Help

[INCHARGE]

OP... Has anyone given you any ideas that might work for you? I have been watching to see your replies if anything would work for you all. Also, what about the 4 night cruise that hartsnvt suggested? Would that be an option?

[Hitech_AO]

I drove from MD to FL. We dropped the kids off at their Aunts in SC, packed and then drove the rest of the way. It was a long drive, but with two of us to drive it was not bad. We started at Noon in MD, spent several (4-5) hours dropping off the kids and packing and arrived in FL the following morning. Had enough time to stop for breakfast in the morning before finishing the drive to the cruise terminal.

[vamartha]

OP, here is my suggestion. Don't take that cruise. Not that one. Nope, don't do it.

 

Book something other than that ship/combination. And here is my reasoning why.

 

 

• This is your first cruise. You are going on the second oldest ship in the fleet that is still sailing. A nice ship, no doubt because a bad day on the seas is still a better day than not being on a ship at all, but there aren't going to be all the bells and whistles on this ship. No Guys, no waterpark, no 3D theater, no 2.0 upgrades.
  
• You either have to drive 15 hours each way to Miami or fly. My time is worth way more than the hours that it takes to drive to Miami - I would drive to Tampa, Port Canaveral, Charleston or Jacksonville. I would not drive to Miami from where you are located.
  
• I would suggest that you find a cruise closer to where you are located or find a longer cruise that would make a trip to South Florida more "worthwhile". The cruise that you are planning is three nights, you will no more get on before you have to get off again. You will spend more time in the car driving than you will on the ship (not quite, but almost).
  
• A three day usually means a "booze cruise" because of the price. Meaning you are going to have more drunks than usual. Don't know if that bothers you or not but I wanted you to be aware. And the dates you have chosen may be Spring Break dates. Search on here about Spring Break cruises, many have to choose those dates due to school/work obligations but many will also not recommend that particular time frame for your very first or for the most relaxing cruise.
  

Paying more for airfare than a cruise is unfortunately not uncommon. Just ask anyone from the mid section of the country! But you are fortunate to live on the East Coast and there are flight deals out there. They may take a lot of research to find, but they are there. May I recommend that you sign up at kayak (dot) com for a flight alert. They come in your email every day and you will find that over time you can predict when the airfare falls. I just spent over six months stalking airfare to New Orleans for our cruise coming up in October. Also search the airlines that the other side does not cover - Jet Blue, Air Tran, Allegiant Air and Southwest. You may have to drive to Raleigh or to Charlotte or elsewhere but you have to search EVERYWHERE if you want travel deals. They require work to find, usually.

 

 

Good luck in your research, it takes perseverance but research pays off in spades.

[INCHARGE]

If you look today, you can get an Ocean view cabin for $1478.85 total for 5. It breaks down to $1055. Cruise and $423.85 Taxes, Fees, and. Port charges. Maybe you can jump on that. I'm not sure what insurance would be, but it's not going to be much more. Since this is Friday thru Sunday, I'm guessing you wanted a weekend cruise.

[ferfoodle]

OP, here is my suggestion. Don't take that cruise. Not that one. Nope, don't do it.

 

Book something other than that ship/combination. And here is my reasoning why.

 

 

• This is your first cruise. You are going on the second oldest ship in the fleet that is still sailing. A nice ship, no doubt because a bad day on the seas is still a better day than not being on a ship at all, but there aren't going to be all the bells and whistles on this ship. No Guys, no waterpark, no 3D theater, no 2.0 upgrades.
  
• You either have to drive 15 hours each way to Miami or fly. My time is worth way more than the hours that it takes to drive to Miami - I would drive to Tampa, Port Canaveral, Charleston or Jacksonville. I would not drive to Miami from where you are located.
  
• I would suggest that you find a cruise closer to where you are located or find a longer cruise that would make a trip to South Florida more "worthwhile". The cruise that you are planning is three nights, you will no more get on before you have to get off again. You will spend more time in the car driving than you will on the ship (not quite, but almost).
  
