Fredr

I surely hope that I am not causing you more anxiety but I would definitely fly in the day before your cruise. Copenhagen has a great airport which is not far from Copenhagen's port. That is on the plus side. Copenhagen' weather can be iffy any time of the year, and for this reason I would fly in a day early. This is based on two visits to that lovely city.

Hello,

I'm not so sure that flying from Las Vegas to Long Beach is more expensive than driving. You will pay for parking at the Long Beach pier plus the pay for gas from Las Vegas to Long Beach round trip. Suggest you go back and look at the numbers.

I live in Southern California and my recommendation, if you do drive, is as follows:

I 15 south from Las Vegas to the 210 west (toward Pasadena).

210 West to the I 605 South.

I -605 south to the I 405 west

I 405 west to 710 South, directly to the Port of Long Beach.

I have chosen the least congested freeways for you. The 710 is probably the most congested but you have a short distance to go on this freeway.

All of the above have carpool lanes. If there are two or more people in your vehicle, you can access these lanes and save quite a lot of time. But pay attention to when and where you need to exit the carpool lanes.

And... driving in Southern California is no more confusing than anywhere else.

Alternatives... You can drive to the Ontario Airport where you can park your car in a parking facility such as Sunrise. And take Supershuttle to the port. You will avoid most of La's freeways but you need to check prices on this.

Good luck

As usual the gentleman from Greenville South Carolina has provided excellent advice, especially the part about visiting the library.

And, as the Reflection is a big ship carry a map of the ship with you so that you can find your way back to your cabin. The crew will help you of course but a map is a good thing to keep with you.

And, stand up front as high as you can go on the Reflection and stand in the wind as the ship heads out to sea.

Do not overlook Celebrity. While Celebrity may be somewhat more sedate than the other cruise lines Celebrity provides an excellent cruise experience at a very reasonable price.

As for formal nights you can easily pack a suit or jacket and tie or black dress pants for women. Further, for a first timer, formal nights is an experience. You will probably like the New Year's Eve type of festivities on the ship.

I would consider Princess' 10 day cruise from San Francisco. And also look at a back to back from Vancouver, that is, two 7 day cruises on Celebrity.

A visit to Victoria BC should also be high on your list of ports to visit. Victoria is not Alaska but a truly wonderful place to visit and experience.

Be careful of "bargain" hotel rates. We stayed in Fort Lauderdale prior to a cruise in April of 2013. Sure, we got a great rate at a nice property but we were in a room the size of a postage stamp. We did receive a very nice breakfast comp but the room was a one night wonder, that is, good enough for one night.

We did have a very nice experience at the Miami Airport Sofitel, but to stay here here you should rent a car.

Hopefully the following will be of help to you...

Wear a shoe that covers your feet completely, that is, avoid sandals or other types of skimpy footwear.

The shoes should be slip free, that is, the shoe should protect you from slips.

The crew will assist you onto the tenders and off the tenders and pay attention to what these very strong men tell you. The sea can turn high very quickly so don't be surprised if the tender goes out to sea before docking.

If your tender has seating on top (and outside) go up there. Essentially you get a specacular view not only of your ship but the port as well. Some of my fondest memories of cruising is when I would ride the tender 2 3 and even 4 times. I never denied someone else a spot but riding the tender in Bora Bora, Airlie Beach, Zijuantejejo (sp) and Punta Del Este was a real treat.

Don't be surprised if you get wet...remember a tender will have an open doorway and probably some open windows.

To me tendering is one of the fun aspect of a cruise.

Many who responded missed the point. The original question...how do you afford very expensive cruises? I have been on 36 cruises and have been pleased with the mid level cruise lines such as Princess and Celebrity. I look for the special sales and upgrade to a suite if the price is right.

The questions you have to answer is this...how mature is the 2 year old. Is he or she adaptable to changes? Does he or she get easily rattled by motion such as being in a car? Are they (hopefully they are not) given to crying easily, and do they cry in the middle of the night.

My late wife and I had two children, both of whom are grown so I know something about 2 year olds. This is a very tough call as some kids are born sailors while others are not, though no fault of their own.

Do an honest assessment of the child and then decide.

Good luck

As a parent (though my children are grown)and as a substitute teacher (I do this to give back and for fun) I will be an advocate for your 12 year olds. My kids were 11 and 6 went they went on their first cruise and no problems of any kind had to be dealt with.

