Favourite Cruise Line?

[Lisa]

For those of you who have been on a cruise, which line is your favourite? Why did you like it? If you've only been on one, like me, why did you like or dislike that line?

I am thinking and starting to plan going on a cruise next fall, so I would like to have an idea of which cruise line I would like to go with. I am hoping to start talking to a travel agent around March, so I would like to have a good idea fairly quickly of what I want to do.

Also, which place is your favourite to cruise? I'm thinking I'll go somewhere tropical, since I've already done Alaska, but I don't know for sure I would LOVE to go to Hawaii or Bermuda, but I think those are too expensive, along with too long (I am going for a 7-day).

Thanks! :bgrin

 

[Al B]

Went to Alaska on Princess year before last and really enjoyed every aspect of it. The only negative is that the ship we went on is the largest they have and was somewhat impersonal. Crew was wonderful. :aktion033:

Going to the Mexican Riveria on Holland America in January so I can comment on them after that.

 

[Lisa]

I remember that Al, it was the same time I went on my cruise with Holland America. Which ship are you on? I think that you will LOVE HA. The crew and the food and the sights were just amazing. That cruise turned me into a (hopefully) lifelong cruiser! I am very much considering cruising with Princess when I go next year.

 

[minimama]

Lisa,

We flew over to Hawai'i this year and then got on a cruise ship there and spent 7 days goign from island to island. It was wonderful!!!! Teh ship line is NCL and while they do not have a reputation for being the best, we thought they were very fantastic! They treated us beautifully, very helpful crew. The food was good, never wonderful, but always the right temp, always good, and if we wanted soemthign special they went out of their way to get it or find it for us. I would go again. I ahve also heard great things abtou Carnival. I have a friend that is a travel agent and her speciality is cruises if you want I can send you her contact info.

 

[Al B]

Alaska was on the Sapphire Princess

This trip will be on the ms Oosterdam.

We go with the Sami tour so there is a group of mini horse people.

 

[Lisa]

I would love to go to Hawaii, but that particular cruise is too expensive for me right now. Yes, that would be great if you could give me her contact info!

OOHH!!! I would love to go on a cruise with mini people hehe! At this point it looks like I will likely be going on my own, I can't think of anyone who would go with me or is in the position to go with me.

 

[Marylou]

We have been on 4 cruises and have booked our Hawaian 12 day cruise for next oct. 3 of them were with Carnival and one Holland American. Overall we prefer Carnival although they own most of the rest including Holland American. Don't wait til march! We wanted Sept. but it was already booked so had to settle for oct. If you go to their website they are always having specials. Would never go for less than 7 days. We do 2 a year. Being handicapped, a cruise is the best way to go. Carnival has gone to great lengths to make me comfortable. They are addicting though. Once you have been you can't stop at one.

 

[Lisa]

The reason I'm waiting til March is because right now I can't afford the deposit.

LOL I totally agree! My first cruise has made me a lifetime fan of cruising!

 

[Wee Mite Miniatures]

I think one of the things you have to look into is the type of cruise and the age bracket it is geared too. Some are just general but you do not want to get stuck on an old folks cruise like we did.

I have been on a lot of cruises and most were real nice but one that the company sent us on was horrible. We always take the second seating for dinner. On this cruise we would go to dinner then the show and when we would come out of the show every thing was closed down. I do mean everything. The midnight buffet was at 10:30. That was on the Holland/American Seaward. It was four night and two were formal and They suggested Tuxes. This was about 10 years ago.

The Carnival cruises were all fun. Not as snobby as some of the others. On one ship my boss paid extra to keep the disco open all night.

Before you book ask questions. Ask about what goes on on the ship. Some ships have a lot some leave you to your own all the time. Holland America had nothing, Carnival had all sorts of on deck parties and contests.

Checking them out and find one that sounds fun to you and I am sure you will have a great time.

