I really want to book a trip before our cruise to the southern Caribbean in Feb. 2016. I'm looking at Alaska, Caribbean and Bahamas. My wonderful hubby has always wanted to go to Alaska. However, it's pretty pricy not to mention flying into either Seattle, Vancouver or Alaska. I've also looked at the Bahamas, pretty inexpensive and the Caribbean.
I'm trying to watch the prices and see where we can cut down IF we can book another cruise. First, what's the best deals. Celebrity has the 4 perks you can choose from - a big perk when one includes free select drinks!
I'm a balcony snob. Can't help it, I love the breeze and ocean view. That being said, could I book an inside room so I could afford going on another cruise? ABSOLUTELY!! It would be different and I don't like the boxy feeling of it, but we have a grand suite booked for the southern Caribbean and we could certainly make it work.
Another way to save - cheap flight. Perhaps Spirit instead of Delta or American. I don't like their customer service...heck...what customer service? But I could do it to save money and be able to get to my destination.
Forego the pictures, souveniers,etc. UGH! I don't know if I could do that. I love the pictures, but if it means cruising vs. not cruising. OK! I can do that!
Specialty dining - It's not that expensive but it does add up over time. Eating only in the dining room and free venues wouldn't be tough at all. Easy peasy.
Drinks - c'mon now. Let's not get THAT drastic. Cutting down on the number of drinks would save money. We could do that right? We can do that. Yeah.
So there are ways to afford a cruise even if it's not what you normally prefer. Stepping on the ship makes all of the above so worth it, so why not economize and still enjoy an awesome cruise?
Happy sailing,
Mary
Showing posts with label #cruising. Show all posts
Showing posts with label #cruising. Show all posts
Wednesday, October 1, 2014
Thursday, September 11, 2014
To Pay or Not To Pay?
I remember when I first cruised and pretty much everything was included. (Not alcohol I don't believe.) Cruising these days brings a myriad of options. In the past you chose the itinerary and the ship. You chose what type of cabin you wanted. Now, the options on the cruise itself is stupefying.
Do you want to save money and eat in the included restaurants like the buffet or the main dining room or do you want to pay a stipend for a more intimate dining experience with attentive service? (Although, I love the servers in the main dining room, they have been more than attentive to me in the past.) You can choose from Teppanyaki on NCL where they chop and serve you at your table from the built-in grill. Or Chops on RCCL cruise line where you get melt in your mouth steaks. There is the Bayou Cafe & Steakhouse on Princess that gives you true "N'orleans" cuisine. See what I mean?
Perhaps you want to buy a drink package prior to your cruise? There are many offered, so what would you choose?
Photo packages are now offered as well as WiFi packages. Many options available.
The spa...oh the spa. Would you like to whiten your teeth, or a touch of botox or a massage or facial?
Do you want to order the Barbie package for a young lady in your party or champagne and chocolate dipped strawberries for your significant other.
What about the dolphin adventure or Dunn's River Falls? Shore excursions can cost a few dollars but are so often worth it. If you think otherwise, enjoy a stroll through the town or take a low fee walking tour.
No matter what, you have so many choices it can make your head swim. My advice? Start small. Do you want to save money to spend elsewhere? Dine in the included restaurants on the ship. Want to splurge? Choose a dining package where you can try all the (for a fee) restaurants on the ship.
Are you someone who has a mimosa or bloody mary at breakfast, a beer or two at lunch, three or four drinks by the pool, one at dinner and then more at night? Buy the drink package for goodness sake! You will save in the long run.
Remember, if it is something you would enjoy and you can afford, then book that spa visit, eat at a specialty restaurant, book a shore excursion and enjoy every minute. I know I do!
Happy sailing,
Mary
Do you want to save money and eat in the included restaurants like the buffet or the main dining room or do you want to pay a stipend for a more intimate dining experience with attentive service? (Although, I love the servers in the main dining room, they have been more than attentive to me in the past.) You can choose from Teppanyaki on NCL where they chop and serve you at your table from the built-in grill. Or Chops on RCCL cruise line where you get melt in your mouth steaks. There is the Bayou Cafe & Steakhouse on Princess that gives you true "N'orleans" cuisine. See what I mean?
Perhaps you want to buy a drink package prior to your cruise? There are many offered, so what would you choose?
Photo packages are now offered as well as WiFi packages. Many options available.
The spa...oh the spa. Would you like to whiten your teeth, or a touch of botox or a massage or facial?
Do you want to order the Barbie package for a young lady in your party or champagne and chocolate dipped strawberries for your significant other.
What about the dolphin adventure or Dunn's River Falls? Shore excursions can cost a few dollars but are so often worth it. If you think otherwise, enjoy a stroll through the town or take a low fee walking tour.
No matter what, you have so many choices it can make your head swim. My advice? Start small. Do you want to save money to spend elsewhere? Dine in the included restaurants on the ship. Want to splurge? Choose a dining package where you can try all the (for a fee) restaurants on the ship.
Are you someone who has a mimosa or bloody mary at breakfast, a beer or two at lunch, three or four drinks by the pool, one at dinner and then more at night? Buy the drink package for goodness sake! You will save in the long run.
