need hellp please with advice

[blonby1970]

Hello To All......

My Wife Is Turning 40 Next May And We Have Been Married

21 Years And For Ever In A Day She Has Always Wanted To Go

On A Cruise And As Far As For Me Well Not So Much.

I'm Just Not A Fan Of The Water But Hey When I Married Her

21 Years Ago Believe It Or Not I Snorkled In Playa Del Carmen Mexico

Lol. So Looks Like I'm Going On A Cruise ....

Can You Give Me Some Suggestions On Where To Go?

What Cruise Line To Go With?

I Live In Salem Oregon It Will Be My Wife And I And Our 4 Year Old

Daughter. Then I Want To Invite Family Members So I Can't Spend

A Million On Individual Tickets.

Looking For A Fun entertaining cruise

[Scrapnana]

Welcome to Cruise Critic!

 

I think it is very sweet of you to go on a cruise to make your wife happy.

 

When you say you are inviting relatives, do you mean you are paying for them?

 

Considering where you live, how about an Alaskan cruise? Princess, Celebrity, Holland America, Norwegian and Celebrity all cruise Alaska.

[blonby1970]

Welcome to Cruise Critic!

 

I think it is very sweet of you to go on a cruise to make your wife happy.

 

When you say you are inviting relatives, do you mean you are paying for them?

 

Considering where you live, how about an Alaskan cruise? Princess, Celebrity, Holland America, Norwegian and Celebrity all cruise Alaska.

 

Thank You For Responding Other Family Members Will Be Attending And They Will

Have To Pay For The Tickets ThemSelves I'm Just Trying To Find Out

Or Get A Ideal What A Ticket Would Cost. I Have Some Older Children

And The Way The Economy Is They Are Back In School Due To Loss

Employment So I Will Be Helping Them I'm Sure :)

I Wanted To Do something Where We Are Actually Out Doing

Some Sea Time. I Heard The Alaska Trips Are Nice But

Others Had Said Its Ok Lol

Do You Have Any Suggestions?

Where Is A Good Place To Buy That's Safe?

What Kind Of Room Should I Ask For?

[Cruisin' Chick]

Was there a time of year that you are considering? I would suggest you ask friends and family in the area who have gone on a cruise for a recommendation of a "cruise specialist," or else look in your yellow pages/local yahoo listing for a travel agent that is a cruise specialist (some travel agents have never been on a cruise so you'll want to avoid those).

 

Tell them what time of year you can go, what is your budget (go a little under as you'll have to consider travel to your embarkation port, a pre-cruise hotel as you won't want to fly in the day of your cruise, and gratuities). Also if there's some place you want to cruise to.

 

If you're thinking about summer, then an Alaskan cruise would be a good bet. There's two types: 1) the round trips out of Seattle, Vancouver, San Francisco and the 2) one-ways that go south or north between Anchorage and Vancouver.

 

Most of the mass market cruise lines have a kids' program.

 

Is there some reason you are inviting family members? If so, are you paying for the fares or are they? That's an important point that you would need to make clear.

 

What some people do with a group is to have a travel agent handle the arrangements. Tell the TA about how many might be traveling. Then give the TA's contact info to those who might take the cruise along with a drop dead date for them to contact the TA along with pricing info (if they're paying for their tickets, let them select what category cabin as some may want to save money and others might be willing to go whole hog). That way, you won't be going crazy trying to wrangle everyone -- especially some might not be that gung ho about a cruise, some may not be able to make it, but there will always be the type who will tell you they're going and then at the last minute wig out. Make it on them to carry the financial responsibility -- and they'll be more likely to be careful. While if you're paying, some people will be irresponsible.

 

Another caveat, which you'll find many people suggesting with groups, is don't require everyone to hang out with the group 100 per cent of the time. You can see about getting the TA to link your bookings for dining at dinner (you can include that in your info that you send to each party -- if they want to eat with the group, they should tell the TA). You can make a list of excursions that the ship sponsors and also include websites for reputable touring companies in those ports too, and pass that on. But again, leave it to each party to decide what they want to do in order to reduce any possible resentment.

[Sauer-kraut]

Please read the poster's statement! He is NOT paying for the other individuals just his nuclear family.

 

Where to go? Hmmm...if you're going in the winter the Bahamas are great! Sunshine and warm but you have to pony up the airfare to Tampa or Miami.

 

Alaska is wonderful! For that you need to get a balcony cabin so you can have you private viewing area instead of a public deck with the masses. But AK is an expensive cruise.

 

Any warm weather cruise in the summer will be cheaper, cheaper even during prime hurricane season. You can manage in an inside cabin for the Bahamas.

 

I would suggest you go to a travel agent that specializes in cruises they can be most helpful with giving you ideas and such. Just remember some cruise lines have a formal night where jacket and tie are suggested others have no formal nights and you can dress in a polo shirt and chinos.

