Help! Information overloaded first timer

I've spent a couple of days reading reviews and blogs to try and get an understanding of the things I should be looking out for, but I've now got to the point where everything I read seems to merge into one and I only confuse myself further.

I'm looking to do my first cruise as a honeymoon in early November 2018.

Ideally leaving from Mobile, New Orleans or Miami for 6 or 7 nights in the Caribbean.

Carnival seemed the obvious choice but then reading about the cost of extras, having to decide whether the Cheers club was worth it or not as both of us would have to subscribe, etc. had me looking at Norwegian - which led to further choice confusion!

In short, I'm looking for an ideal honeymoon cruise that won't break the bank (although I do want to have a balcony); that won't leave a huge unforeseen hole in my credit card when I get home, but still allows us to enjoy a good few drinks without constantly worrying about the cost, while exploring new places and experiences.

Easy, right?!

Many thanks.

There are lots of extras the cruise lines offer. Their goal is to get more of your money. You do not have to give in to their attempts. You just need to look at it and decide what you want to spend. You do not need a drink package. Have a drink or two (or none) each day. Do not buy all the pictures. Bring your own camera and have another passenger take photos of you. You can return the favor for them. In most port, you can walk, take a bus, etcto get to the beach. You do not need a $50 or $100 (or more) shore excursion offered by the cruise line.

Just decide what is important to you and find the least expensive way to do that.

Only have a couple of drinks a day? Don't buy Cheers.

Enjoy the beach? Don't purchase expensive excursions.

Want photos? Don't purchase ship photos or packages. Take your own (photos on the ships are expensive).

Make sure you are comparing apples to apples when looking at different cruise lines (same size ships, same itinerary, etc.)

Don't get sucked into believing that "free" items offered by the cruise lines are actually free.

We typically select a couple of things that are important to us for each cruise and spend money on those things. Otherwise, we really don't spend a lot on the ship or in port.

Welcome to the message boards.

Carnival seemed the obvious choice....

^ Curious as to how you arrived at this conclusion? No one line suits everyone, hence the choices. I would advise you to find a reputable cruise-specialist travel agent in your area (not online, but a real store that perhaps some friends or family have recommended) and have them price things out for you. These boards are invaluable but sometimes you just need to sit down with someone who knows what they're doing, someone who specializes and has sailed the various mainstream cruise lines you are looking at.

Congratulations on your upcoming marriage. :)

.

You can rule out Mobile, because Carnival Fantasy does not have any balconies, except for the few suites. Why not add Tampa into the mix? And Fort Lauderdale. I suggest you go to http://www.cruisetimetables.com and plug in your preferred departure ports. See who is sailing, and especially their itinerary length. You will find a lot sail four and five day cruises, so easy to knock them off the list of possibilities. Six day cruises are few, although Carnival Dream does alternate six and eight from NOLA. But are you flying to the port? If so, research airfare to your departure port. that and the cost of a hotel the night before (never fly in the day of the cruise) may help you decide your departure port. No cruise from the US is all inclusive. You have to drink an awful lot to get your money's worth from a drinks package. EM

Welcome to the message boards.

 

 

 

^ Curious as to how you arrived at this conclusion?

Congratulations on your upcoming marriage. :)

.

Carnival is the only one that sails out of all 3 of my preferred ports so it was easy to compare offerings, until I saw some of the others out of Miami (and since posting this I am now looking at Fort Lauderdale too!)

Thanks for the congrats! 3rd time's a charm for me but the first time around for my fiancee so I wanted to do something special that neither of us have done before.

You can rule out Mobile, because Carnival Fantasy does not have any balconies, except for the few suites. Why not add Tampa into the mix? And Fort Lauderdale. I suggest you go to www.cruisetimetables.com and plug in your preferred departure ports. See who is sailing, and especially their itinerary length. You will find a lot sail four and five day cruises, so easy to knock them off the list of possibilities. Six day cruises are few, although Carnival Dream does alternate six and eight from NOLA. But are you flying to the port? If so, research airfare to your departure port. that and the cost of a hotel the night before (never fly in the day of the cruise) may help you decide your departure port. No cruise from the US is all inclusive. You have to drink an awful lot to get your money's worth from a drinks package. EM

Thanks!

Mobile and NOLA are in driving distance for me and I have enough airmiles to fly the two of us to Miami which, as you say, brings Fort Lauderdale into scope.

I also have a bunch of Expedia points, so free hotels the day before and after the cruise so we don't have too much time pressure to/from airports.

There are lots of extras the cruise lines offer. Their goal is to get more of your money. You do not have to give in to their attempts. You just need to look at it and decide what you want to spend. You do not need a drink package. Have a drink or two (or none) each day. Do not buy all the pictures. Bring your own camera and have another passenger take photos of you. You can return the favor for them. In most port, you can walk, take a bus, etcto get to the beach. You do not need a $50 or $100 (or more) shore excursion offered by the cruise line.

Good advice on the excursions, thanks! I must admit I would have made a newbie error and booked something for every day we are ashore.

Just decide what is important to you and find the least expensive way to do that.

 

Only have a couple of drinks a day? Don't buy Cheers.

Enjoy the beach? Don't purchase expensive excursions.

Want photos? Don't purchase ship photos or packages. Take your own (photos on the ships are expensive).

 

Make sure you are comparing apples to apples when looking at different cruise lines (same size ships, same itinerary, etc.)

Don't get sucked into believing that "free" items offered by the cruise lines are actually free.

 

We typically select a couple of things that are important to us for each cruise and spend money on those things. Otherwise, we really don't spend a lot on the ship or in port.

Good feedback, thanks! I had always assumed (and stayed away from cruises for this reason) that you spent a small fortune to get on the cruise in the first place and then faced a massive credit card bill when you got home.

I agree with Schoifmom...good advice, we spend very little onboard by following similar rules to those listed in post #3. We stick with the MDR, buffet or places that are included rather than the doing specialty restaurants. We don't do spa treatments or play bingo. You can get by quite well without spending very much on board. We pre-pay daily gratuities so we can use any obc for a drink or 2. I am sure you will have a great time.

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Most cruise lines allow you to bring on a bottle of wine for each adult in the cabin.

Some allow you to bring on soda and/or water. If you drink these, this will save you money