first timer ??'s

[bamn]

My DH and I will be celebrating our 20th anniversary the end of March and have decided to do something special. We are trying to decide between an all-inclusive or a cruise. We can only afford 3-5 days either way and I didn’t want to be away from the kids their entire spring break anyway. If we choose to cruise we are looking at a 4 day Bahamas or we found a 5 day Caribbean that stops at Jamaica which is a little more but that is where we were gonna do the all inclusive. I am leaning toward the all inclusive because it will be cheaper (drinks are included), less crowded with less kids and they seem so romantic. My dh seems to be leaning toward the cruise as everyone he has talked to that has done one recommends it. I am worried it will just be crowded and annoying. And because we can’t afford a balcony if we want to be alone we will miss the sights and sounds while stuck in our tiny little room. Eating when they say you have to eat is also a big turn off for me. And adding up drinks, tips and shore excursions it seems like it will break our budget. Anyway – I am wondering how late we can wait to book a trip leaving the last weekend in March and I am wondering if the windows in the oceanview rooms open.

[CaribbeanKim]

You did not mention whether you had a particular resort in mind if you were to decide on an AI...or where in Jamaica either...but I will give you what experience I have had on this subject.

 

For me to book a round trip flight from Atlanta to Montego Bay on Air Jamaica, and then stay at an AI for 5 days/4 nights came to roughly $1,600pp. Keep in mind, there were still additional expenses, such as tours & activities, souveneirs and tips. The main "plus" is that you have a chance to really spend some quality time there. For a 5 day cruise on Carnival, you can expect to spend roughly the same amount. That would include a balcony cabin, tips, and maybe even an excursion or two. You would still have additional expenses for gambling, photos, more excursions and souveneirs. The main "plus" on a cruise is that there is always something to do (it REALLY is a "floating city"!), and you'll visit several ports and have the experience of being at sea.

 

You see, it will all depend on what you really want out of this vacation, your budget, and the things that you wish to experience. I would take either trip again in a heart-beat!! Either way, I'm sure you will have a wonderful vacation...and Happy Anniversary!

[bamn]

THanks! We are looking at Ochi for AI, no particular resort in mind. When I priced checked for the cruise, and I have been doing a lot of price checking, just a 4 or 5 day cruise with air is about $2000. And that does not include a balcony. Then add in drinks, tips and excursions... Do you or anyone know if the windows open in the rooms?

[IslandCruiser87]

THanks! We are looking at Ochi for AI, no particular resort in mind. When I priced checked for the cruise, and I have been doing a lot of price checking, just a 4 or 5 day cruise with air is about $2000. And that does not include a balcony. Then add in drinks, tips and excursions... Do you or anyone know if the windows open in the rooms?

 

The windows do not open. You can get a porthole some have 2 in a cabin or a square shape window which is large and lets you have a nice view at a lower cost then a balcony. We usualy always choose an oceanview evertime we cruise except 1 time we got upraded to a balcony.

 

Lindsey

[CaribbeanKim]

I'm sorry...I neglected to get some other info from you that is important. Will you have to fly to a port if your cruise? Are you a Past Guest Cruiser w/Carnival? Do you prefer to book your own travel, or do you have a TA that you like to use?

 

I would call Carnival and talk to a PVP and tell them what you are looking for. They are very professional and will do their best to fit your needs. I looked at the Imagination (which sails to Ocho Rios) and there are suites available that have balconies - but depending on your budget, this may or may not work for you. Then call your TA and do the same with them. Both can (and will) figure in the additional costs of flights if they are necessary. Getting a quote from both sources is going to be the best way to narrow down your options in many cases. Sorry, I can't help much with resorts in Ocho Rios, as I stayed in MoBay at Half Moon and Wyndam Rose Hall Resorts.

 

Since this is your Anniversary, I can certainly understand how you want to make sure it's PERFECT!! (Any vacation in the Caribbean is bound to be fabulous!) Let us all know if you have any more questions and what your final decision is!

