Jo_London_Mum

Hello all

I am turning 50 this year and want to do a cruise early next year to celebrate. 

I have done over 25 cruises on Celebrity, Disney, Princess & mainly Royal Caribbean and am a diamond crown & anchor member. 

However, I have not even thought about a cruise since then due to various circumstances, including a new husband that gets seasick! However, he is more keen to cruise than I am right now. 

We want to do Caribbean and quite like the idea of cruising from Barbados on P&O or San Juan with Norweigan as thre Southern caribbean ports are my favourite. Also really open to all the Florida ports. 

When I was last cruising, it was a pretty level playing field, you had your main dining slot with a few speciality restaurants, you paid for drinks and you paid all your tips at the end. 

Now however, there are a variety of "All inclusive" some including tips, and I must admit this does appeal. 

So my question is, what are the main changes for me to get to grips with, what cruise lines or ships or itineraries are the most cost effective and a better deal? 

I would only want to go on these lines: 

Princess

RCL

P&O 

Celebrity 

Norwegian 

MCO maybe

TIA x

Royal Caribbean re-vamped it's Crown and Anchor program several years ago. Would definitely check with them to see where you currently stand. There are a lot of different benefits including free drinks, balcony discounts and much more. Also, RC owns Celebrity and there two programs although not combined are reciprocal so check with them too. You may be enrolled in Celebrity's Captains Club too if you joined when you sailed with them.

I will do, thanks so much for the tip!

Wow!

Thanks you so much for all the replies, this is amazing.

The guy im travelling is my other half. He is quite fussy, we have been travelling to Eurpoe, Greece, Spain Italy and he likes going for a morning run. We are quite easy going through the day, a bit of sightseeing and lazing by the pool. In the evening we take a walk out and find a taverna, we love our food.

I think in his mind he sees cruising as limited and over crowded, with no choice and too many people around. I know different. I havent gone on and on though, he has actually come to me now his friends are actually saying they didnt think it wa for them and were converted.

Great point made about loyalty schemes, i was a silver crown and achor member, so I take it that still stands?

I have never been on NCL though and I think thats who I would be leaning towards with the premium all inclusive package, and any time dining, and we will squeeze in a few speciality restaurants.

Thanks again everyone!!

Jo x

Hi, I am looking at cruising after a 10 year break. I am now travelling with a man who has never cruised, has always said he is anti cruising and however much I have tried to convince him otherwise, its ony 2 of his freinds cruising and raving on about them that have made him question whather maybe he might like one?

So - Im trying to work on him for a cruise at the beginning of January to the Caribbean.

I have done Princess, RCI, Celebrity many times, over 20 cruises, but these were all over 10 years + ago, and a lot has changed since then. So before I go back armed with otions prices and info and my best smile I wanted to ask the following if you lovely people wouldnt mind helping me out?

1 - Whats the deal with anytime dining, this was first being introduced on my last cruise. I have always ben a 2nd seating girl, and I think he would probably want a table for 2 only, where as I would go for a biggie, 10 or 12, I have to ease him in to the cruising spirit gently!

2 - Im looking at NCL as well as the above previous lines I have been on, how are the new ships in comparison, and are they really all inclusive? or are there hidden extras?

3 - Does tipping still work on the same basis?

4 - Any other really important changed in the past ten years?

Thanks I know the forums are full of such helpful generous people xxx

Jo x

Hi, I am looking at cruising after a 10 year break. I am now with a man who has never cruised, has always said he is anti cruising and however much I have tried to convince him otherwise, its ony 2 of his freinds cruising and raving on about them that have made him question whather maybe he might like one?

So - Im trying to work on him for a cruise at the beginning of January to the Caribbean.

I have done Princess, RCI, Celebrity many times, over 20 cruises, but these were all 10 years + ago, and a lot has changed since then. So before I go back armed with otions prices and info and my best smile I wanted to ask the following if you lovely people wouldnt mind helping me out?

1 - Whats the deal with anytime dining, this was first being introduced on my last cruise. I have always ben a 2nd seating girl, and I think he would probably want a table for 2 only, where as I would go for a biggie, 10 or 12, I have to ease him in to the cruising spirit gently!

2 - Im looking at NCL as well as the above previous lines I have been on, how are the new ships in comparison, and are they really all inclusive? or are there hidden extras?

3 - Does tipping still work on the same basis?

4 - Any other really important changed in the past ten years?

Thanks I know the forums are full of such helpful generous people xxx

Jo x