Help! Buying parents a cruise!

First time going on a cruise.

Going in February for 7-10 days.

55 and 59 years old. They will not go scuba diving, hiking, or anything too strenuous. They will walk around easily and see things. Maybe tour bus or something similar.

I'm not sure exactly where they should leave from maybe Florida?

Good food is a big plus!

Nice Ship (w/ balcony) is a big plus!

What are good options for them in terms of ships and places to port?

A good travel agency, specializing in cruises is where you should start. I HATE snorkeling....that is NOT a "must do"!!! Plenty of other stuff! Talk to a professional...get brochures!

If warm weather is a must for them, then Fl. is the perfect starting point....or San Juan. If they aren't into beaches, and tanning...then you're pretty close to a NY port! Depends what they want from a vacation! That's all a cruise is...it's a vacation!

Unfortunately, most of the mainstream lines don't have great food....it's ample and edible...but it's along the lines of most chain restaurants..certainly not 3 pr 4 stars....

Perhaps give a little more information. Would they prefer a port intensive cruise ? Or relaxing sea days. Do they gamble? Casino available? Spa? Quiet adult area such as adult only pool? How about entertainment? Bars? Specialty restaurants?

A lot of considerations. Most of the main lines cater to families and all age groups.

An idea of your budget would also help.

They would probably enjoy Princess or Celebrity! :)

How much money do you want to spend?

I love Regal Princess. She is a large ship. Lots of walking.

WOW! We wish our DD would have the same attitude as the OPs. That being said, we are in our late 60s, do a lot of traveling, snorkeling (with our own equipment), SCUBA if it is worth while, and even hiking ( I walk about 10 miles on most days for just exercise). What is sometimes amusing is how our DD thinks of us as invalids when we actually often do more then her and her DH. But yes, we understand a child wanting to put their ancient 50 some year olds in the nursing home :).

But here is the issue. You have not given any indication as to what your parents would want. It is wonderful that you want to do this for them..but it would be helpful is you could somehow find out what they would enjoy. Caribbean cruises are all about sun, sand, and usually good weather. Europe is about the ports which can vary from northern Russia (i.e. St Petersburg) to the Middle East (Israel) and everything between (such as Italy , France, Greece, Croatia, etc). And we have not even talked about places like the Panama Canal, Asia, Hawaii, Alaska, etc.

My point is that your post just does not say enough to give us the ability to make a recommendation. So here are some basic questions. Will they be willing to fly to a port? Are you thinking the Caribbean...Alaska, the Med, etc? What kind of budget are you considering (including possible air)? What time of year?

Hank

Do your parent travel and use a travel agent? If so, I would start there, as the travel agent would know something about them and options to help you.

My DH and I have been cruising for years, 30 plus years. We are 68 and 85... we don't like to do a lot of active tours but we enjoy walking in ports of interest. We have cruised on Princess, Holland America, Cunard and Celebrity recently.

Would feel these cruise lines would offer you parents lot options on board.

It is easy to go out of either Miami or Ft Lauderdale for 7 - 10 days in February.

February is actually a nice time to travel out of Florida.

You mention good food is important... these lines offer basically good food, cruise lines don't offer gourmet meals anymore but there are lots options. an

Good food is a big plus!

Nice Ship (w/ balcony) is a big plus!

 

Oceania cruise line

not a budget line more adult oriented

I take it this is a surprise cruise? If no, then your best bet would be to ask them what they are most interested in.

Knowing a budget and travel personalities is helpful as well. NCL may be fine but they may be more Cunard folks.

Sorry to say but your post is much too vague for us to provide any assistance. "nice ship with good food" is basically like asking, "What restaurant should I eat at in New York?" I'll suggest you take a look at Wind Star because it's a line I like with nice ships and good food.

Oceania cruise line

 

not a budget line more adult oriented

The OP said food is important. If so, definitely consider Oceania, which includes airfare and many other things costing extra on mass market lines.

Along these "food" lines, here's an article posted by CC editors today regarding best cruise buffets:

http://www.cruisecritic.com/v-7/articles.cfm?ID=1944&et_cid=2560386&et_rid=109005508&et_referrer=Boards

First time going on a cruise.

Going in February for 7-10 days.

55 and 59 years old. They will not go scuba diving, hiking, or anything too strenuous. They will walk around easily and see things. Maybe tour bus or something similar.

 

I'm not sure exactly where they should leave from maybe Florida?

 

Good food is a big plus!

Nice Ship (w/ balcony) is a big plus!

 

What are good options for them in terms of ships and places to port?