• A three day usually means a "booze cruise" because of the price. Meaning you are going to have more drunks than usual. Don't know if that bothers you or not but I wanted you to be aware. And the dates you have chosen may be Spring Break dates. Search on here about Spring Break cruises, many have to choose those dates due to school/work obligations but many will also not recommend that particular time frame for your very first or for the most relaxing cruise.
  

Paying more for airfare than a cruise is unfortunately not uncommon. Just ask anyone from the mid section of the country! But you are fortunate to live on the East Coast and there are flight deals out there. They may take a lot of research to find, but they are there. May I recommend that you sign up at kayak (dot) com for a flight alert. They come in your email every day and you will find that over time you can predict when the airfare falls. I just spent over six months stalking airfare to New Orleans for our cruise coming up in October. Also search the airlines that the other side does not cover - Jet Blue, Air Tran, Allegiant Air and Southwest. You may have to drive to Raleigh or to Charlotte or elsewhere but you have to search EVERYWHERE if you want travel deals. They require work to find, usually.

 

 

Good luck in your research, it takes perseverance but research pays off in spades.

 

I agree with this poster's assessment (especially what I highlighted in red).

 

The cruise you are looking at starts on Friday March 13th. It ends on Monday March 16th. I guarantee you it is a Booze Cruise. The ship will be loaded with mostly college spring breakers who will be partying the whole time. This scenario is not ideal for a first cruise; actually it is not ideal to most of us for any cruise. It could actually make you hate cruising - and that would be a shame.

 

Bear in mind, a 3 day cruise really isn't 3 days either. The first day, Friday, is half over by the time you get on the ship and settled. That leaves only Saturday and Sunday (which you will have to spend time to pack back up.) Then on Monday, you will be expected to be out of your room by 8 am.

 

If you aren't stuck with this cruise, maybe look at the Fantasy out of Charleston. There is a 5 day cruise on March 11th, same class of ship so you can still get 5 in one room for about $500 more. It also is going to Nassau and additionally a private island. This cruise would be a much shorter drive from MD - so the $500 difference would still be much cheaper than airfare or traveling all the way to South Florida. Either way, I can also almost guarantee you will not find "cheap" airfare in March to any notorious "Spring Break" area which all of Florida is.

 

Good Luck.

Edited May 28, 2014 by ferfoodle

[TruckinMama]

We drive. I won't pay what the airlines charge, and we actually just make the drive part of our vacation. We drive from Sioux Falls, SD to Memphis, TN, then stay the night in a cheap hotel that is paid for ahead of time. We go to Beale Street, check out the sights, get a good meal, and get a good nights sleep. The next day we drive from Memphis, TN to New Orleans, LA. We stay 3 or 4 days in New Orleans, doing planned activities that are paid for ahead of time (or free), then we board our ship and go on our cruise. Even with hotels and meals it's cheaper for us to drive than it is to fly from here, and I pre-pay as much as possible in the year before hand, so the costs are spread out. We don't use credit cards. :)

[sammee]

You best bet is to drive. Even if you can find $200 R/T tickets, you'll have luggage and shuttle to hotel to worry about.

 

Shop around alittle more. Charleston & Jacksonville have reasonable prices. I'm on the east coast of Jersey. 10 1/2 hr drive to Charleston, 14 to Jacksonville. We make sure to eat and grab a coffee to go on the way out. Wafflehouses are our friend if we are hungry on the road. We just did Charleston. Plenty to do the day before so it's like having an extra vacation day. Only 3 of us, but I couldn't justify those airline prices. The savings can pay for soda cards and tips on the cruise and then some, plus you'll have a 5 night cruise instead.

[CHERBEAR16]

The bottom line is my dream since I was 18 was to go on a cruise I'm now 35 and it just seems like it's never going to happen. My boyfriend doesn't want to take the kids and so our compromise was to take the shortest cruise available which is how we found the Miami fri-Monday cruise.he really wants it to just be us and my kids are getting to the point of adult hood and I really wanted to make this happen for them. Thank you all who have been kind and helpful to us that have no idea what they are doing, and to you that are not I 🙏 that I am not on a cruise with you!

