Yet another noob first time cruiser....... :)

[SilverGS]

I've read a couple of the threads from other first time cruisers and decided to start my own thread with a tad more detail so that the seasoned pros on here can help me figure this out. :D

 

 

1. Married, with two boys (14 and 12).
   
2. Planned date for cruise (unless someone convinces me otherwise :) ) is December 18/19th 2011. We want to run away from the winter up here in Ontario, Canada. :)
   
3. Preferred port of departure would be NJ, MD, NY as it would mean a drive that's not too long (less than 10 hours). Florida is out as we don't want to drive 24+ hours and we're trying to keep our budget down by driving instead of flying.
   
4. Budget - roughly $750 per person
   
5. Preferred room - Ocean view or balcony depending on cost
   
6. 9 days cruise would be ideal
   
7. Destination - open to your suggestions
   

 

So here are my obvious questions:

 

1. Recommendations on specific cruise line
   
2. Ports to visit?
   
3. How to get the best deal on the cost online?
   
4. Gotchas to watch for as first time cruisers
   
5. What other costs do we need to budget for other than the cruise itself? One that comes to mind is rental of a parking spot for the car for the 9-10 days. Any suggestions for the best way to do this? What other costs do we need to budget for?
   
6. What are taxes and other fees for some of these cruises that depart out of NJ, NY or MD? Is it similar to airfare where you you see a small amount for the airfare and in very small writing you see the tax amount which is 3 times more than the actual airfare?
   
7. Any other things we should be considering? Is it better to go at a different time of the year? Why?
   

 

Thanks very much for all your help folks! We want to book this now as I imagine (please correct me if this assumption is wrong) the prices would be better now rather than waiting till about 1 or 2 months before we travel.

[Keith1010]

One nice option is to take a cruise out of NYC/New Jersey and visit Bermuda. It will provide a nice mix of sea days and a beautiful island in Bermuda to see.

 

A really nice cruise line is Celebrity. Others to choose from include NCL and HAL.

 

I recommend going to each of the cruise line web sites to look up these cruises. They will show the prices and also the port charges and taxes. See if you can narrow this down.

 

Then talk with a cruise specialist. See if a colleague or a friend or family member has a recommendation.

 

Make sure they have no hidden fees if you should change or cancel the cruise.

 

See if they will give you any additional amenities.

Keith

[paul929207]

Have you checked with a TA? You may have trouble finding a 9 day cruise in an outside cabin for $750 pp. especially if that figure is to cover all expenses. You are looking at about $100 per person in tips. Then you have beverages, excusions and other purchases.

[Friend100]

Based on your criteria in terms of budget, date/time of year (Christimas/New Year!), length of cruise, port of departure, cabin category, my gut feel is it will be very challenging to find something available. Having said that, do check with a local travel agent, or wait for last minute deal.

 

A good standpoint to check maybe NCL Gem and Jewel, both sailing out of New York, or Celebrity Silhouette, from Cape Liberty, NJ.

 

You may want to check air flying out of Buffalo, Detroit, Niagara Falls-NY (I assume you're close to GTA and can drive to those airports, or even Pittsburgh or Cleveland to Fort Lauderdale, Miami or Orlando. The air price is more reasonable there (comparing to AC / AirTransat/Sunwing ...) and you have more cruise options sailing out of ports there.

[Mrs007]

Why don't you check out Carnival Pride out of Baltimore on Dec. 18. They have a special now with an obstructed view balcony $494/pp plus taxes. This would leave you only about $700 for the rest of the cruise which would be tight depending on your wants. Get the kids the soda card (maybe yourself too - bar drinks add up QUICK!!) Port calls are Port Canaveral, Nassau, and Freeport. All of which can be great beach days.

 

I know it eats into your budget, but why not check out a hotel in Baltimore that offers a "park and cruise" type of package for either the night before or after your cruise.

 

Hope these suggestions help.

[cb at sea]

Alcohol and soda are extra charges on almost every cruiseline. Then, there's gambling (if you do that), excursion costs, photos, souveniers, etc... also, most ships have "specialty dining", that costs extra...you do NOT have to do that, to have a good experience,tho!

 

And, don't forget about the "suggested tips"...runs in the $11 per person per night range on most cruiselines...yes...for the kids, too!

 

A 9 nighter is good, since cruising from a northern port will eat up a couple days each way in colder weather!

[Friend100]

 

Thanks very much for all your help folks! We want to book this now as I imagine (please correct me if this assumption is wrong) the prices would be better now rather than waiting till about 1 or 2 months before we travel.