In February if they do not want to deal with the college age crowd then the longer the better so over 7 days if you decide on one of the less expensive lines like Carnival, NCL or RCL would be imperative or book one of those lines ships sailing from San Juan.

Celebrity has good food and nice ships so with the little information that you have provided I would choose a Celebrity cruise going to the Eastern or Southern Caribbean from Florida or San Juan if available. Again thinking about the college age crowd I would avoid the Western ports as the cruises that they choose often visit them and Nassau.

First time going on a cruise.

Going in February for 7-10 days.

55 and 59 years old. They will not go scuba diving, hiking, or anything too strenuous. They will walk around easily and see things. Maybe tour bus or something similar.

 

I'm not sure exactly where they should leave from maybe Florida?

 

Good food is a big plus!

Nice Ship (w/ balcony) is a big plus!

 

What are good options for them in terms of ships and places to port?

It sounds a bit like you have never cruised. If this is so, you really do not know what you are buying. Definitely visit a travel agent who is knowledgeable about cruising. If this is not a surprise, you should take them along. EM

Can I suggest the Celebrity Summit out of San Juan?

Two alternative 7 night itineraries, both good. Both have a good variety of tours and stop in ports where if you want you can just get off and have a walk around. Appeals to your parents age group, we know we are that age group, and cruise them all the time! Not many children on board.

The ship itself is the M class (older but still nice). Not too big, not too small. Certainly not a budget line but not too pricey either. Lots of cabin possibilities, higher ones with added perks. Drinks packages often available when booking.

You may not settle on Celebrity, or this cruise in particular but I do think it is a good starting point for your browsing.

WOW! We wish our DD would have the same attitude as the OPs. That being said, we are in our late 60s, do a lot of traveling, snorkeling (with our own equipment), SCUBA if it is worth while, and even hiking ( I walk about 10 miles on most days for just exercise). What is sometimes amusing is how our DD thinks of us as invalids when we actually often do more then her and her DH. But yes, we understand a child wanting to put their ancient 50 some year olds in the nursing home :).

 

But here is the issue. You have not given any indication as to what your parents would want. It is wonderful that you want to do this for them..but it would be helpful is you could somehow find out what they would enjoy. Caribbean cruises are all about sun, sand, and usually good weather. Europe is about the ports which can vary from northern Russia (i.e. St Petersburg) to the Middle East (Israel) and everything between (such as Italy , France, Greece, Croatia, etc). And we have not even talked about places like the Panama Canal, Asia, Hawaii, Alaska, etc.

 

My point is that your post just does not say enough to give us the ability to make a recommendation. So here are some basic questions. Will they be willing to fly to a port? Are you thinking the Caribbean...Alaska, the Med, etc? What kind of budget are you considering (including possible air)? What time of year?

 

Hank

My husband and I are in our 60's and we snorkel, zipline and try to do exciting things on our vacations that tend to push our boundaries, and we are not normally active people. Sometimes when you go somewhere new it's the perfect opportunity to try something you never would.

Whichever you choose, make sure they have their birth certificates (for a closed loop 'round trip' cruise). Or, better yet, passports.

We bought my parents (mid 50's at the time) a cruise as a thank you gift for our wedding. We sent them on a week long cruise to Bermuda. They LOVED Bermuda because it was something a little different than the usual caribbean spots. Weren't so keen on NCL. My husband and I have also travelled on NCL to Hawaii and we were not impressed with them. I'm not sure if they still do the Freestyle dining that they did back in 2007 but neither myself and my husband nor my parents enjoyed that at all. It was such a headache.

I noticed you are from the east coast. If your parents are also from the area, Bermuda might be a good option. I think my parents left from New York.

Other great options would be Hawaii, Europe, or the Caribbean. Depending on your budget, Australia/New Zealand would be amazing.

My parents also don't do any water activities (besides beach days) but they don't go in the ocean. Are your parents both mobile and okay to walk? That would be something to consider. Otherwise you might want to look at places that have a lot of historical sites that they can take a bus tour and enjoy.

Perhaps check out Princess, Celebrity or Royal Caribbean for them. Usually I pick the ports I want to go to and then see which cruise lines offer those destinations. Most ships will have balcony cabins so that will not be an issue at all. Food is subjective. I'm not picky and enjoy any food that I didn't have to cook. Others might be interested in more fine dining.

What a great gift but be aware of Feb school vacation week. Ships tend to have a multitude of children and teens onboard. :)

I suggest Princess, or Celebrity.

Do your parents know about the cruise, or is it going to be a surprise?

