considering 1st Cruise of 5 days, or less,advice please?

[crabcracker]

Hello All,

I have been dreaming about taking a cruise ever since I was at university in the late 1970's, and finally, in the next few months,I will have the ability to make this dream come true.I have been reading the Cruise Critic boards for some time now, and finally had the guts to sign up and post.

Anyway,to get to the main point,DH and I are not real big casino goers, or show goers for that matter, and DH is worried that there won't be a whole lot to do on a regular cruise ship that would interest him.I am not big into casinos, clubs,musical shows, etc.. either, but I really like the idea of just going on a vacation where I get SERVED and don't have the usual "busman's holiday" that I had for over 20 years when I was in medicine.We do enjoy dancing,and would probably take part in some of the games I have read about, like the "Not so Newlywed Game".

We are also night people, as DH's work hours are evenings.Having to eat dinner at 5 p.m. would be a disaster for us.

My thought was to try out a cruise that is less than 7 days.Now, problem with a shorter cruise is that I have been reading through the boards here, and it seems as though the shorter cruises are on the smaller,older ships;seems as though alot of people here were displeased with those ships.

We are in our 40's,have no children and have varied interests.I wouldn't mind dressing for formal night, although DH has doubts about wether, or not his formal attire would be acceptable aboard a cruise ship ( he has a "sherwani" suit, which is the classical Indian men's formal dress). We really like all types of people, and no prejudices except one: ill mannered people,especially ill mannered people with equally ill mannered children.

If any of you experienced cruisers have had experience in the 4 to 5 day range, I would like to know your opinion,especially if you have sailed on one of Carnical's older ships.I am most interested in a 5 day cruise that stops in Jamaica, and I believe the "Imagination" has that itinerary.

Thank you in advance for the advice.

[Big Al B.]

I think you and your DH would find enough to do on a 7-day cruise. Besides just enjoying the ocean and the day, there are activities going on all around the ship. You may also want to look into a line similar to NCL which has "freestyle" meaning you are not assigned a set time and place to eat dinner. I believe Princess also has a similar option. Not exactly being able to picture a sherwani suit, I can't say, but if it is a traditional dress for India, I am sure it should be appropriate for formal night.

[Nliedel]

You would probably enjoy a 7 day cruise very much. My husband does not gamble and has never felt he has nothing to do. It is nice just to look at different things on ship, sit quietly reading with a cool drink or go dancing to nice music. I have almost always had no problem getting a late seating on any line I have sailed (Princess, RCI, Carnival).

[familycruzer]

The first time we took a four night cruise was because we brought along the kids and were not sure how they would act or enjoy the experience. Our other two have been 7 nighters and our next is an 8 nighter. My thoughts are this....

 

Shorter cruises - older ships, more of a party atmophere, by the time you get settled and get to know the staff ifs time to get off.

 

Longer cruises - newer ships, you can find a party but its generally a calmer group, time to unpack and get to know the crew and the crew can get to know your likes and dislikes.

 

If I only had time for a 4 nighter, I would most likely skip it because even though I love cruising I need at least 7 nights.

 

edit ** We dont party, smoke, gamble, or drink and are usually done for the night by 11:00 and we still have the time of our lives. A cruise can be as active or as quiet as you want it to be**

[TheWog]

We just did a 5 night cruise in January. We did a shorter cruise, because my wife didn't want to leave our son for too long. We loved RCI's Enchantment of the Seas. She was a beautiful ship with a great crew. She stopped at both Grand Cayman and Ocho Rios, Jamaica. We had an incredible time and would love to sail her again. She is currently undergoing renovations that will extend her length and add numerous amenities. http://www.royalcaribbean.com/findacruise/highlights.do?pagename=enchantment_highlights&shipCode=ENtopic=adv&subTopic=cc&requestor=arn

If you have your heart set on Carnival, I can not help you there. If you are open to trying different lines, then you may want to look into this ship. The staff was great in not being obtrusive, but always being around when you needed them. There is a solarium pool area that is off limits to children and has a retractable roof to open in the nice weather and enjoy the pool and hot tubs.

 

We had late seating dinner which I think was 8:30 or so. There is also a buffet restaurant and they are adding alternative dining venues. There is always room service as well. There were numerous clubs and lounges. Viking Crown, Carousel, etc. Many games, parties, dances, etc. You must experience Quest. It's a great time. There was a 70's night, 80's night, sock hop, there are the shows you mention about Newlyweds, jugglers, comedians, karoake - which is a lot of fun to watch.

 

Have fun deciding.

[Cotton]

Hi crabcracker. First - Yes, your DH's sherwani suit would be just fine. I've seen this on other cruises, and the men looked dashing on formal night!:)

 

Yes, the Imagination does go to Ocho Rios on the five-night cruise.

 

Sorry, but I don't agree with an above poster who said the shorter cruises are party cruises. I've been on several five-nighters, and didn't notice anything being different than on longer ones.;)

 

About the older ships - The Holiday is my favorite ship, and is the oldest in Carnival's current fleet. I've also been on the Sensation, a sister ship of the Imagination. These ships have been kept up beautifully, very clean, new bedding and carpeting in cabins. The staff and crew have been excellent, entertainment wonderful, and food fabulous.

