Ok, this is sort of a followup to my "Destination Weddings" thread:
My brother wants to go on a cruise with his girlfriend this fall and wants me and Princesca to come along. He's hinting at wanting to propose to his gf on the cruise.
I've never been on a cruise before, and neither has he. I used to think it was kind of a stupid idea, but in looking over some of the typical Caribbean cruises, I'm intrigued as I see that a number of them go to multiple destinations I want to visit (Bahamas, Turks & Caicos, St. Maarten, US Virgin Islands, etc.)
I need some recommendations and the like PLZ.
A co-worker of mine goes on cruises quite a bit and she recommended Princess and Norwegian to me.
Don't fall off the boat.
And my bro says that Jamaica is a shithole not worth visiting.
Quote from: Caliga on May 05, 2011, 08:18:37 PM
I've never been on a cruise before, and neither has he. I used to think it was kind of a stupid idea, but in looking over some of the typical Caribbean cruises, I'm intrigued as I see that a number of them go to multiple destinations I want to visit (Bahamas, Turks & Caicos, St. Maarten, US Virgin Islands, etc.)
Don't do it unless you really like gambling, swimming, and eating. My wife and I got bored as hell approximately 2 hours into our last cruise, and managed to match our ticket price in bar bills over 2 days.
Quote from: Ed Anger on May 05, 2011, 08:22:35 PM
And my bro says that Jamaica is a shithole not worth visiting.
Actually we already agreed we wanted to avoid any itineraries that stop in Jamaica. :cool:
I was on a cruise once, from Vancouver to Skagway, Alaska. It was alright, but personally I am not interested in going on a cruise ship again.
There was as much food as we wanted. Basically, food is included in the price, and you can order as much food as you want, even though it was a fine-dining setting. Probably because of that, the food was average at best. It wasn't bad, but I can easily find much better food elsewhere.
Another thing is, there are a huge amount of temptations and additional expenditure. Tips for the waiters, drinks, local tours in the destinations, these all cost extra. I could and did avoid drinks (only drank water). I did shortchange the waiters. But the local tours are pretty much unavoidable, unless you (a) stay on the ship or (b) walk to the tourist spots yourself. There are also a lot of temptations - shopping, gambling, etc.
What I detest most was they didn't accept cash on the ship. They gave us a plastic card for spending and that was the only medium of exchange accepted. At the end of the tour they would settle the bill on that. I didn't incur anything on that card but it was so limiting.
Yeah, I've been to all-inclusive resorts and on guided tours before so I'm well aware of the constant attempts to tack on extra charges at every opportunity.
Heh, did I ever tell the story before about the crazy timeshare woman that stalked me in Mexico? They tried to make us go to some stupid timeshare presentation at the resort, and we agreed to go but no-showed on them. The sales lady kept chasing after us every time she saw us there, begging and trying to bribe us to go to another presentation. :lol:
Some large hotel chain that begins with an "M" send us junk mail all the time, asking us to endure a 2-hour session with their people. At the end we get some air miles whether we join their programme or not. I'm not going there. I've heard too many horror stories about these companies. They lock you up in a small room, don't let you go to bathrooms, "borrow" your ID card and make excuses about not returning it, and position 5-6 muscle guys behind you. I am really surprised that a large international chain has to do this.
Quote from: Caliga on May 05, 2011, 08:26:36 PM
Quote from: Ed Anger on May 05, 2011, 08:22:35 PM
And my bro says that Jamaica is a shithole not worth visiting.
Actually we already agreed we wanted to avoid any itineraries that stop in Jamaica. :cool:
Good man. Boycott that shitty country. :cool:
Did a 9 day cruise from NYC to Bermuda, St. Martin, St. Thomas and Peurto Rico. I though it was pretty damn awesome though St. Thomas from what I saw wasn't on par with the other three. The big negative for cruises is that the stops at the islands are really short.
I would recommend parks, public restrooms, alleys behind bars... :unsure:
Quote from: Martinus on May 06, 2011, 12:07:19 AM
Quote from: Caliga on May 05, 2011, 08:26:36 PM
Quote from: Ed Anger on May 05, 2011, 08:22:35 PM
And my bro says that Jamaica is a shithole not worth visiting.
