Picking a destination

[loungingBear85]

Any suggestions for a first time cruiser on to what would be the best bang for our buck???? ive cruise once before but my girlfriend hasnt... leaving from anywhere in the U.S.?

[CruiserBruce]

Probably the least expensive cruises originating in the US are off season Caribbean cruises, followed by Mexican Rivera cruises.

 

In the end, you just need to do the research.

[OCruisers]

You would probably be best to check with a GOOD travel agent since you have no clue and need lots of help! It cost no more to use a travel agent. :)

[joie1016]

skip the "travel agent" and find a good "cruise agent" ....huge difference in their experiences and how to help you find the right cruise for you.

[Keith1010]

I would look at a seven day cruise of either Eastern or Western Caribbean for your first cruise.

 

Keith

[champagne123]

Since you are from Connecticut, I would choose the NCL Breakaway, 7 day to Bermuda. Great ship and you cannot go wrong with Bermuda. Heaven on Earth. PLUS....you can drive to the cruise port, save on airfare and hotels.

[John Bull]

skip the "travel agent" and find a good "cruise agent" ....huge difference in their experiences and how to help you find the right cruise for you.

 

Absolutely :)

And for a cruise newbie, a cruise specialist is an invaluable source of other info - the style & atmosphere & clientele of different cruise lines, choosing cabin & dining option, and a thousand other little queries.

 

JB :)

[brunello22]

Any suggestions for a first time cruiser on to what would be the best bang for our buck???? ive cruise once before but my girlfriend hasnt... leaving from anywhere in the U.S.?

 

What type of cruise vacation experience do you want?

 

What is important to you to experience? Islands? Beaches? Nature? Culture?

 

What demographic? Party? Family-friendly? Young adults? Older cruisers?

 

Once you narrow your choices down, a cruise vacation specialist is the best resource to ensure your cruise vacation experience will be what you envision.

 

Good luck!

Edited September 14, 2015 by brunello22

[dorisis]

Air fare should be considered as it will be a BIG expense if you are not close enough to drive. The off season Caribbean cruises are very competitively priced. A good travel agent that specializes in cruises can be most helpful in selecting and pricing. You can Google 'discount cruises' and shop around on the internet.

[donaldsc]

Any suggestions for a first time cruiser on to what would be the best bang for our buck???? ive cruise once before but my girlfriend hasnt... leaving from anywhere in the U.S.?

 

Based on all the information you have provided on yourselves and your interests, age, budget, what you want from the cruise, preferred cruise length, and a thousand other things, I would say that trying to provide an answer is a waste of time. Once you make the effort to give us more information, perhaps we can give you some useful suggestions.

 

DON

[loungingBear85]

Based on all the information you have provided on yourselves and your interests, age, budget, what you want from the cruise, preferred cruise length, and a thousand other things, I would say that trying to provide an answer is a waste of time. Once you make the effort to give us more information, perhaps we can give you some useful suggestions.

 

DON

 

Me 30 her 28

We're pretty much laid back and down for whatever.

Budget $2,000 for cruise only

We want to get away from our daily lives to relax and have fun.

Cruise length 6-9 days

 

Interest cigars , wine, water sports, sleep and more sleep lol anything interesting and fun .... Enough info Don ?????

[Cruisin' Chick]

Me 30 her 28

We're pretty much laid back and down for whatever.

Budget $2,000 for cruise only

We want to get away from our daily lives to relax and have fun.

Cruise length 6-9 days

 

Interest cigars , wine, water sports, sleep and more sleep lol anything interesting and fun .... Enough info Don ?????

 

Take that info, as well as times of year that you are thinking of traveling (some people can take off from work at only specific times) to a cruise specialist. We can't make recommendations of agencies (against CC rules) so ask friends, family, co-workers for one to contact. Also bring up if there's islands or countries that you're interested in going to.

 

And is that $2,000 for the fare only? (I'm guessing you separating the cost of air, but there's also gratuities -- please don't consider not tipping the hard working cabin steward and waitstaff, drinks, shore excursions -- if you do these, not mandatory, gambling, etc.)

[navybankerteacher]

"Best bang for buck" suggests not paying to fly to port. Check out Canada itinerary on HAL from Boston, Caribbean or Bahamas on Norwegian from Manhattan, Caribbean or Bermuda from Bayonne, NJ on Royal Caribbean, or Caribbean or Bahamas on Royal Catibbean or Carnival from Baltimore.

[loungingBear85]

Take that info' date=' as well as times of year that you are thinking of traveling (some people can take off from work at only specific times) to a cruise specialist. We can't make recommendations of agencies (against CC rules) so ask friends, family, co-workers for one to contact. Also bring up if there's islands or countries that you're interested in going to.

 

And is that $2,000 for the fare only? (I'm guessing you separating the cost of air, but there's also gratuities -- please don't consider not tipping the hard working cabin steward and waitstaff, drinks, shore excursions -- if you do these, not mandatory, gambling, etc.)[/quote']

 

Yes 2000 just for the cruise not including the gratitude . I like to prepay that and also tip extra to the one that go above and beyond. Air fare my girl friend is taking care of that I have the cruise to pay for lol .....

[CGinMTL]

Here are my 2 cents

.

as the girfriend has never cruised before, do we know that she won't get sea sick ?

.

unless you know this for sure, I would avoid

a) the atlantic

b) also avoid where 2 big bodiies of water meet ( ex- East coast, from atlantic ocean to St-Lawrence river.

