Need advice.

[leedixie]

My DH and I have never cruised before and are in our mid fifties. We are thinking about trying out a short 3-5 day cruise out of NOLA or Mobile (about 5 hr driving distance), going during the off season and getting the least expensive cabin. Is this a good idea for getting our cruising feet wet?;) The other option is just go for the whole enchilada and fly to Lauderdale or Miami and spring for a suite or balcony room. I just hate to blow that much money on something I haven't done before. Any ideas or advice will be appreciated.:) Thanks!

[Guest carlogesualdo]

I would do this. You'll probably want to spring immediately for the latter when you return from the former. But there's always the possibility that you'll hate cruising. There are those rare individuals who do. The cheapest time to go, in my experience is the first 2-3 weeks in December. But you could, if you wanted, go for an oceanview or even a balcony cabin on a 7-day out of Mobile or New Orleans. They'll be just as nice, I think, as anything you could get in Florida, but without the hassle of having to fly to get there.

[dna1990]

I obviously know nothing about you or your situation, jobs, kids, finances, etc.

 

But from a universal truth that I happend to subscribe to - is that there is no absolute for tomorrow. Go for the enchilada, with extra rice on the side.

 

There are a million choices, and none to say this one fits your bill better than the others - but look hard at a 7nt cruise, oceanview cabin on RCCL Jewel, or Serenade.

 

Our first were 3nt'rs. We found ourselves tired from trying to be sure and cram it all in. With 7nts, there is plenty of room for ice cream and lounge chair naps in between all the fun.

[leedixie]

Thanks a bunch for the quick responses. Quite different opinions.;)

[thegotogirl]

My DH and I have never cruised before and are in our mid fifties. We are thinking about trying out a short 3-5 day cruise out of NOLA or Mobile (about 5 hr driving distance), going during the off season and getting the least expensive cabin. Is this a good idea for getting our cruising feet wet?;) The other option is just go for the whole enchilada and fly to Lauderdale or Miami and spring for a suite or balcony room. I just hate to blow that much money on something I haven't done before. Any ideas or advice will be appreciated.:) Thanks!

 

Our first experience.....

7 years ago...DH wanted to go to Italy (not on a cruise), I wanted to go on a cruise, quick negotiation, and I booked the vacation (7-night RCCL round trip San Juan/Southern Caribbean). DH was not thrilled, concerned that he would not love cruising.......UNTIL the first day at sea....he was reading his book, sitting on our balcony, and looked up and said, "go book next year"....end of story. We now cruise all the time. Go for it .... get yourself a nice cabin, with a balcony if you can afford it, and begin the awesome experience of cruising. Here's a quick test....If you like going places, meeting wonderful new people, seeing new sights, eating, drinking, breathing, smiling, having fun, being treated like a queen (for a week), then you should enjoy cruising. If you don't like all of the above, stay home. End of test

(by the way...let us know how you like your cruise....we ALL know you're going)!!!

[cruiselover57]

My DH and I have never cruised before and are in our mid fifties. We are thinking about trying out a short 3-5 day cruise out of NOLA or Mobile (about 5 hr driving distance), going during the off season and getting the least expensive cabin. Is this a good idea for getting our cruising feet wet?;) The other option is just go for the whole enchilada and fly to Lauderdale or Miami and spring for a suite or balcony room. I just hate to blow that much money on something I haven't done before. Any ideas or advice will be appreciated.:) Thanks!

 

If you go off-season and the suite or balcony room is at a great price, go for it. If you're not sure, then just do the short one just as you said - get your feet wet. That's what I did for DH when we first met and he's loved cruising ever since (that was back in 1986)! Of course, he'll never outnumber me - I've surpassed him way too many times! LOL

 

Laurie

[Fredr]

Thanks a bunch for the quick responses. Quite different opinions.;)

 

Lee,

 

The 3 to 5 day cruises are too short and in my opinion at least, too much partying. Nothing wrong with this but you should experience cruising at its most interesting and romantic. Look at 7 day cruises from Fort Lauderdale, and get an oceanview cabin that are very nice but much cheaper than a balcony. Celebrity has a new ship, the Solstice, that sails from Fort Lauderdale and I suggest that you consider this ship for your first cruise.