Actually we already agreed we wanted to avoid any itineraries that stop in Jamaica. :cool:
Good man. Boycott that shitty country. :cool:
:yes: Thirded
Quote from: Martinus on May 06, 2011, 12:07:19 AM
Good man. Boycott that shitty country. :cool:
Righto. Homophobic negroes don't need my money. :bowler:
I saw that the thread was titled "Cruise recommendations" and thought that you would be looking for recommendations for what Tom Cruise film to watch. Imagine my disappointment when I couldn't recommend the movie where Cruise's character was the best at something but he had to overcome adversity (and his own ego) in order to prove it...
:(
When I was younger I went on a few cruises with my family. I was a big fan of Celebrity. We did one in the Mediterranean and it was great.
We went to cities like Rome, Nice, Athens, Greek isles, etc. It was great to get to see lots of different places and enjoy the great weather. However, you will leave a city like Rome with such little knowledge about the place (if you haven't been there). I mean... 6-8 hours in a city like Rome or Athens just isn't enough.
But it's amazing in terms of relaxing and being spoiled, it's amazing. I've been on 5 cruises and I would say the Celebrity cruise in the Med sea was the best.
I've been on a cruise and liked it well enough, but wasn't tempted to go on another.
Barbados is definitely worth seeing (one of the few places where tourists aren't separated from natives by barbed wire), and St Martin was beautiful, as were the US Islands. Take a ship that sails from San juan so you have more time to spend in the Caribbean. Get a ship small enough to dock if you can; I wouldn't want to spend the time in lines for the boats i saw for the big ships.
Holy shit - VCarter???
Cruises seem designed for old people. I haven't had a ton of interest in going.
:hmm: I was assuming we'd leave out of Miami/Ft. Lauderdale, but that's a good idea, grumbles.
Its like a normal holiday except you're trapped in the hotel grounds, only leaving for the occasional hotel organised day trip to a few places.
Quote from: Caliga on May 05, 2011, 08:18:37 PM
Ok, this is sort of a followup to my "Destination Weddings" thread:
My brother wants to go on a cruise with his girlfriend this fall and wants me and Princesca to come along. He's hinting at wanting to propose to his gf on the cruise.
I've never been on a cruise before, and neither has he. I used to think it was kind of a stupid idea, but in looking over some of the typical Caribbean cruises, I'm intrigued as I see that a number of them go to multiple destinations I want to visit (Bahamas, Turks & Caicos, St. Maarten, US Virgin Islands, etc.)
I need some recommendations and the like PLZ.
A co-worker of mine goes on cruises quite a bit and she recommended Princess and Norwegian to me.
Don't.
How about chartering a crewed yacht? That would be a lot more fun :cool:
Despite my misgivings, I think it is a good idea to try it at least once in a lifetime. It is a pretty unique experience and some people have good reasons to like it.
Quote from: Monoriu on May 06, 2011, 03:51:48 PM
Despite my misgivings, I think it is a good idea to try it at least once in a lifetime. It is a pretty unique experience and some people have good reasons to like it.
That would be old people.
Quote from: Barrister on May 06, 2011, 03:52:14 PM
That would be old people.
Actually they are pretty good for young people and young families. Pretty affordable especially if you live in a port city. This is not a tour bus BB where did you get the idea they are for old people?
There are cultural cruises of Greece and the Aegean that have top lecturers from Britain's best universities on them. I'm hoping to give that a go when I'm another 10 years older.
Quote from: Richard Hakluyt on May 06, 2011, 03:54:52 PM
There are cultural cruises of Greece and the Aegean that have top lecturers from Britain's best universities on them. I'm hoping to give that a go when I'm another 10 years older.
Wow, how very odd. Sounds quite unreal.
There's enough demand for that sort of thing?
Quote from: Richard Hakluyt on May 06, 2011, 03:54:52 PM
There are cultural cruises of Greece and the Aegean that have top lecturers from Britain's best universities on them. I'm hoping to give that a go when I'm another 10 years older.
Ok now THAT sounds like it is for old people :P
Swan Hellenic are the main firm I'm aware of http://www.swanhellenic.com/
Quite expensive I believe; but the addition of guest lectures and expert guides captures my interest. Eating, drinking and lounging is fine for 20 hours a day...........but for the remaining 4 I like to at least pretend to have some higher interests :P
There are cruises designed for younger people(aka college age)- usually they feature all you can drink specials, and only go to 1 or 2 locations. I'm guessing that's not what you're looking for though.