[loxley]

The bottom line is my dream since I was 18 was to go on a cruise I'm now 35 and it just seems like it's never going to happen. My boyfriend doesn't want to take the kids and so our compromise was to take the shortest cruise available which is how we found the Miami fri-Monday cruise.he really wants it to just be us and my kids are getting to the point of adult hood and I really wanted to make this happen for them. Thank you all who have been kind and helpful to us that have no idea what they are doing, and to you that are not I that I am not on a cruise with you!

 

So why didn't you say that to start with?

 

Frankly, the compromise basically sets you up to have a bad first cruise.

 

5 adults in an inside 3 day weekend booze cruise on just about the oldest ship still sailing?

 

You would be much better off letting the people here actually help you.

 

Figure out what your actuall budget would be, the dates you can go, and things like that and come back and post and ask for help finding a good cruise to match what you are looking for.

 

Why doesn't your bf want to take the kids?

[Kristi Williamson]

Sorry, I call shenanigans! I sail with 5 people all the time, we have never fit in one room, nor would we care to (there are a few that can hold 5, but not many) and they are certainly more than $1600 total. Are we talking a 7 night cruise here??:confused:

 

I also notice that when asked what ship this was on, OP has yet to respond. If they do, I plan to try to book it just to see.

 

They have no money, they have plenty of money?? If they have plenty, why ask for Help???:p

 

SHENANIGANS I say!!:eek:

 

Sunshine's 8 day mock booking that we did yesterday was 2460.00 dollars for an interior on Deck 1 with 5 people. I'd rather eat a dirt sandwich, but we're cruising on the seven day June 7th sailing and wondered about doing a B2B. At that price, we almost did it, but the days off work added to that amount made it more than we want to spend right now.

 

Just wanted to say that price CAN be done with 5 people, but it would be like sardines in a can. No thanks. ...just went and looked and had to edit... Also, this is a casino rate, not a regular promotion. That may matter, too.

Edited May 28, 2014 by Kristi Williamson

[cruizinisthebest]

The OP isn't planning to travel on this cruise until March of next year. Plenty of time to save here and there. The older kids can work and save for their own spending money. Amtrak is also an option. Airfare is pricey so put it out of your mind if you're not willing to pay for that mode of transportation. There's either driving or the train or don't go.

 

Next time make your initial post a little clearer and don't say things like you've got plenty of money. That's ridiculous - unless you actually do which means you wouldn't be looking for money savings tips.

 

And consider getting two cabins.....for your own sanity and enjoyment. Usually doing so is not that much expensive if at all. Just a suggestion.

 

Plenty of time to figure things out. Good luck.

Edited May 28, 2014 by cruizinisthebest

[RuthlessBoss]

The bottom line is my dream since I was 18 was to go on a cruise I'm now 35 and it just seems like it's never going to happen. My boyfriend doesn't want to take the kids and so our compromise was to take the shortest cruise available which is how we found the Miami fri-Monday cruise.he really wants it to just be us and my kids are getting to the point of adult hood and I really wanted to make this happen for them. Thank you all who have been kind and helpful to us that have no idea what they are doing, and to you that are not I that I am not on a cruise with you!

 

Ecstasy isn't the only ship offering short cruises. Did you check Sensation from Canaveral? What about a cruise from Jacksonville? That would make it a driveable solution and use off site parking. If the kids earn their own money, they can chip in for their gratuities if they want to go. Of course kids will go if Mom picks up the full cost.

[CHERBEAR16]

thank you all for the advise I am printing and highlighting all this helpful information!

 

I just thought for such a short cruise why in the heck would you even want to be in the cabin at all?? especially teens, so why pay for 2

 

I will look into maybe a more reasonable cruise? someone is calling me tomorrow at 7 from carnival to discuss.

 

thanks all

[ibcnusoon]

Let me be more specific.

 

It is me, my boyfriend, my son , my daughter and my boyfriends son going which equals 5 people.

