questhunter

If you feel strongly about flying to FL for a cruise, check the costs of flights before you book the cruise. Might not be worth the lower cruise fare. Norwegian cruise line has some solo cabins on a few of their ships; they are still more than if you cruise with a buddy in a regular cabin, but not double.

 

 

 

Otherwise, booking so close to sailing is totally doable. maybe a bit overwhelming, also you'll likely have to pay the entire cost the day you book it. Everything I can tell you about cruising can be found on in a few blog posts on my blog: http://laurenofalltrades.blogspot.com/p/cruise-tips.html

I just read your new cruisers page. I'm more leaning towards ship excursions just because the ship will wait for you if the excursion was running late.

When you buy an excursion through shore excursion group is that considered a ship excursion or do I need to buy them directly from the cruise's website?

At many ports, when you depart the terminal building you have to walk past a mass of locals hawking tours that you can take.

Thanks Lauren and Heidi.

This page has a nice way of showing excursions based on cruise time. Shore excursion group has a nice zip-lining bundle for $93, which is called Canopy tour.

I'm curious if anyone has just showed up and paid on the spot for these similar excursions. Anyone?

thanks again.

I haven't bought any excursions for Mexico. Have you ever visited Mexico, seeing that you live in CA? Me, personally, I would only pay for a private excursion in person. You can buy a cruise line excursion safely before departure, but I would NOT pay a 'private tour' in advance. Just me being cynical/cautious.

Never visited Mexico before, perhaps I'll consider a private excursion. Are these risky or can they be done with a group for safety?

Ok, thanks.

As far as DIY excursions: Is it safer to buy those before launch or on site?

"DIY will most always be cheaper, private operators will offer smaller groups for less and you'll see a lot more. It all depends on the port, and what your interests are. Cruise Critic has a wonderful forum for PORTS OF CALL where you can find amazing tours and places to see."

The risks are higher with DIY. Do I have to plan those before hand, before leaving? Can I just sign up when I'm there?

"Cruising is great! I just wish I had available capital to do it more often. "

Same here. :)

"Since you live on the West coast ... why not take a cruise to Mexico? It would be a great first time cruise ... depending on where you live ... easy to the departure port. Just some thoughts. "

I might just do that, not a bad idea.

"Are you young .... meaning younger than 21 years old? If your are 18 -20, you can't cruise alone. Just FYI."

I'm older than 21

"Late October thru December is a great time to do the Caribbean and you don't have to fly all the way to Florida. Galveston and New Orleans has some good 7-nighters to the western Caribbean. You can pick from: Jamaica, Grand Cayman, Cozumel, Costa Maya, Belize or Honduras. We have done all of them and they are all good."

I will certainly consider those ports as well and including the mega ships.

I'm aware now that DOUBLE the "per person" price is the thing with cruises. Thanks.

The Mexican cruise out of Long Beach seems more manageable from the West Coast side, then maybe later I'll try the East Coast(Florida) ports.

Thanks again everyone for the ideas.

Hello Cruisers!!

First time ever cruiser here. I've yet to schedule one on the calendar. How crazy would I be to set one up for 2 months from now, say October 15-ish to ... 7 day-ish?

Since I'm on the west coast, I would like to attempt the Florida port launch. From reading around here, it seems the best move is to get a flight with a nightly hotel. I've seen the roll call forums, I'm now aware of the check-in with fellow cruisers.

What about prices for solo people? Can I expect to get run over just like Uncle Sam loves me during tax season?

Excursions. Ship ones or DIY ones?

With October season, have most cruisers noticed the Miami route area more prone to Tsunamis?

These are just simple first questions while I continue to read posts on the board.

thanks!