newby -

[exactingtraveller]

:confused::confused:

 

& wondering what a cruise will be like. Heard from a recent med cruiser it was

 

1. overcrowded

2. full of undesirables

3. drinks were expensive

4. excursions were hectic

 

We are doing a Panama Cruise on Infinity - will this be difference?

[6rugrats]

No need to start another thread asking the same question. This is called "spamming" the boards when you do this. Read the answers you've already received. And, research before booking in the future.

[paul929207]

:confused::confused:

 

& wondering what a cruise will be like. Heard from a recent med cruiser it was

 

1. overcrowded

2. full of undesirables

3. drinks were expensive

4. excursions were hectic

 

We are doing a Panama Cruise on Infinity - will this be difference?

Every cruise is different. I am not sure what is meant by undersireables. In much of Europe, that would mean Americans.

[exactingtraveller]

new to the board and can not find my last post!

[tak81288]

new to the board and can not find my last post!

 

No worries...It is right on this page a few threads down.

 

Here is the link though...It looks like you have gotten several answers already.

 

 

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1469062

[exactingtraveller]

Every cruise is different. I am not sure what is meant by undersireables. In much of Europe, that would mean Americans.

 

Undesirables = people stealing from shop, fighting, etc etc.

[LHT28]

new to the board and can not find my last post!

Click on your ID then find all posts or USER CP (top left)

[LHT28]

:confused::confused:

 

& wondering what a cruise will be like. Heard from a recent med cruiser it was

 

1. overcrowded In port or on the ship?

2. full of undesirables ??

3. drinks were expensive compared to what/where?

4. excursions were hectic DIY at your own pace

We are doing a Panama Cruise on Infinity - will this be difference?

Panama cruises are more relaxed & less port intensive that Med cruises

Check each port to see what is of interest to you then decide if you want to do a ship's tour or DIY

You can do as much or as little as you choose no one will force you to do anything

[Krazy Kruizers]

You will love the Panama Canal cruise -- very relaxing.

[paul929207]

I find my drink of choice (Dewars and Water) cheaper on Princess ships ($4.95), than it is in a nice restaurant at home ($6 or $7).

[okgirl]

I find my drink of choice (Dewars and Water) cheaper on Princess ships ($4.95), than it is in a nice restaurant at home ($6 or $7).

 

That's my sister's drink of choice and on Carnival she pays something like $5.25, still cheaper than the restaurant down the street from the house.

 

Undesireables???? I've not cruised with anyone that I would call this. There are people who can be rude and pushy, but they are few and far between. There are people who get too drunk and make a fool of themselves (I've cut way back on drinking TYVM....:o) I've never heard of an instance of stealing on a ship, but I guess it happens. Don't leave valuables laying around. I did have an incident on a Med cruise where I thought I was pick pocketed while at the Casino bar, but that was before my "cutting back on drinking days" and I could have spent the money on the slots....:rolleyes:

 

Crowds can be an issue during peak times in the buffet or along the Promenade in the evening with all the photo venues set up, but you learn to navigate around those areas.

 

Excursions I don't do too many anymore, but they can be a bit rushed given that you aren't in port very long. I mostly do private excursions when I do them and for me the ship is my destination so I often enjoy the relative emptiness of the ship on port days.

[jocap]

Looking at your previous post, it's possible that your friend sailed on one of the vast ships such as Independence OTS, or Ventura/Azura out of Soton, all of which are advertised as family ships, and all of which would be full to the rafters with school holiday children, so that the 2 bedded cabins would have 3 or 4 people in them on sofa beds, Pullman bunks etc.

If you want a quiet cruise in the summer school hols, you don't go on a family ship, nor do you cruise to the Med- you go to Norway, Baltic, Canaries or round the British Isles....not itineraries for the mass of children.

Ships in the Med in those months are sometimes treated like a fortnight in Benidorm- we're here for the sea and sun, and it's just amazing that our hotel moves with us.....:D It's more like a party at sea, and those in the know avoid them.

The Panama cruise will probably be the exact opposite.

Jo.

[exactingtraveller]

After further investigation I have discovered that it was a Royal Caribbean Cruise - not sure on the ship.

[johneeo]

:confused::confused:

 

& wondering what a cruise will be like. Heard from a recent med cruiser it was

 

1. overcrowded

2. full of undesirables

3. drinks were expensive

4. excursions were hectic

 

We are doing a Panama Cruise on Infinity - will this be difference?

 

I suggest that you start reading.

 

You have much to learn.

[morecruise4me]

:confused::confused:

 

& wondering what a cruise will be like. Heard from a recent med cruiser it was

 

1. overcrowded

2. full of undesirables

3. drinks were expensive

4. excursions were hectic

 

We are doing a Panama Cruise on Infinity - will this be difference?

 

It could be different, it depends a lot on you.

 

1. Overcrowded--The pool area and buffet can definitely be very crowded, especially on sea days or during breakfast and lunch. To avoid the crowds we book a balcony cabin and eat most of our meals either in the dining room or some other venue.

 

2. Undesirables? Well, the only undesirables we have run into were a) lots of kids on spring break running amok b) those who have overindulged at the bar. You can avoid the first by not traveling during school holidays, the second, well, good luck. There are a few on every ship.

 

3. Drinks are expensive everywhere in my opinion. So I limit how much I drink.

 

4. Hectic Excursions--We find that a lot of the excursions booked through the ship are more crowded and hectic than those booked independently. However, you can look at what is available at each port and choose some that are more laid back and fit your vacation.

 

As others have said, search these boards for the ports you will be visiting, see what others have to say, and plan to enjoy no matter what!

 

Hope you have a great first cruise!

[paul929207]

We find the ship's excursions often have too much standing around time. Especially those that include "shopping opportunities" at the rug factory or diamond store.

[griffy116]

A few years ago, I became concerned about a cruise we had booked (RCCL) because of similar comments about "undesirables" on this particular cruise, leaving from PR. We went on the cruise and had the time of our lives. Undesirables mean different things to different people...for some it's children. RCCL is a cruise line that appeals to families and you will see children onboard. For some, it's someone from a different country/culture. I've never had a problem with the fact that there is a diverse group of people onboard. We've honestly never had a bad cruise experience. For others, small things can ruin a cruise.

[boomer9tier]

We live in Germany and since many years we traveled to your beautiful country with the RV. Until last year we could not ever imagine to make a cruise, but since we have seen so many ships in Skagway last may, we were quite curious. In September we went to the Adventure ots - RCCL - and were so excited that we booked the next two cruises after we returned back home.

 

The ship was very nice, on our balcony we have enjoyed many sunsets, the shows on board were fantastic, the food in the main restaurant were very good also at the others, the people on board were all very nice and wonderful friendships we have made. I think with a little consideration and respect for each other you will be a part of the them soon. In Germany there is a proverb that means, just as you calls into the forest it will be call back.

[jocap]

After further investigation I have discovered that it was a Royal Caribbean Cruise - not sure on the ship.

If they left from Southampton, then it would be the Independence of the Seas, which home ports there all year round. A vast ship, she is incredibly popular with Brits, who now book a summer holiday on her just as they would at one time have a cheap fortnight on the Spanish Costas or Turkey....The repeat bookings are many! As I say, nearly every sofa bed and bunk would be in use, so the ship would be packed....:eek:

You're not going anywhere that families on a cheap fortnight will be using. It will be a completely different experience.

I love the big ships, and sailing fron Soton, but I watch the school holidays.....;)

Jo.