 

Not necessary true. It really depends on demand and supply. Generally speaking, if you have a specific date, ship and cabin in mind and you really really want it, then yes book in as early as possible will be the approach. But if you are more flexible and willing to take whatever is still available 1-2 months out, then probably good deals can be found. But since you want Dec18/19 for a 7+ nights sailing and this is holiday sailing (meaning $$$$$$$$), I'd suggest find a travel agent to help.

[RYMOMA]

My family of 4 is going NCL 11/27 on the Gem, OV.

got a real good deal...as they had a kid sail free special in May.

 

I was bored and looking today at what it would cost for the same week

it is about $2350, for 4 in the OV. very glad i got the KSF promo

 

keep on the lookout for deals, sign up at travel sites to get emails about upcoming promos.

 

Good Luck

and i agree with the drive to a port to save more money

airfare is redunkulus

[serene56]

Why don't you check out Carnival Pride out of Baltimore on Dec. 18. They have a special now with an obstructed view balcony $494/pp plus taxes. p.

 

 

I agree with Carnival Pride out of Baltimore-

 

One problem is you will get 4 days of cold weather- 2 days going and 2 days coming back.

We sailed in February- Pool is opened and is covered.

Cruise director keeps people busy with indoor activities.

[cruiserking]

Here are some of the local New York/New Jersey cruise departures I found for your time frame.

 

 

Hi SilverGS,

 

If you are willing to move your dates up to early December there are some decent options.

 

Royal Caribbean's Explorer of the Seas has a 10-day round trip from New Jersey to the Caribbean with stops in St. Martin, St. Thomas, Labadee - Haiti and San Juan, Puerto Rico. Inside cabins around your budget price.

 

Norwegian Cruise Line on the other hand has 7-day cruises round trip from New York City to Port Cavaveral, Florida & the Bahamas. You can find very reasonable online prices for the NCL Jewel on December 17th and the NCL Gem on December 18th.

 

If this is your first cruise you should speak with a travel agent, there's no charge and you'll learn a lot.

 

Jonathan

[Krazy Kruizers]

Welcome to Cruise Critic.

 

The time you are thinking about -- more expensive as you are sailing around the holidays.

 

When you say driving 10 hours -- are you driving to the port a day ahead? New York can be very expensive for 4 people. Driving 10 hours means that you will need to be on the road by 2 AM at least!! That's a long hard day.

 

[spny84]

One other poster mentioned it but it's worth noting since one of your reasons for cruising is to get warm weather. You could possibly have cold weather all the way down in the Bahamas (not just the 2 days going and coming). We sailed in Jan 2009 when some jetstream dipped super low. It was cold in the Western Caribbean (where we were - Belize, Costa Maya, etc.); New Orleans our port of embarkation was freezing temps the night before we boarded. I also talked to someone who did the Eastern Caribbean out of Florida the exact same time and they also only had 1-2 days of good weather on their 7 day cruise. Not worth forgo'ing the trip but just want you informed.

 

We try to sail out of San Juan in the winter because we are pretty much guaranteed warm weather.

 

Have fun planning!

[SilverGS]

Thanks very much for all the tips guys!

 

Regarding one of the reasons why we picked end of December, what about late October ? Would that be a better time?

[AmandaRaye]

Alcohol and soda are extra charges on almost every cruiseline.

I assumed alcohol will be extra, but soft drinks, too? Yet food is included??? huh?:confused:

[Mrs007]

I assumed alcohol will be extra, but soft drinks, too? Yet food is included??? huh?:confused:

 

Yes, sodas are extra. Most ships offer a soda card which you can purchase anytime during the cruise. If you drink a lot of soda/pop it is a good purchase. There is usually iced tea available at the lido deck buffet all day for free. Food is included unless you go to one of the alternative dinning venues - those have an additional fee as well.

[serene56]

I assumed alcohol will be extra, but soft drinks, too? Yet food is included??? huh?:confused:

a can of soda will cost you 2.00 and some pennies.

you can take your own 12 sodas yourself and save some money.

 

Depends on the cruiselines-- carnival has free iced tea/lemonade during the day- I think last cruise we got only one can of soda the entire week

[kitty9]

Thanks very much for all the tips guys!

 

Regarding one of the reasons why we picked end of December, what about late October ? Would that be a better time?

 

Late October is the tail end of the hurricane season, but at least it will be warmer. If a late season hurricane skips up the East Coast, it could make things interesting, to say the least. The only thing you'll face for your kids is less kids cruising, especially for a 9 day cruise. Generally, families tend to not take longer cruises during school time, but if making friends is not a priority for your kids, then of course October will be warmer.

