- Pregnancy
- Baby & Toddler
- Parents
- Getting Pregnant
- Baby Names
- Product Reviews
-
Registry
- Community
-
More
Want a personalized experience?
Download the free app
Cincinnati Babies
kel716
member
NBR: If you've cruised before...
kel716
member
DH and I are looking at going on a cruise for a few days.... 3-4 nights max. We'd rather it be adult only (if possible) as we'll be leaving B with ILs.
We'd like one where we can go and relax and have the choice to do something, but not be committed. All inclusive, etc... Nice, but reasonably priced.
I hope that make sense... Any recos?
This discussion has been closed.
Re: NBR: If you've cruised before...
DH and I love cruises, and are leaving for our next one tomorrow! I'm going to touch on a few of your topics.
All-Inclusive: your cruise fare will include room/board, food (unless you go to a speciality restaurant), and most activities (doesn't include things like bingo or the casino, spa treatments, etc.). If you don't drink much then you won't be adding much to your total bill at the end of the cruise. Drinks range from around $5-$12 for beer, mixed drinks, and wine (although wine can get pricier).
3-4 Nights: From my experience, and those of people I know, the 3-4 night cruises have more of a party atmosphere than the longer (7 night) cruises, and usually are on the cruise lines older ships. This may not be true for all cruise lines, but it is for a lot of them.
With a three night cruise, you'd typically have two full days on the trip, and then a boarding day, and disembarking day. See the link below for an example.
https://www.royalcaribbean.com/findacruise/cruiseDetails/itinerary.do?packageCode=MJ03S021&selectedCurrencyCode=USDAffordable: the shorter the cruise the lower the price, yes. However a lot of the shorter cruises will still be leaving from FL, and you will have the price of airfare, unless you want to drive to Miami, FL/etc.
The level of room you get will also have an effect on how much money you spend. I prefer balcony rooms because DH and I often use them, but not all find that they are worth it.
Freedom: You absolutely have the choose to be active if you want or to do nothing if you want. Nobody will tell you when you have to do things. Dinner times range, and most cruises offer three options: early (5 something), late (8ish), and my time (you choose whenever you want to go, but may not have the same waiter or table mates).
Adults Only: As far as I know of, I don't know of any cruises that are adults only, except for some of the much higher end cruise lines. Some ships will have adults only sections, but are not totally kid free. It will also depend on time of year when you go. If you go in the summer, there will be more kids. If you go in the fall, not so many kids.
Cruise lines: You didn't ask about this, but I'm offering anyway
I've been on 4 cruises and have been on Royal Caribbean International and Celebrity. The cruise we leave for tomorrow is Carnival. I've never been on Carnival but I'm a bit sceptical since it's a 5 day cruise on an older ship of theirs (we always do 7 days on a newer ship). Carnival (from what I hear from others who cruise them and other lines) has a bigger party atmosphere and not as updated ships, but there are people that love them (I just don't think I'll be one of them).
My suggestion: if you want a 3-4 day, do it with Royal Caribbean. However, also know that cruise ships have awesome kids programs during the day and do offer babysitting at night (not usually for too much), so LO can be with you, but not necessary with you all day. It might make a longer cruise a little more doable if you weren't leaving him at home?
Sorry I just wrote a novel, I probably should be packing
We have cruised 4 times before, all on Carnival. We will be going again in November, and it will just be the 2 of us....oh how glorious will that be!
I personally have no complaints with Carnival. It has always been very nice and great service. Many people will say the boats are older, not as updated blah blah blah...I am not going to look at the decor on the boats, I am going to have a good time and check out the ports. I do however want to go on at least one royal carribbean cruise in my life....I just gotta save up the $$ for it because it is considerably more expensive.
As far as the cruise, it is "all inclusive" to an extent...it does not include alcohol and soft drinks...but if you drink a lot of pop it would be cheaper to buy their fountain card (prices vary on the number of days the cruise is) and you get unlimited soft drinks with that. They also have little extras you have to pay for like playing bingo etc...(but in playing bingo the winner gets money)
Any other questions let me know!
MyFitnessPal - Free Calorie Counter