ATTN: Travel gurus

Madam A · February 2011

Ladies - I'm looking for some help on this as I am not a real experienced traveler. DH and I were planning to book a cruise for late June (his summer vacation). The prices are decent, but the big sales aren't offered during that season, obv. We were about to book last night and then started reading some reviews about the cruises and hearing that there were a lot of additional fees and charges onboard and also a lot of the cruises were overrun with kids (not a fan).

We really wanted to do a cruise but are now considering looking into other options. DH kept mentioning that it would probably be crap compared to our AI HM in Jamaica. Anyone have any suggestions for us?? Should we still do a cruise (if so, what cruiseline)? Or should we go another route? We plan to do this in late June as an anniversary/ pre TTC trip... TIA!

paprika28 · February 2011

If you don't want kids, avoid a disney cruise at all costs....

I've heard Princess is good, as well as carribean. I can't tell you from personal experience, but my best friend took a princess cruise and looooved it. I think the only thing they paid extra for was alcohol and whatever they wanted to buy.

Madam A · February 2011

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/local-wedding-boards_pennsylvania-philadelphia_attn-travel-gurus?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Local Wedding BoardsForum:105Discussion:e1c812e3-bb79-47d3-a1f8-2dc6e8a5b391Post:07ac27fb-0061-4ed9-bcd5-314a9a969cab">Re: ATTN: Travel gurus</a>:
[QUOTE]<strong>If you don't want kids</strong>, avoid a disney cruise at all costs.... :) I've heard Princess is good, as well as carribean. I can't tell you from personal experience, but my best friend took a princess cruise and looooved it. I think the only thing they paid extra for was alcohol and whatever they wanted to buy.
Posted by paprika28[/QUOTE]

We defiitely want our OWN kids. Just not other people's ;)

I haven't seen any specials on Princess cruises... Harumph.

amy727 · February 2011

If you want to avoid kids on your vacation try going during the school year. Also stay clear of spring break/easter break times.

paprika28 · February 2011

LOL. You know what I meant. My head is in a fog. Don't take anything I say today seriously. Including any spelling/grammatical errors.

miguelhilary2010 · February 2011

Do you know anyone with a timeshare? You could get a week somewhere for a few hundred dollars, and they usually have kitchens so you're not eating out for every meal. We did this when we went to Orlando and it saved us sooooo much money.

FutureMrsTCT · February 2011

How about trying another all inclusive. I'd say come to Sandals Royal Carribean, but we're going mid-June, not late June

The all-inclusives definitely have better deals during the summer, since it seems that everyone likes to go to the Carribean when it's colder - instead of Jamaica try any of the other islands. We got a Carribean travel guide from Liberty Travel - there are so many lovely resorts - Aruba seems to be the place with the most all-inclusives - but the other islands have other great resorts as well. Many of them are adults only.

Northstar1808 · February 2011

my parents did the celebrity cruise and they loved it. No extras except for alcoholic drinks

Madam A · February 2011

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/local-wedding-boards_pennsylvania-philadelphia_attn-travel-gurus?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Local Wedding BoardsForum:105Discussion:e1c812e3-bb79-47d3-a1f8-2dc6e8a5b391Post:478f898c-76a9-4512-bfef-f9654a1eb0a0">Re: ATTN: Travel gurus</a>:
[QUOTE]How about trying another all inclusive. I'd say come to Sandals Royal Carribean, but we're going mid-June, not late June :( The all-inclusives definitely have better deals during the summer, since it seems that everyone likes to go to the Carribean when it's colder - instead of Jamaica try any of the other islands. We got a Carribean travel guide from Liberty Travel - there are so many lovely resorts - Aruba seems to be the place with the most all-inclusives - but the other islands have other great resorts as well. Many of them are adults only.
Posted by FutureMrsTCT[/QUOTE]

This is actually the direction I'm leaning now... If memory serves, I think Mexico was a lot cheaper than Jamaica when we were looking for HM options.. Possibly an AI in Mexico? Anyone have any recs? We could always do less nights to save some dough that way...

Madam A · February 2011

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/local-wedding-boards_pennsylvania-philadelphia_attn-travel-gurus?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Local Wedding BoardsForum:105Discussion:e1c812e3-bb79-47d3-a1f8-2dc6e8a5b391Post:2c47f7c0-a21b-4d33-9ffe-8728e626588b">Re: ATTN: Travel gurus</a>:
[QUOTE]If you want to avoid kids on your vacation try going during the school year. Also stay clear of spring break/easter break times.
Posted by amy727[/QUOTE]

We're pretty set on that general time frame (late June-early July)... DH can't take time off during the school year. =(

miguelhilary2010 · February 2011

Also try places you have a memebership at... Costco, BJ's, AAA, etc. They have travel specials.

caraellen23 · February 2011

My parents go on a cruise at least once a year. They swear by Royal Carribean and Celebrity.

Cmrpsu03 · February 2011

Hmm I have never been on a cruise (not our thing) but you to avoid other peoples kiddos you might be better off at a couples only resort somewhere. Do they do couples only cruises?

You went to Jamaica on your HM right? (we went there as a getaway 2 yrs ago looooved it ahh

Not sure if you wanted to go back to the Caribbean but we are going to St. Lucia for our HM and staying at the Sandals La Toc Resort...and if you go there we will be there at the same time!