 

Another thing you face with cruising in winter out of the Northeast is those nasty Nor'Easter storms. Those can totally ruin a cruise with the high winds and rough seas.

 

Booking a cruise at the time you indicate in late December usually involves paying a premium. Holiday sailings are always much more expensive than if you cruise the first week of December or a week after New Year's.

[Friend100]

Thanks very much for all the tips guys!

 

Regarding one of the reasons why we picked end of December, what about late October ? Would that be a better time?

 

From a price standpoint, yes it should be better than late December (but won't be as good as early December which traditionally is the lowest season and best bargain can be found)

 

From an itinerary standpoint, departing from NY/NJ/MD going to Caribbean, it will still be the same ships like Explorer of the Seas, Enchantment of the Seas and the NCL Jewel. The Carnival Pride also has sailing to the Bahamas from Baltimore. Celebrity Silhouette won't have sailing from NJ until early November.

 

Through late October, NCL still have 2 ships going to Bermuda, with the Gem departing from New York and the Dawn departing from Boston. NCL had a kids sail free a few weeks ago and would have been a very good deal if doing one of these. Check with TA if there is still any deal available.

[isujim]

You have a lot of choices.........Royal Caribbean, HAL, Princess.

 

My only suggestion is with two boys 14 and 12 I would recommend Royal Caribbean or Princess because of the kids programs they have on board. I've been on Celebrity and HAL as well but don't think your boys would enjoy them nearly as much. Just thinking of keeping the kids happy:)

 

Once you make up your mind, come back and tell everyone your decision and we can help you with more specific answers. Sometimes generic information has a tendency to run together until you narrow it down and pick your cruise line and ship.

 

Good luck and welcome to cruise critic.

[essgee_ca]

I was just checking out Royal Caribbean's December prices and there are some good deals for the time you are looking at. A bit more than your price range (certainly nothing as good as the Carnival $449 pp) but as many have said the holidays are more expensive. Enchanment of the Seas, leaving out of Baltimore, has a Oceanview for $699 for a 7 night Bahamas cruise - Dec 17. There is a 10 night eastern Caribbean out of New Jersey for $917 (Oceanview) on Dec 1 and a 12 night for $955 (Oceanview) Southern Caribbean out of Baltimore on Dec 5.

These are all Canadian prices. Prices could could go up tomorrow and then back down later.

Because I didn't know much about cruising I booked my first two cruises through a travel agent. However, I have booked my last two cruises through the cruise website. When the price goes down they give you the lower price (as long as it is before final payment is due)

Flights are not too bad - I checked Air Canada and it is $169 Toronto to New Jersey. However for 4 people it would be a good idea to drive and I've been told it is best to plan to be there the day before. The East Coast departures page has a thread on New Jersey/Cape Liberty with lots of information about that port.

Hope that helps.

[SilverGS]

Thanks to everyone for your valuable input.

 

We finally booked the cruise!

 

• Leaving From: Baltimore, Maryland
  
• Cruise: 7 Night Bahamas Cruise
  
• Travel Dates: Sat 17 Dec - Sat 24 Dec 2011
  
• Total Guests: 4
  
• Ship: Enchantment Of The Seas
  

Ports

Port Canaveral, Florida

Nassau, Bahamas

Cococay, Bahamas

 

 

What is the recommendation for excursions at these ports? Go with the Ship's excursions or do something on our own?

 

Total cost of cruise + gratuities + insurance was roughly $3K.

[eh2zed]

Enjoy. Now you can check the Ports of Call boards for excursion ideas.

[Essiesmom]

Coco Cay is a private island, great beach day. Port Canaveral, go to Kennedy Space Center. Nassau - wander around, then take a taxi to Atlantis. EM

[SadieN]

Why don't you check out Carnival Pride out of Baltimore on Dec. 18. They have a special now with an obstructed view balcony $494/pp plus taxes. This would leave you only about $700 for the rest of the cruise which would be tight depending on your wants. Get the kids the soda card (maybe yourself too - bar drinks add up QUICK!!) Port calls are Port Canaveral, Nassau, and Freeport. All of which can be great beach days.

 

I know it eats into your budget, but why not check out a hotel in Baltimore that offers a "park and cruise" type of package for either the night before or after your cruise.

 

Hope these suggestions help.

 

Another idea for a cabin on the Pride would be a Interior French Door cabin (category 4K). The french doors open for fresh air but are obstructed by the life boats.