Decide

[ECocks]

So, I have $6,000 (absolute maximum) for a cruise and looking for suggestions.

 

Need to get there from SE US (Atlanta/Birmingham area).

 

We're pretty sedate, quiet types who enjoy Lido and the smaller grills more than Formal Night, wandering on our own around a new place rather than hiking excursions in the wilds and a comfortable evening meeting new friends over coffee rather than closing down a club. Like to do a couple of nights of alternate dining and enjoy walking for our coffee in the AM.

 

Thoughts?

[Keith1010]

A caribbean cruise out of Miami or Fort Lauderdale.

 

Look at Celebrity or HAL or Princess based on what you have said.

 

Keith

[Clarea]

So, I have $6,000 (absolute maximum) for a cruise and looking for suggestions.

 

Need to get there from SE US (Atlanta/Birmingham area).

 

We're pretty sedate, quiet types who enjoy Lido and the smaller grills more than Formal Night, wandering on our own around a new place rather than hiking excursions in the wilds and a comfortable evening meeting new friends over coffee rather than closing down a club. Like to do a couple of nights of alternate dining and enjoy walking for our coffee in the AM.

 

Thoughts?

Welcome to Cruise Critic.

 

I'd look at cruises out of Tampa. Easier drive for you, and smaller ships there. You would have the most choices between November and April, as ships tend to go to the Med for the summer.

[beachbum53]

So, I have $6,000 (absolute maximum) for a cruise and looking for suggestions.

 

Need to get there from SE US (Atlanta/Birmingham area).

 

We're pretty sedate, quiet types who enjoy Lido and the smaller grills more than Formal Night, wandering on our own around a new place rather than hiking excursions in the wilds and a comfortable evening meeting new friends over coffee rather than closing down a club. Like to do a couple of nights of alternate dining and enjoy walking for our coffee in the AM.

 

Thoughts?

 

I would suggest that you go and talk to a cruise specialist in your area. She / he will try to match you up as closely as possible with a cruise with your interests and your budget in mind.

[SC_GAY_Cruiser]

EC - have you cruised before? Western, Southern and Eastern? How long do you want to cruise? What kind of cabin do you want, inside, view, verandah, suite?

 

If you get an inside cabin which is much lower in price, you can take a longer cruise. The higher priced cabins means you won't have as much money for other items.

 

There are many combinations and ways to spend up to $6k. Lower priced cabin and spend more money on food and booze, gambling, shopping, etc.

 

Easy to drive to FLL or MIA and leave your car at Park and Fly.

 

Definitely sound like your a Holland America (HAL) type of cruiser.

 

dave

[MCC retired]

How many people ? Fly or drive ?

$6000 is way too much for 2 on a mass market ship unless you are looking for a suite on a long cruise , holiday time , or a luxury cruise line .4 ports in Florida to choose from .

Contact a Cruise Specialist TA who will narrow down your choices to fit your expectations .

Edited April 7, 2016 by MCC retired

[ECocks]

Seems, we always forget a detail or two:

 

Fly or drive is no issue as long as it doesn't go over $6,000.

 

Sorry, left out that there are just the two of us.

 

I've cruised a dozen times (Alaska, Caribbean, Mexico, Pacific Coast on Crystal, Carnival and Princess); my wife is a newbie.

[OCruisers]

Welcome to Cruise Critic!

On which cruise line/lines did you cruise on your other sailings?

[SC_GAY_Cruiser]

SO EC, you know all the decisions you have to make since you have been on a number of cruises.

 

Depending on your tastes and desires, pick out several cruises with several different itineraries. Go to various island websites and say.....hey we can do this, or we can do that. This will help you to gauge her interest in the cruises while at the same time, you know the cost options and obviously can work to keep your vacation under $6k.

[ECocks]

Welcome to Cruise Critic!

On which cruise line/lines did you cruise on your other sailings?

 

I've cruised a dozen times (Alaska, Caribbean, Mexico, Pacific Coast on Crystal, Carnival and Princess); my wife is a newbie.

[ECocks]

My short list:

 

* B2B 14-night Alaska that hits Glacier Bay, Hubbard and College Fjord with plenty of opportunity for relaxing and taking in some of the most beautiful scenery on the planet.

 

* 11 night Baltic out of Copenhagen with 6 new countries.

 

Both on Princess.

 

I was looking for suggestions and so far, the HAL option is one to seriously consider.

 

I have a TA but am building MY short list.

[SC_GAY_Cruiser]

I guess my thinking was that you wanted to be within driving distance of the port. Obviously that is not the case.

 

But also......Europe is out of the question I believe. The cost of airfare alone for 2 people will be in excess of $2k before you even start adding up all the cruise costs.

[cruisemainiac]

You might want to consider a 10 or 11 day from SW Florida, That would get you to Aruba or Grenada etc.

[thinfool]

Suggest you start your partner with a shorter, easier cruise than going clear to the Baltic.

 

Princess has several nice 7 and 10 day winter itineraries from Ft Lauderdale to St Thomas, St Martin, etc.

[SPacificbound]

Since it is your wife's first cruise has she indicated where she would like to go?

 

There is a huge differance between going to Alaska and going to Europe as you obviously know.

 

Have you considered the Mediterranean?

 

I am reading this as the $6,000.00 is for the cruise, not including the airfare. (If you are going somewhere other than out of Florida)

 

You could take a look at Celebrity also.

[ECocks]

I guess my thinking was that you wanted to be within driving distance of the port. Obviously that is not the case.

 

But also......Europe is out of the question I believe. The cost of airfare alone for 2 people will be in excess of $2k before you even start adding up all the cruise costs.

 

The European trip is right at the upper limit. No balcony, have to do an Inside.

 

Re: The Med

 

The Med can fit the budget but with explosions in Turkey, sea-going refugees and shot-up beaches, security is an issue.

[ECocks]

Suggest you start your partner with a shorter, easier cruise than going clear to the Baltic.

 

Princess has several nice 7 and 10 day winter itineraries from Ft Lauderdale to St Thomas, St Martin, etc.

 

Yes and she was excited when we booked the Fantasy inaugural cruise from Mobile (Cozumel and Progresso), but.....

 

now we're honeymoon planning.