A lot depends frankly on how mature they are. If you have reasonable confidence that they can stay out of trouble, then allow them freedom to go places on the ship. However, if they are not very mature and will do things on a cruise ship such as throw things overboard, cut in line at the buffet, or treat the crew as servants, then maybe you better keep them close at hand.

What might help is a family meeting. Tell them that the Captain of a cruise ship is truly a master and commander of his or her realm. Further that captains have real power and can put the entire family ashore (at your expense) if their behavior is not acceptable behavior. Your interceding will have no bearing on the captain's decision nor will threats of legal action get you anywhere.

Have them sign a contract, specifying that they will do their best to behave.

Having said the above, remember that cruise ships have security personnel who patrol the ship and will be watchful of youth. Also, most cruise ships have areas reserved for children and teens. I can't verify how good these programs are but the programs endeavor to find interesting things for the kids to do.

I would give the kids freedom to have fun, with the understanding that decent behavior is expected.

Why not rent a car? Car rentals are relatively inexpensive in in this area, outstanding freeways and freeway signs, and with a car you can find some great hotels at reasonable prices.

Pixielegal,

I remember my father in law (both he and my wife have passed away) who despite an exceedingly good life, was miserable about everything. This man had it all, and all he did was complain about this or that not being right. It wasn't just his age because I knew him from the time he was about 57 or so.

He never wanted to go on a cruise. His rational was that he had been a Naval officer and had seen enough of the sea.

My point...there are people who will see the glass half full and say I have enough to satisfy my thirst. To others though a half filled glass just isn't good enough. And so it is with a cruise. To some a cruise is ruined if a cabin steward doesn't smile enough. To others this isn't important. What is important is to enjoy the aesthetics of a cruise...sunrises, sunsets and the sheer joy of standing in the wind as a ship heads out to sea.

Each port will have a website that lists the ships scheduled to arrive and depart that port. Please note that the schedule may change due to weather, itinerary changes required by shipping companies, and other factors.

Usually a government agency or a company with a contract, will run a city's port. And somewhere there will be words to the effect that this is the official ship's schedule.

I am not starting any arguments here but frankly 3 and 4 day cruises on Carnival are just that...a Carnival. I am not saying you won't have a nice time but just understand that 3 and 4 day cruises are real party cruises.

I would go on a Disney cruise if you want an upscale cruise experience.

Don't let wrinkled clothes bother you. I know you want to look your best but on a ship the size of the Allure and the itinerary, wrinkled clothes should not be given a second thought.

Opinion...HAL is a good cruise line. However, the demographics for HAL is higher overall than for the cruise lines i mentioned, and this couple will be on their honeymoon. I hae been on 5 or 6 HAL cruises so I am speaking fro experience.

A Hawaii cruise would be great...however Hawaii cruises from California go in the winter.

Addenda..look at cruises to Canada and New England.

Congratulations on your upcoming wedding...

I have listed some cruises you might take a look at. I have been on all of the cruise lines and visited most of the ports. Remember though you call the shots on a cruise, that is, you and your soon to be husband do as much as you want or as little. Want to stay in your cabin all day and have room service three or more times you do it without anyone telling you what to do. That a cruise ship stops in a port each day doesn't mean that you have to run yourself crazy trying to see everything in each port.

Also I have not included inexpensive cruises or very high end cruises. I don't want to start any arguments here but a first cruise really means you have nothing to compare it with while CCers as a group have been on thousands of cruises. They know what they like and do not about cruises.

Here goes..

Ruby Princess British Isles (especially visits to Scotland by sea)

Celebrity Constellation Amsterdam to Amsterdam 8/1 to 8/13 Northern Europe - this is a great cruise

Celebrity Infinity British Isles 8/4

Celebrity's Reflection 8/4 Round trip Rome

I have been to Alaska 4 times by cruise ship and frankly as much as I really like Alaska, there are other places for a honeymoon more romantic. Good luck on your search.

Friends,

All of your comments are well taken, especially about Ketchikan. I surely hope though that people considering a cruise read CC reviews as these reviews often contain valuable information. And read the reviews with a grain of salt? Does this mean that they should read the reviews with a salt shaker at their side?

Here's wishing all a joyful holiday season.

For those of you who are considering going on a cruise, and are reading cruise reviews, please consider the following:

First, many cruise critic members who write cruise reviews have their bias. Some younger reviewers think that anyone over 60 years old is ancient and should be avoided. Other reviewers are techies who need Internet speeds greater than what is found from their computer rooms. And if the Internet sped isn't there, then the cruise is worthless.

