Firt time cruise

[andymac67]

Hi All,I am looking to book a cruise for myself and my wife for our 25th anniversay in October next year,as I have never been on a cruise before so I was looking for some pointers on the best company to book through and wether I would be better going on a Med cruise or a caribbean one.

I am looking to bo going for 10-14 days prob the first 2 weeks in October.

 

Thanks in advance

 

Andy

[Shmoo here]

Hi All,I am looking to book a cruise for myself and my wife for our 25th anniversay in October next year,as I have never been on a cruise before so I was looking for some pointers on the best company to book through and wether I would be better going on a Med cruise or a caribbean one.

I am looking to bo going for 10-14 days prob the first 2 weeks in October.

 

Thanks in advance

 

Andy

 

Unfortunately, most of your answers are going to have to come from you. What sort of "vacation" spots do you like? Warm, beach type? Historic, older cities? For starters.

 

Once you've chosen a location, you need to do some research on what cruise lines go to the location you chosen, and what their itineraries are.

 

As a first-time cruiser, I'd suggest that you might want to make contact with a Travel Agent (my preference is a brick and mortar one, but online ones are available) who can help guide you through all the "whys" and "wherefores" of cruising.

[CruiserBruce]

Welcome to Cruise Critic!

 

"Best" and "better" are totally subjective opinions. If 20 people answer, you are likely to get 20 different answers. None will be wrong, and perhaps none will fit you. We don't know you, so that makes recommending a "best" very difficult.

 

As a result, I would suggest finding a travel agent, and letting them explain some things about cruising the Med, or the Caribbean. The Caribbean is in hurricane season in October, so while that can get you some nice prices and very warm weather, it also means a certain shortage of choices as the ships return from Europe and Alaska. Later October would probably be better for the Caribbean.

 

Conversely, seeking the "best" may be overthinking things a little. As you haven't cruised yet, it will be a wonderful new world to you, and I am sure you will be very happy with just about any cruise you go on.

Edited May 18, 2015 by CruiserBruce

[t_car]

The best advice is to speak to a travel agent specializing in cruises.

That time of year you may be better off in the Med, not as hot as the summertime.

It is also hurricane season in the Caribbean.

We like to cruise that time of year, get some pretty good deals on cruises because of the chance of bad weather.

Whichever you choose, you will have a great time.

Your choices are quite different, so it all depends on what you are looking for.

You may also want to consider a repositioning cruise that time of year. One that starts in the Med and ends up in North America somewhere.

[OCruisers]

Hi Andy! Welcome to Cruise Critic! :D

 

Finding a good local travel agent who specializes in cruising would be so very helpful to you. ;)

 

LuLu

[andymac67]

Hi Guys,Thanks for your reply's.I was going to speak to a travel agent when I am next on the mainland as I live on a small island of the west coast of Scotland and I dont get off the island much,so just wanted to get some advice/info from you before I do as I have never even been abroad never mind on a cruise.

 

Another thing I need to find out is how soon I can book and start paying it off as I am registered as disabled due to ill health and I'm on benefits so the sooner I can start paying it off the better.

 

Thanks again for your input.

 

Andy

Edited May 19, 2015 by andymac67

[Jay23]

I hesitate to give advice as everyone looks for something different in a holiday. However, I am going to suggest that you Google "Travel Agents specialising in cruising" and then phone them. Not just one, but a couple or three. Have a check list and ask away. They are used to dealing on the phone and you can compare the different companies for prices and for service. There would be no obligation to book. (We are not allowed to name Travel Agents on C Critic.)

 

This would save you going to the mainland and you can "visit" several TAs' without leaving the comfort of your arm chair.

 

If you haven't done so, ask the Cruise Companies to send you their brochures. You can do this on line too. (the downside to this is that you will get cruise brochures for ever more!!)

[pfm18]

Hi All,I am looking to book a cruise for myself and my wife for our 25th anniversay in October next year,as I have never been on a cruise before so I was looking for some pointers on the best company to book through and wether I would be better going on a Med cruise or a caribbean one.

I am looking to bo going for 10-14 days prob the first 2 weeks in October.

 

Thanks in advance

 

Andy

 

Fellow Scot here.

 

I would say Med would be best in October due to weather. I'd also advise avoiding Canaries as the seas are pretty rough that time of year.

 

 

The question is would you like to sail from the UK or fly to a European port and sail out of there?

 

I'd personally advise RCI for your first time as they kinda have something for everybody, not too posh but also not too rowdy.

[Krazy Kruizers]

Welcome to Cruise Critic.

We are not allowed to mention the names of Travel Agencies on this site.

If I were you, I would not pay off the cruise until final payment. If you had to cancel the cruise because of illness, you could lose a lot of money. And that is anther good reason to get insurance that covers your pre-existing conditions.

[Ourfamilyof4]

No real input here, sorry, just wanted to say a small island off the coast of Scotland sounds heavely to me😊 Not that you dont, but be sure to appreciate your surroundings.

[GottaKnowWhen]

... how soon I can book and start paying it off as I am registered as disabled due to ill health and I'm on benefits so the sooner I can start paying it off the better....

 

When you find what you want, book it. And start making payments as you are able. But first check your cruise line's policies on refunds in the event of cancellation, if you use a TA, then check their policies as well. Any I have looked at will refund most if not all up to 75-90 days from sailing. Doesn't matter if you've paid 10% or 90% at that point, you should get a refund. But check on that. And consider trip insurance that includes coverage of forfeited deposits etc., just in case.

 

Stan

Edited May 20, 2015 by GottaKnowWhen