Need help choosing a cruise!

Hello all,

My parents just received a certificate for a free Carnival Cruise through a casino and are super excited about going on their first cruise, especially since they've never really been outside of the Continental United States. It's a pretty generous one (details below) so I thought I'd ask here to see which cruise you'd recommend.

Some info about them:

Early 60s

Retired

Closest port is new Orleans but that's not super important.

Not really big party people but also aren't home bodies. My dad will go and see every single show just because he likes seeing new stuff.

They don't want to be stuck on the boat for too long (eg more than a full day) because they want to see new stuff.

They don't want to go for more than 7 days.

They have some concerns about safety while in Port.

Excursions aren't super important.

Details of the certificate:

Cruise for 2 in a balcony cabin

3-14 days in length

Caribbean, Mexico, Bermuda, Bahamas, Canada/New England, Carnival Journeys, and Alaska

Sailings through 9/26/16. Excludes most holiday sailings, Europe itineraries & specialty cruises

Thanks so much!

I would say that a 7-Day Eastern Caribbean Cruise on the Carnival Splendor/ Carnival Glory out of Miami would be good because it's 7-Days, both ships are very nice. The Eastern Caribbean is gorgeous, and they have 2 sea days, but they are one at the beginning and one at the end so it shouldn't be a problem. Also, they both have 4 port stops and that is the most you'll get on a Caribbean cruise. Unless, they would be fine with flying into San Juan to sail on a 7-Day southern Caribbean Cruise which has only one sea day total.

If you would like to know where these go, I will gladly add the info.

Having cruised to most of the places listed, I would choose Alaska as a first cruise with a balcony cabin for a couple in their early 60's. Late August when the weather is nice in Alaska and most of the children will be getting ready for/or back in school.

My second choice if I was to cruise out of New Orleans would be on the Dream but the itineraries are not great. IMO.

Different perspective... hopefully way off base and completely wrong!!!

Is there a number on this certificate that you can call to get some more information? Carnival regularly gives discounted (and sometimes free) cruises to people in the Players Club. All of that though is done directly on the CCL site.

Was it from some other casino? Since it would be their first cruise it isn't Players Club. Any idea why a different casino would send them someplace to gamble other than their own tables? Something seems a little off. A choice between 3-14 days?

I'm always a little cautious of thing that sound too good to be true... and a free Journey's Cruise in a balcony kinda falls into that category.

Yes it's a partnership deal that Carnival has with their local casino (I'm in the casino business). Carnival gives the local casinos cruises to give away to their VIP customers. The local casino benefits by being able to give away free cruises. Carnival benefits because they anticipate those guests will gamble on the ship.

Different perspective... hopefully way off base and completely wrong!!!

 

Is there a number on this certificate that you can call to get some more information? Carnival regularly gives discounted (and sometimes free) cruises to people in the Players Club. All of that though is done directly on the CCL site.

 

Was it from some other casino? Since it would be their first cruise it isn't Players Club. Any idea why a different casino would send them someplace to gamble other than their own tables? Something seems a little off. A choice between 3-14 days?

 

I'm always a little cautious of thing that sound too good to be true... and a free Journey's Cruise in a balcony kinda falls into that category.

New Orleans is the closest port but it's not important that they leave from there. I also thought about Alaska but thought they might get bored. I recently took cruised out of Seattle to Alaska and three full days at sea was too much and I think they'd get bored. I'm going to check other itineraries, though, to see if there are any with less time at sea. Thanks!

Having cruised to most of the places listed, I would choose Alaska as a first cruise with a balcony cabin for a couple in their early 60's. Late August when the weather is nice in Alaska and most of the children will be getting ready for/or back in school.

My second choice if I was to cruise out of New Orleans would be on the Dream but the itineraries are not great. IMO.

Perfect. Thanks for the recc!

I would say that a 7-Day Eastern Caribbean Cruise on the Carnival Splendor/ Carnival Glory out of Miami would be good because it's 7-Days, both ships are very nice. The Eastern Caribbean is gorgeous, and they have 2 sea days, but they are one at the beginning and one at the end so it shouldn't be a problem. Also, they both have 4 port stops and that is the most you'll get on a Caribbean cruise. Unless, they would be fine with flying into San Juan to sail on a 7-Day southern Caribbean Cruise which has only one sea day total.

If you would like to know where these go, I will gladly add the info.

