cruise ships

[analog999 0]

Don't know if you're still looking for suggestions, but I would say Norweigan is the way to go. I have been on a fair number of cruises and the NCL (Norweigan) cruises are the best in terms of laid back-ness. The best parts are not having to go to dinner at a specific time and one of the ships I was on (I think it was the Star) had a 24 hour pizzaria where you could get a pesonal pizza baked for you in 15 minutes. That was *awesome*. They don't all have that, but it is good when they do. NCL ships are usually the cleanest as well, which is something I always look for.

Nothing tops the RC ships from their activities, but you'll probably find that you'll only do those things a couple times at most. The Voyager ships do have a really good ice show, and the one that I saw had professional class, previous Olympic medalist performers in it. It was outstanding. I've also been on Holland America and Celebrity. Here's where I would rate the ones I have done:

Celebrity - 4.5 out of 5 - excellent service, food and cleanliness, standard activities

Norweigan - 5 out of 5 - great service, great food, usually some extra activities

Holland America - 4 out of 5 - great service, great food and clean, usually old people

Royal Carribean - 4 out of 5 - good service, good food, not the cleanest ships, more activities than all others

Make sure you pick a cruise that has a couple days at sea. I always thought those days were the most relaxing because I didn't feel like I had to get off and go look at stuff.

And then, a shameless plug for one of my good friends Alan Schiller, who offers fantastic deals through his Carlson Wagonlit branch in Lynnwood, WA: TravelWithAlan.com

He only offers deals where he gets *excellent* prices. He basically buys overstock and puts together packages for large groups. Not that you have to stay with the group on the trip or anything, but going though him gets you great deals. He has a very loyal following. His offers always include air from Seattle, but he can book you air from anywhere and many times if you live closer to the port than from Seattle, the trip will actually cost you a significant amount less than what he lists on his website. I made the website by the way, so I can tell you it is 100% legit. I have cruised with him many times and he is a great friend.

[figgifumi_11 3]

Another place you should check out is Cruise Critic. It's a forum that has information and reviewes on just about every cruise line, ship, and port of call there is. They also have a 'bargains' section that has a ton of discounted cruises listed.

[KYHockey3 0]

thanks for that analog/ and yes, illl be looking for advice till about christmas, or untillwe book the cruise

[NuggyBuggy 0]

It may be obvious, but don't forget that not all ships in a given fleet willl have the same amenities, so if having an ice rink is important to you, double check that. And realize that activities like rock-climbing are likely only going to be offered for maybe 1-2 h per day, and that the walls will be very easy. Mini putt courses on the ships I've been on are going to be tiny, poorly maintained and maybe on a deck so windy that it will be worth one or two plays at most. It sounds great, but after having done a few, I wouldn't pay a lot of extra money just to be on a ship that had activities like these because I have never gotten much value from them. If I were going somewhere with interesting ports of call - say the Mediterannean - I'd save my money for shore excursions or shopping.

[Michael9 57]

While were talking cruising what were you guys favorit ports and shore excursions? My personal was Jaimaica and going to dunns river falls, we didn't book with the cruise so we got there before every one and had a great time.

[figgifumi_11 3]

While were talking cruising what were you guys favorit ports and shore excursions? My personal was Jaimaica and going to dunns river falls, we didn't book with the cruise so we got there before every one and had a great time.

Dunn's river falls was great; we kayaked from the bay over to the falls and then climbed them. What was really cool was that our tour guide took us up the right side of the falls, while all of the other tour groups went up the left side of the falls. Our group had about 14 people where as the group going up the left side had 70+ people.

I think my favorite excursion/port was Grand Cayman. We did a snorkeling tour through Capt. Marvin's that went to two different coral reefs and to Stingray City. It was a very small and private tour, and we had a wonderful time. We are actually going back to the Caribbean in November! :D

[Dangles 0]

While were talking cruising what were you guys favorit ports and shore excursions? My personal was Jaimaica and going to dunns river falls, we didn't book with the cruise so we got there before every one and had a great time.

Dunn's river falls was great; we kayaked from the bay over to the falls and then climbed them. What was really cool was that our tour guide took us up the right side of the falls, while all of the other tour groups went up the left side of the falls. Our group had about 14 people where as the group going up the left side had 70+ people.

I think my favorite excursion/port was Grand Cayman. We did a snorkeling tour through Capt. Marvin's that went to two different coral reefs and to Stingray City. It was a very small and private tour, and we had a wonderful time. We are actually going back to the Caribbean in November! :D

I've done StingrayCity. It's truly quite amazing. However, my favourite shore excursion must've been in Cabo San Lucas, Mexico. We did ATVing in the desert country for quite some time climbing up big hills and looking over the bay and 'Lands End' etc..

[figgifumi_11 3]

While were talking cruising what were you guys favorit ports and shore excursions? My personal was Jaimaica and going to dunns river falls, we didn't book with the cruise so we got there before every one and had a great time.

Dunn's river falls was great; we kayaked from the bay over to the falls and then climbed them. What was really cool was that our tour guide took us up the right side of the falls, while all of the other tour groups went up the left side of the falls. Our group had about 14 people where as the group going up the left side had 70+ people.

I think my favorite excursion/port was Grand Cayman. We did a snorkeling tour through Capt. Marvin's that went to two different coral reefs and to Stingray City. It was a very small and private tour, and we had a wonderful time. We are actually going back to the Caribbean in November! :D

I've done StingrayCity. It's truly quite amazing. However, my favourite shore excursion must've been in Cabo San Lucas, Mexico. We did ATVing in the desert country for quite some time climbing up big hills and looking over the bay and 'Lands End' etc..

I did the ATV adventure in Cabo a while back on a Mexican Riviera cruise. The desert scenery was unlike anything I had ever seen before and I got some really amazing pictures of the Pacific Ocean. Cabo was also a very fun town to party in; we ate lunch at the Margarita Villa and had mango margaritas in the biggest glasses I had ever seen. I was literally stumbling back to the ship!

[kosydar 0]

Thats where they filmed Troy.

[foppa21 0]

My favorite port was St. Petersburg on a Baltic cruise I did a few years ago, hands down. I'm not an art guy, but the Hermitage was amazing. As we were in port for two days, they could also fly you in to Moscow for a day, but you had to get visas before the trip and it was just a huge hassle.

[KYHockey3 0]

we are now ready to start to book the cruise.

i also found out that lots of places have changed legal drinking age to 21, but some still have 18...

any more opinions on cruises?