First time cruising / advice sought on this plan

[bbodb1]

Hello all,

 

Thank you in advance for any ideas, suggestions or modification you offer to the following plans. 

 

My wife and I have never taken a cruise (any and all previous plans at this fell through the cracks).  We have been on small boats before (a catamaran being the most recent example) and I found I do get motion sick on this size of craft.  This particular outing was in Hawaii and the surf was estimated at 3-6 feet.  This was a swim with the manta rays...which was quite memorable.

Anyway, I want to give cruising since the wife has mentioned this on more than one occasion so I came up with the following idea. 

 

We own timeshare holdings and can take a trip to Florida in February and/or March.  I would like to have a timeshare stay (and then take a cruise - in that order) to get the most from this trip.  I am looking at cruises lasting somewhere in the 3-5 night range as I want the cruise to be long enough (time wise) where we can enjoy the cruise but not so long that in case I am miserable that I would be wishing for the cruise to be over.  (I will definitely read and follow the advice to -hopefully- avoid / minimize the possibility of seasickness!)

 

Again, considering that we can be in Florida anytime in the months of February and / or March, is there a particular route / destination that is more likely to produce a smoother sailing experience than other destinations?  For example, I see several cruises to Mexico from Florida but given this would be over the Gulf of Mexico (with what appears to be very little shelter) would there be a better route / destination?  For example, might some of the Caribbean destinations be a better choice given this background?  

 

I should also not the destination is not as important as the sailing experience so whether the destination is Mexico or the Caribbean makes no difference here.

 

A (more) perfect cruise for us would be one where we could be alone to some extent when desired.  For example, we would enjoy sitting on the ship taking in the sunrise / sunset as much as (if not more than) whatever shows or attractions the ship may have to offer.  I have read a bit about the day(s) some cruise lines spend at their island (ex: Perfect Day at CocoCay) and while I do not know if we would enjoy such a crowded area, some time back on dry land may be beneficial in shaking off the effects of the sea on me (in case of motion sickness).  

 

Might anyone have some suggestions as to which cruise line / destination makes sense here?  I am certain of the date range (hoping crowds will be a bit smaller) and that we are budgeting for a balcony cabin.  Also, the point of departure is Florida (all ports are in play).  Beyond that, I hope to find a smooth sailing experience.... we have no previous or existing ties to any cruise line. 

 

Thanks again!

Edited July 14, 2022 by bbodb1

[Ashland]

You might check out RCI...they have some 3/4/6 night cruises during your time frame that sail out of Port Everglades on two great ships...Liberty or Harmony.

 

Regardless, enjoy what ever end up working best for you.

[pris993]

I would recommend checking out Celebrity cruises, see they have 4 day cruises out of Miami.  

[wcook]

You can’t pick a cruise to ensure the seas are calmer. When it comes to the ocean, you get what you get. Should be reasonably calm, but as a general rule on a 3/4 day cruise expect at least one period of bumpiness. Good news is there are several drugs that virtually eliminate seasickness. Fear if seasickness is not a reason to avoid cruising. 
 

Tons of 3/4 day cruises out of Florida. Most leave out of Port Canaveral, Miami or Ft Lauderdale with 1-2 stops in the Bahamas. The actual cities in the Bahamas aren’t great cruise days so people generally prefer stops at the private island. There are also 4-day cruises, generally out of Tampa but also Miami that visits one of the disneyesc ports in Mexico. 
 

Go for it. Have a great time. 

Edited July 14, 2022 by wcook

[2wheelin]

My sister in law would always feel ill on a ferry or small boat but never on the ship.Worst thing you can do is plan to be sick. You won’t enjoy planning or the cruise.

[cruizergal70]

If you don't care about ports and you don't care about ship activities and all you want to do is look at sunrises and sunsets, do you even need to be on a ship? There are many land based all inclusives that may work for you.

[mom says]

Getting queasy on a small boat does not mean you'll  feel the same on a huge cruise ship. They are totally different experiences,  so don't get freaked out and think you can only possibly sail if the seas are flat.  Besides, you can never predict whether seas will be calm. Anywhere. Talk to your pharmacist about an OTC antinausea remedy (many cruisers like Bonine (generic name Meclizine)). Try doing a search on this forum for seasickness remedies. Chances are you'll be fine, unless you psych yourself out. But there are all kinds of remedies and preventative that you can use. Maybe bring a couple to try if needed.