Remember that two sea days is not a lot. They have never cruised before. It will all be new and amazing. They will spend that first day exploring the ship and exclaiming on the things they find. And trying out all the food venues...The last day they will be trying to find some of those places again, repacking, perhaps trying out some of the daytime entertainment they missed that first exploration day. Try to remember what your first cruise was like...EM

Since they've never been out of the continental U.S. they need to make sure that their BIRTH CERTIFICATES are the "new" certified type issued by the state or county of birth. If any name changes have been made they will need a 'bridge' document to note that the surname of your mom matches her driver's license and the name on the marriage certificate matches the one on her birth certificate.

Since they are "older" and might not plan on travelling to Canada/Mexico/international I would suggest they forego getting passports as it is a great expense for just a one time trip. :D IN MY OPINION

I think one day on either side of the trip will be fine but I recently did an Alaskan cruise on the Legend and it was 2.5 days on the front end and 18 hours on the tail end which would be too much, I think.

Remember that two sea days is not a lot. They have never cruised before. It will all be new and amazing. They will spend that first day exploring the ship and exclaiming on the things they find. And trying out all the food venues...The last day they will be trying to find some of those places again, repacking, perhaps trying out some of the daytime entertainment they missed that first exploration day. Try to remember what your first cruise was like...EM

Thanks! Fortunately, they already have passports.

Since they've never been out of the continental U.S. they need to make sure that their BIRTH CERTIFICATES are the "new" certified type issued by the state or county of birth. If any name changes have been made they will need a 'bridge' document to note that the surname of your mom matches her driver's license and the name on the marriage certificate matches the one on her birth certificate.

 

Since they are "older" and might not plan on travelling to Canada/Mexico/international I would suggest they forego getting passports as it is a great expense for just a one time trip. :D IN MY OPINION

I agree with the previous poster that said "how can they know WHAT they like or dont like about cruising if they have NEVER cruised?" ...Although they "think" they might like a port-heavy cruise with few days at sea, I doubt that would be their reality. Like them, I also love to "explore new things" ...but trust me, I don't know ANYONE who gets "bored" on a big cruise ship, no matter how many sea days they have. Any to have a FREE balcony? Why not take full advantage of the offer and do a Journeys cruise? The one I like starts in Baltimore and ends in Tampa, and it's on the Pride ... which is a great ship for "first time" cruisers, because it's got a lot of the FunShip 2.0 upgrades ... but it's not HUGE. Easy to get around. Here is the itinerary:

Day 1 Baltimore, MD5:00 PM Day 2 ... Fun Day At Sea --- --- Day 3 ... Fun Day At Sea --- --- Day 4 Grand Turk8:00 AM 5:00 PM Day 5 Amber Cove, Dominican Republic7:00 AM 3:00 PM Day 6 ... Fun Day At Sea --- --- Day 7 Cartagena, Colombia10:00 AM 6:00 PM Day 8 Colon, Panama10:00 AM 7:00 PM Day 9 Limon, Costa Rica8:00 AM 5:00 PM Day 10 ... Fun Day At Sea --- --- Day 11 Mahogany Bay, Isla Roatan8:00 AM 5:00 PM Day 12 Cozumel, Mexico10:00 AM 5:00 PM Day 13 ... Fun Day At Sea --- --- Day 14 Tampa, FL 8:00 AM

They will not mind the first two days at sea ... they will be trying to get the lay of the land, and being first time cruisers ... EVERYTHING about cruising will be new, exciting, and different ... they will not get bored! Then they got 2 port days, and another sea day ... then I'm sure after 3 port days, they will WELCOME the relaxing day 10 sea day! Plus, getting to visit Panama, Columbia and Costa Rica is an awesome experience! Save the more traditional "eastern caribbean" (and cheaper) itineraries for then they, themselves are actually having to foot the entire bill.

Just my two cents!

Jeff aka Recovery Dude

Well, I just know them since, well, they're my parents and what they've told me about what reservations they have and the fact that I've been on 3 Carnival cruises myself (albeit my wants and desires are different being younger - and, yes, we did get pretty bored on the days at sea in Alaska).

I think they will like to see Alaska, for example, but after a few days I do think they'll think "oh, just more snow" so I'm leaning towards something in the Caribbean because they'll get to say they've been to a few different countries.

They're definitely open to the Journeys cruises which is why I posted here for suggestions. You're just the first person to mention it.

Appreciate all of your help!