 

I hope, whichever cruise ship or line you choose, y'all will have a fanstatic voyage! Make your long-time dream come true!:)

[jaynak]

** We dont party, smoke, gamble, or drink and are usually done for the night by 11:00 and we still have the time of our lives. A cruise can be as active or as quiet as you want it to be**

 

This is my comment exactly. I would add though that if for whatever reason you do decide to take a 5 night cruise - just DO IT. I always thought that if I couldn't have at least 1 week, why bother. However on the third day of our last cruise (also our first) we said "if we had to go home right now, we would still say we had the best holiday ever".

[johnql]

To the OP, I think a shorter cruise is a very good way to get a taste of cruising. That's what I did 20 or so years ago. Not knowing whether I would enjoy being "cooped up" on a ship, a friend and I booked a short 3-night cruise out of Port Canaveral to the Bahamas. I figured if I didn't like it, it would be over fairly soon. Plus, it wouldn't cost me nearly as much as a weeklong cruise. Little did I know that I would love it.

 

Also, don't worry about whether it's an older, smaller ship. That might actually work to your advantage since you won't be overwhelmed by the size of the ship or the number of passengers. Many people prefer the more intimate feeling of a smaller ship with fewer passengers. Also, it will be a lot easier to figure out the deck plans and find your way around a smaller ship.

[clackey]

We really like all types of people, and no prejudices except one: ill mannered people,especially ill mannered people with equally ill mannered children.

I am most interested in a 5 day cruise that stops in Jamaica, and I believe the "Imagination" has that itinerary.

QUOTE]

Crabcracker, I like you already, just because of your prejudices. As for the short cruise, it depends if you like to be around the younger, rowdy set. Our first cruise was a 5 night out of Galveston on the CELEBRATION. It is a older ship and at that time had a constant vibration, much like riding a train. The ship had a party atmosphere and even though we don't drink, it was still fun to watch. It seems as though association with younger people is a rejuvination for older people.

 

All of our other cruises have been 7 nights. We can always find something going on in one of the lounges. Last year on the ELATION, we had some of the ship's dancers hit the disco lounge. I must say, those kids can party. It was a pleasure to watch them let their hair down. If I could dance like that, I would be one of the happiest men alive.

 

Whatever you decide, just remember to have fun and savor the moment.

Any cruise is better than no cruise at all.

 

Have a great trip and eat a shrimp for me.:D

Clackey

[familycruzer]

** We dont party, smoke, gamble, or drink and are usually done for the night by 11:00 and we still have the time of our lives. A cruise can be as active or as quiet as you want it to be**

 

This is my comment exactly. I would add though that if for whatever reason you do decide to take a 5 night cruise - just DO IT. I always thought that if I couldn't have at least 1 week, why bother. However on the third day of our last cruise (also our first) we said "if we had to go home right now, we would still say we had the best holiday ever".

 

Most 4 to 5 nights are not cost efficient for us either since we live in the north east. The only shorter cruises are to New England and Canada so it does not excite me. To make the trip worth while it would have to be at least 7 nights.

[crabcracker]

Wow, thank you all for responding so soon! Your responses have left me much to consider,especially about the short vs.one week cruise.DH and I discussed this a bit when he came in from "the salt mines";) tonight.He was very tired as it was the last evening before the holiday weekend,and it was what he commonly describes as an "X-files Night."I got the usual answer from DH, which is "I don't know...." but he is open to the idea, especially if the ship we choose docks in Montego Bay,as we would both like to visit Rose Hall Great House,as well as a Margaritaville(yeah, I know its a tourist trap, but what the heck, we are both big Jimmy Buffet Fans).

Not many cruises stop in Montego Bay, so I'm going to have to do a little research before choosing,as this port will probably determine which cruiseline, etc..

 

Thanks again for all the advice.Its nice to come to such a friendly place.

[Happy ks]

I've done several of both and I would have to say, do a 7 day if you possibly can. Even though we have enjoyed our short cruises, before you know it, it is over, we're never ready to get off. My bet would be after your first 7 day cruise, you will be in the market for a longer one.

 

I have a couple of comments to make. #1 I think I've read more ill mannered people on this board than I have met on a cruise. #2 Your husbands clothing choice would be wonderful for formal nights. #3 We never have enough time to do all we want on a 7 night cruise and we fit your profile pretty closely.

 

We always take late dining, rarely go to the shows and only spend a few minutes in the casino, if any at all. Our preference is to visit a piano bar, go to a comedy show and best of all, stroll the deck for an hour or so before going to bed.

 

If I were you (based on reading about your description), I would consider Celebrity HAL and Princess first, then check out RCI and Carnival. Find yourselves a good cruise only travel agent to narrow down some choices for you. Sometimes it's just not worth it to save a few $$ if you enjoy good service. There was a gentleman that posted a thread long ago (before all posts were deleted last year) that to have a finer cruise experience, upgrade your ship, not your cabin. You will have better service in the lowest category cabin of a higher range ship than you can in a suite on a bargain line.

 

Welcome to the boards and don't be shy, I love reading new cruisers questions!