Cruisin! Help! Need Ins and Outs!-update added! About This Page:

[Wendyismyname]

After much debate yesterday on what exactly to do for our 10th anniversary next Feb. Ben and I put a deposit down on Carnival's Inspiration sailing out of Tampa. 5 night cruise includes a couple at sea, Cozumel, Mexico and the Grand Cayman Island.



What do i need to know about cruising?? What are the best 'drugs' to take to get me on that big ol' ship? It's something we really want to do, so I think that is how my feet will actually get on the boat.



We're booked in a suite with a balcony. Their staterooms are smaller than a category 6 on the Disney ships. But to "smoke in my room", I needed the balcony.



We went back and forth. do we want a Disney cruise? Do we want Carnival? Disney is more us than Carnival. We're not all into the casino, partying, clubbing aspect, but I'm sure we'll find something to do onboard.



But the clincher was, about $3800 for a 7 night cruise on Disney, category 6, or a little over $2000 for 5 nights in a suite(balcony). It's not Disney, so we're going to suck it up and "live a little".



Any advice you all can give me?? I'd love to hear it!!



Wendy

[SarahJ]

Wendy,

A great website to check out is cruisecritic.com they have tons of information on all the cruise lines and ports of call.

Last year DH and I did a cruise that went to both Cozumel and Grand Cayman. We loved Grand Cayman, it was so clean and there were no peddlers driving you crazy. We hired a taxi with several other people that took us to the turtle farm, rum point and Hell. That was pretty fun. I really wanted to do one of the excursions with to Stingray City, but we had DD with us who was only 9 months old at the time.

Cozumel was fun, we did a catamaran excursion where they took you to a snorkling spot for a bit. I stayed on the boat with DD while DH and others in our group snorkled. Then they took us to a beach to play for an hour or so. The rest of the day we spent wandering around and shopping. Cozumel can get quite rowdy around the bars, so be aware if you're not into that kind of thing. We weren't but others in our group had a good time, and big hangovers the next day.

If you're worried about seasickness try Sea Bands. They're wrist bands that work on a pressure point to relieve any seasickness. Several people in our group used them and said they made all the difference in the world and they didn't feel sleepy because it wasn't medication.

DH and I have been on two cruises now, Disney and Norwegian, and we're hooked. Of the two we preferred Disney, but that wouldn't stop me from trying other lines if they go somewhere interesting and the price is right. Hey, a vacation is a vacation, right?

[chezp]

Wendy, I can't give you any advice, as our first cruise (with Disney) is coming up in May - but I'm sure you'll have a wonderful time. I'm certainly jealous - I was looking at the Disney cruise that takes you to Cozumel and Grand Cayman.

[Wendyismyname]

Thanks! I'm checking out that website now.

Cheryl, I really wanted the Disney cruise, but heck, the $1800 price difference means that we can just take the Carnival cruise and put that $1800 towards the Disney trip! LOL!!

Wendy

[stacieps]

I've cruised with Carnival several times (I'm 34 if that makes any difference). I have enjoyed each one. I have taken a great-aunt and uncle (early 60s) they both had a great time. We did a family cruise out of Tampa (Sensation at that time), including my parents (mid 50s), brother & SIL, 7 kids ranging from 2-16 - everyone had a great time. Remember there is something for everyone. We continue with Carnival even though my kids want to try Disney (ages 4&6) I'm having a hard time with the price - we can almost do 2 Carnival cruises for the price of 1 Disney. Since we like to go every year, I just can't justify the extra $$.

The Purser on the ship will have Dramamine that they give out if you ask. None of us have ever a problem. The size ship you'll be on and the area you're in should make for a calm trip (depending on the season of course).

Enjoy!!

[luvnwdwgal]

Hi Wendy! My DH and I went on our first cruise last November on Royal Caribbean's Explorer of the Sea. We did the eastern itinerary so I can't really help you out with your ports of call. I second the suggestion about visiting www.cruisecritic.com! Join the boards over there and you'll learn everything there is about cruising! Enjoy!!

[Wendyismyname]

First I have to say thanks all! Second, I love that cruisecritic website! It's nice to read about 'my' ship. The cruise that we're taking actaully debuts in April or May, so while the reviews aren't exactly the same itinerary, I still get a good feel for it.

Of course, when I think of a cruise ship, I immediately think of the Love Boat!

Does anybody know what weather/seas we could expect in February?? Thanks!