 

The shorter the cruise, the less likely you'll enjoy it IMO. Most of the short ones tend to be party boats,  and can be pretty noisy and boisterous. And you'll only have one or 2 port stops. And uninteresting ones at that. If you really want to get a feel for cruising, you need to look at a 5-7 day cruise at least. Gulf of Mexico or Caribbean - makes no difference as far as the seas goes. Pick a cruise with ports that look at least somewhat interesting.

 

Talking with a cruise specialist TA is a wise choice for a new cruiser. They can assess your budget and travel priorities and make suggestions that would be a good fit. Bear in mind that Feb and March  are high season for winter getaways- Prime time for cruises out of Florida. So don't expect low crowds anywhere. 

 

That doesn't mean you can't find secluded areas on the ship for 'alone time' if that's what you want. A balcony Stateroom is a good start, but there are always other areas that are less populated, both indoors and out. If quiet is what you prefer, then I'd certainly look at Celebrity rather than Carnival.

[Markanddonna]

For a good shorter cruise, look at the MSC cruises that go to their private island for two days. They dock overnight. I would recommend a seven day, but be sure to avoid President's Day as there will be lots of kids.

[Mum2Mercury]

As others have said, being sick on small boats is not a prediction that you'll be sick on a large ship.  On a larger ship you'll feel the motion, but it's not the same as being on a small boat.  

 

Starting with a shorter cruise is a good idea.  We did the same thing, but we found it to be too short /weren't ready to leave, but -- like you -- we wanted to see if we'd like it.  

 

Some people say that a cabin in the middle of the ship /on a low deck has less movement.  I'm not sure I believe this -- and, anyway, you're not going to stay in your cabin the whole time -- but it's oft-repeated advice.  

 

You say you want private time.  Sounds like you want a balcony.  That's the only way to guarantee private outdoor space, though some parts of the ship are often empty.  When you first board, everything will seem so crowded -- don't panic: after the rooms open up, the crowd will dissipate. 

 

The private islands won't seem crowded -- unless you set up camp in the shadow of the ship.  Walk a ways /take the tram a ways, and you'll find uncrowded space.  Not space to yourself, mind you, but space to spread out.  No, if you are seasick, those few hours on land isn't going to make a difference.  

 

You'll also have other island stops, where you can get off and take part in various activities for 6-8 hours.  You'll have lots of choices about what you can do.  

 

Set yourself up for no-sickness: 

- Bring candied ginger.  You can find it in the grocery store's produce section.  It'll be big chunks; I like to cut it into bitty bits and store it in a small Tupperware.  The relief is immediate but not particularly long-lasting. 

- Bring Bonine.  Most people will tell you it's the best motion-sickness medicine because it doesn't make you sleepy.  Bring enough for the whole cruise; it'll cost a fortune onboard.  

- If you do become seasick, take medicine and take a good nap; that'll help "reset you".  

Edited July 14, 2022 by Mum2Mercury

[Essiesmom]

If you want a shorter cruise, but relatively quiet, try five days.  The fewer weekend days in it, the fewer families there will be.  Carnival has 4 and 5 day cruises from Jacksonville, and I always found it amusing that the four day cruises over a weekend were more expensive than the five day cruises that had more weekdays.  If you are looking at March, be aware when spring break is as ships will have more kids then.  Avoid three day cruises, as they attract the large extended family groups.  EM

[mjkacmom]

The third week in February will have a lot of kids, the first 3 weeks in March should have a lot of college students ready to party, especially the shorter sailings.

[cruiserking]

I would suggest doing at minimum a 5-night cruise as the short 3-nighters tend to attract a very rowdy crowd. 

 

Celebrity Cruise Line is terrific, beautiful ships, great service 

Celebrity Summit recently refurbished does 4 night Key West an Bahamas cruises & 5-night cruises Western Caribbean (Mexico) both round trip from Miami in Feb/March

 

Royal Caribbean Cruise Line - (Celebrity Parent Company) -

Mariner of the Seas - offers a 5-night Western Caribbean with Perfect Day at Coco Cay in Feb/March roundtrip from Port Canaveral. More of a party vibe on Royal but, tremendous cruise line, excellent ships, plenty to do on board, you would have a blast. 

 

Happy Cruise Planning. 

 

Jonathan

[John Bull]

A few jumbled comments ............

 

There tends to be a different clientele demographic on short cruises. More the party-type, though that also depends which cruise line

 

Stability-wise, cruise ships are very very different to catamarans & such - they plough thro waves rather than climbing over them. But you can get minimal rolling - just a very few degrees, hardly noticeable to most but does affect a very small proportion.

