New kid (senior actually) on the scene!

[SheilaStuart]

Hello, nice 2 meet everyone. I wanted to take a cruise in July or August. I have a beginners question and am hoping someone can help. Is it true that there are programs out there where I can make payments on my cruise? If so, where do I get this information? This will also help me in determining when and where to go. Also, kids are ok but tons of them aren't my exact love...so should I just go on a 'regular' cruise and stay away from only the Disney ones? My interests are sight seeing, casinos and beaches. Any recommnedations from you beautiful people? Also, I am a 60 yr old single gal if that matters! Have a fantastic day! Sheilaanestuart@gmail.com

[Nerina]

Hi, you might want to read this thread - Middle Aged Drama Queen Goes BIG: Solo & Last Minute on the ALLURE!!!

 

Its an absolutely delightful description of the "Drama Queen's" solo cruise. Lots of pix too! :D

 

 

 

Future Cruises:

RCCL-Explorer of the Seas-Bermuda/Caribbean-2013

Celebrity-Summit-Bermuda-2013

 

NCL-Norwegian Gem-Bahamas-2012

RCCL-Explorer of the Seas-Eastern Caribbean-2012

RCCL-Explorer of the Seas-Bermuda-2011

RCCL-Explorer of the Seas-Bermuda-2011

RCCL-Explorer of the Seas-Eastern Caribbean-2011

RCCL-Allure of the Seas-Labadee Extravaganza-2010

NCL-Norwegian Jewel-Bahamas-2010

RCCL-Explorer of the Seas-Bermuda/Bahamas-2010

NCL-Norwegian Jewel-New England & Canada-2009

RCCL-Explorer of the Seas-Eastern Caribbean-2009

HAL- Eurodam-NYC Introduction Cruise-2008

RCCL-Explorer of the Seas-Southern Caribbean-2008

RCCL-Radiance of the Seas-Hawaii Circle-2007

RCCL-Explorer of the Seas-Bermuda-2006

RCCL-Explorer of the Seas-Bermuda-2006

RCCL-Jewel of the Seas-Westbound Transatlantic-2005

RCCL-Voyager of the Seas-Western Caribbean-2004

RCCL-Serenade of the Seas-Canada-2003

[delily]

I know that a lot of people are loyal to particular cruise lines but not me. I choose the itinerary I like and can afford and usually don't even pay much attention to what cruise line or ship I'm sailing until after I've already decided to book. I've never been disappointed with any of them. They all have their pluses and minuses. One thing I do pay attention to is the date I'm cruising. I try to avoid times of the year when kids are on summer vacations or spring breaks because I don't want to be on a ship loaded with kids or drunken college students.

 

I can't imagine anyone who doesn't have kids sailing on Disney.

[Scrapnana]

 

I can't imagine anyone who doesn't have kids sailing on Disney.

 

Surprisingly, some couples and even solos cruise on Disney without kids. I loved my Disney cruise but was with the grandkids.

[Scrapnana]

Hello, nice 2 meet everyone. I wanted to take a cruise in July or August. I have a beginners question and am hoping someone can help. Is it true that there are programs out there where I can make payments on my cruise? If so, where do I get this information? This will also help me in determining when and where to go. Also, kids are ok but tons of them aren't my exact love...so should I just go on a 'regular' cruise and stay away from only the Disney ones? My interests are sight seeing, casinos and beaches. Any recommnedations from you beautiful people? Also, I am a 60 yr old single gal if that matters! Have a fantastic day! Sheilaanestuart@gmail.com

 

I don't know about programs to make payments but if you go through a Travel Agent you can authorize payments on your credit card as frequently as you like. There may be some way you can do this if you book directly with the cruise line but I always use a travel agent.

 

Going during the summer means you will have a number of kids on the cruise. You might consider some of the high end cruise lines where you will find less kids. Many of them also have lower single supplements.

 

I would suggest going to some cruise lines websites and sign up for emails. It's a great way to find out about special deals they may have.