Remember, if it is something you would enjoy and you can afford, then book that spa visit, eat at a specialty restaurant, book a shore excursion and enjoy every minute. I know I do!
Happy sailing,
Mary
Wednesday, September 3, 2014
Alaskan Cruise - Take a Break from the Sand and Sun!
I admit, I love the sand and sun. I love cruising to the Caribbean. It is vacation speak for relaxed. There is nothing better than flying to Ft. Lauderdale or Miami and walking off the plane to sunshine and balmy breezes.
So why do my thoughts turn to Alaska? It's on my hubby's bucket list. No doubt I would love it as much because the ship is my true destination. (Anyone else feel that way?)
Cruising from Seattle would be great as I've always wanted to spend a few day there anyway. Knowing I'd have to bring socks and shoes and a sweater or light jacket? Not so much. I live in the north woods of Michigan. I know cold better than most. We are here:
So why do my thoughts turn to Alaska? It's on my hubby's bucket list. No doubt I would love it as much because the ship is my true destination. (Anyone else feel that way?)
Cruising from Seattle would be great as I've always wanted to spend a few day there anyway. Knowing I'd have to bring socks and shoes and a sweater or light jacket? Not so much. I live in the north woods of Michigan. I know cold better than most. We are here:
However, this is a cruise that would make my hubby smile and I know the views would be worth every penny. Alaska is more expensive that the Caribbean so this would have to be planned in advance and saved for.
My aunt took this cruise last week on Princess Cruise Line and although it was her first cruise...ever...she absolutely loved it. Of course, she hasn't been to the Caribbean yet. (cough...my favorite...)
So - it has to be said that this is a viable location to cruise and therefore I will try it out. If you have already cruised to Alaska, what did you love about it?
Happy Cruising!
Mary
Monday, July 14, 2014
So you want to cruise?
As an avid cruiser....(cough...cruise addict) I enjoy helping the cruise world newbies. There's nothing better than sharing my love (cough...cough...addiction) of cruising with someone. I can get quite animated (cough...obnoxiously excited) talking about different cruise lines, cruise ships and ports.
It all depends on what you're looking for. Do you want to get your feet wet by taking a short cruise? Are you looking for a certain destination or do you want to go all out on a luxury cruise line?
Getting the best results is all about knowing what you want, and just as important, having realistic expectations. Don't expect perfection, although I have had perfect cruises; and don't expect doom and gloom either.
One of the most amazing questions that I hear is the worry of getting a)sick, b) stranded in the ocean, or c) gaining weight. Let's address those issues.
There is the possibility of getting sick anywhere you go. The Novovirus is not exclusive to cruise ships. It can happen wherever people gather in large numbers, however, a ship IS a closely-contained unit. That's why you will find hand-sanitizing stations all over the ship, especially in the dining room.
Getting stranded...I dream of getting stranded as long as there is water, food and air conditioning. Not the kind of Carnival Cruise Line fame with people being stranded with no toilets, not enough food, etc. That wouldn't be fun. The chances of getting stranded are so minimal it's laughable. Any time you travel you have the chance of getting stranded, but really, what are the odds? Not very high in my estimation.
Gaining weight. Now this is has a higher probability of happening. The food...oh the food! Not to mention the empty calories in alcoholic drinks. I recommend losing 5 pounds prior to the cruise. Then is you gain ten, it's not really that bad.
If you don't cruise for fear that "something" could happen, you will not experience the sheer joy of it. Cruising isn't for everyone but count me in. The best times in my life, I've had on the sea.
Happy cruising,
Mary
It all depends on what you're looking for. Do you want to get your feet wet by taking a short cruise? Are you looking for a certain destination or do you want to go all out on a luxury cruise line?
Getting the best results is all about knowing what you want, and just as important, having realistic expectations. Don't expect perfection, although I have had perfect cruises; and don't expect doom and gloom either.
One of the most amazing questions that I hear is the worry of getting a)sick, b) stranded in the ocean, or c) gaining weight. Let's address those issues.
There is the possibility of getting sick anywhere you go. The Novovirus is not exclusive to cruise ships. It can happen wherever people gather in large numbers, however, a ship IS a closely-contained unit. That's why you will find hand-sanitizing stations all over the ship, especially in the dining room.
Getting stranded...I dream of getting stranded as long as there is water, food and air conditioning. Not the kind of Carnival Cruise Line fame with people being stranded with no toilets, not enough food, etc. That wouldn't be fun. The chances of getting stranded are so minimal it's laughable. Any time you travel you have the chance of getting stranded, but really, what are the odds? Not very high in my estimation.
Gaining weight. Now this is has a higher probability of happening. The food...oh the food! Not to mention the empty calories in alcoholic drinks. I recommend losing 5 pounds prior to the cruise. Then is you gain ten, it's not really that bad.
If you don't cruise for fear that "something" could happen, you will not experience the sheer joy of it. Cruising isn't for everyone but count me in. The best times in my life, I've had on the sea.
Happy cruising,
Mary
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