Questions about first cruise

[jujubean101]

About Us

We are in our thirties from Phoenix, Arizona. I am extremely frugal but, my husband and I are coming into a bit of money in 2009. We enjoy traveling but we have different styles. I like to experience as much as possible and he would like to relax a little more. We have never cruise before and I really did not think it was for us until I read these boards.

 

About Our Traveling Party

We have two children (5 and 10) who have traveled internationally and are well behaved and really enjoy traveling. We would also like to take my parents (they live less than 2 miles from us) with us (52 and 53). They are fun and we spend a lot of time with them. I have inherited my father's frugal nature and I know he will have a hard time accepting this (he doesn't know anything about it) but my mother is totally excited.

 

A little background information

I first told her that I wanted to send them to Alaska as this has been a dream for them. She seemed uncomfortable with them going alone on their first cruise as my father will grumble about the price of EVERYTHING no matter who is paying.

 

What we are thinking

The solution is for us all to take our first cruise together and if they like it send them to Alaska later. The itinerary is not too important. It is just to get our feet wet. My husband does not have a lot of vacation time and our volunteer work makes it so that we need to take one week of vacation and then be done with it. (i.e taking a few short weekend trips will not work as we do not have weekends free for the most part) I know little about cruising except what I have read on this site which has been very helpful but it seems a lot may be subjective.

 

My Questions

I am wondering if we should book the GV or two smaller suites like a CV for us and an AA for them. Togetherness is not the problem we have traveled together many times even staying in a Jamaican villa together two years ago. The problem will be in what extras have to be paid for. My dad will not have a good time if he feels nickel and dimed even when we are paying for him. The more perks the better to help him relax and just enjoy. My parents have worked hard and I really want to bless them.:o

 

We are not too into the idea of Mexico but we are also not against it. We have just live in Phoenix our entire lives and Mexico is not exactly an exotic vacation. I am thinking it would be easiest to do Mexico because of our proximity to those ports. (This would mean less travel time to port which for the first cruise would be a plus.)

 

Any advice would be helpful and appreciated. Thank you.:o

[klct39lg]

Hi Jujubean101 and Welcome to Cruise Critic!:)

 

First off, my father-in-law is very tight with money... maybe that's why he has a bunch.:D Anyway, I totally understand how listening to someone comment on the price of everything is stressful. Dining out with him is NO fun.

 

As for advice...read the FAQ's at the top of the cruiseline forum in which you are interested. This will give you lots of info about that line, and will help clarify some of the jargon you will read in posts and threads. Another very helpful area, is the Cruise Discussion Topics forum on the main message board, you will find forums like: cabin selections, first time cruisers and ask a cruise question.

 

Typically, items not included in the cruise price are: excursions, alcohol, casino, tips, speciality restaurants, photos and bingo.

 

We are a family of 4 and our first cruise was with Disney and it was wonderful. Second cruise was with Princess and was also very enjoyable. Our third cruise we will be with NCL in the spring and we cannot wait.:D

 

I hope this is helpful to you. :)

[chiapet]

After doing all your research (on CruiseCritic of course ;) , you could talk to a TA too if want a live person to talk to ... look for one that specializes in cruises (w/o booking, cancel, etc. fees ... if possible). Good luck!

[nets33]

Most cruise lines have opportunties where they will charge you for the "extras". They would include items such as:

- bingo

- Speciality restaurants

- shore excursions

- casino

- spa treatments

- soft drinks

- alcoholic drinks

 

If you compare a cruise with most vacations I find it much more economical than a land based vacation. My crusie fare includes:

- Cabin on the ship

- All the food I could ever want to eat, including room service

- Coffee, tea, water

 

I've never felt nickled and dimed while on a cruise. I make my choices on what I prefer to spend my money on. I enjoy a beer or wine and don't worry about the cost. I have done excursions through the ship, booked my own or simply walked around the port towns.

 

If you and your group enjoy different things I think you will enjoy crusing. Pick a cruise that has a good mix of days at sea (for your husband) and ports of call (for you).

 

If you get seasick be sure to bring something - if you're not sure if you get seasick bring some just in case. :)

 

Enjoy!

 

Kiks

 

P.S. Did an Alaskan cruise a few years ago and LOVED it! My friends and I were in our early 30's at the time and were some of the youngest on the ship. I would do Alaska again in a heartbeat.

[jujubean101]

Thank you very much for your replies. As soon as transfers are made we will be ready to find our cruise. :p

[ssolomon56]

Welcome to cruising!

 

In reading about your cruise interest, it struck me as interesting that your parents are roughly the same age as my husband and I (we're 51 & 57) and for some reason the plans you're making (etc.) seems more in line with the ones I'd make for MY parents who are in their 80's.

 

Cruising should fit right into your "frugal" way of life. I tend to be similar in nature. Truely, you could have a perfectly wonderful vacation without spending another dime other than what the cruise costs you and the $10. per person (per day) that they estimate for tips. Also, I would suggest two cabins next to each other - you really don't need to spend the insane costs for a suite. And, you can really save some money by getting inside cabins. You have to ask yourself the question "does having a window justify a total cost of an extra $600?" (or whatever it is). Sometimes it's only going to cost an extra $50 per person...but still - if that's for 4 people that can be expensive. Also, a HUGE cost factor is the shore trips. We've often rented a car in the various ports of call and got a good tour book and saw things that way. We rented a jeep in Cozumel for $30 for the day - it sat 6 people too!

 

You might want to consider a short 4 day cruise for your first one though. You can get some great deals on them, and it will give you a taste of the experience without committing too much time and/or money.

 

Enjoy!

[odblnt]

Depending on how close you want to be and if the courtyard pool isn't that important, think about an AB Penthouse with connecting AF mini-suite. If on the Pearl, though, make sure you get the very front AB on the port side or most any on the starboard side. (There are "issues" with the exercise equipment in the gym.)

 

Pete

[okfarmerswife]

My husband and I are both frugal however we have learned the importance of needing to get away, relaxing, and basically see some of the great, beautiful world outside of Okla.! I've had to remind him often that it doesn't do us any good to die with money! ;) I can't really help you with your cabin questions. If it's not important for you and DH to have some privacy then it would be ok to all stay in one suite. I did want to encourage to to make this first cruise a cruise to Alaska. It's awesome and your kids will enjoy it as well. My youngest was 6 when we went and she loved it. If you're talking about taking one soon then the Alaska season for this year is about over.

I hope you're able to get your dad in the spirit of things and enjoy the trip wherever you go!