My dream cruise -

[yarlenna]

I hope that I can find some ideas – No, I don’t want another agent

I am looking for a special Caribbean cruise to celebrate the end of my chemo. That will be probably in Dec. Of course, I am looking for ship with no or nearly no smoking and a balcony. I would like nice food – and an adult environment. I hope to be able to do this for $5000 – 6000 including everything. Any ideas?

[Cathy p]

I went on my first cruise last year and I also was looking for a small ship and pretty much an adult enviornment. Well I ended up on Hal's Zuiderdam. I believe it hold like 1800 or so people and most of the people are adults. You must realize that by going in Dec it depends what part. If it is during the break from school for the holidays you may have a problem finding what you are looking for as far as no children.

 

Now back to the ship. We had a mini-suite with the balcony and including all the stuff I bought on the ship and our bar bill the cruise was about $3500. Of course you don't have to get the mini-suite as you can always get just a balcony. I have to say I loved the cruise. The crew were outstanding and always knew your first name right after first meeting you .

 

No matter what cruise you decide on I am sure you will have a wonderful time. Anything has got to be better than chemo. My sister-in-law had stage 4 breast cancer and was not expected to live. It has been almost 7 years and she is still cancer free.

 

Take care, sweetie and may God Bless,

 

Have a wonderfuly cruise and if the cruise critic can help you in any way we are always here for you.:)

 

Cathy p

[serene56]

for that kind of money you could probably sail the exclusive lines like Seven Seas...

 

Most cruiselines allow smoking. Disney you cant smoke in the cabins but they dont have a casino either.

 

All our cruises have been under 2000.00 for the both of us for 7 days including the airfare. (we sail in slow season)

we dont drink...

 

Congrats on looking to celebration.

[nparmelee]

I'd also look at Oceania, we selected them for our next cruise partly because they have a very strict and limiting smoking policy. I'll know more at the end of June.

[RB Bonzo]

Yarlenna - my wife and I had to cancel a cruise due to chemo. That one was to be over our 15th wedding anniversary. When she was done, we scheduled a Disney cruise with the kids to celebrate finishing chemo. Now, we are planning a cruise to celebrate our 20th anniverary (and her reaching the 5 year anniversary since her surgery).

 

Great idea to plan the cruise - pamper yourself well. And, be well. All the best to you.

 

 

rb

[ger_77]

A real good value for your cruise dollar is mid December, just before the holiday cruises, as it is a slower time for the cruise lines. Most folks want to go at Christmas time, but not a lot want to come back the day or two prior to Christmas. We've sailed on Holland America 3 times and were so happy with their service, food, and the type of clientele they serve.

 

Congratulations on the end of your chemo - my friend in North Carolina just phoned today to say her radiologist called this afternoon to say "See you next year" ... she's been cancer free for 9 years now. Blessings upon you - you deserve them, and you deserve a wonderful cruise!

 

Smooth Sailing! :) :) :)

[Andee]

I also recommend Oceania. They do not pemit smoking in cabins, on balconies, and in most public areas. They do allow it in one small area of the pool deck, and one small area of the Horizon lounge.

 

They do not have a children's program, so don't attract many families.

 

We think the food is the best of any of the cruise lines we've been on.

[Hoyaheel]

for that kind of money you could probably sail the exclusive lines like Seven Seas....

 

Think (hope) you mean Silversea. They only have a couple of Caribbean itineraries in December (from their website) but one is a 9day with 50% savings specials--so $2422 for a vista suite (287 sq ft no balcony) and $3022 for a Verandah (345 sq ft--think 287 is the room and the rest is the balcony) Silversea is an all-inclusive line.

[dot73]

Congratulations!!! My very first cruise was to Alaska, six weeks after I finished six months of chemo. That was eight years ago and I am now booked on my 7th cruise next January. With your budget, you should look into Crystal Cruises. I did a Panama Canal cruise with them and it was amazing. It is a very classy cruise line (without being snobby) and I think you would really enjoy it. I am allergic to smoke and I had no problems on Crystal. My other cruises have been with Holland America. I also have found no problems with smoking on HAL ships. As long as you stay out of the casino, most of the areas seem to be smoke free. There is now no smoking in the dining room or the Lido, which is a great improvement.

I wish you good health and happy sailing. :)

[caviargal]

What a wonderful reason to celebrate!

 

The first 2 weeks in December have the best cruising values of the year.

 

Give a look to Oceania and Radisson and perhaps you can enjoy premium for a great price. If you prefer a formal atmosphere, check out Crystal.

 

Of the mass market lines, if that is your preference (big ships have greater options for entertainment, etc) I would suggest M class on Celebrity.

 

Enjoy!

[Nliedel]

Go for the Silversea with the savings. We are going to do it in a year. Oh and Oceana is a good idea too. I would go for one of the more upscale lines. This is a special and magical event! You will need to book another one in five years too so you can celebrate life cancer free!

 

No matter what Go YOU! Chemo is tough (my mom in law had it five years ago when she had colo-rectal cancer. She is a survivor). I was in the hospital for 8 weeks a year and a half ago (trying not to have my JJ so early he would not make it) and Cruise Critic saved my sanity! Book your trip and think of it when you are scared at night. It really helped me a lot.

[yarlenna]

Thanks for all the great ideas. My DH and I are enjoying the planning. We have done 30+ cruises - all mass market so far. Early Dec looks great to me. Thanks also for the wishes. I am a survivor - my first cancer was 20 years ago. Yes, I know fear - and long nights. I also read here from many survivors and you give me hope. Wouldn't be wonderful for cancer survivors did a cruise to celebrate life!