 

DO YOUR HOMEWORK! know what you are getting in to before you board. It might also help planning if you knew where your WIFE might like to cruise to. :D

[blonby1970]

[QUOSauerCraut;39757956]Please read the poster's statement! He is NOT paying for the other individuals just his nuclear family.

 

Where to go? Hmmm...if you're going in the winter the Bahamas are great! Sunshine and warm but you have to pony up the airfare to Tampa or Miami.

 

Alaska is wonderful! For that you need to get a balcony cabin so you can have you private viewing area instead of a public deck with the masses. But AK is an expensive cruise.

 

Any warm weather cruise in the summer will be cheaper, cheaper even during prime hurricane season. You can manage in an inside cabin for the Bahamas.

 

I would suggest you go to a travel agent that specializes in cruises they can be most helpful with giving you ideas and such. Just remember some cruise lines have a formal night where jacket and tie are suggested others have no formal nights and you can dress in a polo shirt and chinos.

 

DO YOUR HOMEWORK! know what you are getting in to before you board. It might also help planning if you knew where your WIFE might like to cruise to. :D

 

her bday is may8 She Loves Islands Lol I Just Don't Know That For Our

First Cruise To Be In Alaska I Have heard Its Much More Affordable

What I'm Trying To Do Is fiqure Out The Cost Per Person Where To Go

Go. Im Thinking We Depart Anytime Between feb-may What's Best Way

To Find Great pricing

[notentirelynormal]

Since you live in Oregon I would pick somewhere else for your first cruise than Alaska. I grew up in Vancouver and I keep telling people.... I've seen big beautiful trees, mountains, totem poles, snow capped mountains etc. Granted no massive glaciers. I've take the ferry from Vancouver to Victoria so eating dinner on the ship is much the same scenery. Temps are close. You won't be doing water things unless you are TOP of the water. The places you visit are small US cities and sell the same thing you might buy at home except for the things specific to Alaska. If you want to save on airfare, drive to California and take a cruise from there. You could easily drive in a day (15 hours doing the speed limit), spend the night at San Pedro or somewhere along the way. Board your cruise refreshed. I would suggest Mexico or even along the west coast. Otherwise it's the Caribbean for swimming and snorkeling.

[BajaBuddies2]

Cruise out of Seattle or Vancouver --maybe alaska cruises--but it wouldn't be in May for best price there. Best Price is about Sept, October end of Season, sales come out about June!! and are on now :D Royal Carribean best program for kids, or Celebrity Cruises.

[blonby1970]

Since you live in Oregon I would pick somewhere else for your first cruise than Alaska. I grew up in Vancouver and I keep telling people.... I've seen big beautiful trees, mountains, totem poles, snow capped mountains etc. Granted no massive glaciers. I've take the ferry from Vancouver to Victoria so eating dinner on the ship is much the same scenery. Temps are close. You won't be doing water things unless you are TOP of the water. The places you visit are small US cities and sell the same thing you might buy at home except for the things specific to Alaska. If you want to save on airfare, drive to California and take a cruise from there. You could easily drive in a day (15 hours doing the speed limit), spend the night at San Pedro or somewhere along the way. Board your cruise refreshed. I would suggest Mexico or even along the west coast. Otherwise it's the Caribbean for swimming and snorkeling.

 

Awesume Thanks For Your Words about The Alaska Cruise Was Ecacyly

What My Thoughts Were So Alaska Is Out. I Have No Problem

Driving To California. We Like Warm And Tropical Beautiful Water

And What Not

[notentirelynormal]

Cruise out of Seattle or Vancouver --maybe alaska cruises--but it wouldn't be in May for best price there. Best Price is about Sept, October end of Season, sales come out about June!! and are on now :D Royal Carribean best program for kids, or Celebrity Cruises.

 

Actually Princess has a wonderful program for kids. They even do "Science at Sea" stuff.

[Essiesmom]

Go to the websites of each of the major cruise lines sailing from the US, and sign up for their email/snail mail notifications of sales/specials. Princess has coastal cruises in California, which would save on airfare for you and the family. Airfare can be a killer, can be as much or more than the cruise fare...EM

[leaveitallbehind]

Awesume Thanks For Your Words about The Alaska Cruise Was Ecacyly

What My Thoughts Were So Alaska Is Out. I Have No Problem

Driving To California. We Like Warm And Tropical Beautiful Water

And What Not

 

....And Why All The Capital Words??

[trish1c]

A cruise departing from the West Coast will probably be your most economical option. Lots of cruises do leave for the Caribbean from Florida but that will add expensive airfare to your travel plans. You may want to price both cruises & air out of San Juan. I know from here (NJ) tickets to OSJ / PR are expensive but I don't know what they would cost from where you are.