Second, food is a very subjective subject. I have been on 35 cruises and there have been some dishes that didn't quite turn out to my satisfaction. However, overal the food has been very good to excellent on the many ships I have sailed. The greater issue here is...are many of reviewers real experts in the culinary arts? Are they trained chefs or like most people learned to cook from their parents or grandparents or are self taught. A suggestion for you...ask the waiters what is the specialty that evening or lunch. I remember one cruise where the Executive Chef was an Italian. He was superb in the Italian cuisine but not so good at American or Canadian fare. On a cruise you try to determine what is the best things coming out of the kitchens.

Third, another very subjective subject is entertainment. You can't please everyone. Some passengers really enjoy the production shows, others classical violin or piano. Agian based on 35 cruises most of the entertainment will be satisfactory or above.

I could go on. In closing you have to do your research when selecting a cruise. And reading reviews should be a part of that research but read the reviews very carefully and if possible elimnate those who show malice or a real bias.

Emphasize training and maintenance. As someone who enjoys traveling by cruise ship, I have noticed that most cruise lines do not spend nearly enough on these two vital components. It is understandable though, because both are relatively expensive and the lawyers/accontants who are the CEOs of cruise lines do not want to spend money on what they view as an unnecessary expense.

The above is based on my 35 cruises the first of which was in 1976. And a word of caution to HAL. You need to quickly improve your maintenance schedule programs or you will begin to see a significant decrease in passengers.

Tasmania,

You live on an island and so the sea any time you want to. That is great. But have you ever sailed up the Firth of Forth on a beautiful May morning, under the bridges with glorious Scotland all around you? And surely you have not sailed up the Hudson River with the Statue of Liberty and the New York City skyline within your sights? And leaving Hong Kong in the early evening with the light show going on? And closer to your home, have you ever tendered to Airlie Beach?

Saw my first and probably last Tasmainian Devil at the Sydney Zoo. Interesting to look at.

Tasmania,

Frankly, I am absolutely appalled that you spent that much money, and I better understand that you have concluded that cruising is not for you.

Sadly, you and others who try a cruise and find it not to their liking, seem to miss at least one of the major points of travel by sea. The beauty of the voyage itself, and this is why I go on cruises. I live in a part of the world where there is a huge number of outstanding restaurants and within a 4 hours' drive are some of the best hotels in the world. But what these places do not have, is the majesty of the sea, that is, to wake up and see a perfect meld of sea and sky. Or as the sun sets beyond the horizon. And moonbeams across the water.

Tasmania,

I wrote earlier that cruising is not for everyone. And you and your family are in that group. Please note that I have traveled widely and enjoy road trips. However, there are travel experiences at sea that in most situations can't be duplicated on a land based vacation. One example is departing Sydney by ship, going past the Opera House and out to sea late in the afternoon. Another is sailing up the Firth of Forth in Scotland on a sparkling early May morning.

I go on cruises for the aesthetics, that is, to be at sea. I don't need massages, spas, drinking, fancy food, entertainment, photographers. Just a good book and the inescapable beauty of the sea.

If you come to the USA and go on a road trip, make sure that you do your research. I do not want you stuck in Los Angeles' traffic between the hours of 4 and 7 in the afternoon. Or looking for a gas station late at night somewhere in Texas. Or finding a parking space in Philadelphia when visiting Independence Hall. Or arriving in Yellowstone National Park area in the summer, only to find your lodging reservation has inadvertently been lost. Or paying lots of money for a place to stay in Boston.

Traveling by car in America takes research and lots of it for people from foreign countries.

You are correct that cruising isn't for everyone. However, there are those of us who enjoy traveling by sea and keep the negatives you mention to an absolute minimum.

Jean,

You might consider repositioning cruises. These are cruises where a cruise line moves ships from one part of the world to another. And there are some great deals on these cruises.

I have visited Australia three times including a cruise up to Cairns and Brisbane from Sydney. One of many highights though was a visit to Airlie Beach. The ship anchored quite far out and I will never forget riding atop a tender to Airlie. I liked this so much that I rode the tender three times.

If you want some ideas about repositioning cruises please let me know and I will do some research for you. I am basically retired and my girlfriend and I are going on a transatlantic cruise in April. As I am recovering from surgery and radiation I have the time to help first timers such as yourself.

Fred