Cruise Lines and Destinations.

[SephYuyX]

Planning a honeymoon trip and originally thought a European tour (without the tour group) would be fun, but then sort of figured it would be a lot of running around and rushing instead of relaxing.

Which brought me to the idea of a Cruise. Been once before many a moon ago so dont recall very much, but had the best damn time ever. I think it was a Flordia/Cuba type of tour, and while the sites were meh, the liner was awesome.

So, looking for a warmer/tropical cruise so that we can relax on the beach, scuba dive, see lots of cool sites, etc, but also have a really nice liner to relax on as well.

What would be the ideal cruise location, and what liner typically is best? Ive heard to stay away from Carnival, and that Royal Caribbean is pretty good. Bahamas? Caribeans? Mediterranean?

[pohibaba]

I did a week long cruise to Mexico that was pretty awesome; I don't remember which cruise line is was with though, sorry. I did an Alaskan cruise on Holland America, and while that destination probably isn't what you're looking for, their cruise ships are spectacular.

[Xno Kappa]

I've had a blast every time on Carnival cruises.

[Vandole]

Book ahead early as fuck and you'll get cheap prices.

Also, don't forget to smuggle vodka in water bottles.

[BaneTheBrawler]

My cousin and a few other people I know did Disney cruises as honeymoons. They seemed pleased. I have no idea what they entailed, but the ships looked awesome.

[Stumblingdrunk]

virgin islands?

[Sythe]

I went on a cruise last summer and had a ball. I took the RC Oasis of the seas. Now for me, a single guy, I should have been on a carnival boat but I still had a blast. Anyway the Oasis is the biggest ship out there and has a ton of things to do on board, plus the atmosphere should be better for you guys then it was for me. Not sure what route it takes now though : /

also: dont smuggle in weed >_<

[Anakron]

I recently did a Carnival cruise from Long Beach, and the Royal Caribbean one from Florida was much better. Service, food, shows, etc., were all better on Royal Caribbean. The RC flagships are the Oasis class (Allure and Oasis are the two actual ships), so make sure you go for those if you're really looking to have the best time.

[SephYuyX]

I would think the Disney cruise line would be infested with kids.. definitely something Id want to avoid.

[dejet]

I recently did a Carnival cruise from Long Beach, and the Royal Caribbean one from Florida was much better. Service, food, shows, etc., were all better on Royal Caribbean. The RC flagships are the Oasis class (Allure and Oasis are the two actual ships), so make sure you go for those if you're really looking to have the best time.

Ill second this also I did love the princess cruises I took when I was younger(I sorta forget if there was a lot of kids on them. I was 15 and 18 for them)

Dont try and save a few dollars on a cruise(unless your going budget and aiming for a big discount) Iv never been let down on a cruise and felt like "Fuck why did I throw an extra 300 for ____ upgrade"

its a cruise your going to blow money might as well have fun.

one last thing; Iv done 7, 10 and 14 day cruises. The best ones for me are the ones that make like 2~3 stops. I was on a 7 day once that stopped 5 times. I loved it but at the same time I felt like I was not relaxing as much as I felt I wanted to ~_~ and it came with a free tour/event at each stop that made you feel "I cant stay on the ship"

Something to keep on mind its a time of rest for you two do some resting. Do not overload

[Tweek]

really enjoyed the royal caribbean trip I took with my girlfriend (at the time)

[Syntex]

Was thinking about doing one later this year as I haven't really been on a good vacation in about 2 years and all things considered(mostly that all meals are covered) cruises seem like the best bang for your buck in the long run. Any vacation you take for more then 2-3 days you could easily rack up 300+ dollars in food expenses for 2 if you want to eat nice(I do not go on vacation to cheap out on meals).

Wanted to know of those that went, does it really make a difference if you get a room with a window, one without, or a balcony room? I figure you spend so little time in your room aside from sleeping that it doesn't matter but prices vary greatly based on these preferences.

[SephYuyX]

Last time I went I spent very little time in my room.. probably only to sleep.
To much to do off ship, or within the ship itself.


Also,
What are some good sites to book off of?

I see Kayak has a cruise section, and a quick glace it seemed decent. I was on a site the other day that seemed really good for booking.. but now I cant find it, lol.

[Ksandra]

I did carnival for my honeymoon and was worth every penny. It was a seven day cruise to the Mexico Riviera. We didn't go off the boat when docked though (fuck paying for shit when we got the pool to ourselves and free food).

As someone suggested, my advice, which I'd imagine would go across all cruiselines, is if they have any packages when you book, get them. I had never done a cruise before and when I was buying tickets there was a room or room + spa package that was only $20 a person more. I was like "I like spas and it's our honeymoon, might as well try it." Turns out the package gave us first dibs at scheduling a couple's massage (which iirc was also a 10% discount from having the package) and free unlimited access to all the sauna rooms and mineral jacuzzi. To buy the unlimited pass for the sauna + jacuzzi was $250 for two people if you didn't have the package deal. Meaning we saved over $200. And those saunas were sooooooooooooooo fucking nice (had different temperatures and heated stone lounge chairs to lie on with big ass windows for looking at at the water).


[edit] as for sites, I just used everything until I found the time/date/price I wanted. If I remember right, I ended up going through expedia, but I looked also at travelocity, kayak, and the actually cruiseline websites for deals.

[Syntex]

I know it's their slogan but wont Kayak.com give you the rates of every other site all in one?

Kinda shitty site if they don't list everything that the other sites list since it was the point of the site.