.

try to stay in clamer bodies of water.

ps - pack ginger pills....... just in case.

[loungingBear85]

"Best bang for buck" suggests not paying to fly to port. Check out Canada itinerary on HAL from Boston, Caribbean or Bahamas on Norwegian from Manhattan, Caribbean or Bermuda from Bayonne, NJ on Royal Caribbean, or Caribbean or Bahamas on Royal Catibbean or Carnival from Baltimore.

 

I will spend the money on a flight but I would like to get the best deal possible or know when is the right time to get those deals

[loungingBear85]

Here are my 2 cents

.

as the girfriend has never cruised before, do we know that she won't get sea sick ?

.

unless you know this for sure, I would avoid

a) the atlantic

b) also avoid where 2 big bodiies of water meet ( ex- East coast, from atlantic ocean to St-Lawrence river.

.

try to stay in clamer bodies of water.

ps - pack ginger pills....... just in case.

 

Thank you she's definitely getting meds for sea sickness lol

[ladygal4.4]

Any suggestions for a first time cruiser on to what would be the best bang for our buck???? ive cruise once before but my girlfriend hasnt... leaving from anywhere in the U.S.?

 

 

Bahamas would be a quick and easy. A lot of people complain about Nassau, but I've enjoyed that port. there is still plenty of pretty sand and clear water. Plus it's a great way to get 'broken into' cruising without paying a fortune. Then if you like it, go for the Caribbean

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[notentirelynormal]

I would look at a seven day cruise of either Eastern or Western Caribbean for your first cruise.

 

Keith

 

Agree. Life there is always happy and gay. No not that kind. Music is always playing, people are cheerful and life is a beach.

[smyliecruising]

Carnival is super inexpensive. I love the Caribbean. So many ship choices in Florida Texas and Louisiana. We had January balcony 7 day gratuitous insurance paid for less than 2000 last year. Between cruise critic and carnival website I was able to do research and get the lowest price available on my own.

Edited September 27, 2015 by smyliecruising

[broncorckcrwlr]

Caribbean gets my vote as well as Carnival. Fun fun fun! I prefer to sail out of Tampa but Carnival isn't sailing out of there in Jan so we are taking our first on Norwegian in Jan. They do however sail out of many other ports and I'm sure with some time spent on their website searching cruises you can find something that will suit you. Good luck.

Edited September 27, 2015 by broncorckcrwlr

[MOcruiserman]

Any suggestions for a first time cruiser on to what would be the best bang for our buck???? ive cruise once before but my girlfriend hasnt... leaving from anywhere in the U.S.?

You can save a lot of money by leaving from a close-by port, so you don't have to take a plane. Since you're in Conn. look at what's available from Boston, NY or Bayonne, NJ. If you don't mind a longer drive, Baltimore has some nice cruises as well. If you like a more lively cruise go with Carnival. Royal Caribbean and Norwegian are also lively ships. Don't go with Holland America or Celebrity as they cater to older folks.

[Flatbush Flyer]

Any suggestions for a first time cruiser on to what would be the best bang for our buck???? ive cruise once before but my girlfriend hasnt... leaving from anywhere in the U.S.?

 

 

"Best bang for the buck" is often misinterpreted as "cheapest."

 

Many folks shy away from supposedly expensive stores like Nordstrom's. But did you know that Nordstrom's will match any advertised price for merchandise they carry?

 

I mention this because many CC folks will recommend the Caribbean, which is basically the "Walmart of the Tropics," overrun by hordes of mega ship cruisers who have purchased cheap fares.

 

With a little research and a great cruise specialist TA (check Conde Nast Traveler "best of ..." lists), you could head to French Polynesia or South America (for example) and get real "bang for your buck."

[LuckyStar]

I have never used a travel agent, I use a dot com agent and have always enjoyed doing the research myself. Thank you, Cruise Critic! We picked a cheap five day cruise near our home so we didn't spend a lot of money on airfare or the cruise, quite frankly. Five days was enough to whet my appetite. I got to see some new places and found out I really loved cruising. DH, not so much. He did take a 7 day Alaskan cruise but I will be hard pressed to get him on another Caribbean cruise. He much prefers land vacations. Fortunately, I have three sisters and we try to go every few years without hubbys or kids.

 

Now when I shop cruises, I look at the ports and the per day expense, factoring in airfare. I have never been disappointed in the value for your dollar on the various cruises I have taken.

Edited September 27, 2015 by LuckyStar

[smyliecruising]

"Best bang for the buck" is often misinterpreted as "cheapest."

 

Many folks shy away from supposedly expensive stores like Nordstrom's. But did you know that Nordstrom's will match any advertised price for merchandise they carry?

 

I mention this because many CC folks will recommend the Caribbean, which is basically the "Walmart of the Tropics," overrun by hordes of mega ship cruisers who have purchased cheap fares.

 

With a little research and a great cruise specialist TA (check Conde Nast Traveler "best of ..." lists), you could head to French Polynesia or South America (for example) and get real "bang for your buck."

 

 

But he has $2000. I am not sure if he could go there for that with a balcony. I can't wait to try those ports. They sound wonderful! But I really love the Caribbean and still have ports to see there and it fits into my budget at this time in my life. I would rather go there than stay home:))

Edited September 27, 2015 by smyliecruising