.
I would imagine that the problem with a cruise is finding the right one. It would be lovely with the right people and ambience, but there is no escape if you have made a mistake and chosen the wrong cruise.
Quote from: stjaba on May 06, 2011, 04:04:44 PM
There are cruises designed for younger people(aka college age)- usually they feature all you can drink specials, and only go to 1 or 2 locations. I'm guessing that's not what you're looking for though.
.
Nope, since my brother doesn't drink and my wife and his girlfriend seldom do.
Quote from: Richard Hakluyt on May 06, 2011, 04:07:24 PM
I would imagine that the problem with a cruise is finding the right one. It would be lovely with the right people and ambience, but there is no escape if you have made a mistake and chosen the wrong cruise.
You can always sue:
http://www.pinknews.co.uk/2009/10/15/straight-italian-couple-sue-after-being-put-on-gay-cruise/
Quote from: C.C.R. on May 06, 2011, 12:17:16 PM
I saw that the thread was titled "Cruise recommendations" and thought that you would be looking for recommendations for what Tom Cruise film to watch.
They're really all the same.
QuoteImagine my disappointment when I couldn't recommend the movie where Cruise's character was the best at something but he had to overcome adversity (and his own ego) in order to prove it...
:lol:
I'm going to go on a cruise where I have to do fuckall, I am surrounded by my friends and family, and I get to eat and drink without regard for the cost of food and alcohol. And then, every night, Wynton Marsalis and I play a two-hour set of top-shelf cool jazz, and the recording goes platinum.
Can I: go too.
I know this ship's "godmother": Mariner of the Seas (http://www.sath.org/index.php?id=3646&sec=812) :)
You should go on that one.
Quote from: Scipio on May 08, 2011, 03:41:59 PM
I'm going to go on a cruise where I have to do fuckall, I am surrounded by my friends and family, and I get to eat and drink without regard for the cost of food and alcohol. And then, every night, Wynton Marsalis and I play a two-hour set of top-shelf cool jazz, and the recording goes platinum.
Is there a cruise that does not charge separately for alcohol? :unsure:
I went on a cruise a few years ago, I have always been against touristy bullshit like cruises but we were sort of roped into it by another couple. It's one of those things that was a lot more fun than I thought it would be. It's basically perpetual eating, drinking, and gambling and then rolling off the ship a few times to walk around different countries and then walk back on.
The one I went on went from Florida to Denmark (stopped in the Azores, Amsterdam, and Copenhagen), aside from the fact that Denmark is filled with pussy Euroweenies it was a fun trip, due to my time in Europe earlier in life I already knew that going in and was ready for the sad, effeminate state of the descendants of the proud Viking race.
Quote from: Monoriu on May 08, 2011, 09:05:07 PM
Quote from: Scipio on May 08, 2011, 03:41:59 PM
I'm going to go on a cruise where I have to do fuckall, I am surrounded by my friends and family, and I get to eat and drink without regard for the cost of food and alcohol. And then, every night, Wynton Marsalis and I play a two-hour set of top-shelf cool jazz, and the recording goes platinum.
Is there a cruise that does not charge separately for alcohol? :unsure:
A better question is, Is there a cruise featuring Wynton Marsalis? Both are equally likely, I suppose.
Quote from: Monoriu on May 08, 2011, 09:05:07 PM
Quote from: Scipio on May 08, 2011, 03:41:59 PM
I'm going to go on a cruise where I have to do fuckall, I am surrounded by my friends and family, and I get to eat and drink without regard for the cost of food and alcohol. And then, every night, Wynton Marsalis and I play a two-hour set of top-shelf cool jazz, and the recording goes platinum.
Is there a cruise that does not charge separately for alcohol? :unsure:
My cousing went to one last month. They had a flat rate for normal drinks and food and could pay an extra for premium stuff if they wanted.
Quote from: Barrister on May 06, 2011, 03:52:14 PM
Quote from: Monoriu on May 06, 2011, 03:51:48 PM
Despite my misgivings, I think it is a good idea to try it at least once in a lifetime. It is a pretty unique experience and some people have good reasons to like it.
That would be old people.
I went on a cruise in the summer of '09 and it was awesome.