Uncle Sam Needs you

[trigold]

Hi all

As a new poster, I apologize for the strange title. Here is my request, and I will make it as short as possible.

 

I will retire from the U.S. Military in May (2006) after twenty years working for many of you (our taxpayers). I want to take a cruise to honor my service and to thank my incredible wife who has put up with my career, my deployments to the Middle East, Asia and Europe and who is ready and willing to help me organize the rest of my life.

 

I want to spoil her (and me) by taking a cruise that combines my interests and hers as well. I love Spas, some time at a casino, reading and people watching. She loves shopping (mostly for things for our home), relaxing by a pool/beach and we both love food. My initial thought was a trip to the Baltic in late May/early June. After reading all of your insightful posts, I have decided not to stick to one itinerary, but to ask for some general thoughts.

 

If I have made this too general or committed some type of posting faux pas, I sincerely apologize. Thank you in advance.

[tkubi7]

Congratulations on your 20 year service record and THANK YOU!. You certainly do deserve a wonderful cruise to celebrate and your wife does too. It must have been difficult for both of you. As to where you should go, this is a matter of personal preference. I personally enjoy the caribbean and all of my 11 cruises have been there. No matter where you go, the cruise will be as special or as horrible as you make it. My philosophy is "the only bad cruise is no cruise". Whatever you decide, spoil yourself and your wife with the things you might not otherwise do. I am sure no matter what you decide, you will have a fabulous time and some wonderful memories.

[Happy ks]

A suggestion, scroll down the main boards page and look under Ports of Call, there you will find a section for Baltic Ports. I think you will have quite a few of your questions answered just reading the different threads there.

 

Have fun planning and, thank you for your years of service to our country

[Bill S]

trigold: first, welcome "aboard" and THANKS for your service to our country!

 

Just a thought about a Baltic Cruise: we are taking on this summer and if ours is any indication, it is a very port-intensive cruise. Translation: you can wear yourselves out sightseeing. Also, the weather may not always be conducive to lounging by the pool.

 

A Caribbean cruise will, in comparison, offer a much more relaxed itinerary with an opportunity for pool and beach lounging, and shopping, specially if St. Thomas is in the itinerary, IMO; a Mexican Riviera cruise offers similar opportunities, too. Hope this helps you!

[geoherb]

I second the idea of a Caribbean cruise instead of Baltic for your first cruise. You'll probably be able to get a better cabin for a cheaper price. Alaska would be my second choice. We had time to enjoy the hot tubs and pools on our Princess cruise to Alaska. The ports are nice and the scenery is spectacular. Early in the season, prices won't be too bad.

[QueensChick]

I know that you and your dear wife will enjoy your cruise, whichever itinerary you choose. Please don't forget to check into getting a military discount. I believe there are certain procedures that must be followed when booking to ensure your eligibility. You'll have to do some research into which cruiselines offer military discounts. I know Carnival does and I believe Royal Caribbean and Celebrity do as well.

 

Good luck and have fun planning.

[trigold]

First of all thank you to those that took the time to reply. It has been an honor to serve with my fellow servicemen and women.

 

I do appreciate the suggestions, however, I have been to Alaska and my wife and I are taking my daughter to the Carribean on a short cruise to celebrate a milestone in her life. Hence my look at Europe. I will look at all the ports of call and continue to do research.

[halj]

Trigold, Again I want to thank you for your service to us all. If you want a real special cruise to celebrate with give some thought to Tahiti. I would suggest the Tahitian Princess (its the only one to Tahiti that I have done). Its not real port intensive as the Baltic, but it is VERY relaxing. If you add either pre or post cruise stay in an overwater bungalow it will be all the better. Good luc and have fun planning.

[Deb in Cali]

Trigold,

 

Thank you from another military family. My husband has been in for 33 years and is scheduled to retire this Nov. I say scheduled because he was scheduled last Nov and decided to extend for another year.

 

Another cruise that you might look into is the Panama canal cruise. It will have plenty of ports for your dear wife to shop in, and plenty of sunshine with lounging for you. It will also take you from one side of our wonderful country to the other. This will perhaps give you a chance to see a some new places or perhaps some old ones.

 

Deb

[Phoenix cruiser]

I also would go for the Caribbean based on your criteria, and I would check out the Cunard web site for deals on the Queen Mary 2. It is truly luxurious but they have some screaming deals right now on balcony cabins. Another option is an Eastbound transatlantic on the Queen Mary 2 (6 days) with an extension in London afterwards for shopping and sightseeing. They have some unbelievable bargains which include free return airfare.

 

Having provided the world's finest military Rotorcraft to the US Army for 32 years, I add my thanks to you for your service.