Wendy

[SarahJ]

Wendy,

We cruised in mid-February last year and had wonderful weather and seas. It actually only rained one day, while we were in Cozumel. But it was over after about an hour. So we just spent that time on the ship having lunch and letting DD nap. Temperatures were in the 80 degree range for the most part. We wore shorts and t-shirts during the day. In the evenings I wore light pants, capris or dresses.

The faster the ship is moving, the more you'll feel the seas. And I usually felt them more at night, when the ship was headed to the next port. It never bothered me, I just noticed it more. Bear in mind, I grew up in a sailing family and cruised in the San Juan Islands for a week every summer on a 26 foot sail boat when I was a kid. The rocking would actually put me to sleep at night.

[Wendyismyname]

Thanks Sarah.

I was trying to remember when the roughest weather is, I'm assuming it's hurricane season there as it is in FL, the summer?

I think I've figured out my problem with boats---it's either due to the time that while in FL visiting my grandparents, we were out in the boat, it ran out of gas, and I saw a HUGE gator go in the lake and I knew it was coming to get me(hey, i was about 5 years old).
OR it could be that once, my dad was driving out boat and it started taking on water(i was 18), well ever since that gator incident, I've been afraid of lakes, and I panicked. Now, if I'm in a boat that being driven by anyone but my dad(he is great by the way), I'm okay about it. It's all in my head I know.

Thanks again!
Wendy

[SarahJ]

Oh Wendy, that's funny. Even though I love boating and cruising, I do have a weird water fear too. I don't like to swim in open water, that includes lakes, oceans, etc. I think it comes from when my dad used to make up stories about the ferry boat that we took to visit my grandparents sinking. Even though our Golden Retriever always saved us in the stories, it created a weird fear in me. So, even though I can handle most boats and cruise ships, to this day I freak out a little when the Ferry boat starts rocking on heavy seas.

[LilMarcieMouse]

<font color="blue">Wendy you'll haveing the balcony. I would cruise now without it. The advice I like to give is when eating get soem thing new to try if you don't like it they will get you something else. Your server will get to know you and Ben and what you like and don't like. That part is the coolest.

I second the Sea Bands you can get them at CVS and if you look hard you can find them in black. That's what I use. Just relax and enjoy. Happy sailing. </font>

[Wendyismyname]

Thanks Marcie!

I try to remember getting those Sea Bands. I am the type that can take just about any kind of ride, so I think I will be fine on the ship, but I'd rather have ABC--All Bases Covered!


Anybody know anything else about the Grand Cayman, Cozumel, a good website that talks about the weather for cruises and anything else that we might need to know. I know, it's 11 months away! But it's fun plannin'!

Wendy

[Wendyismyname]

Update:

So, it's been only a few days since I posted this, but of course, we've changed our minds once again. It's due to all my dreams being Disney related that I thought we should change.

We're now on the 7 night land and sea package, category 6 stateroom, but we upgraded to the Grand Floridian. Ben keeps laughing at me, because it always comes back to Disney and the most magical place on earth!

So, i'll probably post down in the Disney cruise forum too.

I still need all the ins and outs though.

Thanks y'all!
Wendy

[KathyL]

Another fun site to check out on cruises is www.cruisemates.com. I also prefer the cruisecritic site, but you can get some fun info from cruisemates too.

DH and I like to cruise in late January. In fact, we are booked for a January 10 day Princess Cruise on the Panama Canal. We have never encountered "bad weather" in late January. We have had some brief rain showers (when it rains, it pours but it comes and goes very quick!) and some choppy seas. However, the boats are so big, that you hardly notice and most of the big boats now have things called stabilizers that help diminish the rocking and rolling. If you are prone to seasickness, definately pack your own favored medications as you pay "top dollar" on board the ship! If you have any other cruise type questions, please feel free to ask. Once you have cruised, you will probably think it is the only way to go!!

KathyL

[GreenAppleSea]

[ QUOTE ]
Once you have cruised, you will probably think it is the only way to go!!

[/ QUOTE ]

i second that i've been on 3 cruises - 2 w/Carnival and 1 w/Royal Carribbean. they're a fabulous way to vacation. and if you can make it disney-related, all the better!

in february, the weather should be wonderful. not too hot, and pretty calm seas. most of the icky weather is around sept-oct time. last time i went, which was in october a few years back, we actually couldn't even make it into grand cayman b/c the seas were so rough due to a hurricane. so you picked a great time to go