I agree with the previous poster that said "how can they know WHAT they like or dont like about cruising if they have NEVER cruised?" ...Although they "think" they might like a port-heavy cruise with few days at sea, I doubt that would be their reality. Like them, I also love to "explore new things" ...but trust me, I don't know ANYONE who gets "bored" on a big cruise ship, no matter how many sea days they have. Any to have a FREE balcony? Why not take full advantage of the offer and do a Journeys cruise? The one I like starts in Baltimore and ends in Tampa, and it's on the Pride ... which is a great ship for "first time" cruisers, because it's got a lot of the FunShip 2.0 upgrades ... but it's not HUGE. Easy to get around. Here is the itinerary:

 

Day 1 Baltimore, MD5:00 PM Day 2 ... Fun Day At Sea --- --- Day 3 ... Fun Day At Sea --- --- Day 4 Grand Turk8:00 AM 5:00 PM Day 5 Amber Cove, Dominican Republic7:00 AM 3:00 PM Day 6 ... Fun Day At Sea --- --- Day 7 Cartagena, Colombia10:00 AM 6:00 PM Day 8 Colon, Panama10:00 AM 7:00 PM Day 9 Limon, Costa Rica8:00 AM 5:00 PM Day 10 ... Fun Day At Sea --- --- Day 11 Mahogany Bay, Isla Roatan8:00 AM 5:00 PM Day 12 Cozumel, Mexico10:00 AM 5:00 PM Day 13 ... Fun Day At Sea --- --- Day 14 Tampa, FL 8:00 AM

 

They will not mind the first two days at sea ... they will be trying to get the lay of the land, and being first time cruisers ... EVERYTHING about cruising will be new, exciting, and different ... they will not get bored! Then they got 2 port days, and another sea day ... then I'm sure after 3 port days, they will WELCOME the relaxing day 10 sea day! Plus, getting to visit Panama, Columbia and Costa Rica is an awesome experience! Save the more traditional "eastern caribbean" (and cheaper) itineraries for then they, themselves are actually having to foot the entire bill.

 

Just my two cents!

 

Jeff aka Recovery Dude

If it's free, heck ya, take the longest and most expensive one they can!

They will undoubtedly love it and not get bored....there is so much to see & do on board...we still have lots of things we have not done yet!

Years ago I took Royal Caribbean to the Southern Caribbean. It was port extensive. It was either a new port every day or just one sea day I don't remember. But maybe Carnival has a similar itinerary which is port extensive itineraries to the Southern Caribbean.

I second the seven day eastern on the Glory.

Thanks! That's where I'm leaning, too.

I second the seven day eastern on the Glory.

...don't remember seeing much snow in the port stops on my Alaska cruise in August. The average temperature in the 4 ports will probably be 55+F...

If the won a free cruise from their local casino, I would think they might spend some time in the casino on sea days, which they may not find boring.

Sorry, I wasn't being literal.

...don't remember seeing much snow in the port stops on my Alaska cruise in August. The average temperature in the 4 ports will probably be 55+F...

Mom is the gambler. Dad does not.

If the won a free cruise from their local casino, I would think they might spend some time in the casino on sea days, which they may not find boring.

Thanks for everyone's help. Based on your advice, I suggested (in order):

1.) Southern Caribbean departing San Juan

2.) Eastern Caribbean (a few varying ports)

3.) Alaska departing Seattle

All 7 days with no more than 1 day at sea at a time.

They haven't decided yet but feel good about my suggestions so thank you!

IMO the Dream is one of the best ships. Why not take that out of NO and save the cost of the flight??

I

 

Day 1 Baltimore, MD5:00 PM Day 2 ... Fun Day At Sea --- --- Day 3 ... Fun Day At Sea --- --- Day 4 Grand Turk8:00 AM 5:00 PM Day 5 Amber Cove, Dominican Republic7:00 AM 3:00 PM Day 6 ... Fun Day At Sea --- --- Day 7 Cartagena, Colombia10:00 AM 6:00 PM Day 8 Colon, Panama10:00 AM 7:00 PM Day 9 Limon, Costa Rica8:00 AM 5:00 PM Day 10 ... Fun Day At Sea --- --- Day 11 Mahogany Bay, Isla Roatan8:00 AM 5:00 PM Day 12 Cozumel, Mexico10:00 AM 5:00 PM Day 13 ... Fun Day At Sea --- --- Day 14 Tampa, FL 8:00 AM

Wow Jeff, that's a cool itinerary. If I could have that for free, I totally would

IMO the Dream is one of the best ships. Why not take that out of NO and save the cost of the flight??

We agreed they'd like the ports in Eastern and Southern Caribbean better. And Alaska because totally different type of scenery.