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Cruise Newbies (long)
Hello!
I'm looking for some advice. DH and I are looking to go on our first cruise in mid to late November or early December. I've been looking around and trying to decipher which cruiseline to go with and whether we are getting a fair price, etc. So I'm reaching out to any veterans that can help! 
We are trying to keep it somewhat budget friendly (spend $1200 to $1500 on booking the cruise) and would want a place that we can easily drive to (Tampa, New Orleans, Galveston, but open to flying if need be). I would really like to go on one that sails to Aruba and Curacao, but finding those are a bit more than we are wanting to spend right now.
So for those who have cruised before, is there a cruiseline that you recommend? One to stay away from? DH and I would ultimately like a ship that has quite a bit to do, visits great places and if possible, not so many kids.
We've been looking at Eastern and Western Carribean cruises. Is there one over the other you prefer? DH is thinking he would like the Western Carribean better (Belize, Roatan, Cozumel). I just want one with beautiful white beaches and clear blue water and perhaps some history or neat places to go within the country.
Finally, in pricing out the cruise, I'm wanting to spring for a balcony which I've seen range from $550 to $1000 or more for a weeklong cruise. Would you say $600 to $700 is a fair price? I've been looking on the various cruiseline websites, CruisesOnly, and Costco. Any other sites you would recommend or stay clear of? Would you recommend booking now or waiting last minute?
Any additional advice/tips are greatly appreciated.
Thanks for helping these newbs!
Re: Cruise Newbies (long)
My Favorite cruise line is Celebrity. they are a little pricier for the most part but you can get deals, too. I have gone on Royal Caribbean and Princess each once and really liked those too. I have gone on Carnival a few times, too and they are OK but I like others better, you may get the best price with them.
I really want to do Southern Caribbean, too but most of those leave from San Juan. There are Princess ones that leave from Ft Lauderdale but not sure if that is an option for you now.
A good thing about the Western Caribbean cruises is that they frequently leave from Galveston and New Orleans. We did a Western one on our Honeymoon and it was really nice- it was the Princess one, the Grand Princess. We went to Cozumel, Grand Cayman and Costa Maya. Could take or leave Costa Maya but really liked the other 2, would go back to either or both of those.
You should be ok as far as kids for the times you are going, you may see some but not many as long as you don't pick Thanksgiving week. There are more kids during the school holidays.
Royal Caribbean probably has the most actual things to do on the ship but they are all good for things like service, good food and relaxation.
Don't know much about the sites to book them, we usually used Travel Agents or the cruise line themselves, although if you have a membership to AAA they have a lot of travel deals.
The only cruise DH and I have been on was a 7-day/7-night Western Caribbean cruise on Royal Caribbean. We LOVED it! It was in 2005, so some things may have changed, but I'll answer your questions as best I can:
- First of all, definitely spring for the balcony. We had one and loved it. Every morning we ate breakfast out there overlooking a different island. So worth it.
- DH booked the trip and I'm not sure what site he used. If I had to guess, he probably got a military discount through RC.
- We lived in TX and our cruise left from Port Canaveral, FL. We drove to Fort Benning GA, stayed 2 nights with his parents, then drove to FL the morning of the cruise, and did the same on the way back. But RC definitely has cruises that leave from Galveston.
- Ours was Western, so we went to Haiti, Jamaica, Grand Caymen, and Cozumel. In Haiti and Grand Caymen we did beach days. If you do RC and go to Haiti, do the 3-hour Malfini Beach excursion. 20 people on a private beach with a private bar. That was our favorite day.
- The ship we went on was Mariner of the Seas, which was one of the largest, if not the largest, of RC's fleet at the time. There was so much to do, but we honestly didn't care. We didn't do the shows, the casino, or the spa. We did a lot of wine tasting and walking around, some nightclubs, ate at the different restaurants, pool time, and the rock climbing wall. I felt like we had plenty to keep us occupied.
- Kids weren't a problem. During the days we were at port we were on the islands, not on the ship anyway. There are adults-only cruise lines but they are VERY expensive.
Hope some of that helps.
DH and I just got back from an Alaskan cruise with Holland America and it was wonderful! Before the hubby, I went on a cruise with my girlfriends to the Western Carribean with Carnival and loved it! In Belize we went and saw the ancient Mayan pyramids-long bus ride but well worth it! In La Isla Roatan we did a beach day and swam in the beautiful water-the only issue we had were the sand fleas but we were directed to a nearby shop to get some cactus juice which did wonders! In Grand Cayman we went snorkeling near some sunken ships which was really cool and great for underwater pictures. In Cozumel, we rode on a ship with a glass bottom which was ok but we wished that we had gone snorkeling there too. We were in Cozumel during the night too so we went to Carlos n Charlies-good times!
I honestly forget how much I paid for the Carribean cruise and the Alaskan cruise is def more costly but $600-$700/person sounds good for a balcony for what you are looking at.
Holland America had less kids but we also went during the school year so if you guys go in early December you should be good b/c most kids will be done with Thanksgiving break and not out yet for Christmas break.
For our Alaskan cruise I used cruisecritic to research ideas.
Good luck and happy planning!