 

Hope that this helps,

 

Fred

[LAMAX]

Try not to go out from New Orleans. Galveston is a real nice port. They have numerous hotels that if you spend the night before you can leave your car their for a week without having to pay them. I went on the conquest 2 years agho and loved it. In 59 days my husband and I are going on the valor out of miami. But as far as ports if you are looking for close do mobile or galveston. I think you would like the 7 day cruise better than the 5. Th3 7 day even goes by way to fast. But definately go on a cruise people just don't know what they are missing. best of luck.:p

[valancy1]

I haven't taken my first cruise yet (it's coming in a couple months), but here's what I've learned:

 

1. My travel agent says "book a balcony", but never cruise less than 7 days for your first cruise.

 

2. My friends (save one) have all cruised (and ALWAYS cruise) inside cabins and will only do that because they can cruise more *and* they say they are only in their rooms to change and sleep.

 

3. Because of the influence of CC, I now want to change my inside to a balcony because I think I could potentially see myself on a chair on my own balcony reading and enjoying time away from people. I don't know if I am going to be successful.

 

Varying opinions, but I think you have to just dive in, and learn from that first experience--whichever the case may be.

 

Please let us know what you do! I'm so excited about our first cruise, I can't STAND IT! :D

[ggprincess2004]

IMHO, first time, at least 7 days ( be prepared with anti-seasick meds just incase you find out either of you are not natural sailors), get a balcony cabin because you should try that experience and find out if you will use it. At the very least, you will have fresh sea air a few steps away anytime you want it.

The ambience of the shorter cruise does not give the best perspective on cruising.

I have cruised in inside, window only, balcony, mini-suite and suites. From a $$$ standpoint we usually find a balcony to be the deal for us....we tend to appreciate the balcony.

After you book, join your roll call on these boards, and have a great cruise.

Addiction is only moments away!:)

[NCTribeFan]

I disagree. I'd go with the shorter cruise with an inside cabin. Oh, that's exactly what I did on my first. But it was a 5-night, which I think are great.

 

I'm guessing you'll love cruising, but what if you don't? The price difference between a shorter cruise (I wouldn't do a 3 or 4 night though) and a 7 night, and the difference between an inside and a balcony can be enough to pay for a 2nd 5-night cruise once you're hooked!

 

I've had a balcony and loved it, but on a cruise with only 2 sea days, I sort of felt like it was a waste of money. In the future, I won't book one unless there are more sea days.

 

As someone who suffered from motion sickness (unless I started taking Bonine + Ginger last December), the inside, lower, midship cabin was better for me - much less movement.

 

You don't have to spend a fortune to fall in love with cruising. If cost is no problem, then go for it.

 

It depends on what you want from the cruise, though, too. I cruise as a means of getting to tropical islands to explore. The ship experience itself isn't all that important to me. But if that's why you want to cruise, then you need to look at the ships more than the itinerary.

[Clutterlady]

My advice is to try and avoid the short 3 day cruises. For the most part they are a party cruise and do be honest, it's very hard to get the real feeling of cruising in just a few days!

 

If possible, go for at least a 7 day cruise and a balcony. If you do some research, you will find some good deals on 7 day cruises which include a balcony.

 

Whatever you decide, have fun and I bet you'll be back:)

[Fredr]

Hello (again),

 

Lee,

 

My DW and I have had inside cabins, oceanview cabins, cabins with a balcony, junior suites with a balcony, and mini suites with a balcony. We have been on 24 cruises, including all of the major cruise lines except NCL.

 

From your post it seems that you want to try a cruise but not spend a lot of money on an experience that you really do not know what to expect. I admire this approach to researching cruises.

