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Conference abbott::cruise_travel

Title:CRUISE TRAVEL
Moderator:XANADU::FAMULARO
Created:Thu Aug 04 1988
Last Modified:Thu Dec 12 1996
Last Successful Update:Wed Jan 01 1997
Number of topics:562
Total number of notes:2834

269.0. "QUESTIONS FROM A FIRST-TIMER..." by HAVOC::ANDERSON () Tue Mar 12 1991 14:44

    Having never taken a cruise in my adult life, my husband and I are
    considering taking one next winter (Feb./March).  We are having a
    difficult time trying to decide which line to sail on...Carnival
    sounds like our speed, but we're not into having people falling down
    drunk all over the place, and I somehow get that impression from
    reading what I've seen...
    
    We have a pretty limited budget, so wouldn't be able to go on 
    anything too expensive.  Any suggestions as to where we might start?
    I've read Kay Showkers book, but her information is from 1987, and
    I've tried calling a travel agent, but they won't have "updated"
    brochures until September.
    
    Also, what have you "experienced" cruisers found to be a better deal...
    signing up early and getting earlybird specials or waiting until
    the last minute for last-minute deals.
    
    Lastly, I know cruises are known for being all-inclusive, but what
    is a realistic amount of money to bring for spending?  
    
    We haven't a clue as to where to begin with any of this stuff...
    any and all suggestions will be very much appreciated.
    
    Thanks,
    
    Jacqui
    
T.RTitleUserPersonal
Name
DateLines
269.1Carnival is great!ICS::KELLYTue Mar 12 1991 16:2537
    Hi Jacqui...
    
    A couple of friends and I went on our first cruise last New Years....
    We went on the Carnival Ship "Festivale", and believe me, there was not
    one person that I saw falling down drunk....seriously....the crowd was
    mixed....from young children to older couples....
    
    I cannot wait to take another cruise and I would definitely go on
    Carnival again....but probably on one of the newer, bigger ships that
    they have.....the Festivale is probably the smallest in their fleet,
    but for a first time cruise it was great!  
    
    About money....3 of us stayed in one cabin, and it cost us approx.
    $1300/each...which isn't bad considering everything is
    included...except of course drinks....but they have lots of parties
    that have complimentary drinks so it's not bad at all....
    
    I brought $500 spending money....I couldn't go nuts buying extravagant
    gifts, but I bought some nice things and I think $500 was plenty...just
    remember that at each island you stop at, you might have to take taxis
    to different places and also the different things like scuba diving and
    booze cruises (on Barbados! Unbelievable!), and stuff like that is
    extra.....so you just have to figure out what kinds of things you wanna
    do....you can get away with spending almost nothing, and you can also
    so nuts buying and doing stuff.....
    
    Right now, Norwegian Cruise Lines (NCL) is having a 2 for 1 special
    from now thru next December...I'd check that out if I were you...I know
    you said you were planning on Feb/March, but I just thought I'd let you
    know....maybe you can get a real good deal...
    
    Anyway, good luck, and believe me, I would definitely recommend
    Carnival...the are definitely the FUN SHIPS!
    
    
    Gen
                             
269.2I got in on the 2 for 1 deal!SWSEIS::WHALENWed Mar 13 1991 15:0624
    Hi Jacqui
    
    RE: 269.1
    
    I just booked a cruse on Norweigan Cruise Lines (NCL) Seward on
    July 7th.  My husband and I got the 2 for 1 deal and we're staying
    in a category 6 cabin (we usually stay in the "cheaper" cabins,
    like a category 11 or 12, so this should be a real treat).  We
    got a great deal on a great cabin!!
    
    RE: spending money.  Our first cruise we brought $600 and that was
    plenty.  This time, we're trying to keep costs down, so we'll probably
    bring $500 (total).  Figure tipping costs about $110 total,
    drinking (for 2) about $200-250, and the rest for spending (we're
    not gonna buy alot of stuff on the islands -- budget, you  know?)
    Plus, we always have my American Express card, just in case... 
    
    Anyway, I recommend checking into the deals NCL is offering.  I
    booked my cruise thru Janet Franklin (I met her through the notesfile!).
    Send me mail if you'd like her number, etc.
    
    Good luck in finding a cruise that's just right for you.
    
    Linda
269.3SALEM::WATKEVITCHWed Mar 13 1991 16:158
    
    
    Linda, 
    
        If you don't mind me asking how much did you end up paying and 
    id it include air ?
    
                     Ellen
269.4The NCL Deal we GotSWSEIS::WHALENWed Mar 13 1991 16:2216
    Ellen
    
    I don't mind you asking at all!!  
    
    We booked it "cruise only" (no air) and it cost $900.50 per person.
    So, if I can find airfare for say $200 each, it would
    bring the total to $2200 (for 2)!  And as I said we're staying in a
    Category 6 cabin (which usually costs $1800 per person).
    
    Airfare right now is extremely high (cheapest to Florida is
    about $310 per person).  So, I'm gonna hold out until the
    airlines start having specials. 
    
    I can't wait to go...
    
    Linda
269.5how much?JUPITR::OTENTIWed Mar 13 1991 18:0320
    
     hello..
    
       seeing people are asking how much its costing..i can tell you
    right up to now! i've been booked on NCL for a month or so now on
    a 2 for 1 deal out of puerto rico...and we leave next week...
    a couple told me last night they want to go with us!..i called my
    travel agent and she booked them a catagory 8 cabin for $675 each
    obviously not including airfare...with port charges and taxes it
    came up to something like $760 per person...then she got them a flight
    for $299.00 RT...their total package including airfare and all taxes
    and port charges was $2,135.00...and in the NCL brochure it shows a 
    catagory 8 cabin going for $1800 (including taxes and stuff) per person
    with airfare and without the 2 for 1 deal..
    
    they had to get their own flight down due to NCL selling out their
    'slots' already...but still they're saving alot of $$ and on the spur
    of the moment also.
    
    al
269.6Great buys on Florida airfareWMOIS::JETTEMon Mar 18 1991 19:0010
    We are going to Florida (not for a cruise) and our airfare is only $198
    round trip to Orlando from Boston on Northwestern.,  I believe USAir
    is offering the same deal.  Friday, Delta announced round trip to
    Florida for $138!  I'm checking to see if we can change our
    arrangements to get this deal.  So, my point is, you do not need to
    spend over $300 round trip to Florida if you are flying sometime within
    the next 5-6 month time-frame.
    
    Check it out!!!
    
269.7Making Your Own Air Arrangements. A Word Of Caution.CSSE32::FAMULAROJoe MS:ZKO1-1/C30 DTN381-2565Tue Mar 19 1991 15:2016
A word of caution when booking your own air arrangements rather than purchasing
the Air/Sea programs of various lines just to save few bucks...

The cruise line has no obligation to hold the ship in port if for some reason 
your flight is cancelled, delayed, or you have a problems getting from the 
airport to the ship if you've made your own arrangements.  However, if your
air and transfers was made through the line they are more likely to hold in 
the ship port for you and others to arrive.

I suggest if you are booking your own air go a day early to allow for any air
delays.  Take the money saved and spend it in a nice hotel, dinner out...etc., 
kind of a precruise celebration, plus you are relaxed and ready for fun the day
of the cruise, rather than dealing with the stress of air travel.

Joe