 

[Lisa]

Thank you for that

I have to say I absolutely loved Holland America. I am not a typical 20-something. I LOVED just sitting relaxing, reading, enjoying my solitude and relaxation. I don't know how much fun I would have on Carnival, especially if I end up going on my own. I am not a "party-er". I am hoping to find a middle of the road cruise line that will have some of both.

 

[Wee Mite Miniatures]

You do not have to party on Carnival, you can sit and relax all day BUT the variety is there if you want to.

 

[Lisa]

Really? I've always heard of Carnival that it is geared toward a younger crowd, similar to Cancun is. My parents are on Carnival, so I will hear about that line when they return tomorrow. At this point, I think I am leaning toward Princess, but I still would love to hear your experiences, especially on the destinations.

 

[Miniv]

We went on Sami's first "mini horse" cruise with Holland America and it was OUR first cruise too. LOVED IT.

When we can afford to go again, we will!

MA

 

[Lisa]

Can someone explain this idea of Sami's? Does it cost the same as any other cruise? Is there one coming up next year? I would LOVE to cruise with other mini people, especially since I'll most likely be going on the cruise by myself.

 

[minimama]

Sami Sheuring of Samis Lil Horse Ranch out here in California. she puts together a cruise every year and the mini horse people get a nice discount and go as a group.

 

[Lisa]

How do I find out information about it? Do you have to be American? When do they usually take place?

 

[user 488]

I have posted to you on this subject before. This all depends on what you want out of a cruise. Carnival is great for a younger person, but there are lots of older people too. We have done Carnival a dozen or so times. Holland is first class. The most attentive staff. We have done this cruise line a number of times. But I prefer Princess all the way. Personal Choice Dining is one of the big reasons. We are getting ready to go on our 10th (?) Princess cruise next week. The ships are beautiful and the food is fantastic. There is no "midnight buffet" as there is food 24 hours a day plus 24 hour room service. Tons of stuff to do on board.

Again, this all depends what you want? They all go to the same ports............I have offered before to help out. All you have to do is email me with specific questions or give me a call.

Carol

 

[TangoMango]

Ill have to let you know in Feb. Then End of Jan we are going on Holland America~~Ms. Noordam. To the Southern Caribbean for an 11 day cruise, leaving from NYC.

My mom has cruised previously on Holland America and Loved it. She is treating us (myself and my 2 girls, hubby didnt want to go) to this cruise. We researched for MONTHS. Just because she had enjoyed Holland American, didnt mean we were going to go on another one.. But after much research, and lots of opinions, we found Carnival to be the party ship, heck, they only have 22 bars on most of them. Who needs 22 bars? Geez, none of us are even drinkers.,

Now we also found out that Norwegian has some ships that have mini golf, ice skating, rock wall etc. That was a clOSE second, but we couldnt find a cruise to fit into the schedule we needed, and go to the islands we wanted..

The one we chose has a game room, pools, movie theatre, internet cafe, casino, etc, etc..(Oh did I mention 24 hr room service, an ice cream bar and a chocolate extravaganza, EVERY day.....(drool)LOL Good thing they have an extensive gym also...

We are going for the ISLANDS not the partying..LOL..

Good luck

 

[Lisa]

Haha, Tango, yes, the Ice cream bar is to DIE for...way too good, not at all good for the body!

We are going for the ISLANDS not the partying..LOL..

That's exactly my view. I want to go to visit places I've never been, not to see how drunk I can get how fast and for how long!

 

[sfmini]

I went on Holland America for my first and so far only cruise. My former boss took me on a 12 day Mediterranean cruise, and oh, was it wonderful. He is blind, so I was his eyes and he paid all including the first class airfare. I loved the stops, even got to spend a day with my x boyfriend and his wife in Turkey as they live very close to that port. I wish I had known that you have to sign up early for the tours so we missed out on the first stop in Egypt and were on our own. The staff were wonderful, I never did partake of extra food, just our three regular meals, and they were more than enough. I would go again in a heartbeat, especially the Greek Islands, they were beautiful.