An old rule of thumb said that if you can get a cabin for 2 people for under $100 per day per person you getting a good deal. When you look a cruise prices on the big travel websites, remember that the price shown is PP. Your daughter in your cabin will add a bit to the fare. Some lines sometimes offer deals like $199 for the 2nd & 3rd person. Remember she has to eat on board too & will be counted toward life boat space so there is an extra cost for her. Some times you can get really cheap deals but if you want a nicer cabin -- balcony or a suite -- you will pay more. Also do not book anything until you check the airfare. The last time we sailed from PR, the flight was almost double the cost of the cabin.

Any of the Mass market lines -- Carnival, RCL, NCL or Princess -- will suit your needs. Figure out which one is leaving when you want to sail & from a port that makes sense for you. If you can't otherwise make a decision, pick the most economical or the one with the most on board activities (rock wall, flow rider . . . whatever interests you). You can do a comparison of each ship on line to see what makes sense for your family. While each line is a bit different & they all have their fans & detractors on here, they are more similar than different. As a first time cruiser, don't get overly hung up on that minutia. It will make you crazy. Once you get the basics of cruising down then you can worry about this line v. that one.

[blonby1970]

....And Why All The Capital Words??

 

Because I'm On A Cell Phone And Not A Computer And That How The

Texts Come Through Does It Matter???

[zoncom]

Congrats on your decision to gift your family a cruise. I question the wisdom of extending the invitation to your extended family who sound like new cruisers also. I realize they pay their fares. A well chosen cruise is special. You may end up with the stress of being an unpaid group leader with no knowledge of cruising. They may book,become unable to pay at time of final payment(they may even lose deposit), or cancel because a cruise is outside of their comfort zone.Average cruise cabin is sold, resold 6 times! That said, Caribbean offers most beauty and bang for buck due to competetion. Choose a newer ship, 7n or more on a mid range ship. Princess or Celebrity. Or RCL, NCL for more activities. CCL for Vegas style .Post Hurricane time just after Thanksgiving till mid Dec. usually lowest priced, good weather. Lots of cruise line/port books in your library. Inside cabins fine.Mexico scary at this time.

[blonby1970]

Congrats on your decision to gift your family a cruise. I question the wisdom of extending the invitation to your extended family who sound like new cruisers also. I realize they pay their fares. A well chosen cruise is special. You may end up with the stress of being an unpaid group leader with no knowledge of cruising. They may book,become unable to pay at time of final payment(they may even lose deposit), or cancel because a cruise is outside of their comfort zone.Average cruise cabin is sold, resold 6 times! That said, Caribbean offers most beauty and bang for buck due to competetion. Choose a newer ship, 7n or more on a mid range ship. Princess or Celebrity. Or RCL, NCL for more activities. CCL for Vegas style .Post Hurricane time just after Thanksgiving till mid Dec. usually lowest priced, good weather. Lots of cruise line/port books in your library. Inside cabins fine.Mexico scary at this time.

 

thank You Very Much For The Info My Interest Is To Find Something

for Us That will not Cost Really Expensive so That I Can Extend A Open

Invitation To Other Family Members As A Surprise To The Wife

For Her 40Th Bday.As I Have Mentioned I Know Nothing About This

Adventure That I'm Trying To Attempt. So If Not Doing The Mexico

Trip Due To Safety What Other Suggestion Do You Have?

We Would Be Going Showtime Between Febuary And May.

We Love Warmth Beautiful Water. Not So Much Of A Fan Of A Las Vegas

Fan. Don't Get Me Wrong We Live Entertainment But Gambling

Does Not Do Much For Us lol

[thinfool]

Based on your time frame and your wife's interest (islands) I would consider this...

 

Plan your trip for yourselves. Invite others if they want to pony up the $$ to come along, but don't let the limitations of anyone outside your immediate family exert undue influence on your choices.

 

Now...do your research and count your pennies. Plan on traveling to Houston/Galveston, New Orleans or one of the Florida ports. Pick a cruise that will visit warm, tropical islands.

 

You mentioned that your wife likes islands....the Pacific Coast has no tropical islands that are cruise ports. (Catalina is a desert, not a tropical paradise) Hawaii would be an exception, but it is hardly on the coast. And Hawaiian cruises are in the area of 14 nights long. Most Hawaiian cruises sail from San Francisco and Los Angeles.

 

For your time frame, best pricing is after mid-April. Spring break is over by then.

 

Save Alaska for cruise #2. :D

Edited August 31, 2013 by thinfool

[CCLCruiser4321]

Carnival in the Caribbean it will be hot, affordable, they have camp for kids. If airfare is too much then Mexican cruise but it will not be very warm between feb-may I'm sure Mexico will be nice but they usually leave out of CA. Rccl is nice to but usually almost double the cost and while the is more to do on board (rock climbing, Flo-rider, etc) I don't have double the fun.