 

Let us know how the search goes!

[Northshorecruisers]

Definately look at all the cruise lines. We are partial to HAL, which they say has an older demographic - but they have lots of young families as well. We are 60 & 53. Although, I've noticed when children are on board they seem very well behaved and polite. We actually sailed HAL the first time because my dad had booked a cruise with his seniors group from church. We like the food and level of service on HAL - but everyone has different things they like and may not find all of them with just one cruiseline. That's why a lot of people do various lines depending on what they're looking for on that particular vacation. Signing up on the various websites and even ordering brochures are a good idea. The boards for each cruiseline here on CC will help you to see they type of cruisers they attract. For us, we're not into a party ship with announcements all day long for dumb contests.

 

You may want to get some insight from a travel agent that deals specifically with cruises. I tend to stay away from the "discount" cruise sites that claim to give you the best price. When I've checked into them they tend to want to book us on whatever ship is giving them the best commission. When I've compared their prices with the pricing from my TA, they are the same and I know I will get better service from my TA if there is a problem. Our TA does allow you to make payments anytime between your initial deposit and the final payment due date. I don't know if all do.

 

Welcome to CC and I hope you find a cruise you enjoy. I am so sorry we didn't cruise many years earlier.

[sail7seas]

Welcome to CC. Happy you found us.

 

When school are in, there are fewer children aboard. School vacations and naturally there are more families with children.

 

We sail only HAL and have for a great many cruises and it is rare when there are problems with wild kids. HAL runs a terrific Club HAL program the children really like and they keep them busy and happy and ..... out of sight for a good part of the day. :)

[E2ME2]

Hi, you might want to read this thread - Middle Aged Drama Queen Goes BIG: Solo & Last Minute on the ALLURE!!!

 

Its an absolutely delightful description of the "Drama Queen's" solo cruise. Lots of pix too! :D

 

 

 

Future Cruises:

RCCL-Explorer of the Seas-Bermuda/Caribbean-2013

Celebrity-Summit-Bermuda-2013

 

NCL-Norwegian Gem-Bahamas-2012

RCCL-Explorer of the Seas-Eastern Caribbean-2012

RCCL-Explorer of the Seas-Bermuda-2011

RCCL-Explorer of the Seas-Bermuda-2011

RCCL-Explorer of the Seas-Eastern Caribbean-2011

RCCL-Allure of the Seas-Labadee Extravaganza-2010

NCL-Norwegian Jewel-Bahamas-2010

RCCL-Explorer of the Seas-Bermuda/Bahamas-2010

NCL-Norwegian Jewel-New England & Canada-2009

RCCL-Explorer of the Seas-Eastern Caribbean-2009

HAL- Eurodam-NYC Introduction Cruise-2008

RCCL-Explorer of the Seas-Southern Caribbean-2008

RCCL-Radiance of the Seas-Hawaii Circle-2007

RCCL-Explorer of the Seas-Bermuda-2006

RCCL-Explorer of the Seas-Bermuda-2006

RCCL-Jewel of the Seas-Westbound Transatlantic-2005

RCCL-Voyager of the Seas-Western Caribbean-2004

RCCL-Serenade of the Seas-Canada-2003

 

Thanks for the tip - it was an interesting Post.

I have my reservations about sailing on a ship that big, also:eek:

[CRZCRAZY]

I'm not sure about the other lines, but with Carnival I can book my cruise and pay a deposit, and go online and make monthly payments to them. Much easier than paying the entire cruise at once.

[cb at sea]

All cruiselines will take any money you give them, whenever you want to give it. There are no "payment" programs....just send them $$$ each month (or week....whatever)!

[Cruiser0711]

Hello, nice 2 meet everyone. I wanted to take a cruise in July or August. I have a beginners question and am hoping someone can help. Is it true that there are programs out there where I can make payments on my cruise? If so, where do I get this information? This will also help me in determining when and where to go. Also, kids are ok but tons of them aren't my exact love...so should I just go on a 'regular' cruise and stay away from only the Disney ones? My interests are sight seeing, casinos and beaches. Any recommnedations from you beautiful people? Also, I am a 60 yr old single gal if that matters! Have a fantastic day! Sheilaanestuart@gmail.com

 

Welcome Sheila.