 

Based on my experience over 32 years of going on cruises, I repeat my earlier comments that an oceanview cabin is the best for you overall. These cabins cost considerably less than a balcony and yet you have a window that allows natural light in your cabin, and you can see the sunsets, going into ports and so on. Balcony cabins are very nice but in my opinion, a first cruise should not cost you a lot of extra money even if you can afford it.

 

A 7 day cruise on Celebrity's Solstice out of Fort Lauderdale, would be an excellent cruise for you. This is a new ship which will be well established by the time you sail and you will have a great time. The other cruise lines and ships are not in the same class as the Solstice in terms of food ,service, ambiance, and entertainment. If you and your DH were 25 years old, wanted to party hardy and didn't care about food and so on, the 3 -5 day cruises out of Galveston would be great but this is an entirely different situation.

 

Hope that this helps,

 

Fred

[cb at sea]

Realize that you get what you pay for. The cheapest interior room will be pretty small and cramped. Some don't mind it--for me, my accomodations can make or break my vacation! Aside from the space issue, you still get everything the larger cabins get--no "classes" in cruising!

What's important to you is what you need to decide!

[valancy1]

Realize that you get what you pay for. The cheapest interior room will be pretty small and cramped. Some don't mind it--for me, my accomodations can make or break my vacation! Aside from the space issue, you still get everything the larger cabins get--no "classes" in cruising!

What's important to you is what you need to decide!

 

I think the OP might want to look at state room size if that is an issue to them... I know Carnival's are quite a bit larger--185 sq ft v. 142 or sometimes less.

[Texaswinediva]

All the cruises I have been on have been 7 day cruises. I have had

an inside room once, an oceanview once, and the rest balcony rooms.

I would pick a balcony room if you can afford to. It is so nice to sit out

on the balcony in the morning with your coffee.

My first cruise was in 2000 with a group from my high school graduating class of 1965. We had a blast and now everyone has gone on several cruises since that time. We have had other class cruises and some have just cruised alone.

One of the classmates husband did not want to cruise and he certainly did not want to wear a suit or tuxedo. Well, to make a long story short,

on the second cruise he dressed to the nines in a nice tuxedo. Now he

is the one who makes all the cruising arangements and the couple cruise

2 to 3 times a year. If you mention a cruise, he will be there.

Personally, I think it is one of the best vacations anyone can take.

I know you will enjoy it no matter what length or what ports you go to.

Have fun!!!!:)

 

Kay

[GTO-Girl]

I was 50 before I took my first cruise. My biggest regret is that I waited so long. :eek:

 

We took a 7 day with a balcony so there's no turning back for anything less. We are absolutely hooked on cruising and hope to be able to do at least 2 next year.

 

I say go for the 7 day.....I would hate for you to take a 3 or 4 day and get stuck on a party ship and then have a tainted view of cruising.

 

Just my opinon......just be forewarned......you will be addicted just like the rest of us!!!!

 

 

Dianne

[Travalerie]

My advice is to try and avoid the short 3 day cruises. For the most part they are a party cruise and do be honest, it's very hard to get the real feeling of cruising in just a few days!

 

If possible, go for at least a 7 day cruise and a balcony. If you do some research, you will find some good deals on 7 day cruises which include a balcony.

 

Whatever you decide, have fun and I bet you'll be back:)

I AGREE!!!

[arlodog]

My DH and I have never cruised before and are in our mid fifties. We are thinking about trying out a short 3-5 day cruise out of NOLA or Mobile (about 5 hr driving distance), going during the off season and getting the least expensive cabin. Is this a good idea for getting our cruising feet wet?

