To those that have gone on cruises...

[Cuda1447]

My fiancee and I are trying to save money on our honeymoon, as we want to buy a house soon. Rather than spending $3000 going and staying in the Bahamas for a week or so, we decided we'd tried to cut our spending down a bit. I've heard a lot about cruises and since we live in Tampa there are quite a few ports nearby that we could get to easily (meaning no plane tickets).


I don't really drink, my fiancee may just a little bit. We both have really enjoyed vacations we've taken that are nature driven. Skiing, white water rafting, hiking etc... Because of this my fiancee is a bit concerned that we won't enjoy a cruise as we will be on a ship all day and when we do go to certain ports we will be on a time limit so we won't be able to really do what we want. I'm not entirely sure this is true.


I really like the idea of not having to pay for food and what not. Free entertainment on the cruise ship and from what I understand there is a lot to do. But I also am concerned if it could be a romantic type, while still enjoyable honeymoon. I know a lot of singles go on cruises and its like a big party. I'm not really interested in hooking up with other people on the cruise .

So those that have gone, do you think it'd be a solid honeymoon on a budget? Maybe upgrade the standard room to something nicer?

 

[Jeeebus]

we did a cruise for our honeymoon, but it was outside the budget you're looking at (Tahiti cruise). You can definitely do a cruise for your honeymoon... I'd just avoid some of the shorter Caribbean cruises that tend to attract families/college kids (which is also affected by when you're planning on going on the cruise).

My advice would be to take a Southern Caribbean cruise... either leaving from Miami/Ft Lauderdale or San Juan.

 

[Cuda1447]

We will be going in March.

 

[MrChad]

We went on a cruise for our honeymoon. Most decent itineraries will involve less time at sea and more time at ports of call. There are plenty of things to do at the ports of call, but the prices of excursions can definitely add up quickly.

In terms of atmosphere, it depends on the cruise line. I've heard the Carnival is much more of a single/party type atmosphere. We went on Royal Caribbean, and it was much quieter / family oriented.

 

[darkxshade]

Don't forget to bring a peg leg to blend in with the pirates when they board the ship.

 

[Poulsonator]

Cruises are pretty cool. I've been on a few, and enjoyed myself each time.

However, each time I eventually felt 'trapped'. Like you said, there are indeed a lot of things to do (I entered a doubles ping pong tournament and finished 2nd to two kids who SMOKED us), but you do those things quickly. Towards the end, I'm anxious to get off the ship. Like you, I'm not much of a drinker, and I didn't feel like pissing away my $$$ gambling. So two of the biggest attractions of a cruise were immediately gone. Ate a lot, played lots of Bingo, watched a show. Porting was awesome, seeing the islands was great.

I HIGHLY recommend you upgrade your room. I've stayed in the standard room, and while it was the best deal financially, EVERYONE else had the same idea. The kids (teens, young adults) ran around all hours of the night, and the walls are made of paper. It's hard enough to sleep with the movement of the ship on the waves; add in the extra noise, and it's impossible.

Without question, go on a cruise. See for yourself what it's like. Personally, I wouldn't do it as a honeymoon for the exact reason you've alluded to - 'it's like a big party'. Indeed it is, and you're surrounded by shipmates the whole time.

SO, maybe you go on this cruise, have a good time, and then down the road, after buying your house, you go on a REAL honeymoon. Just the two of you.

 

[lokiju]

Go down to Miami and take that fast ferry over to the Bahamas and stay at Atlantis.

I took a cruise to the Bahamas and for the cost of the cruise I could have just taken the ferry and paid for a room and had more time there and less time doing mindless shit on a boat full of strangers.

 

[Cuda1447]

Im open to ideas about just staying in the Bahamas for 5 nights or something. I just don't know where to look to find good deals on these things. If any has suggestions, please do throw them out.

 

[richardycc]

don't let the low price fool you, by the time you add the $10/day/ppl service charge, onboard charges, an avg cruise for 2 will cost you around $3000 and that's not staying in the most expensive room, so you might not save anything at the end.

 

[Asharus]

Cruising is fun, but I definitely wouldn't go on a Honeymoon Cruise. By the time everything adds up (excursions!), it will cost you close to that $3000 Caribbean Island Honeymoon.

 

[SagaLore]

Yes, as long as neither of you get motion sickness.

 

[rh71]

depends on if you do a lot of excursions and buy alcohol onboard... it can run above $2k easily. But yes, you can do it for a honeymoon. Even though it's only a few hours at a port, I think it's better than being at 1 place for a week.

BTW, http://www.travelzoo.com

 

[vshah]

be sure its not an ATOT cruise

 

[Cuda1447]

Thanks for the link Rh, seems like some good deals on there. Sandals looks nice and I've heard a lot about them. I'm a bit noob to this travel stuff, is it possible to just take a boat to the Bahamas rather than flying? Would that save a lot of money?

 

[Lola]

Originally posted by: Cuda1447
Thanks for the link Rh, seems like some good deals on there. Sandals looks nice and I've heard a lot about them. I'm a bit noob to this travel stuff, is it possible to just take a boat to the Bahamas rather than flying? Would that save a lot of money?

I will send you a PM.

 

[Mokmo418]

Too bad you're American, Cuba's really nice and cheap. But not worth the hassle.

 

[Cuda1447]

Originally posted by: Lola

Originally posted by: Cuda1447
Thanks for the link Rh, seems like some good deals on there. Sandals looks nice and I've heard a lot about them. I'm a bit noob to this travel stuff, is it possible to just take a boat to the Bahamas rather than flying? Would that save a lot of money?

I will send you a PM.

still waiting for that PM lola

 

[SAWYER]

We went on our first cruise and it's true what they say, you will be hooked after the first one! Cruises are the best bang/buck vacation out there. Cruises are packed with couples and you will not regret it. Yes the food is free but keep in mind you will get, on Carnival at least, 5 dollar per day per person tip fee added. We went on a 5 night in December and spent 1200 for 4 people! Also most ports will charge 75+ for parking while you are gone. We parked at a hotel a block away for 50, much better plus a free shuttle to and from port. Also check out cruisecritic.com, the message boards are an excellent way to get info.


And stay away from cruise booked excursions, you can do the same exact stuff for 1/2 or more cheaper on your own.

 

[DayLaPaul]

My old boss used to recommend cruises before marriage. If you can make it through a cruise together without wanting to kill each other, it was meant to be.

 

[JMapleton]

I personally don't see appeal of sitting on a boat and maybe stopping at island to swim in a beach for maybe a few hours. I need to be on the beach for hours on end.

 

[sdifox]

I could not stand the thought of being cooped up in a boat. I reluctantly went to a beach resort in Mayan Riviera (my wife's brilliant idea to go in the summer) and I actually managed to just chill at the beach. Found a palm tree and just napped under it. Of course I was underwhelmed by the whole beach thing since I grew up in Taiwan, it's a frigging island and beach is like every weekend. And every summer we fly over to Pescadores and chill in my grandma's house all summer so boats don't interest me all that much either.

Went to Chichen Itza and that was cool. Visited a nearby town and that was kindda ok too.

I would say vacation > cruise. But in your case I would head to mountains instead of beach. You live near the beach, there is no attraction there.

 

[Cuda1447]

bump

 

[zoiks]

You'll see a lot of old people and sagging breasts for sure.

 

[Lola]

Originally posted by: zoiks
You'll see a lot of old people and sagging breasts for sure.

Not true depending on the cruise line.

 

[Pepsei]

it's all fun and games until someone falls overboard. what a drag....the media attention is giving it more airtime then it deserves.