[98Charlie]

My DH and I will be celebrating our 20th anniversary the end of March and have decided to do something special. We are trying to decide between an all-inclusive or a cruise. We can only afford 3-5 days either way and I didn’t want to be away from the kids their entire spring break anyway. If we choose to cruise we are looking at a 4 day Bahamas or we found a 5 day Caribbean that stops at Jamaica which is a little more but that is where we were gonna do the all inclusive. I am leaning toward the all inclusive because it will be cheaper (drinks are included), less crowded with less kids and they seem so romantic. My dh seems to be leaning toward the cruise as everyone he has talked to that has done one recommends it. I am worried it will just be crowded and annoying. And because we can’t afford a balcony if we want to be alone we will miss the sights and sounds while stuck in our tiny little room. Eating when they say you have to eat is also a big turn off for me. And adding up drinks, tips and shore excursions it seems like it will break our budget. Anyway – I am wondering how late we can wait to book a trip leaving the last weekend in March and I am wondering if the windows in the oceanview rooms open.

Here are some things that you might want to consider in your evaluations.

 

• If you cannot drive to the cruise port, airfare is generally cheaper if you book on your own as opposed to purchasing through the cruise lines. When I check it's usually at least a $100 per person savings, sometimes a lot more.
  
• If you are considering Carnival, were you or DH in the military? 2 years active duty and an honorable discharge can get you a discount on some (not all) Carnival sailings. If you qualify there are also discounts on some lines for firefighters and police as well as military
  
• We love eating in the dining room. But, there is no rule that you have to. There will be a buffet open for each meal. The dining room will have open seating for breakfast and lunch. (There are some ships that do not open the dining room for lunch on port days.)
  
• Since you are looking at this March, you may want to check out last minute sales.
  

 

Good luck on your decision.

 

Charlie

[cb at sea]

For such a short trip, I'd go with the AI--you'll have much more actual time to relax and you'll get a better room for the money! (Ship's cabins are tiny, unless you want to pay more for something bigger!)

Save the cruise for a longer trip!

[Travel Angel]

For such a short trip, I'd go with the AI--you'll have much more actual time to relax and you'll get a better room for the money! (Ship's cabins are tiny, unless you want to pay more for something bigger!)

Save the cruise for a longer trip!

 

Have to vote for the cruise vs. AI on this one. AI vacation packages are not really a great value if staying less than 4 days.... the biggest draw to an AI is perhaps more privacy, of course the FREE DRINKS......but how much can you really drink. AI's are not what they used to be unless you go to the high end resorts. Best Bang for the $$$$ is on a cruise. Visits various ports of call, unpack once....enjoy the entertainment (far superior on a cruise IMHO), casino and the feel of the sea breeze at your face just makes for the purrrrrrrfect vacation !

[bamn]

Thanks for all the input. We do have to fly and that is a pretty big expense. I have checked online at discount places and through the cruiselines and to get what I really want will be above my budget but I am still looking. How late can I wait to book if I need to leave the last weekend in March. Will the deals get any better? We don't have a TA, I have never even been on a plane before. We always go someplace we can drive and do the go with the flow kinda vacation.

[Travel Angel]

Where are you flying out of ? What type of budget are you trying to meet ? Also, realize that you are looking to sail at spring break if you opt for the cruise idea and prices not only will be a tad higher at this part of the season, but more younger crowd (if that is an issue). Also airfare will probably be higher this time of year as well. Waiting till the last minute could backfire on you as most ships are sailing out at full capacity and the wait and see game could bite you back w/out any availability.

 

If you possibly could have planned this a tad earlier, you may have been able to capture lower airfares to your destination as well as lower cruise or resort costs.

 

Best of luck and we are all here to offer suggestions to you.

[sea_u_onboard]

There are ways to keep costs down. The Ports of Call boards here at CC are a great source of information. As someone else mentioned there are several eating choices and you will not lack in selection choices.

 

Let me clarify something (I'm sure if I'm wrong someone will correct me). Someone said you could get a balcony for that price. Most 4 and 5 day cruises are the smaller/older ships. In order to get a balcony on one of these ships you have to get a suite - definately not cheap. You will be able to find some last minute deals but then the airfare will be through the roof. I would be looking now. Try to see which port will be cheaper to fly into (include transfers/rental car/cab).

 

Check out the boards and check out my website - it's great for first time cruisers and will answer many questions that first time cruisers have. Go to www.seauonboard.com click on Cruise 101.

