My family of 4 is planning to take a Cruise next year, which Cruises are the best in the Food,Tours, and Services. I am plan to take 7 to 15 days Cruises, I want to go before all the Storms start at end of June 2008. I am looking at a 14 night Hawaii trip from Royal Caribbean from San Diego, Ca and i am looking at other Cruise too.
Thank You.
Cunard Line
My best experience has been an Alaskan five day tour up the Inside Passage and back the Outside Passage via the Norwegian Cruise Line in mid May about five years back. I particularly like Norwegian for their laid back cruise style of travel with no set rules about meal times, etc.
I want a long Cruise to enjoy food, tours, Pools and Spas. [:D]
WE did an inland passage cruise with Holland America a few years ago, Vancover BC to Seward, AK, …we would go again with them in a heartbeat.
Holland America has all the major amenities, but dont market themselves as a “Party Boat” cruise…they have swimming pools but not wave machines! Also, there is a “Land Extension” available on the alaska cruise,(back on topic!) two or three different places to add a train ride into the package, including Seward to Anchorage and to Denali National Park.
Did a weekend cruise on Carnival lines, good service, but instead of the “Love Boat” the 3-day cruise could have called “Drunk Boat” but all cruises are like that to one degree or another.
Might be doing a longer Holland America cruise before too long, I’ll let you know how it was if I rmember this thread
Not really off topic…if you wern’t going to Hawaii, I’ve got a great cruise line for you:
AMTRAK
Since you’re taking a cruise anyways, it doesn’t matter whether it’s on time or not, or anything, really – just as long as it stays on the tracks! [:D]
White Star Line. The service is to die for.
We did a cruise a couple of years ago on Norweign Carribean. They were really great with the kids. They have separate activities based on age. My older daughter (she was 6) loved it. We only saw her for meals because she wanted to be there. They even had late night stuff which she thought was great (got to stay up til 1 with pizza and stuff). Staff was great. The younger one 2 at the time had some fun activities, though she was the only one there one time. The staff member doing her activity was a former teacher (from Australia) and the ship had a ton of stuff for her to play with too. For older kids there was lots of stuff, including clubs set up just for pre-teens and teens. Most of the cruise lines have these now, not just Disney.
Previous cruise was on a line (now out of business) that did all the same stuff. The ship I was on sank 6 months after the cruise.
Most of the lines know people want to get away from the kids and have activities for them away from the adults. My daughters still talk about the trip on the ship more than the Disney trip.
We had tried to figure out how to take the train down there and make it work to our advantage, but taking the car on the Autotrain (we live right near Lorton, VA) was too much and a rental would not work with our schedule. I’d still like to do the train down again at some point. The last time I did that was right after the launch of Amtrak.
My Aunt left a cruise ship early at the first port, she said all the (elderly patrons) did was complain and eat themselves sick with the free food, they did nothing else( oh, many got drunk) she said she was embarrassed to be over 60, they continued their trip on their own ( and own expense)and had a good time.
Just a general comment on cruises. If you have never done it I’d recommend a 4-5 day cruise to start. It’s not for everyone and if you committ to 10 plus days and hate it after only 2, then you are stuck.
I would second this. The last cruise we went on had to scratch some port calls because it was too rough to tender to the island. This was fine by me as it was less expensive (less of the wife shopping) and much more relaxing. I was glad to get off the ship at the end. Anything more than 7 days gets to be monotonous to me. There are only so many places to see on the ship.
I believe this company used to go by the name “White Star Line”. White Star was reknown for owning the largest oceanliners back in the beginning of the last century. Unfortunately one of their ships didn’t quite make it to New York on its maidan voyage. [:-^]
MY wife take a cruise every year combining it with a train trip. Here are our experiences on three cruise lines
Carnival. Took a Carnuval cruise combined with a bus tour. Right from the start it was not that great. Checking in, the clerk didnt know how to handle a Canadian passport. When we had lifeboat drill before sailing people were blowing whistles & joking & even the attendent had no control we couldn’t hear any instructions, very disorganized. Cafeteria food very poor and in a crowded room, boisterous crowds at all imes. At night young kids running and making noise in the hallways while their parents were gambling, evening entertainment was not family oriented & midnite shows were xxx rated. Captain could speak very little English. Would definitely never take a Carnival cruise again & would advise against taking younger children on Carnival.
Royal Caribbean Several trips, one a few years ago with our family on our 50th anniversary. We always book early seating for dinner which we would recommed, if you have children. Extrafagant entertainment and meals great, lots of family activities and service is great
Celebrity A step above Royal Caribbean in every aspect especially staff’s attention to everyone’s individual needs. Usually a bit pricier than Royal Caribbean.
My wife likes the mediium size ships, while I prefer a larger ship with more activities such as a climbing wall and more extravagant shows
Norwegian As I understand it is less formal with no definite seating arrangements for dining.
We prefer a set table for eight or so and we really get to know our group.
&n
Well today we went to are local travel agent today to find out about some Cruises. First is 15 Night Hawaii trip on Royal Caribbean the cost for 2 people is $5017.04 if other 2 people go is double. Leave San Diego in Oct of 2008. I don’t know take Amtrak to San Diego or to Fly to CA and be Stuck on Amtrak for Extra 6 Days roundtrip. I am near Pittsburgh, Pa. and the other cruise is a 9 Day Eastern Caribbean on Princess Cruises cost $3286 for 2 people. Leave New York City any date from May to Aug of 2008. I will take Amtrak to New York City.
An FYI. In the 10/24/07 Wall Street Journal is an article about a woman who had a major medical problem on board and was treated by the ships doctor. When she got home she required brain surgery to relieve a clot on her brain. She later sued the ship line and found out the ships doctor is an independent contractor hired by the ship. Their claim was they were no more responsible then a building owner who rents space to a doctor since he was not an employee. I guess the moral of the story is to not take any foolish chances regarding safety while on board a ship.
Which cruise lines have the most Food Poison every 6 months or so you here about another food poison on T.V. News?
Well I have survived cruises on Holland America, NCL, Carnival & Royal Carib & have always had a great time & never became ill from the food. In fact I will soon be departing again for a cruise on Royal Carib [:)]
Well on Friday we booked are Cruise for Eastern Caribbean with Princess for 9 days stop at Bermuda (West End) San Juan, St. Thomas and GrandTurks,Turks & Caicos Island. Cost us $3186.00 and now we have to get Amtrak Tickets from Latrobe, Pa to New York City on 42&43, and Stay at New York City for 2 nights, maybe cost another 1,000 dollars in hotels bills. Coming back the Cruise get into New York City at 8:00 A.M. I don’t want to Rush to get the train home the same day Amtrak 43 leaves New York at 10:50 A.M.
Anyone know cheap hotels near Penn Station in New York City for 2 nights?