Help quick! Mother's day present E. Carribean/Hawaii/Alaska?

[Spoiled Suite Brats]

We need help trying to decide what cruise to take. We are looking at taking a 7 day (unfortunately can’t be any longer) in Jan or Feb 2010. Ideally looking around 1/22 as this is my birthday but not completely necessary as there are others involved so we are flexible on the dates. We want to take one at this time of year as it will be a nice break during the winter. We have narrowed it down to either the eastern Carribean or Hawaii. We are leaning towards the eastern Carribean as we went to western in January this year and DM has always wanted to see Miami in person (not quite the same as watching Miami vice and CSI).

 

I know there are no guarantees but what would you say are the best chances of good weather for either location. We found out that we like snorkeling while on our cruise and would like to do this again. Mom who will be 77 won’t snorkel and isn’t able to walk around too much but will be perfectly happy sitting on a beach sipping a drink with an umbrella (who knows she might even have two!) She’s not a big drinker but if she see’s someone trying to take off with her drink she just might use her cane for something other than walking! I have seen on here where some have said that the water in E/C is cold at this time of year. Is this true as we thought it was quite nice when we were in Belize this year – is there that much of a difference in water temperatures?

 

One last thing to complicate things a little more, should we instead go to Alaska this summer either July or August? On one hand I think that we should stay with the winter break next year as it really does help to get through the winter. On the other hand I have always wanted to see Alaska and may cost more and have fewer ship choices if we don’t go this year?

 

Which should we choose and why?

 

Please help as we would like to book this week and present her with a mothers day present.

 

Thanks for all your help.

[Ms belp]

I would choose the Eastern Caribbean as it is a Mother's Day gift and your mother has always wanted to see Miami, plus it WILL make the winter a little easier to take. You and the others will have plenty of time to take the other cruises.

[Ms belp]

The Pearl has a 7 day round trip Miami departing on January 23rd, you could spend your birthday in Miami. It goes to Samana, St. Thomas, Tortola, and Great Stirrup Cay (NCL's private island). Your mom should enjoy that!:D

[Don Haynes]

If you want to do Alaska, this is the year. Next year many of the cruise lines are pulling ships out of Alaska, and I expect prices will rise. The cruise lines are pulling ships out because Alaska voted increasing the head tax $50 per person along with a cut of their casino earnings. With a strong economy the cruise lines could pass this tax on the passengers, but with the downturn of the economy cruise lines are more or less eating this tax which effects their bottom line.

 

While everyone enjoys a warm vacation cruise during the winter, they will still be around next year. I would go with Alaska this year..... Those Alaskan ships being pulled will have to show up somewhere, and where they show up will drive their prices down next year, hopefully.

 

No doubt about it, this is the year to cruise. Prices haven't been so low for quite some time. Which cruise you pick will be up to you.

[electricron]

Do you have the slightest idea what your mother might prefer?

Then that's the cruise to book.

[judyf]

Sounds like it might be a Mother's Day present and birthday present for you too.

 

Go with what you really want to do and also what your Mom REALLY wants to do.

 

I voted for hawaii as it's special and it you and your Mom have hever been that would be my first choice and then Alaska.

[SandyCheeks]

I have been to all of the locations mentioned, and Hawaii is the nicest (IMHO).

 

My Grandmother went with us on trips/cruises to Hawaii, Mex. Riviera, East/West Carib. and Alaska while she was in her late 70's and early 80's and liked Hawaii the most also.

[Spoiled Suite Brats]

Hi and thank you all who have voted so far. The more I thought about this the more I think it is now only between eastern Carribean and Hawaii for the following reasons.

 

While everyone enjoys a warm vacation cruise during the winter, they will still be around next year. I would go with Alaska this year..... .

They will be there but mom is 77 and I hope she lives to 100+ but at her age you never know.

 

I would choose the Eastern Caribbean as it is a Mother's Day gift and your mother has always wanted to see Miami, plus it WILL make the winter a little easier to take. You and the others will have plenty of time to take the other cruises.

You are absolutely right even though I know she would love Hawaii... Miami might be on her bucket list.

 

So what I would really like input for is regarding weather and water temp. for snorkeling or just sight seeing. Suggestions on things to do in ports and any other info. that would be useful.

 

Thanks again.

[travelteach326]

I vote for Hawaii. We just returned from the POA last month. We had such a wonderful time.

 

Check out the reviews for the POA. I cannot wait until we go back again.

 

The ship, staff, service and even the food was super!

[Blue Hen Mom]

I know this was not an option but this past march we took our family and went to the southern carribean on the jewel. It was such an awesome time! We snorkeled with sea turtles in barbados, horseback riding in antigua, went to "The Baths" in toratola, Kayaked in Samana and just had the best vacation ever! It was very relaxing!

[electricron]

They will be there but mom is 77 and I hope she lives to 100+ but at her age you never know. Thanks again.

 

All the more reason to cruise this summer instead of next winter. You know how healthy she is now, can you say the same for 6 months from now?

[surroundedbyboys]

If your mom loves scenery and peace, Alaska is wonderful. I took my mom on 2 Alaska cruises before she died suddenly at 67. Those cruises were the highlights of her life. You would DEFINITELY want a balcony and warm clothes. We spent a lot of time on that balcony with binoculars searching for whales.

 

It is breathtaking and there are many excursions suitable for older folks.

[Ms belp]

His Mom wants to see Miami and the present is for Mother's Day. That makes the choice easy if you read OP's original post, which others obviously have not, or do not care what DM wants to do.

[Ms belp]

Hi and thank you all who have voted so far. The more I thought about this the more I think it is now only between eastern Carribean and Hawaii for the following reasons.

 

They will be there but mom is 77 and I hope she lives to 100+ but at her age you never know.

 

You are absolutely right even though I know she would love Hawaii... Miami might be on her bucket list.

 

So what I would really like input for is regarding weather and water temp. for snorkeling or just sight seeing. Suggestions on things to do in ports and any other info. that would be useful.

 

Thanks again.

 

Tonight when I logged on they were featuring Eastern Caribbean cruises and offered 77 reviews I believe. Just the picture alone made me long to go back. It is less expensive than Hawaii, since you are traveling with siblings it sounds like and you will find plenty to do. Check out NCL's website for shore excursions. I'm glad you want to give your Mom such a great present for Mother's Day!:)

[Ms belp]

OP, I had to ask what a bucket list was as I had no clue. If that is on her list, you MUST do it for her. I have found in 53+ years that what people "think" you will like, you may not. If you have your heart set on something, and someone else decides they know better, it often leads to disappointment.

[Spoiled Suite Brats]

Thank you all for your votes and comments.

 

I will say that I'm glad that I did the poll to help me decide but in the end I have decided to go against what it says. The real help came from the comments which made me really think of what is best for her. I wouldn't want to post all of the reasons as that would be too lengthy and wouldn't mean anything to all of you. It just gave me the right focus.

 

So needless to say we are going against the polls results and are going to the eastern carribean. I know she will have a great time! :D

 

Thanks again.

[surroundedbyboys]

Spoiled suite: Have an awesome time! I think whatever you do you will love it and be happy to have that memory with your mom.

 

MSBELP- I offered my opinion based on the fact that it was a poll. When I answer a poll I don't give the answer that may seem obvious (to some), but weigh in with information that may be helpful to make an informed decision. Since Alaska was mentioned in the original post, I answered that based on my experience.