[bamn]

Well originally we had hoped to keep it around $2000. We were misslead by all those adv. you see offering cheap cruises. We will have to go over that now. Booking my own flight would be tricky if we leave on the 29th because we live in MI and flights get delayed and cancelled rather often due to weather so if the flight is delayed we could miss the cruise. But I think I will look into the RCL one. Why would that one be so much cheaper? We really didn't decide for sure to go out of MI for our Ann. until about three weeks ago and that's when we started looking. This will be the most we have ever spent on Vaca and we usually travel with 4. It's driving me crazy because I feel like I should be paying off bills instead. DH keeps saying it's our 20th and that only happens once.:rolleyes:

[lovesublime]

No one has mentioned this so I will. If you're looking to cruise end of March on a 4 or 5 day cruise you may not really enjoy yourselves. I'm talking about the spring break rowdiness. Do you want to be on a ship with a bunch of drunken college spring breakers? Just something to think about. I would recommend that you stretch your budget and do a 7 night, but if not then Norwegian has a 5 day out of Miami on the NCL Pearl-March 30 for $529pp.

 

I would also research cruising out of New York or San Diego. You may find the airfare cheaper. Maybe even try Galveston. Also, something else to think about. Consider flying in the day before your cruise just in case of weather issues and your flight gets cancelled.

[bamn]

Well I looked at trip smarter web site and according to them most colleges will be done with spring break by the time we have ours. They only list a dozen for the entire US. So that was a BIG relief. I was kinda worried about that. I know a lot of schools may have spring break then but that wont be so bad. I also looked at the Norwegian cruise and NCL wants to charge us $1000 for air! :eek: But because it leaves on the 30th we could fly on our own and head in on the 29th. We looked at flying in with carnival but by the time we have to add in a motel, taxies and transfers and we end up paying more than we saved flying in early. I guess with NCL we would be able to save though, I think $1000 is a little much.

[ehfl]

I would go with the cruise...yes you have to pay for drinks, but they are not wattered down like they are in the all inclusive packages.

 

Yes, shore excursions are extra, but unless you are going to sit at the resort pool all day, you're going to want to get out and about...it's going to cost a little extra whether on a cruise or at a resort. You can always do your own (taxis) from either ship or resort...no difference there.

 

Most cruise lines have programs for kids. One thing I commented on my last 2 cruises was that I NEVER heard any crying. True, with a resort, you will not have any kids, but I don't have any kids, and I did not find kids to be a problem on the cruise. They had their own pool...their own hangouts...their own game room, etc.

 

Yes, the rooms are small, but you won't spend much time there. There are plenty of places to see the sights from on board, and you can always find a quiet place (at least on RCCL) on deck. (Plus, the TV in the room has a view outside, so that can be your 'window').

 

You don't have to eat in the main dining room. There are lots of other venues to chose from, and you can eat whenever you want.

[KKB]

Unless you spring for Sandals or Club Med, which will cost you the big bucks, I would avoid AIs. We have friends who have done both, and have good things to say. But we have friends who booked an RUI AI (big name), and said the food was awful, the drinks were awful--even the bottled Corona!

 

I have only booked air once through cruise line, as we had to fly on embarkation day, and price was comparable to booking ourselves. Otherwise we always book ourselves and go in one day early. You are booking airfare last minute, which could jump the price. That being said, booking cruises w/in 6 weeks of sailing could save you big.

 

Generally there are lot of people on a cruise ship--but it is such a huge place, it rarely feels that way (except right before/after the big production shows, dinner sometimes, getting off/on at ports early/late in day). Several cruise lines have anytime dining, so you can eat when you want. The beauty of a cruise is that you can do as much or as little as you like, and basically spend as much or little as you like. There are many cozy private places on ships to enjoy couple time, inside & out, even if you don't have a balcony.

 

We have had 1 inside, 1 oceanview & 1 balcony. I just booked our next cruise inside...frankly, it is for sleeping, showering, & :>, IMO. I'd rather save my $ for drinks or casino! Bring own alcohol on board to save $ (Princess & DCL are OK w/ this); we bring Mountain Dew & Diet Pepsi, too, as cruises are Coke land. I find the shopping on ship and on ports to not thrill me...mostly overpriced or junk. (others feel very different). Spa is very overpriced...I can get the same at home for a fraction of the price w/ no hard sell on product.

 

Tough choice...maybe I will do some searching for ya...

[KKB]

I could tinker online...

[KKB]

AI...there is no way you can match the price of a cruise. 3 days at Sandals was on sale for HALF-PRICE for around $400+ pp. Plus air to a Caribbean island is going to cost you a good $500pp.

