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Dumb question (Original Post) gopiscrap Jan 2020 OP
Yes. Flaleftist Jan 2020 #1
took one to alaska, really enjoyed it, but mopinko Jan 2020 #2
We took a Viking cruise two years ago leftieNanner Jan 2020 #3
Yes. My wife and I have cruised some 14 times now. For me, it's COLGATE4 Jan 2020 #4
I love the Nation's cruise. broiles Jan 2020 #5
Took several. Here's my tips. scheming daemons Jan 2020 #6
We cruise Norwegian Olafjoy Jan 2020 #7
Have been on three cruises csziggy Jan 2020 #8
Kick for the morning crowd. Flaleftist Jan 2020 #9
I've never been on a cruise. But my thoughts are it would be wise Sugar Smack Jan 2020 #10

Flaleftist

(3,473 posts)
1. Yes.
Thu Jan 30, 2020, 12:16 AM
Jan 2020

I have been on several. Personally, I would not book one without a private balcony. I enjoy the privacy/semi-privacy it provides. The decks can get a bit crowded during the day, not only that I went once with an interior stateroom and felt a tad claustrophobic which I otherwise never experience.

If you are a drinker, research an item called Rum Runners. You can find them on EBay and Amazon. They are containers that let you slip alcohol passed their screeners. Bottles in your bags are easy to spot on xrays, Runners not so much. Their drinks are a little pricey and not as strong as I prefer.

I don't do the excursions unless it's something like snorkeling. I either get a cab or walk somewhere if it isn't too far. So maybe research the ports where you will be going in advance and see what they have to offer.


And, of course, make sure you keep suntan lotion applied throughout the day.



You may want to bring music and maybe a Bluetooth speaker. One onboard activity I enjoy it to sit out on the balcony late at night and play some tunes while enjoying the sea and sky.

Also, bring a cooler cup/thermos. Something that can hold a good amount of water and keep it cold. It nice to have while roaming about the ship or offshore. While there is always food available, you may want to bring some snack items that are favorites of yours.




mopinko

(69,809 posts)
2. took one to alaska, really enjoyed it, but
Thu Jan 30, 2020, 12:29 AM
Jan 2020

if i were gonna do it again, i would really check into what is included and what isnt.
you can easily get nickel and dimed to death. dont remember the line, but maybe holland america.

wondering what the virgin cruises are like.

ditto on a balcony, those rooms are teeeeenie.

leftieNanner

(14,998 posts)
3. We took a Viking cruise two years ago
Thu Jan 30, 2020, 12:52 AM
Jan 2020

In the Baltic Sea. It was fantastic. Rooms decent sized. All rooms have a veranda. Only 900 passengers. Fabulous service. No children and no casino. All of the public spaces are comfortable and you never feel like you are in a crowd. I highly recommend Viking. Apparently the river cruises are wonderful too.

COLGATE4

(14,732 posts)
4. Yes. My wife and I have cruised some 14 times now. For me, it's
Thu Jan 30, 2020, 12:57 AM
Jan 2020

the absolute best way to travel. Where else can you visit a bunch of different countries but your hotel goes with you? Same for restaurants, except you don't get a check at the end of each meal. Plus, being on a ship is tremendously relaxing. I don't think it can be beat.

broiles

(1,361 posts)
5. I love the Nation's cruise.
Thu Jan 30, 2020, 12:57 AM
Jan 2020

While at sea going from port to port, they have sessions with notable liberal speakers. When in port you go sightseeing. At dinner you are seated with a speaker. I've had dinner with Chris Hayes, Molly Ivins, Ralph Nader, Joan Baez, Van Jones. Then go to the bar, dance, talk, etc. The above poster is right: do get a balcony room.

 

scheming daemons

(25,487 posts)
6. Took several. Here's my tips.
Thu Jan 30, 2020, 01:13 AM
Jan 2020

1. If you can afford it, a room with a balcony is a major plus.

2. Unless you plan on drinking only water, tea, and coffee... buy a drink package. Much less expensive than paying drink by drink.

3. The excursions that are through the cruise lines are often WAY overpriced. But sometimes the safety and security of going through them instead of booking your own private excursions, especially in foreign countries where you might not know the language, might be worth it.

4. Make sure you talk to your cell phone company BEFORE your trip so you don't get whacked with massive roaming charges. Many cell providers offer special packages for cell phone usage on cruises so you can continue to text and call and use the internet without paying hundreds of dollars. Look into it.

5. Get the variable dinner time plan instead of locking yourself into the early seating (usually around 6pm) or the later seating (usually around 8pm). If you lock yourself into a dinner time, you won't have the flexibility to go to certain fun things on the cruise that conflict with your meal time. The flexible time selection makes it easier to plan.

