Need guidance and any insight you can provide

[Shell4624]

Years ago (10) to be exact my DH and I cruised Monarch of the Seas out of LA for our wedding Anniversary. Here we are 10 years later wanting a vacation of our lifetime but with a budget of $7.5k in mind. We also want to travel with our 2 daughters and my parents using budget amount above. I'm open for any suggestions, but I'll also list a few questions that I have

 

1. It feels like we are a little late to the game, just now trying to book a vacation... is this specificallly true for a Cruise? We want to go at the end of Octoboer (our daughters fall break window).
   
2. A while back I priced Oasis departing 10/27... seemed to be the perfect choice/price (apprx. $5400) for 2 staterooms back in Jan. Now its over $8300. I hate that I didn't book back then, but we were/are also considering Atlantis. We really want a balcony room for the "extra" space, fresh air. Can we expect the Balcony prices to go down before Oct or are we screwed?
   
3. Our cruise 10 years ago was 3 nights...perfect for my DH and I. Oasis was slated for 5 nights (perfect for all of us) BUT the 7 day cruises on RCCL Oasis or Allure are CHEAPER than the 5 day. BUT 7 nights seem so long!!! I don't believe we have ever vacationed anywhere for 7 nights...thats a long time. Both my DH and I are home bodies and begin missing home 4-5 days into a vacation. for the 7 night cruisers have you ever felt that 7 nights was too long?
   

Any other thoughts you may have for us within our budget please share. I am now looking at the potential of cruising Carnival purely from a pricing standpoint. I am curious and have a desire to cruise one of these mega ships with lots of things to do onboard. My DH and I like casinos, eating, my girls love hanging by the pools... a round of mini golf, teen club, are all the cherry on top.

 

Any info or guidance you can offer is welcomed. Thanks in advance!

Edited June 3, 2014 by Shell4624

[S.A.M.J.R.]

Years ago (10) to be exact my DH and I cruised Monarch of the Seas out of LA for our wedding Anniversary. Here we are 10 years later wanting a vacation of our lifetime but with a budget of $7.5k in mind. We also want to travel with our 2 daughters and my parents using budget amount above. I'm open for any suggestions, but I'll also list a few questions that I have

 

1. It feels like we are a little late to the game, just now trying to book a vacation... is this specificallly true for a Cruise? We want to go at the end of Octoboer (our daughters fall break window).
   
2. A while back I priced Oasis departing 10/27... seemed to be the perfect choice/price (apprx. $5400) for 2 staterooms back in Jan. Now its over $8300. I hate that I didn't book back then, but we were/are also considering Atlantis. We really want a balcony room for the "extra" space, fresh air. Can we expect the Balcony prices to go down before Oct or are we screwed?
   
3. Our cruise 10 years ago was 3 nights...perfect for my DH and I. Oasis was slated for 5 nights (perfect for all of us) BUT the 7 day cruises on RCCL Oasis or Allure are CHEAPER than the 5 day. BUT 7 nights seem so long!!! I don't believe we have ever vacationed anywhere for 7 nights...thats a long time. Both my DH and I are home bodies and begin missing home 4-5 days into a vacation. for the 7 night cruisers have you ever felt that 7 nights was too long?
   

Any other thoughts you may have for us within our budget please share. I am now looking at the potential of cruising Carnival purely from a pricing standpoint. I am curious and have a desire to cruise one of these mega ships with lots of things to do onboard. My DH and I like casinos, eating, my girls love hanging by the pools... a round of mini golf, teen club, are all the cherry on top.

 

Any info or guidance you can offer is welcomed. Thanks in advance!

I can't help you on pricing, but my opinion regarding 3 v. 5 v. 7 night vacation (not just cruises)... I'll always try for a longer trip away. The first day to day and a half I'm just getting my bearings on where things are/how best to get around. The last day to day and a half is getting things packed back up and thinking about the return trip. The time between those is my TRUE vacation. I can relax, not worry about what still has to happen, etc.

 

Now, if something else was limiting my time away (cost, time away from work, transportation, etc), any vacation is better than none, but I'd prefer longer trips.

[DCPIV]

I'm sure you can match your budget, but you'll need to keep a sharp eye.

 

As for the length of the cruises, we've been on several 7+ night cruises and have never felt that it was too long of a time. It's quite nice, really (although longer cruises are tougher on the waistline).

 

 

D

[ksuds]

A lot depends on when you want to travel. Also, from what I see, the Oasis and Allure are typically a little higher in price. You are paying for the premium ship. Maybe if you are still looking at 7 day, check out the Freedom.

 

Good luck! It seems that you can get a lot more vacation for your money if you cruise....IMO. It's nice when you don't have to factor in daily food costs.

[George C]

If you can do this in 2015 you can get the RCCL bogoho buy one get one half off, you should be able to get 3 cabins and still stay in budget, need to compare the prices. The newer ships will be more than the older ones.

[cb at sea]

I think 7 nights is perfect! A week is about the standard vacation....

[barbyj]

The longest I have cruised was 31 days. I didn't want to get off of the ship, lol

[GaryT-UK]

My first 2 cruises were for 7 nights, just in case I didn't like cruising - haha. As someone else mentioned by the time you've unpacked & got used to the ship you are packing to go home again, it wasn't long enough for me. I've been lucky to manage 12-14 days every summer since, and when I go back to work I feel like I've been away for ever and am ready to get back to real life, but the long break really does me good! I'm having a 7 night cruise in October as well this year (I'm limited by time off work) but that's fine as it's not my main holiday. We don't have all of the mini cruise options in the UK that you seem to have in the US, so 3-5 days aren't often a consideration.