 

With regards to cruise payments, most of the cruise lines require the full payment 75 days before sailing. You can pay monthly installments, full payment up front or wait til the final payment is due. There is also the deposit you have to pay when you book the cruise. Deposit also depends on the cruise line or whatever special deal they have going when you book the cruise – some have no deposit, reduced deposit, $100 or $200. The most I paid for deposit is $200. You can cancel and get all your money back before the final payment is due. If you cancel after the final payment, then the refund is pro-rated based upon how days pass the final payment date is. Again, all these money transactions are base on cruise lines and special deals/condition when you book the cruise.

 

Also, you need to know that if you are travelling solo, there is a single supplement. Again, this fee rule is by cruise ship – but most of the time, the price you pay for cruising solo is 2 persons per cabin.

 

If you live near a port, then you can always do the last minute booking which is very, very inexpensive.

 

Good luck and let me know if you need any help.

 

Tita

[Thrak]

If you are looking for lines with fewer children you might want to check Princess and HAL. There may be some children but probably not a lot of them.

[Bonzy49]

Those of us who live in Europe.....we do not get the deposit back if we cancel .we have to claim on insurance which takes monhs to get it back!!!

[Cruisercl]

Those of us who live in Europe.....we do not get the deposit back if we cancel .we have to claim on insurance which takes monhs to get it back!!!

 

That is just wrong.

[KBD1516]

Some deposits on carnival are non refundable for US citizens too.

[GlendaleCruiser]

Hello, nice 2 meet everyone. I wanted to take a cruise in July or August. I have a beginners question and am hoping someone can help. Is it true that there are programs out there where I can make payments on my cruise? If so, where do I get this information? This will also help me in determining when and where to go. Also, kids are ok but tons of them aren't my exact love...so should I just go on a 'regular' cruise and stay away from only the Disney ones? My interests are sight seeing, casinos and beaches. Any recommnedations from you beautiful people? Also, I am a 60 yr old single gal if that matters! Have a fantastic day! Sheilaanestuart@gmail.com

 

Like others have said: Pay a deposit and then make regular payments by credit card and make sure you have paid by final due date. You may want to arrange your first cruise through a travel agent the first time so you get the hang of it. Find one that does LOTS of cruises.

A good way to avoid the majority of the kids is to go where they aren't (rocket science, huh?):cool: BUT, that means going to the Caribbean when they are in school and cruising in the Med or the Baltics, where they don't go in large numbers.

[sweetcupcakegrl]

Hello, nice 2 meet everyone. I wanted to take a cruise in July or August. I have a beginners question and am hoping someone can help. Is it true that there are programs out there where I can make payments on my cruise? If so, where do I get this information? This will also help me in determining when and where to go. Also, kids are ok but tons of them aren't my exact love...so should I just go on a 'regular' cruise and stay away from only the Disney ones? My interests are sight seeing, casinos and beaches. Any recommnedations from you beautiful people? Also, I am a 60 yr old single gal if that matters! Have a fantastic day! Sheilaanestuart@gmail.com

I just emailed you... so you will know the info soon...Go to a reliable travel agent if the price goes down you will be able to recover it...we are going to nov 14-24 exployer of the seas 2014... nice ship big... price is right... stay away from Disney children and I hate them ... so no kids for me...

 

I loved allure and oasis... both fav ships but the voyager class the best...

 

hope to talk to you soon... sweet

[ncdebe]

 

I can't imagine anyone who doesn't have kids sailing on Disney.

 

Sailed on it with my sister when the kids were in college. We had a great time. The service, food,everything was great. And the best part is that you hardly ever see the kids ~ unlike some experiences I have had on other lines....