 

This is the exact thing that we did for our first cruise! We booked a last minute cruise in August out of Galveston--it was cheaper than going to the lake for a week! We had an inside room on the 2nd level (we joked that we could help row if needed) and had a blast! We have now cruised 4 times and looking to book a couple of others. What we know now (that we didn't know then) is that room location is important to us. We still stay in inside cabins due to the cost (we would rather spend our money in port or in the casino/bars :p ) When you book if you stay lower and mid ship you will have less movement if you are prone to motion sickness. Look at the floors above and below you to make sure that you don't have a cabin directly under a nightclub or where you might be kept awake or wakened early by noise. We find cruising to be a very affordable way to see alot of new places and relax--go on the cruise you can comfortably afford and have a great time! If you enjoy it you can always go again and upgrade to a different port/ship!

[T-N-C]

Do you know what hotels will do this?

[T-N-C]

Try not to go out from New Orleans. Galveston is a real nice port. They have numerous hotels that if you spend the night before you can leave your car their for a week without having to pay them. I went on the conquest 2 years agho and loved it. In 59 days my husband and I are going on the valor out of miami. But as far as ports if you are looking for close do mobile or galveston. I think you would like the 7 day cruise better than the 5. Th3 7 day even goes by way to fast. But definately go on a cruise people just don't know what they are missing. best of luck.:p

Sorry still new to this, Anyway, can you tell me some of the hotels in Galveston that will allow you to leave your car?

[leedixie]

Everyone is so kind on this site to take time and provide their opinion about cruising.:) I think if we do take a short cruise first out of Mobile or NOLA, my DH and I are realistic enough not to expect a floating Ritz. It's amazing how two people can experience the exact same thing and one has a great time and the other is miserable. It's kind of like going to New Orleans - we never have a bad trip, but some people think it's the worst place in the world. We are planning a cruise with my son and his wife next May and will probably go for the suite and leave out of Miami or Fort Lauderdale (if flying is still affordable by then!). Unfortunately, my daughter-in-law can't leave her Vet practice long enough for a 7 day, so we will have to settle for a 5 day. Just thought it would be good to experience being on a boat for a short time first. Now I am having second thoughts. How far ahead would you recommend booking a cruise for next May, particularly if you want a suite or balcony room?

 

Thanks again!

 

Lee

[julieanne]

Well, I have to disagree with Debra's travel agent....Hubby and I are in our late 40's, my sister Laurie who chimed in up above, is 50. We're both in the double digits for cruises and we have done most in inside cabins. There are certain parts of the world where I wouldn't get an outside cabin, no less a balcony! We save the money to cruise more often, but if a great deal came up, I would definitely consider a better cabin. I do agree with Fred that for the 1st one, I would take the ocean view and I would do the 5 day. The 3 day cruises are just booze cruises and they can get pretty wild. Plus, for me, it just seems like you board, then you go home on a 3 day, much too quick!

If you're booking for next May and have a room preference (location, cabin number), then I would tell you to book it now as long as it is financially feasible. If fuel surcharges do increase, you're already locked in. If you want to gamble, May is not high season and you may see some price drops, but your cabin choices may be limited. Who will you be sailing with?

[chrisbd1]

I've heard wonderful things about the NCL Spirit out of New Orleans, just to add another option.

[Clutterlady]

Everyone is so kind on this site to take time and provide their opinion about cruising.:) I think if we do take a short cruise first out of Mobile or NOLA, my DH and I are realistic enough not to expect a floating Ritz. It's amazing how two people can experience the exact same thing and one has a great time and the other is miserable. It's kind of like going to New Orleans - we never have a bad trip, but some people think it's the worst place in the world. We are planning a cruise with my son and his wife next May and will probably go for the suite and leave out of Miami or Fort Lauderdale (if flying is still affordable by then!). Unfortunately, my daughter-in-law can't leave her Vet practice long enough for a 7 day, so we will have to settle for a 5 day. Just thought it would be good to experience being on a boat for a short time first. Now I am having second thoughts. How far ahead would you recommend booking a cruise for next May, particularly if you want a suite or balcony room?

 

Thanks again!

 

Lee

 

The 5 day choice is much better than a 3 day cruise! If you are looking at a certain cabin, espically a suite or certain balcony, I would book now if I were you:) Enjoy and please don't have any second thoughts!!