 

Sent from my SPH-L710 using Forums mobile app

[mkmom514]

I have only cruised on Royal Caribbean, but have done a lot of comparison shopping. It has never been double the cost. That said, when you are looking for a cruise, just remember that you also have to include transportation to the port. If you want to go to the Caribbean, compare airfare for Texas, Florida and east coast. You can usually find a cruise price that will fit your budget from any port.

[Cruisin' Chick]

Please read the poster's statement! He is NOT paying for the other individuals just his nuclear family.

 

Where to go? Hmmm...if you're going in the winter the Bahamas are great! Sunshine and warm but you have to pony up the airfare to Tampa or Miami.

 

Alaska is wonderful! For that you need to get a balcony cabin so you can have you private viewing area instead of a public deck with the masses. But AK is an expensive cruise.

 

Any warm weather cruise in the summer will be cheaper, cheaper even during prime hurricane season. You can manage in an inside cabin for the Bahamas.

 

I would suggest you go to a travel agent that specializes in cruises they can be most helpful with giving you ideas and such. Just remember some cruise lines have a formal night where jacket and tie are suggested others have no formal nights and you can dress in a polo shirt and chinos.

 

DO YOUR HOMEWORK! know what you are getting in to before you board. It might also help planning if you knew where your WIFE might like to cruise to. :D

 

 

Actually, the first post didn't indicate whether or not he was going to pay for others, but from: Then I Want To Invite Family Members So I Can't Spend

A Million On Individual Tickets. I did get the impression (after reading the almost illegible post a few times) that perhaps he was offering. As he would have said, "Then I want to invite family members who may not want to pay a lot on their tickets."

 

So please, don't jump on somebody just because they couldn't figure out what exactly one meant. In fact, I addressed this in my questions:

Is there some reason you are inviting family members? If so, are you paying for the fares or are they? That's an important point that you would need to make clear.

 

The OP must have a rare phone that types in initial caps or somehow it's on this kind of setting. I have to use a shift button to capitalize on mine.

[candycaramel]

Check out Carnival cruiseline at carnival dot com. They sail out of Los Angeles and have 3, 5 and 7 day cruises to the Mexican Riviera.

 

The prices are very reasonable and you could drive or fly cheaply to the port.

 

Carnival has a nice kids program and there are lots of opportunities to celebrate your wife's birthday with dinner. If your extended family joins you, there is plenty for them to do as well. Nice cruiseline for all ages.

Edited September 1, 2013 by candycaramel

[thinfool]

will feb/may be ok to criise

That is a great time to cruise. Be aware tho, that late feb thru mid April is spring break and short (3-5) day cruises will have a substantial number of college students. The number dwindles quickly as the length of a cruise increases, so cruises that are 7 or more days will have fewer of the spring break crowd.

 

You will notice that pricing peaks during that period also...as you would expect with a higher demand for cruising.

[blonby1970]

Pot calling the kettle black, there.

 

To the op... Do your homework and ask lots of questions. My daughter and I are leaving for our first cruise in just over two weeks and while it seemed really daunting at first, it has really been pretty simple the more reading and research I have done.

 

I think is so sweet that you are going to give this lovely gift to your wife. I am guessing it's a surprise for her. I hope you all have a great time!

 

thank you very much for the kind words and yes indeed it will be a surprise

as she has known for years that I'm scared of the water lol

[trixiegal]

I'm amazed of the amount of people that are just chewing on me

for not being Mr professional due to the way my typing is coming

across. Get over it people if you can't help out a person that has interest

in something that you have expierence in with out critizing them

then perhaps you should just not respond.......after all this is a forum that's

open for new comers to learn how to cruise right??

 

ok with that being said i apologize to all others if i made the post difficult

to read i believe i have fixed the issue lol

 

with the advice that's been given i will look at purchasing three

tickets my wife ,me and our 4 year old.daughter then offer the invitation

to all others.

it sounds like we should try a caribean cruise and from what i gather

so far is we should go with carnival as some others cost much more

and there is not much big diffrrence. will feb/may be ok to criise

 

Some of these posters that are regulars on CC are downright rude and nasty. There is a way to address a newcomer without coming off as a scolding English teacher. And the entitlement kills me. If you can't read it, move on to another thread. I can't stand Internet bullies and have no problem calling them out. Glad some people are doing the same!

 

Anyway... To the OP-

 

Google a website called 90 Day Cruise Ticker. You can view all the upcoming cruises in the Caribbean and comparison shop. I check there first, then move on to the cruise line websites. My advice is to read, read and read some more to familiarize yourself with all things cruising. There is great advice on most of these boards.

 

Also, make sure to make reservations at a specialty restaurant for you and your wife to celebrate her birthday while on board. You will have a fine dining experience and memories to last forever. It's worth the extra cost. Trust me.

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Forums mobile app

Edited September 1, 2013 by trixiegal

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