 

I have PLENTY of money, but I feel it is very foolish to pay the exact same price on air fair as the total cruise price which is the case thus far.

 

Just looking for cruise tips and tips on maybe some places to book flights on the cheaper end or a different way to travel .

 

Why don't you do a cost comparison for a cruise out of Miami with pre-cruise hotels, food, gas, transportation, etc. versus a cruise right outside your doorstep in Baltimore, or perhaps taking the Amtrak up to New York City and cruising out of there?

 

I found that it is cheaper to cruise out of New York than Miami, only because of all the added expenses such as pre-cruise hotels, food, transportion, parking, airfare, etc.

[jandjtexas]

Hi, we did the 4 day out of Galveston with 5 in a balcony. 3 adults, 2 kids. It was a tight fit, but we managed. Today I would do it again, but only in an ocean view, much bigger room. It took me until I was 48 before I could get anyone to take a cruise with me, now I've been on 5, including 1 solo. Do it however you can, just have fun! :)

[winddawn]

Let me be more specific.

 

It is me, my boyfriend, my son , my daughter and my boyfriends son going which equals 5 people.

 

I have PLENTY of money, but I feel it is very foolish to pay the exact same price on air fair as the total cruise price which is the case thus far.

 

Just looking for cruise tips and tips on maybe some places to book flights on the cheaper end or a different way to travel .

You can try Google's ITA software to comparison shop for airfare. You can't book there, but it is a great tool for searching for good fares.

 

http://www.google.com/flights/

 

Or if you live near a city that Southwest Airlines serves, fly into Fort Lauderdale instead of Miami.

Edited May 28, 2014 by winddawn

[Singer4Him]

I haven't read through all of the responses so this may be a repeat. If so, please accept my apology.

 

As far as hotels go, be sure to check out LMT (lastminutetravel.com). I got a steal on a room last year when we sailed out of NOLA. You don't necessarily have to be a member to get a great deal; I'm not a member. Most of the great deals won't give you the name of the hotel but a lot of times, you can look through the pics and determine which one it is. You can also call the toll free number and they will tell you which hotel it is. When I called last year to confirm that it was the hotel that I thought it was, she was able to give me an even better rate than what was showing online.

 

Hope this helps! Enjoy your cruise!

[Carnival_Brides]

OP--you're from my neck of the woods. We always check airfare and transport options before booking. It's also why we usually chose to cruise from somewhere in the BosWash region. With what you're looking at spending in airfare, you could probably cruise out of Baltimore and at least get extra days on the ship.

 

I will say the most affordable option for transport (even if you rent a car and park in the port) will be to drive. We're cruising out of Ft. Lauderdale this Thanksgiving and it's what we plan to do. We're breaking it up with a day in the Savannah on the way down. If your kids are able to drive you could take turns--I logged a lot of behind the wheel time on family roadtrips. It's a true learning experience.

 

Frontier is flying out of Wilmington airport in New Castle and you might be able to snag a last minute flight to at least get to Tampa and drive from there. I've seen rates as low as $60pp each way, but those aren't guaranteed.

 

I'd also check other airports since you happen to live within two hours of four international airports, so that'll provide a little flexibility.

 

That many people in one room makes me itch. We took my GS troop on a cruise a few years ago and because of GS rules we ended up with 2 adults and 3 teens in one balcony cabin--it was a nightmare and we now do no more than 3 people in one cabin. As someone whose been there, I'd highly recommend doing anything you can do to avoid that situation.

 

Short cruises out of Florida really only work for people who live in Florida or who are able to snag cheap last-minute airfare. Many will pair them with another cruise and make it a b2b. I wouldn't go through the hassle of getting to Florida for any less than 6 days. Carnival's doing cruises to nowhere out of Norfolk next year, that might better suit your group. There's no ports of call, but at least you get the ship experience without the transportation expense.

Edited May 28, 2014 by Carnival_Brides

[ibcnusoon]

I haven't read through all of the responses so this may be a repeat. If so, please accept my apology.