Plenty of seasickness medications, both natural and man-made.

A cabin midway between bow & stern (or biased toward the stern rather than the bow) and "as low a deck as your self-respect  allows" is usual advice  for the most stable location. And because higher cabins usually cost more "the more you pay, the more you sway"

 

But for a restful private space you need at balcony cabin - so make that the lowest balcony deck.

 

Because you don't know whether / to what degree you'll feel quesey, and whether you'll like the whole idea of cruising, best to take a cruise with as few sea-days as possible - often just the one sea day. The days ashore will provide a break from ship-board life and the motion of the ocean.

 

The Caribbean (and that includes the Gulf of Mexico) is normally placid throughout the winter, we've sailed countless cruises there and on only one was I aware that some newbies weren't feeling great.

 

We find the western Caribbean ports more varied & more interesting than the Eastern Caribbean. And shorter and more-sheltered distances between ports, though there'll be a smaller choice out of Florida.. The South Caribbean is perhaps a little too far for a short cruise.

 

JB 🙂

 

 

 

 

[mom says]

2 minutes ago, John Bull said:

because higher cabins usually cost more "the more you pay, the more you sway

I love that. Mind if I borrow it? 😄

[John Bull]

1 hour ago, mom says said:

I love that. Mind if I borrow it? 😄

 

 Not mine, Mom.

So feel free to plagiarise my plagiarism 😉 

 

JB 🙂

[Host Jazzbeau]

@bbodb1 thanks for coming back to report – but please try the post again without named a travel agency (violates CC guidelines).

[bbodb1]

Hello again all,

 

Sorry I have not been back this way in a month or so but I did want to let y'all who have replied in this thread know that your advice definitely proved helpful.  After searching, planning, revising and repeating I finally found a cruise that would work with our schedule and allow us a decent sample of cruising.  We are going to take a Carnival Cruise out of Galveston (which is in driving distance for us) to Mexico.  As was suggested here, we did find a decent price on a balcony cabin and purchased this through a travel agent I will not name (oops!) in case of price drops. 

 

I realize Carnival (being the fun line) might be a bit more boisterous than would likely prefer, but in the slew of YouTube videos I have watched about cruising on Carnival and the Serenity section was mentioned on several videos.  This sounds ideal and I am sure we will give this area several visits.  OF course, I have no way of knowing for sure if Carnival will be our best fit (as far as cruise line) but we have to start somewhere (with one cruise line first).  

 

Also, this cruise port allows us to economize a bit as we will save airfare, hotel and/or some driving time.  Galveston does not offer a larger variety of cruise lines, but for proximity it is definitely good choice for us (as perhaps New Orleans and Mobile may be in future cruises).

 

Again, thanks to all of you who offered ideas throughout this thread!

 

 

[navybankerteacher]

Living in the Southwest, a cruise from Galveston makes sense - first post referred to February or March, so there is fair likelihood of a Presidents’ Week or Spring Break crowd  - so the peaceful hours sought May largely be around sunrise.  Still - a first cruise is always a learning experience.   If repeated, I suspect HAL or Celebrity might be more fitting,

[carlmm]

6 hours ago, bbodb1 said:

 OF course, I have no way of knowing for sure if Carnival will be our best fit (as far as cruise line) but we have to start somewhere (with one cruise line first).  

 

 

What a great attitude!

After my first cruise I knew which line I would prefer not so sail again, but I also learned what to look for in choosing the next ship.

If your first choice will be the perfect match or not, enjoy cruising!

[bbodb1]

On 7/13/2022 at 10:38 PM, cruizergal70 said:

If you don't care about ports and you don't care about ship activities and all you want to do is look at sunrises and sunsets, do you even need to be on a ship? There are many land based all inclusives that may work for you.

 

Thanks for pointing this option out @cruizergal70 - I should have included a bit more explanation on this...  As the years have gone by and some of our vacation times have been around oceans or the Gulf of Mexico, we have enjoyed being around the water and given that a cruise is on the wife's list of must do's at some point, it seemed like a good time to give cruising a try.  Based on what I have read, I am hoping the Serenity area of the ship may be the answer when a quieter time is wanted / desired.  We shall see!  Thanks.

[Essiesmom]

If you find cruising is for you, and Galveston a good fit, this winter and next Princess will have a ship sailing from there.  A bit more expensive, the same ports, but a different vibe.  There are always places for relaxation or solitude on any ship, as long as you don’t require a spot by the pool.  EM