Do they like beaches, sun, sand and sea?

Are you also going on the cruise?

More details would be helpful, but offhand I would suggest Celebrity.

I would get help from a travel specialist specializes in Cruising.

Keith

First of all WOW! Awesome forum here. I was expecting maybe 1 reply... i get over a dozen helpful responses. Thanks. Blown away.

A good travel agency,t it's along the lines of most chain restaurants..certainly not 3 pr 4 stars....

They would probably enjoy Princess or Celebrity! :)

Do your parent travel and use a travel agent? February is actually a nice time to travel out of Florida.

Good call! Called agent and they recommended Celebrity and Princess!

Would they prefer a port intensive cruise ? Or relaxing sea days. An idea of your budget would also help.

How much money do you want to spend?

They have no idea either on what they want to do! They don’t go on vacations often. I'm thinking under $2k per person. My mother likes shows (broadway, movies).

You have not given any indication as to what your parents would want. It is wonderful that you want to do this for them..but it would be helpful is you could somehow find out what they would enjoy.

Hank, my mother would LOVE warm weather. My father is from Poland so it would be cool if they could visit but I don’t think its warm there. I’m thinking Caribbean because that’s all I know.

I take it this is a surprise cruise? Sorry to say but your post is much too vague for us to provide any assistance. "nice ship with good food" is basically like asking, "What restaurant should I eat at in New York?" .

haha, this is very true. Not a surprise cruise but they are very difficult people. My father doesn't have a past time. He works and comes home and watches tv/internet. My mother likes to do things and walk around watch shows. They don’t like history. I tried to take my parents to the Intrepid in NYC. They found it boring. Hah.

Oceania cruise line

The OP said food is important. If so, definitely consider Oceania,

After looking at prices I do not think I’ll go this route… it’s expensive. Not sure if they’d appreciate that nice! We are from a small town in Massachusetts. I would but I live in NYC ;).

In February Eastern or Southern Caribbean from Florida or San Juan if available. avoid the Western ports.

Thoughts on the differences for them? Nicer beaches at some? Weather?

Can I suggest the Celebrity Summit out of San Juan?

Wow that's really cheap. How are those locations? Why is that so much cheaper than the Celebrity leaving Florida?

We bought my parents (mid 50's at the time) a cruise as a thank you gift for our wedding. We sent them on a week long cruise to Bermuda. They LOVED Bermuda because it was something a little different than the usual caribbean spots.

Awesome. Why is Bermuda a bit different than the usual carribean spots?

San Juan cruises do tend to be a little cheaper for a couple of reasons.

For Florida locals, why fly when you have local ports? For those of us coming from Europe we can get direct flights to Miami but only connecting to San Juan, adding to cost and probably an additional overnight.

The ships also are not usually the new ones, still perfectly fine but cruisers often prefer a newer ship.

If you are flying into Miami anyway and can pick up cheap flights to San Juan it could work. San Juan itself is quite nice to visit in its own right. Your parents may fancy a land based break there and a seven day cruise instead of a two week cruise.

Bermuda is much further north. Close to Florida but out in the Atlantic. I don't think it's as popular for cruisers as the Caribbean is. Though that may have changed in the 8 years since we sent them. I did a quick search of cruises but it doesn't look like they go out to Bermuda at the time of year you are looking unfortunately. So that might not be a possibility for you.

The most notable thing about Bermuda is definitely the pink sand beaches. I'm not sure how to attach a picture but if you give it a google, they are gorgeous!

I find Princess ships too big, a sea of beige.Food kind of bland. Celebrity such a better experience, a bit smaller and easier to get around Less crowded.( I am Senior also). Also, food so much better. And interesting aspect of cruises is pricing week to week. Varies greatly. Look up charts on discount cruise agencies online. Caribbean best first cruise area.Due to competition lowest pricing. Celebrity has some nice 9,10,11 night cruises.Look for Solstice class ships.

In February if they do not want to deal with the college age crowd then the longer the better so over 7 days if you decide on one of the less expensive lines like Carnival, NCL or RCL would be imperative or book one of those lines ships sailing from San Juan.

 

Celebrity has good food and nice ships so with the little information that you have provided I would choose a Celebrity cruise going to the Eastern or Southern Caribbean from Florida or San Juan if available. Again thinking about the college age crowd I would avoid the Western ports as the cruises that they choose often visit them and Nassau.

OP the point of my post quoted above was about how to avoid the most college aged cruisers when planning a February cruise. To many people that would be in the top three when deciding on a cruise in February.:D to some it might even be number 1!:eek::D