 

As far as hotels go, be sure to check out LMT (lastminutetravel.com). I got a steal on a room last year when we sailed out of NOLA. You don't necessarily have to be a member to get a great deal; I'm not a member. Most of the great deals won't give you the name of the hotel but a lot of times, you can look through the pics and determine which one it is. You can also call the toll free number and they will tell you which hotel it is. When I called last year to confirm that it was the hotel that I thought it was, she was able to give me an even better rate than what was showing online.

 

Hope this helps! Enjoy your cruise!

 

I you make a mock booking and add a rental car, on the next page it will show you the hotel name and address.

[RuthlessBoss]

thank you all for the advise I am printing and highlighting all this helpful information!

 

I just thought for such a short cruise why in the heck would you even want to be in the cabin at all?? especially teens, so why pay for 2

 

I will look into maybe a more reasonable cruise? someone is calling me tomorrow at 7 from carnival to discuss.

 

thanks all

 

Do you really believe someone is calling you tomorrow? What can they do any different that you can do by searching yourself?

As for the cabin, I picture it a big problem in this case. You've got teens sleeping at all hours in multiple beds, using the bathroom facilities, a boyfriend who really wants to cruise with just you, so he might get upset. The list goes on. Yes, I know it's none of my business, but this has been a strange thread from the start. You want a short cruise, have to buy air tickets to get to this" short" inexpensive cruise because it's so far away. Sounds like it's more hassle than it's worth. On top of the cruise price, don't forget the taxes and oh yes, gratuities for 5 people, and on board spending on sodas or adult drinks, tips for porters, transport to and from the airport. I'm not sure you've thought this whole thing out, or perhaps are not in tune with the realities of what you are hoping for.

[Singer4Him]

I you make a mock booking and add a rental car, on the next page it will show you the hotel name and address.

 

Good to know. I haven't heard that before. Thanks for the heads up!

[jackparts]

OP, by now, you have been given a load of information. In your mind, some will be good and some will be bad. Too much info can be both confusing and simply wrong. Makes you throw up your hands and give up. Instead of listening to us, listen to your family. Ask them what would make each of them happy and what don't they want to do. Give each of them a job entailing research on destinations, ports, things, etc. that they would really like to see and do. Give them cruise homepages as a research tool where tons on info is available. You have plenty of time to sit down after they all pitch in and organize a great cruise using all the information. Throw out ideas for all to comment on. By getting all involved, it gets everyone all hepped up and the cruise will be here before you know it.

[PhoenixDawgCruising]

I'm just gonna throw this out here: Raise your hand if you think cramming 5 teens/adults into one Inside Cabin is a super awesome idea??

 

Not only would I not pay $1600 to do so, I wouldn't accept payment of $1600 to participate in such a vacation, even something as short as a 3 night cruise.

 

It's going to be MISERABLE!! No space to move, one bathroom, no privacy for the 'couple'. If someone has been dreaming of cruising for 10 years, ths is not the way to do it.:eek:

 

I am a mom of a teen, and if I told him he was going on a cruise like this, he would run the other direction. Teens need space or they get testy.

 

Now I know that not everyone is fortunate enough to be able to afford the higher catagory, roomier cabins, so then you don't take 5 people. Something's gotta give.

Edited May 28, 2014 by PhoenixDawgCruising

[Hitech_AO]

On our upcoming cruise we got a big $10 off for the third person. That isn't a discount at all in my mind. Not sure what additional people would be, but it certainly does not seem worth it.

Edited May 28, 2014 by Hitech_AO

[jma624]

Heres what I would do.

 

Split the difference. Get a one way car rental for the trip to miami, and one way airfair home from FLL on SW or Jet Blue. With 2-3 drivers, the trip down wont be as bad, since you will all be looking forward to the trip. Maybe extend the vacation a little by giving yourselves a night or 2 in an inexpensive motel in MIA or FLL before and/or after the cruise.

 

Also, If you are intent on 5 in a room, take advantage of the gym locker room for showers & dressing - maybe make the kids use them instead of the room.