poopourri

I have used it and NO poopy smell, I swear. So I'm taking a little bottle instead of a big bag of potpourri. 7 night cruise with 2 adults and 2 kids in 1 cabin, will report my findings upon completion, but hypothesis points toward no smell!

Keep in mind that cruise lines you mention do not really include airfare....if air is added on it is the same as if you booked airfare on your own.

Find a travel agent that specializes in cruises and deal with that person. I never call the cruiseline reps as half the time they don't know what they are talking about.

 

That's a hefty price to pay for 5 days.

I did call Norwegian, gave up and haven't called Royal yet. I was getting the same feeling that the customer service reps indeed don't know what the heck they're talking about. So I do want to go ahead and get with a travel agent, where is the best place to find one? I came across an organization for TA's (ASTA.org), would that be a good place to start?

There are only a couple of lines that charge less for a baby. None of them sail out of Texas ports.

 

You could give Royal Caribbean or Norwegian a call. They have some staterooms that sleep 6, but those cannot be booked online. The 3rd/4th/5th/6th passengers are generally cheaper than the 1st and 2nd which may make a single larger cabin (or suite) more cost effective than 2 cabins.

I do know some cruise lines include airfare, hopefully Royal/Norwegian may. I will give them both a call.

I guess I should add, I don't mind flying, its the added expense of flying itself I am trying to avoid.

So expensive to cruise over Christmas, and two of your five cruise days are spent at sea.

 

If I want to compare value, I figure out the cost per day per person. For your cruise it's $4162.68/5 days which equals $832.54 per day. $832.54/6 people equals $138.76 per person per day.

 

Then add whatever Carnival's gratuities are to this total, and incidental expenses you may have. Book if it's worth it to you.

Yes I know, I cringe just thinking about it! But don't know what else to do. I have been in these forums for months now, but just now decided to post because I have thought about it for so long what to do... All these balls and chains (work, school)! I was finally going to take the plunge and book today, but when the customer service rep over the phone told me that all travelers are one price regardless of age, something told me to think it over some more... Hence why I am here now.

Hello!

So its my husband (he's a Disabled Veteran), me (the wife), my mom (over 55), 9 yr old, 6 yr old, and 8 monthly old baby.

We want to go on a 5 day to the Caribbean this December around Christmas, has to be from Galveston or Houston ports (we live in TX and just want to drive there rather than trying to fly with so many ppl). I know the price will be sky high but unfortunately that's the nature of the beast when you can only take off work certain days and kid's school district is strict with absences (we can only get away with having them miss school 1 or 2 days during this adventure).

I was going to book with carnival (triumph), which sets sail Dec 24th but I think they charge per person same fee regardless of the fact one is a baby and we will have to bring her food with us. Was quoted $4,162.68 for 6 travelers, deck 2, oceanview room and interior room.

If I have no choice in getting reduced price for kids then it is what it is and I'll go ahead and book, but I figured it would not hurt to ask other people's opinions... So what do you think?