[Chelle28]

Thanks everyone for the feedback. It sounds like 7 nights is perfect if not too short for many!

[schlimazel_traveler]

You probably already know this, but be sure to factor gratuities, drinks (either packages or pay-as-you-go), shore excursions, and so forth into the budget.

 

P.S. I'm looking at what I think is the cruise you are considering on Costco Travel and it's about $2200/stateroom for 2 passengers. So maybe look again?

Edited June 4, 2014 by schlimazel_traveler

[Starry Eyes]

Seven nights is as short as we can bear; we like 10-14 nights. this is a cruise forum, so you can expect to hear that here:D.

 

Allure and Oais have a lot to do, and I think there will be enough to keep all three generations busy for seven nights. I do not know if balcony prices will drop. Fall is hurricaine season and other people's children are likely in school, so demand may be relatively light at that time. One option is to book the least expensive cabins you could accept, then watch diligently for possible price drops (or better cabin at good prices) until final payment. having cabins locked in also allows you to book flights, hopefully scoring a decent price there too. After final payment, you cannot get price drops on your cabin, but you can still watch for opportunities to upgrade if a favorable price appears on a better cabin.

 

although Oasis class are big and new, other ships are nice, too. I really like Freedom class ships, too. You may want to look at all your options.

 

happy 10th!

[Gayle V]

We have never felt seven days was too much. On the contrary, often wish it was longer. And if you do go on the Oasis, or Allure, it's barely enough, as there is just too much too do. Actually, any of the larger ships will have plenty to keep you busy.

 

And I agree, that to keep the price manageable, you should look at the something other than the Oasis or Allure, which are costing a lot more, just because of how huge and new they are. I promise you, that any of the Voyager class, or bigger Freedom class ships will feel amazing by comparison to your last cruise on the Monarch (which incidentally was also our first cruise too.) The Monarch no longer is part of the fleet, and it's twin sister, the Majesty is currently the tiniest and oldest of the entire fleet. The difference will amaze you.

 

One plus of choosing one of the other ships, is the itineraries. While the Oasis and Allure are the most amazing ships, they sail the most common and for me, the least interesting itineraries. You can find something more exotic on one of the other ships.

[xpcdoojk]

Years ago (10) to be exact my DH and I cruised Monarch of the Seas out of LA for our wedding Anniversary. Here we are 10 years later wanting a vacation of our lifetime but with a budget of $7.5k in mind. We also want to travel with our 2 daughters and my parents using budget amount above. I'm open for any suggestions, but I'll also list a few questions that I have

 

1. It feels like we are a little late to the game, just now trying to book a vacation... is this specificallly true for a Cruise? We want to go at the end of Octoboer (our daughters fall break window).
   
2. A while back I priced Oasis departing 10/27... seemed to be the perfect choice/price (apprx. $5400) for 2 staterooms back in Jan. Now its over $8300. I hate that I didn't book back then, but we were/are also considering Atlantis. We really want a balcony room for the "extra" space, fresh air. Can we expect the Balcony prices to go down before Oct or are we screwed?
   
3. Our cruise 10 years ago was 3 nights...perfect for my DH and I. Oasis was slated for 5 nights (perfect for all of us) BUT the 7 day cruises on RCCL Oasis or Allure are CHEAPER than the 5 day. BUT 7 nights seem so long!!! I don't believe we have ever vacationed anywhere for 7 nights...thats a long time. Both my DH and I are home bodies and begin missing home 4-5 days into a vacation. for the 7 night cruisers have you ever felt that 7 nights was too long?
   

Any other thoughts you may have for us within our budget please share. I am now looking at the potential of cruising Carnival purely from a pricing standpoint. I am curious and have a desire to cruise one of these mega ships with lots of things to do onboard. My DH and I like casinos, eating, my girls love hanging by the pools... a round of mini golf, teen club, are all the cherry on top.

 

Any info or guidance you can offer is welcomed. Thanks in advance!

 

I spent 10 days in Atlantis a couple of years ago for a company trip. Since we were hosting we went early and stayed late. The rooms are pricey, but October is hurricane season so pricing should be as good as it gets. A beer in December 2012 was $8. If it came from the mini bar it was $8. If you ordered it at the pool it was $8. Breakfast in the marketplace buffet is about $30 bucks a person, at the Cove it is about $60. The only reasonable place to eat at Paradise Island is Starbucks where you can get 2 microwave egg mcmuffins 2 coffees and a juice for $20. Eating at the real restaurants at Atlantis is extremely ouch producing, and I and up to 50 customers ate at most of them.... Boing.... Going off island to local restaurants and grocery stores is better but still ouch.

 

The Oasis and Allure are usually at a premium of 20 to 30% more than other ships. Compared to the Monarch, the Oasis is like the Taj Mahal. There are no ships in the RCI fleet that won't make you go Wow comparatively. So, find another cheaper ship. Carnival is cheaper, and it is fine, but I would definitely favor RCI.

 

As far as 7 days go. To me it seems like 7 days is just getting started on vacation. Trust me that is not going to be a problem.

 

jc

 

JMHO and YMMV

[GinLovesToCruise]

I am somewhat of a homebody, but I love cruising!!! 7 days has never been too long for me. I don't miss much besides my fur-babies back home. I did not notice where you are from. Does traveling to port make a difference for you. I would not hesitate at all going on one of the other class of ships. With that and the BOGO you might come up with some good pricing options. Hop you keep us informed on your choice. Happy Sails!!!

 

 

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