Vacation/Cruise Advice

[igffag]

I am planning on taking a cruise for a vacation later this year and I have never done that before so I'm seeking alittle personal advice instead of going by all the bullshit on the websites. I am from southern KY and plan to depart from FL. Looking at a 5-day cruise it be specific. I was looking to compete and after my show I wanted to immediately go on vacation either the following day or the next. I was wanting to get some opinions on the best cruises for the money and what I need to expect. I am paying for myself and my future fiance(i plan on making that part offical on the cruise as well, so looking at a huge chunk of change on that as well) and was hoping to stay under $2000 for the whole thing. Is there a website that does the airfare and cruise everything as a package? Also, for example, if I chose a 5day cruise that says $489 per person, AFTER fees, and I hear its required you must tip so much on the cruise, after ALL the essentials, how much would I be looking at for that? I don't want to factor in all the stuff we eat/drink/guides and stuff like that on the cruise, I just wanna know what kinda price i'm looking at for the basics so I can make sure to have enough $$. Also, do you guys have any idea how much a passport is going to cost me? Any advice is appreciated

 

[igffag]

also i've heard they don't do cash on cruises its all on a card they give you for the cruise which goes on your credit card. I will be paying for BOTH tickets, however if she wants to spend shitloads of money, is there any way we can get seperate cards? lol

 

[ryjenn]

i think we used travelocity,i booked everything seperate as it cme out to be cheaper...i flew to miami,stayed near the port spent a day before and after the cruise in the town ...you have to give them a credit card to be billed before hand at boarding and then you get a on board card to use for everything..i didnt over drink so our bill at the end was probaly another 300-400...and thats light drinking..we bought the unlimited soda card and that was worth it..
you can incur expenses when you get off the ship of course,we didnt do alot of the added extras but we had a great time just the same..
the only thing that would concern me is competing and being opn that diet and going on a cruise right afterwards,dude your gonna gain a shit load of weight,its food 24/7

 

[ericraven2003]

I am planning on taking a cruise for a vacation later this year and I have never done that before so I'm seeking alittle personal advice instead of going by all the bullshit on the websites. I am from southern KY and plan to depart from FL. Looking at a 5-day cruise it be specific. I was looking to compete and after my show I wanted to immediately go on vacation either the following day or the next. I was wanting to get some opinions on the best cruises for the money and what I need to expect. I am paying for myself and my future fiance(i plan on making that part offical on the cruise as well, so looking at a huge chunk of change on that as well) and was hoping to stay under $2000 for the whole thing. Is there a website that does the airfare and cruise everything as a package? Also, for example, if I chose a 5day cruise that says $489 per person, AFTER fees, and I hear its required you must tip so much on the cruise, after ALL the essentials, how much would I be looking at for that? I don't want to factor in all the stuff we eat/drink/guides and stuff like that on the cruise, I just wanna know what kinda price i'm looking at for the basics so I can make sure to have enough $$. Also, do you guys have any idea how much a passport is going to cost me? Any advice is appreciated

Consider all inclusives. You can get 5 days in Playa del Carmen with airfare, food, and alcohol for two. I have been to all inclusives in Plya, Cancun, Cabo, and Bahamas. We love them and the value can't be beat.

My friends that did crusies spent from 500-1000 dollars on alcohol, becuase it is not included.

 

[RESTLESS1]

me and my wife go the carribean every december....we go on carnival...have always enjoyed it.....we pay for our gratuities when we pay for our cruise....i believe it came out to be about 10.00 a day per guest if im not mistaken...i prefer a 5 day cruise.... 7 days was just too long on a boat for me....

 

[igffag]

oh i am aware of the weight gain lol. I am going to try to be somewhat conservative and restrict myself. I wanna remain in 'good shape' throughout the cruise i wanna be the "big guy" on the boat lol. Isn't the buffets and food paid for with the cruise? I have been told several times that the soda pass/card is definately a must. I plan to just have one room for me and my g/f, but is there any way we can get two seperate cards so she what ever she spends she can deal with lol. I don't want her going crazy once she gets alittle alcohol in her.

 

[ryjenn]

gotcha,i think i gained ten pounds and wasnt even trying,lol..
yes the food and buffets,ice cream,cakes,cookies,pizza etc.. were all included.you will be amazed at all the food.
i would walk down hallways and there would be a soft serve ice c ream machine..obviuosly food off the boat you have to pay for so that was an added expense..
i would think you could get two seperate cards,call the cruise ship after you book and ask,we had a ton of questions that really werent answered till we got there but they were great and took care of any needs..
bring the motion sickness pills even if you think you dont get sick..i was fine then one night we had a bad storm and it was crazy..

 

[mo chuisle]

Carnival is running some **broken link removed** right now.