 

You can fly out of Detroit for a bit less than Grand Rapids, and flying into Fort Lauderdale is usually cheaper than Miami. You should be able to get air for around $300pp. The 2 Carnival cruises (Tampa/Miami) or the NCL leaving March 30 are definitely your best choices, the Carnival Miami cruise last choice as a bit more. I have not cruised either of these lines, so I have no opinion.

 

Cruise w/ taxes & fees is about $1200, flights about $600, hotel overnight $100-150, taxis, hard to say, $100 mas. So $2K is about right. Actually, flight & cruise are a tad higher than I usually pay. I just booked a 7 day Princess for $500 and $200RT on Midwest air. Those are excellent rates. But this is for Oct. Five day cruises typically run more per day than 7 day. And your flight is a tad high, probably because only 8 weeks out, but flights are running higher these days, and anything under $300 is pretty good, sadly.

 

Plan on $150 for tips. Some people spend just a few hundred dollars on a cruise, some several thousand. We usually spend $1000-1500 for a week. We drink, bingo, gamble, do a couple of excursions, buy a few pics. No shopping or spa. But it would be easy to spend less...bring alcohol, don't gamble, tour islands on your own, take your own pics, avoid shopping, no spa. PLENTY of things included in your cruise price to enjoy plenty w/o spending much $.

 

Good luck! (I do recommend a cruise; DH was skeptical for our first one, but he is as hooked as me now!)

[Princess117]

I'll admit, I've never been on a cruise yet. But, I live near a popular spring break beach. We won't go anywhere near the beach till after mid-April. From now till that time, it is once big frat party. I am assuming college and even High school kids would go on cruises for spring break. Maybe you could change your dates around till later on and find better rates and not risk having those pesky spring breakers around. I know it's not the actual date of your anniversary, but if you are going to spend all that money, I think it would be something to consider.

[bamn]

Due to the fact that I teach I need to keep vacations during school vacations. :( I looked at summer rates and they seemed higher. I think DH got sick of me looking for a better deal because yesterday he booked a 5 day out of Tampa on the inspiration. He took a free upgrade and we are in the very back of the boat on the empress deck. Hope it's on OK room and area. I found a flight that will get us into Tampa at around midnight and a motel with decent reviews for $70 so that won't be too bad and it leaves us some wiggle room incase of delays. We will however be scrambleing to get to the airport after work on Friday. It's a 3 1/2 hr drive from our house.

[bullydogsmama]

You are going to love your first cruise! One word of advice for the first timer. pile up all the clothes you THINK you are going to need to take on your bed. THEN put half of them back in your closet!:D

[pam_1024]

Thanks for all the input. We do have to fly and that is a pretty big expense. I have checked online at discount places and through the cruiselines and to get what I really want will be above my budget but I am still looking. How late can I wait to book if I need to leave the last weekend in March. Will the deals get any better? We don't have a TA, I have never even been on a plane before. We always go someplace we can drive and do the go with the flow kinda vacation.

We are sailing RC 3/31 through 4/04. I booked cruise, flight and hotel 2 weeks ago and all have gone up in price since then. The problem is it will be spring break week. prices just aren't going to be cheap. the oceanview room i booked has gone up almost 100 dollars pp. I'd book quickly if you want to do it the end of March.

[lovesublime]

Due to the fact that I teach I need to keep vacations during school vacations. :( I looked at summer rates and they seemed higher. I think DH got sick of me looking for a better deal because yesterday he booked a 5 day out of Tampa on the inspiration. He took a free upgrade and we are in the very back of the boat on the empress deck. Hope it's on OK room and area. I found a flight that will get us into Tampa at around midnight and a motel with decent reviews for $70 so that won't be too bad and it leaves us some wiggle room incase of delays. We will however be scrambleing to get to the airport after work on Friday. It's a 3 1/2 hr drive from our house.

 

Sounds great! I hope you both have a great time :)

[CaribbeanKim]

I think DH got sick of me looking for a better deal because yesterday he booked a 5 day out of Tampa on the inspiration. He took a free upgrade and we are in the very back of the boat on the empress deck. Hope it's on OK room and area.

 

You are going to have to send your DH to the front of the class!! ;) Do you know which cabin you have been assigned to yet? If so, you can go to Carnival's site and look on the deck plans to get a good idea of your cabin's location. Make sure you let us know how much you loved your cruise when you get back - I know you are going to have a fabulous time!!

[bamn]

Thanks for all the well wishes. I am sure we will have fun, how can we not!:D We leave in 4 weeks so I have a lot to figure out and do. :confused: