New here - looking for 10 year anniversary cruise - our first!

[blessedwithfour]

Hi all! I am new here and this is all soooo overwhelming!!! We have never been on a cruise so this will be our first! There are so many different companies...ships...ahhh! It's all too much! I'm leaning toward Celebrity only because that name has come up a lot when I mention we are celebrating our 10 year annivesary and I don't want Disney since we aren't taking our kids...something Romantic...but also not full of "elders" since we are 30. ;)

 

So we are looking to go June 2012...for about 4 nights...a "cheap" Port (Florida)..with the destination/stops not requiring a passport. Any suggestions? How is pricing with Celebrity? Our budget isn't all that high. Does it include everything but alcohol? Sorry so many questions...there is just so much info to learn! Thank you!!

[Ocean Dancer]

welcome to cruise critic, and the celebrity site. sorry but your choises will be limited to the the millie next june for a cruise of 4/5 nights. never sailed her, she's in san juan now, and i believe she will be taking over the century route. maybe someone out there has more info................

 

happy anniversary;)

[biker1972]

Cruising is a great way to celebrate special events. Cruise critic is a great way to learn.

Passports are not needed on a closed loop cruise (beginning and ending at the same US port ) but I would recommend them since you will be in countries other than the US. If something happened while you were off the ship or you had to leave the ship early to fly home; it would be much more difficult to do so without a passport. Passports are good for 10 years so the cost is only about $10 per year.

It is hard to predict the age group on any one cruise, but the longer cruises for any cruise brand are likely to have more retired people since they have more time freedom. A short 5/6 night cruise will have a good mix. Celebrity (often shortened to X) has fewer activities geared to active/sports types. There are fewer public address system announcements. The in your face selling of activities, products, drinks etc. is limited or non-existent. X is not a luxury brand but tries to hit a high quality mark. Depending on the sailing and cabin class plan on $75 pp per day for and inside and $125 pp per day for a veranda. Extras will be tips and anything such as drinks, both alcoholic and soft, shore excursions, special meals and spa treatments.

Go to a travel agent and get some brochures from several lines. The TA, if any good, can tell you about the many lines that are available, give you some cost breakdowns and in general step you through the process, at least this first time. They make their living from the commission paid by the cruise line, so you are not looking at having to pay out of your pocket

[TeaBag]

Welcome to Cruise Critic. I think you have chosen a great ship. Millennium is due to undergo a major refit in 2012, perhaps April? There will be more restaurants on board, Bistro on 5 and Tuscan Grille. there is an extra charge for these specialty restaurants.

[sunandfun4me]

hi, blessedwithfour! welcome to cruise critic! i'm counting down the days 'til my second cruise (celebrity equinox on 4/22) and have learned so much from the wonderful folks on this site!!! we like leaving from florida, too (we live in so fla, so ft. lauderdale is a very easy on and off for us). it does get confusing...so many lines and ships, not to mention itineraries! i would tell you to take the time to research all of them leaving from so fla next june. research them, see what people are saying about them and book the one that best meets your expectation. personally, we're a little biased as we are head over heels about celebrity here at our house!!! awesome service, great food, adult atmosphere (we love kids, but appreciate a cruise w/o 500 of 'em.). a 10 year anniversary is a once in a life time event - take the time to do you research to make it as special as can be!

 

good luck & happy sailings!

[bighairtexan]

May I echo the 2nd poster's recommendations about a passport. Please get one. It will make your life much easier and you'll have it for 10 years. And you know, I believe sooner or later we're all going to need one.

[blessedwithfour]

Can someone point me in the right direction as to find our where/what types of X cruises sail out of Florida in June 2012? I found the search engine confusing?:confused:

[jackdiamond]

I hope, for your sake, that my research is flawed, but I believe that the answer is in the negative-no Celebrity Fl cruises in June of 2012, as of this time.

[jackdiamond]

I hope, for your sake, that my research is flawed, but I believe that the answer is in the negative-no Celebrity Fl cruises in June of 2012, as of this time.

However, please keep in mind that the itineraries for that time for most Celebrity ships have not yet been posted.

[PartyAllDaTyme]

jackdiamond is correct, most 2012 itineraries are not out yet. For short Caribbean cruises, the announced release date is April 11, but check periodically.

 

One thing to mention about Celebrity is the smoking policy-- smoking is not allowed in cabins, on balconies, in the casino. If you or your spouse smoke, there are plenty of places you can smoke, but it's not as convenient as other lines. Overall, this should be a minor consideration, but an important one if either of you are heavy smokers.