I also like **broken link removed**. They offer more relaxed, "freestyle" cruises, but a word to the wise: they nickel and dime you for everything!!! Very little is included in the base price of the cruise, and don't forget to figure in almost $100 extra in taxes and port fees per person.

Oh, and it IS possible not to gain weight on a cruise.

Have fun and best of luck with your lady!

 

[Chipper Jones78]

Dont even not think about not doing all inclusive.

 

[Ness]

Celebrity Cruises are my favorite liner. 5 days from Miami to Grand Cayman and Jamaica. If you do a cruise, dont cheap out, get a balcony room or better. The interior cabins are not going to impress the lady...and then you wont be either....trust me. No offense, but Carnival is a junk party boat. Lots of posers...unless thats what your looking for.

 

[DrivingForward]

Which cruise line has the best food? specifically... Best all-u-can-eat food??

Seriously.. I just wanna go on vacation where I can eat 24/7 lol

 

[Sassy]

Cruises are great! I've been on several. Each cruise line offers different experiences so be sure you know what you are looking for... for example. Royal Caribbean is a luxury cruise line so they will cost more but you're paying for that "luxury". Carnival is a great value. I've been on several of their cruise and they are affordable and offer just as good as experience as the luxury lines.

You can get separate cards. I hint to save money on alcohol is to sneak it on the ship when you come back from port. Don't be greedy or they will catch you. You can get away with small pint size bottle in your own tote bag. They will let you bring non-alcoholic beverages back like a 6-pack of cokes. That saves money too. Also check the cruise line some offer drink cards, coupons or bar cards or coupons that offer discounts. You order them ahead of time and they will give them to you once you board the ship.

There is a cruise message board you can go to that is very helpful with tips, pricing, staterooms, etc... Cruise Critic

 

[Massive G]

I am planning on taking a cruise for a vacation later this year and I have never done that before so I'm seeking alittle personal advice instead of going by all the bullshit on the websites. I am from southern KY and plan to depart from FL. Looking at a 5-day cruise it be specific. I was looking to compete and after my show I wanted to immediately go on vacation either the following day or the next. I was wanting to get some opinions on the best cruises for the money and what I need to expect. I am paying for myself and my future fiance(i plan on making that part offical on the cruise as well, so looking at a huge chunk of change on that as well) and was hoping to stay under $2000 for the whole thing. Is there a website that does the airfare and cruise everything as a package? Also, for example, if I chose a 5day cruise that says $489 per person, AFTER fees, and I hear its required you must tip so much on the cruise, after ALL the essentials, how much would I be looking at for that? I don't want to factor in all the stuff we eat/drink/guides and stuff like that on the cruise, I just wanna know what kinda price i'm looking at for the basics so I can make sure to have enough $$. Also, do you guys have any idea how much a passport is going to cost me? Any advice is appreciated

I am going on one in April on the New Ship the Carnival Dream, I have been on 3 and this will be the best one yet.
I sail out of Port Canaveral
Couple of things:
I usually maintained and if not gained a few lean pounds of mass, as you walk your ass off it's hot and I hit the gym 3 times when on the boat.
I ate tons of clean food and am not a big sweet eater -plus they offer a sugar free or light menu for desserts so I would usually get fruit or sugar free cheese cake.
The food is very good in the dining rooms they only have one night for lobster so I ate about 23 of them LOL
room service is great I ate a lot at the deli and if eating from the grill I would just get a burger no bun with veggies or the steak sandwich etc.

The soda card is like $50, to me it was a must on my first cruise, but was really disappointed with it. you had to get the soda from a bar, and it was warm and they only filled up your glass once and dumped the can, long time to wait for the soda too (I learned not to walk up with the card in hand) the bartender automatically gets a 15% tip on all alcohol served but not sodas so if he sees the card he ain't coming over...
I didn't get it on the second and third cruises they have tea and plenty of water and I brought about a case of crystal light on the go packets and sea salt and glycerol LOL
Make sure to hit the dining room for breakfast as the food is spectacular...vs the buffett most people go out to..
I got like 5 eggs over medium 3-4 4 eggs benedict hash brown pancakes french toast every morning ...you can get any thing custom made...and this was after I already downed some coffee and fruit from the room service prior to breakfast itself..yes you can get sep cards also you don't have to tip 10 a day ...you can draw up your account in your room on your tv each day to verify charges..

7 day ..balcony room...you won't be sorry

 

[zman12]

I have been on a few cruises always pay the tips up front. If you drink a lot of alcohol and pay for all the pics you take will add up to a lot of money.

 

[Donkeyballs]

Been on a few different cruise lines, if this is your first time make sure you get on Carnival. More middle aged people on this cruise line. We went on Norwegian and it was like an old folks home on the water. LOL If you want to drink, expect to pay a big amount of money unless you smuggle some in your luggage.