| Hi Julie-Lynn,
You make some very valid points, both on the positive and negative side.
If you enjoy eating, if you enjoy entertainment each evening,
if you enjoy visiting several different ports within a short time, if you like
the sea, the magnificant sunrises and sunsets, the ocean breeze as you
enjoy sipping champagne while strolling on deck on a beautiful moonlit night,
if you enjoy falling asleep to the gentle (one hopes) rocking of the vessel
...etc., and if you don't mind a smaller cabin and the confines of a ship then
cruising is for you.
Dollar for dollar it is practically impossible to match what you get on a
cruise with a land deal.
For instance, total up what it would cost you to eat on land in the various
ports of call the SAME as you have the opportunity to on the ship. Add to
that the cost of hotel and the cost of travel to each port of call. Oh ya,
entertainment each evening also. The drinks on board ship are usually much
more reasonable than what I've had to pay at resorts and most hotels
I've stayed at.
Cruising is not for everybody, just as a camping vacation is not for everyone
(like me). It boils down to personal taste. Some like it, some don't.
I hope that you'll have a good time. Please let us know how things work out.
Joe
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| The great part of cruising is that you can visit many differt places
in a short period of time without wating your precious vacation
time packing and unpacking and chasing cabs and planes. I did that
number in Hawaii and never again. Secondly, the people on most ships
wait on you hand and foot and aren't surley like in many foreign
cities. The food is great and SAFE to eat. The drinks are very
reasonable compared to most vaction spots you will visit. Many ports
are great to shop but not so great to stay at because of the poverty
and the constant hasseling from vendors and locals who really don't
love americans and are'nt shy about telling you about it. Don't
underestimate the cost of entertainment in the tourist areas, they
see you comming for sure. The land tours aren't all that expensive,
however, you can do better by hiring your own cab etc at the port
of call. The ships crew can be a big help on giving advise.
Cruising is the best value for the buck. I personally don't like
Carnival; however, it is a big hit with the younger cruisers and
people who like to party.
Have fun on your cruise.
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| My first cruise was last October, my honeymoon. We sailed on NCL
Skyward. I was a little sceptical at first also. But it was great.
My husband refuses to anything but cruise now. To begin with the
food alone is magnificent. I don't like to eat much in the summer
either. But believe me the salt air gives you one heck of an appetite.
It's nice to know if you want you eat at least 9 times and it's
all paid for. Imagine going for 9 meals in Hawaii. I've been there!
it would cost a lot more. You're also not rushed. Your itinery
is already planned all you have to do is go with the flow. And
if you don't feel like doing anything you can do that too. You
meet so many people and get to know them. And life previously
mentioned in the other replies, it's the best way to fall asleep.
That gentle rocking.
Relax and have a great time. I'm sure you will.
Have fun!!!!!
Doreen
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Julie-lynn
If you havn't tried it....
Dollar for doller you CAN'T beat a cruise. Look the WHOLE ship
is there at your beck and call. It's a floating party machine.
The best example I have is one that happen to my wife and I on
our honneymoon. We took a cruise to Bermuda. the weather was
rainy and overcast the whole time we where there. If we where
at a Hotel there would have been little for us to do. Aboard ship
there was PLENTY to do. There is a WHOLE crew there to make your
stay eventful and enjoyable. You can spend a few dollars or lots
but the bottom line is that dolloer for dollar a cruise is the
best way to go. You get aboard and the "hotel" takes YOU to where
you want to go. Julie-lynn, this isn't mode of travel like a plane
ride. The "GETTING THERE IS part of the TOTAL experiance. As for
eating in the sun...well on our cruise ( i'm sure there all pretty
much the same) we could eat 24hrs a day for ZIP. as a hotel for
room service at 3:00 and look at what you'll pay. On the RCCL
ship as with most, the ship is divided into two groups based around
meals or sittings. There where two different groups doing whatever
they wanted when thy wanted, the early risers (first sitting) and
the late night partiers (second sitting) I saw people party in
Hamilton Bermuda untill the disco's closed and come back to the
ship and go right on parting in one of the three clubs on the ship.
In closeing, Julie-lynn, the ship is a part of the whole cruise
vacation concept. don't bring a calculator, but a bathing suit
a smile and a fun filled mind. I think you'll find that somwhere
along the line, you had a great time.
Good luck
George C.
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