If not, there are the other virgin islands, or antigua I heard good things about.

jennyinyellow · February 2011

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/local-wedding-boards_pennsylvania-philadelphia_attn-travel-gurus?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Local Wedding BoardsForum:105Discussion:e1c812e3-bb79-47d3-a1f8-2dc6e8a5b391Post:ea638614-1c62-457b-9166-50bddf9c68b6">Re: ATTN: Travel gurus</a>:
[QUOTE]My parents go on a cruise at least once a year. They swear by Royal Carribean and Celebrity.
Posted by caraellen23[/QUOTE]

My parents go on a cruise every year too. They love Royal Carribean!

jackiebean26 · February 2011

i personally love cruises, however, the bill gets very expensive when its all said and done. sure it looks like a great price at first but there are a lot of additional fees. alcohol, excursions when you get off the ship, meals when youre off the ship, tips.... the alcohol tab is KILLER. if you have the money to spend, i say do a cruise, if not, i would do another AI.

RecoveringActor · February 2011

I THINK Buttons might have a good Mexico rec. haha. There are a TON of AI in Mexico.

I will say that my mom and my cousin (separately) went on cruises to St. Kitts, St. Thomas, St. Maarten... and they both loved it.

Madam A · February 2011

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/local-wedding-boards_pennsylvania-philadelphia_attn-travel-gurus?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Local Wedding BoardsForum:105Discussion:e1c812e3-bb79-47d3-a1f8-2dc6e8a5b391Post:cd3d7826-70be-4580-acdf-db565ede2eaa">Re: ATTN: Travel gurus</a>:
[QUOTE]i personally love cruises, however, the bill gets very expensive when its all said and done. sure it looks like a great price at first but there are a lot of additional fees. alcohol, excursions when you get off the ship, meals when youre off the ship, tips.... the alcohol tab is KILLER. if you have the money to spend, i say do a cruise, if not, i would do another AI.
Posted by jackiebean26[/QUOTE]

DH just emailed me that he thinks it will be worth the money... He must be doing the same thing I'm doing at work today... HAHA

happywithhim715 · February 2011

Cruises:
I have been on two. One for my gf's wedding (Carnival Destiny- 4 days) and one for our HM (NCL- Pride of America) to Hawaii. Carnival was more kids, but they did an amazing job of keeping them busy and never to be seen... Plus if you are on a cruise you are barely on the boat... except at night... Our Hawaii was amazing.. seemed like no kids at all.. But your trip is in June, summer is here! As for charges, they charge a "fee" for tipping basically.... its usually a per day rate per person in the room. They tell you about that ahead of time. All food is included.... Drinks are not. But from our experience it's nothing crazy. For our 4 day cruise, we rang up about $700 between the both us in alcohol/pictures you buy that they take of you.... and our Hawaii one was $700, with a $250 couples massage included.. so it's not too much... Never drink the fruity, drink of the day... its a scam! Around $12 for a drink.. We are beer drinkers so we always did the bucket deals....We loved the cruises... the food was always great (buffett and sit downs).... the drinks were cold, staff was friendly, etc. We would do another.

AI:
I have been to many areas: P Cana, Cancun, Rivera Maya, Cabo, Bahamas. Hands down the best AI I have ever been to is Riu Palace, Los Cabos Mexico. It was such a relaxing.... yet fun vacation. There are two pools, one is for relaxing calm music, the other has the swim up bar, dance music, activities, etc. The rooms are "suites" and spacious. The staff is very. Drinks are yummy... and food is too! They have the infinity pools..... the only down far, which we didnt mind too much) is where the Riu is located you cannot swim in the ocean due to the current. But we knew this ahead of time and spent our time in the pool or relaxing on the beach in the chairs. We took a day trip to see the Arch and go to Lovers' Beach... which you can swim at!

I loved loved loved it! I would go back in a heartbeat! More info or pics FB Me

jackiebean26 · February 2011

madam- IMO, it is defintiely worth the money

Madam A · February 2011

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/local-wedding-boards_pennsylvania-philadelphia_attn-travel-gurus?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Local Wedding BoardsForum:105Discussion:e1c812e3-bb79-47d3-a1f8-2dc6e8a5b391Post:209a6d40-ea64-4a4c-8bfe-092011f22bf0">Re: ATTN: Travel gurus</a>:
[QUOTE]madam- IMO, it is defintiely worth the money =)
Posted by jackiebean26[/QUOTE]

Thanks!

And thanks for all your help, ladies!

ashleylovesmark · February 2011

My two cents: I am a big fan of cruising, it can be a really great value. In fact FI and I just wanted to do a last minute getaway to some sun and booked a last minute 4 night cruise for just $169 a person and it was the perfect mini vacation.

For our honeymoon I always dreamed of just lounging on the beach and drinking pina coladas, so initially I was thinking all inclusive resort. FI expressed that he wanted to be more adventurous than just lying on the beach. After a LOT of price shopping and research it seemed to me that a lot of the AI resorts were pretty pricey. Sure, they include all your alcohol, but is that worth 200 more a night than another resort? To me, who may have a couple drinks a day, not really. We ended up going with a compromise. We're staying for 5 nights at a wyndham in puerto rico (no all inclusive) - 4 star hotel - we got it for about $130 a night I believe. Then from there we will be taking a 7 night cruise on Royal Caribbean (by far my favorite cruise line and I've been on carnival, celebrity, princess, and norwegina). We upgraded to a cabin and it has 5 very excotic stops (st lucia, st croix, st marteen, antigua, and barbados) an it was only $799/per person. All said in done for airfare, car rental, cruise, and hotel it ended up being about $3300 for 12 nights. Sure it doesn't include alcohol, but compared to the all inclusive prices I was looking at for just a week it was a great deal.

Sorry that was long lol. I think cruising is a really great and affordable option, it gets you to see lots of different locations and try many different activities. We did a similar cruise last year and had an amazing time - if you're interested in pictures let me know I'd be happy so share.

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