Cruise liners.

[GG Allin]

Just went on one two weeks ago with the wife and kids. Really enjoyed it. Miami - Nassua - Coco Cay - Key West - Miami.

[malmos911]

Did the Star Clipper 3 times, Greek Islands, Carribean, & Almalfi coast. Outstanding!

[masraum]

I've never been on one and have always thought that it sounded like the last place in the world that I'd want to go. Since then, I've decided that I might like to do some of the specialized trips, like Alaska or Norway's fjords and the Northern Lights or something like that, maybe Antarctica. I still wouldn't sign up for something ordinary like Mexico, the Caribbean, etc.... I've also wondered about those European river cruises. Someone here posted about those before, but I think I'd just rather go to Europe with a Eurorail pass or something.

[74-911]

Wife and I took 10 of our kids/grandkids on an Alaska cruise last summer and used Carnival. No issues at all, food was good (not great), ship was clean, good service, and price of drinks not really an issue. Everyone had a great time and no complaints.

We did the Baltic cruise (Copenhagen back to Copenhagen) a couple of years ago on Princess and really enjoyed it. A more upscale crowd than Carnival {but just getting to Europe is a big part of that}and food was a bit better. Definitely not enough time at each port to really learn anything about the country/city but still very enjoyable and no way will we ever get to any of those places otherwise.

No desire to do the Caribbean/Mexico cruises although we are considering CA to FL via the Panama Canal next year.

All in all we enjoy cruises, no packing/unpacking, thinking about your next meal and it can be very relaxing if you let it.

No way would we do a cruise if we couldn't get a balcony cabin however.

[tevake]

There are options to the big ships with tons of people aboard Bill.
Smaller ships doing out of the ordinary routes will offer some interesting choices.

The Linbad Explorer is one company that I know of with this sort of offerings.

https://www.expeditions.com/

Tho more costly, this sort of trips do away with a lot of the issues I have with the larger ships. Like arriving in small ports with more people disembarking than live in the place being visited. And traveling with 1,500 fellow passengers.

I did a cruise and did enjoy the trip to the Caribbean. But think a small ship cruise of the inside passage to Alaska would be a good choice for another cruise. Especially if being sea sick is a consideration. That route is mostly in sheltered waters.
I'd want an outside cabin with a view of the passing scenery. Some ships have small lanai for the outside cabins, that's where I'd want to be.

Bob (lake Cle Elum). recently did a cruise of French Polynesia that sounded pretty cool.

An Internet search may turn up some trip that are a better fit for you than the more common large ship packages.
I hope you find something that you like.

Cheers Richard

[legion]

Originally Posted by tcar

Have heard many say do NOT go on Carnival.

My wife's grandmother took the entire family on a Carnival cruise in 2010. The food was sub-par IMO--a little worse than what you'd get at a Chili's or TGI Fridays. (I either eat good food out or cook for myself, so I skip the crappy chains.) One of the meals, they had "choice steak" as an option. Seriously? If it's not prime, why even bother telling me?

Most of the passengers were drunk most of the time, and the drinks were $15 a pop before gratuity. About half the boat didn't get off at any ports and stayed onboard and drank.

One nice thing was I was pretty much the only person in the gym each day.

The boat we were only had an engine fire a few years later and had to be towed back to port without power or working plumbing over several days.

Edit. If I do do another cruise, and I probably will, it will be with another company. Actually, considering that we have three young children (well, two and another on the way), it will probably be Disney.

[Jolly Amaranto]

Oh yeah, the Carnival Triumph. The ship with multiple Poop Decks.

[MRM]

Cruises are looked down upon by many sophisticated travelers but I very much like them. There is so Much variation in cruises that its hard to generalize. But to generalize, cruises are great and you get what you pay for. If you're a little clever in selecting a cruise you get great value and will have a wonderful time. If you just take the cheapest option available you'll end up in a basement cabin on a Carnival booze cruise and you'll hate life.

Done properly, cruises are a wonderful experience and a good value. In my opinion, the problem with cruises is that while you get what you pay for, you pay for everything you get. Much like airlines, expect to pay for everything you want, there are no freebies. Most people try to buy the absolute cheapest cruise they can and find themselves in the cruise equivalent of of a middle seat in the last row of a regional airplane. The other main mistake is people spending the rack rate to get the better experience and end up paying way too much for what they get. Just a bit of work will result in a wonderful experience at a reasonable price.

I would suggest researching at cruisecritic.com and searching for cruises at vacationstogo.com. You can find anything you want at a reasonable price. Most cruise lines offer packages that include drinks. That is a great value. Don't pay extra for the premium package.

Cruise lines are distinct brands that sell at different levels of luxury and service. Once you research what you're interested in you'll know which cruise lines to shop or.

[GG Allin]

One of the highlights on the Royal Caribbean Enchantment of the Seas, self serve, all you can eat soft serve ice cream cones.