Best cruise for terminally ill man and his family?

[sail7seas]

Technically true but the OP specifically stated that he wanted to save money so that will automatically rule out the upscale lines.

 

Thanks! My understanding is that Bermuda cruises spend three days there, which should be enough. I, erm, don't fly, so leaving from bmore/boston/ny/nj is ideal.

 

I will definitely make sure he has official medical permission to go. more looking for specific suggestions on what kinds of cruises we might enjoy. my mom likes swimming and resting, movies, and talking sometimes to people...my dad tolerate the pool, loves war movies, really loves books, chess, etc. My sister and I will be happy no matter what, if there's a pool and places to read ;) but ight now i am in the info gathering stage.

 

 

 

No one has mentioned (or I didn't see it) Veendam sailing 7 days, Boston to Bermuda to Boston. The HUGE benefit to Veendam is she is a lovely ship but for her aft where they wrecked what a beautiful aft pool area, she is a great size for Bermuda as she can fit in downtown Hamilton. She docks there and people need only walk down the gangway and they can enjoy Hamilton without need for buses or taxis/shuttles.

 

She spends a bit more time docked than NCI (Norwegian Cruise Line which is hugely booked by people from U.S. and Canada). Norwegian cannot dock in Hamilton so there are always transfers needed to go anywhere from the dock yard.

 

[YubaSutter]

I'm sorry you are facing a bittersweet vacation. All cruise lines spend but a few hours in port. It's not possible to spend a few days any one place.

 

Nothing is sailing out of Boston until May 1 when Holland and Norwegian make 7-day Bermuda cruises.

 

Here's the New York schedule for early 2015: http://www.newyorkcruiseguide.com/ny-cruises-2015a.html

 

Royal Caribbean and Celebrity sail out of New Jersey: http://www.newyorkcruiseguide.com/bayonne-cruises.html

Not true. Bermuda cruises usually spend a couple of days in the same port. 7 day Mexican Rivera cruises also spend 2 days in either Cabo or Puerto Vallarta. :rolleyes:

[travlnblueberries]

No one has mentioned (or I didn't see it) Veendam sailing 7 days, Boston to Bermuda to Boston. The HUGE benefit to Veendam is she is a lovely ship but for her aft where they wrecked what a beautiful aft pool area, she is a great size for Bermuda as she can fit in downtown Hamilton. She docks there and people need only walk down the gangway and they can enjoy Hamilton without need for buses or taxis/shuttles.

 

She spends a bit more time docked than NCI (Norwegian Cruise Line which is hugely booked by people from U.S. and Canada). Norwegian cannot dock in Hamilton so there are always transfers needed to go anywhere from the dock yard.

 

 

Unless something changed Veendam hasn't docked in Hamilton in years. We were on one of her last sailings there.

[travlnblueberries]

Something must have changed I see Veendam does dock in Hamilton. Looks like I have to book with Hal as soon as I get off the Regal next week. ( Boarding Regal tomorrow).:D

[sail7seas]

Unless something changed Veendam hasn't docked in Hamilton in years. We were on one of her last sailings there.

 

Something must have changed I see Veendam does dock in Hamilton. Looks like I have to book with Hal as soon as I get off the Regal next week. ( Boarding Regal tomorrow).:D

 

Indeed, something has changed. :)

Veendam missed one or maybe two seasons but she is back to Bermuda. They voted to permit her to open her casino in port....... I imagine all the ships will be permitted to have the casinos open at night. Veendam always docks in downtown Hamilton.

 

[iheartbda]

Indeed, something has changed. :)

Veendam missed one or maybe two seasons but she is back to Bermuda. They voted to permit her to open her casino in port....... I imagine all the ships will be permitted to have the casinos open at night. Veendam always docks in downtown Hamilton.

 

You make it sound like the vote was for just the Veendam when, in fact, all cruise lines had been lobbying for years to have the casinos open.

[NMLady]

I'm sorry you are facing a bittersweet vacation. All cruise lines spend but a few hours in port. It's not possible to spend a few days any one place. ...

 

Actually many cruises that go to Bermuda overnight there for two nights.

[Nebr.cruiser]

You've got lots of good ideas, suggestions and answers.

 

I'd like to address spending. As to food on board, you don't need to spend a penny extra unless you want to. The main dining room, buffet, lido cafe and usually a couple of other venues are included. You can spend lots extra for things like the specialty restaurants, coffees, drinks, etc., but you don't have to. We hardly ever spend anything extra on food and are very happy with all the great 'free' offerings.

 

We don't normally do the ship excursions for several reasons. Private tours are usually better, less crowded and cheaper. Sometimes we just do things on our own too, depending on the port.

 

You can easily do a cruise and spend nothing extra and still have a great time. About the only thing we normally spend money on are the tips (have never removed them, and usually add some extra), a picture or two and excursions.

 

You can also easily spend thousands in extras on board and on land. It's up to you; you can have a great time without spending much, since so much on the ship is included.

 

I hope you find the perfect cruise and enjoy every minute making memories. That is what is most important for your family right now.

[SadieN]

Not true. Bermuda cruises usually spend a couple of days in the same port. 7 day Mexican Rivera cruises also spend 2 days in either Cabo or Puerto Vallarta. :rolleyes:

 

 

Check the Mexican Riviera itin carefully. Not all spend two days in any one port. Cabo is a tender port.

[sail7seas]

Indeed, something has changed. :)

Veendam missed one or maybe two seasons but she is back to Bermuda. They voted to permit her to open her casino in port....... I imagine all the ships will be permitted to have the casinos open at night. Veendam always docks in downtown Hamilton.

 

 

You make it sound like the vote was for just the Veendam when, in fact, all cruise lines had been lobbying for years to have the casinos open.

 

I wasn't present for contract negotiations so have no idea who lobbied for what and how hard. I certainly did mention 'all the ships'. :) I'm sorry if my post offended you in some way. :confused:

 

Edited February 15, 2015 by sail7seas

[iheartbda]

I wasn't present for contract negotiations so have no idea who lobbied for what and how hard. I certainly did mention 'all the ships'. :) I'm sorry if my post offended you in some way. :confused:

 

Didn't offend me in any way, shape or form. However, I stand by my post that you made it seem like it was for the Veendam and as a result, you imagined all the ships would have the casinos open. ;)

 

It was a very hot topic a number of years ago, as far back as 2008, which many Bermuda regulars followed. One cruise line in particular committed to a fair amount of money which, possibly, was a hope to "tip the scales." Negotiations were to start with a second line but there was no mention in any of the news with that one.

 

Hope the OP comes back and lets everyone know what they've decided since so many gave good information.:)

Edited February 15, 2015 by iheartbda

[riddle]

Your mom and dad might really enjoy a spa pass for the week if you travel NCL. It is a great place to get away from the crowds and just relax.

[sail7seas]

Didn't offend me in any way, shape or form. However, I stand by my post that you made it seem like it was for the Veendam and as a result, you imagined all the ships would have the casinos open. ;)

 

It was a very hot topic a number of years ago, as far back as 2008, which many Bermuda regulars followed. One cruise line in particular committed to a fair amount of money which, possibly, was a hope to "tip the scales." Negotiations were to start with a second line but there was no mention in any of the news with that one.

 

Hope the OP comes back and lets everyone know what they've decided since so many gave good information.:)

 

 

 

I have no knowledge (or interest) in what seems to have been a bees nest. This cruiser has no horse in that race.

 

I really don't care if they open casinos or not as HAL permits smoking in their casino and I can't stand how smoky filled the area gets. They chased me out of the casino years ago.