6. If you aren't sure if you get seasick, buy dramamine patches. They work.

7. If you aren't bringing kids, I'd recommend AGAINST Carnival or Disney cruises. Way too many kids and they frankly get in the way of fun when they aren't yours! Those cruise lines tailor their entertainment toward families more than grownups. If it is just grownups going, I recommend Celebrity, Royal Caribbean, MS, or Norwegian.



Olafjoy

(937 posts)
7. We cruise Norwegian
Thu Jan 30, 2020, 01:13 AM
Jan 2020

Never thought we would like it. Hubby prone to bad motion sickness. He slapped on the Transderm scopolamine patch and off we have gone. We really liked the inside passage in Alaska. Have done 2 in Europe as well. With Norwegian, there are always free offers you get to choose from. We get the unlimited beverage package. We are not huge drinkers, but we like the freedom to not worry about running up a tab. I love a balcony as well. I always ask them to put a lounger on it. I adore reclining in the morning and either watching the ocean go by or watching the boats come and go in port. Research your shore excursions carefully. We have ended up on some where we sat in a bus for the majority of the time. We also book our own excursions through “tours by locals” and have never been disappointed. We also took our 22 y.o. son on one and he had a blast as well. Go for it!! It is fun 👍🏻

csziggy

(34,120 posts)
8. Have been on three cruises
Thu Jan 30, 2020, 01:26 AM
Jan 2020

First, from Tampa to Cozumel on Royal Caribbean, was a test cruise. My husband and I had never been on one and wanted to see how we liked it. It was a day at sea, a day at Cozumel and a day at sea. We had great weather - it was two days after Hurricane Michael hit Florida and the ship had followed the storm back from Cozumel. The passengers on that leg had high seas and could not visit Grand Cayman because it was too rough. When we left Tampa going the other way, the seas were smooth.

At Cozumel our excursion was taking a mini sub down to see the reefs. We enjoyed it since we're older and most of the excursions were more active than we were able to handle.

The other two were two week each way, to UK with Cunard and back on Royal Caribbean. On the Queen Elizabeth, we stopped in New York, Halifax, St. John's, twice in Iceland, the got off early in Port Glasgow. In New York, none of the excursions fit our interests so we took a cab to the Museum of Natural History for the day. We did bus tours in Halifax and St. John's but for the two stops in Iceland we took excursions to go bird watching - PUFFINS!

The trip back was nine days at sea with very rough seas since there were two late season storms, nearly hurricane strength. That's when we were certain neither of us would get seasick. The ship stopped at St. Maartin, St Thomas, Puerto Rico, and Haiti. We took bus tours on the first two islands, but my husband got norovirus and we had to cancel the excursions for Puerto Rico and Haiti. The ship's doctor took great care of my husband and all room service was free, plus without us asking they refunded the excursions.

If you do not enjoy shows or stand up comedy, check to see what else the ship offers. The Cunard ship had some great lectures by people from NASA and NOAA. Royal Caribbean had one lecturer on the history of spying from WWII to the present day. We were not that interested in the last subject so did not attend the lectures. Since we did not like the shows, gambling, drinking, and shopping offered by Royal Caribbean, that nine days at sea were not very exciting.

In the future we will probably take more cruises - we liked the ability to travel and see different places without having to pack and unpack every day. We're thinking of theme cruises - bird watching or some other subject we are both interested in. We did enjoy the excursions we took so be sure to check out what if offered to see if you would be interested. If you do like shopping the port areas usually have a selection of shops where you can spend lots of money.

Do plan on getting to know your cabin steward - they will take very good care of you if you are nice to them. If you don't want to dress up avoid the formal dining room. The casual buffets have a nice selection of food and the selections change everyday, except maybe at breakfast. If you like formal dining, be ready to dress up - some go full evening gowns and tuxedos. Again, the staff will get to know you and take very good care of you.

Check into packages for drinks, for dining at the venues that charge, for internet. Somewhere close to the sailing date they will begin sending discount offers for those, plus for upgrades on your cabin and other options. A balcony is definitely worth it, even when the weather is bad.

Oh - very important, select a cabin close to the center of the ship - even with rough seas, the movement is less. Until you find out about seasickness, take Bonine with you. They usually have it in the ship store or you can get it from the ship's doctor, but it is easier and cheaper to take your own.

All in all I think cruising is fun and will do it again!

Sugar Smack

(18,748 posts)
10. I've never been on a cruise. But my thoughts are it would be wise
Thu Jan 30, 2020, 09:48 AM
Jan 2020

to wait until the pandemic is safely behind us.

https://www.democraticunderground.com/100212927805

Not a dumb question, BTW.

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