Our next cruise dilema ... Help and suggestions, please!!!

[paroyalcruisers]

Well my wife and I just returned from a 3-nighter on SOS to the Bahamas, and it only whetted our apppetite for cruising.

 

Our first cruise was last May, our 4th year anniversary, aboard the Grandeur from Baltimore to the eastern Caribbean. Nine nights. We loved it.

 

This past cruise was just a little too short for us, so now we want to start planning something else.

 

We're from Central PA and we've found a Southern Caribbean cruise, 12 nights in March for $1,469 each, interior cabin. It includes a AAA escort, similar to the one we had last May. We enjoyed that because we got to know the 12 other couples that went along with the group (and enjoyed a cocktail night, champagne in the cabin and other little perks). The other big bonus is the transportation. We only have to drive an hour and a half to the York AAA office, then motorcoach to the port for departure.

 

This is what we've been looking at, but now we're thinking "We've been to a few of those places already, is there anything else we're not thinking of."

 

My wife thought of Hawaii. Now that sounds like fun. I did a little research and discovered that only one cruise line operates within Hawaii and that RCCL only departs from somewhere stateside and cruises to the location and back. We'd like to stick with RC on this because we're using the RC Visa card and would like the double points; however, we've never been on another company's ship.

 

Boy, any help here would be great. We want to do something in the first six months of 2009.

 

Thanks in advance

[sailawayjack]

:cool: After looking at the RCCL itinerary for the 12 night cruise that you are checking out, I would consider the following things:

1. Do you plan on going with a large group again?

2. Is price an issue with the people you are going to sail with?

3. The price is reasonable for a 12 night cuise, especially with no airfare.

4. You have two days at sea coming and going. In March, leaving from NJ, I doubt that you are going to be spending much time during those four days (Maybe 1) hanging pool side. That means time inside during the day. What are you going to do??

5. Even if you duplicate a previous port stop, there are many things to do that you did not do the first time. Use your imagination.

6. If price is not an issue, the world is yours. But Hawaii is not one of my choices after 10 cruises. Too many stops in Caribbean with less flying time, and cheaper. Bermuda is availavable from the East Coast with no airfare.:cool:

[lv2cruisgrl]

This is what we have planned for next Spring, maybe you would enjoy this one.

Out of NJ - 13 night 4/26 – 5/7/09

San juan

St Thomas

St marten

Roseau, dominica

Barbados

Antigua

St kitts

Tortola

[barbarah33]

I totally understand your wanted to stick with one cruise line. How about a cruise in the Caribbean? They are always nice, pretty much guaranteed to be good weather and you can pick one going to places you have never been to before. Beside, getting to Florida isn't too rough I wouldn't think. (I know it's easy from Boston so I am thinking you won't have a problem.)

[Imasealuvr]

Well my wife and I just returned from a 3-nighter on SOS to the Bahamas, and it only whetted our appetite for cruising.

 

Our first cruise was last May, our 4th year anniversary, aboard the Grandeur from Baltimore to the eastern Caribbean. Nine nights. We loved it.

 

This past cruise was just a little too short for us, so now we want to start planning something else.

 

We're from Central PA and we've found a Southern Caribbean cruise, 12 nights in March for $1,469 each, interior cabin. It includes a AAA escort, similar to the one we had last May. We enjoyed that because we got to know the 12 other couples that went along with the group (and enjoyed a cocktail night, champagne in the cabin and other little perks). The other big bonus is the transportation. We only have to drive an hour and a half to the York AAA office, then motorcoach to the port for departure.

 

This is what we've been looking at, but now we're thinking "We've been to a few of those places already, is there anything else we're not thinking of."

 

My wife thought of Hawaii. Now that sounds like fun. I did a little research and discovered that only one cruise line operates within Hawaii and that RCCL only departs from somewhere stateside and cruises to the location and back. We'd like to stick with RC on this because we're using the RC Visa card and would like the double points; however, we've never been on another company's ship.

 

Boy, any help here would be great. We want to do something in the first six months of 2009.

 

Thanks in advance

 

DH and I have live in NE PA and have driven to Bayonne to cruise for a 5 day Canadaian cruise, and also did a Caribbean 9 day on Explorer that included Bermuda (loved it there) and the Caribbean. I found that booking myself thru RCI, perhaps (with a past guest discount thru C&A) is less expensive than AAA.

 

Try checking other online sites and you may find the prices more reasonable, and they often give "bonuses" as incentives.

 

We have also found that May cruises tend to be a bit less expensive.

 

You can drive to Boston, Philly, Norfolk. Look for anything leaving thru these ports.

 

Just please, search, search, search. Sign up for the email notifications with the online sites and check the deals here on CC.

 

GOOD LUCK!

HAPPY SAILING!!!