HM Help w/ cruises!

So, FH told me last night that he really wants to go on a cruise for the HM, instead of just going to an Island.

I'm doing some research online through AAA, but, there is so much I don't know.

We want to do Eastern or Southern caribbean..... preferrably out of S. Florida, but, are willing to go out of Puerto Rico. (We want to try for S. Florida because we would add a couple days to the beginning and drive down to Key West.)

I guess my questions are:

What ships do I avoid (I've heard Carnival)

Should we spring for a balcony, or is a room with a window okay? (I just don't want to feel like I am in a dungeon)

Are there certain parts (floors) of the ship to avoid staying on?

And, really, any other general information would be appreciated!!!

TIA

ETA: Do you need a passport for a cruise? I have mine, but, FH lost his.... and is clearly in no rush to get another one.

Thanks girls!

See, the thing is with the balcony... I'm not being cheap, we just LOVE to spend money.... so, if it's a matter of $200-$300, I'd go for the balcony, but, if it's a matter of $600 - $700, I might not.... .because I'd rather have it to spend on an Island!!!

FH and I have vacation spending problems..... seriously...... problems.

I've been on Carnival and Royal Caribbean and like RC a whole lot better. IMO - food and waitstaff is better.
I think for yor honeymoon, you should spring for the balcony! Rooms with and without window are tiny.
I believe the lower floors are more rocky.
We usually leave out of Miami or Ft. Lauderdale (the RC Key West, Cozumel, Cococay trip is fun) and even with airfare, you can find deals that are very affordable.

I've only been on royal caribbean. My friend and I took a 5 day cruise out of Miami(Majesty of the seas). We visited bahamas, coco cay and Miami.

We had so much fun. Since it was my first cruise, I was afraid I was going to get sea sick so I got a Oceanview stateroom (a large porthole) on the 8th deck. The room was not too small and it was cozy. The higher up you go the less rocky it would be. My friends and I did not spend too much time in the rooms because there is just so much to do and we spent the day on the islands. I hope this helps.

I'm looking into a RC... Adventure of the Seas... it looks beautiful, with a ton to do on board!

Oh, and, another question.... how are the casinos on board?

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Posted by AmandaLynn04

Thanks girls!

See, the thing is with the balcony... I'm not being cheap, we just LOVE to spend money.... so, if it's a matter of $200-$300, I'd go for the balcony, but, if it's a matter of $600 - $700, I might not.... .because I'd rather have it to spend on an Island!!!

FH and I have vacation spending problems..... seriously...... problems.

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You could find great deals booking online, using wholesale clubs too, sometimes booking through the cruise line is cheaper. You could also ask for an upgrade when you board the ship and say its your honeymoon, if the boat is not full to capacity they might upgrade you for a small fee.

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Posted by wo0shply

On our ship they had video and table poker. they even had poker classes!

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That's great!!! FH will DEFINITELY spend any days at sea playing poker....

I have been on Norwegian and RC and I definitely vote for RC. Also, try to get a bigger ship in general because there is more to do and the food is better and more of it. We went to Bermuda and it was amazing I would definitely splurge for the room with the balcony. Its your honeymoon! Since you will be spending time in the room you will want one bigger than the average size room on the ship which are small.

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Posted by kimNanthony
Since you will be spending time in the room you will want one bigger than the average size room on the ship which are small.

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True!

Take royal caribbean our of San Juan! There is nothing like the southern caribbean!! I took carnival out SJ, but thats because i was with a party crew... Def take RC instead because they def have better food than carnival... And also, its your HM... spring for the balcony!!!! You will appreciate it so much more

ETA: Use www.cruisecompete.com ... Online agencies compete for your biz and you get a few diff quotes through them

Go to cruisecompete.com I couldn't say enough about this site. Don't go through the companies!!! You'll get extras on this site since the prices are almost exactly the same for anywhere you go. We got an extra $300 onboard. Just make sure that they offer price changes if it goes down before sailing. Unfortunately ours hasn't yet and we have until Feb which is 3 months prior to sailing

I've done Norweigan, Carnival, and RC. Carnival has been my fave so far but our HM will be with RC.

IMO if its not a large $ difference between a balcony and outside, go for the balcony. For us it was over $2k difference so we just kept with outside. Everyone tells us it was a mistake since this is our HM but its a big difference.

They keep on changing the rules with passports so I think you DO need one for a cruise.

Ok, well first off the cruise lines. We've done Carnival and RC. For our HM we did Carnival again (since I've always loved it) but I have to say, this time I was VERY disappointed. They've lowered their standards by a lot lately. So, im going to say go with RC. Their ships are nice and theres always a lot to do on them.

Staying in the middle of the ship is the best. If you have a room at either the front or the back, you'll feel the boat move more. Also, if you stay at the front of the ship you'll hear them drop the anchor at each port and its LOUD.

Definately splurge for the balcony. I've stayed in 3 balcony rooms and 2 window rooms. You just cant compare the two -- its soooo nice to sit out and have breakfast or champagne on your balcony and you get a much nicer view of the ports when you dock.

I dont recommend staying on the deck right underneath the pool because you'll hear constant running and dragging of pool chairs all night. The deck below that is nice though or the Spa Deck is also a great deck to stay on.

I use 1-800-cruises (www.cruisesonly.com) to book my cruises -- they have great deals.

You DO need a passport to travel on a cruise as of Dec. 2006.

The casinos on board are really fun and the dealers are pretty good usually. Most of them are really funny and nice...once in a while you'll get a bad dealer where you'll just have to change tables b/c everyones loosing.
DH and I were in the casino EVERY night on our HM. We won enough to cover some spending money. Also, the shopping deals on the cruise are awesome. wait until the very end of the week to do your onboard shopping -- everythign goes like 50% off. And definately get alcohol. DH and I went to a liquor store in Grand Cayman and got $75 of liqour that would have cost us over $300 here in the US.

Thanks so much!!

I really appreciate all of the help.... I have a lot of research to do!!!