My two friends and I looking to go on a cruise in the very last weekend in June 2010 or more than likely mid August 2010 around 1st or 15h of August 2010. We are not looking for all the kids and we know colleges start going back in session by end of august so we want the "late parties" atmosphere,young college crowd. Were thinking bahamas and taking ship from out of Miami. Ive been told the NCL Sky is good but have heard Carnival is good. Definitely the shorter trip (3-4 day)to bahamas or do you suggest to the carribean ? Can you tell me the best weekend dates and best travel spot possibly to go in August for three single men to meet lots of women and have fun ? Also which ships on Carnival or NCL ? Were thinking to get our own cabins for privacy ..Im assuming price will be higher this way but were saving for this trip so that were ready. thanks!
Answer Hi Chris, go grab a beer and have a seat...this will be long. We'll start with the time of year. The later the better because no matter what ship you take or what cruise line the "mini munchkins" are out of school and will be on the ships. Other than the pool area though, you won't run into them at night.
As to how long...if you can afford the 7 day, make it happen! Why? You'll meet a better class of ladies on the 7 day cruise as they're more expensive, girls have saved for it realizing if they have to fly down to Fla, may as well make it worth it; have more time to relax, you'll have a lot more time to see and be seen and if you enjoy their company, you'll have some time to spend with your new-found friends. The 7 day has a lot more to see and do as well. Do the Eastern caribbean, the ports have lots to do and see. I don't like the Western for men you can end up in trouble in Jamaica and not even mean to. You want to party hearty and have a great time...not land in jail.
That being said...don't get 3 cabins...geeze Chris...the chances that all three of you will get lucky at the same time....Nah...not in this day and age. Remember also, they're lots of staff on the ships as well and they have their own cabins. Also the girls you meet will have cabins. It's double the money for the cabin for single occupancy. Now, let's talk more impressive...an inside cabin alone to bring a girl to...OR 3 of you splurging on a mini suite with your own bar where you can invite your friends for a cocktail! (yeah, you'll have to keep it cleaned up!)
girls are no different then guys...you all can work it out! There are also places on the ships that you'll find (lifeboats)...trust me...the crew will know where to tell you.
Now, lets talk about the ships and the cruise lines and the prices. NCL and Carnival are OK, so is Royal Caribbean. I want you to get the brochures on each of them and the three of you sit down and read them over a night and a case of beer.... My first choice would be the Freedom class of royal Caribbean...second choice is equal for Carnival and NCL. Look closely at when the ship was "born" or refurbished. Do not take an older ship (another reason I don't like 3-4 day ships, older ships, newer crew, just not what cruising is really about) If the three of you just don't want to EVER get dressed up and can't be anywhere on time...then choose NCL, no dressing up and many places to eat and no scheduled dining.
OK, to recap, my suggestion is 7 day, Eastern caribbean, RCCL is you can afford it, if you just don't want to dress and eat when you want, the NCL. (Carnival has formal nights as does RCCL) Put your 4 together and try to get a mini suite or suite. When you book, see if you can get a "guarantee" booking. You pay for the least expensive catagory and stand a good chance of being bumped UP. Example, the mini suites run from (example only) from $800-$1500. You would pay the $800, but could end up in a $1500 cabin. How does this work? They sell the $800 cabins...they're all gone...don't want to turn away a customer, so you sell more $800 cabins then you have! Well, you booked first...hum, what to do with you...move you up to a better cabin...you won't know until a week before or maybe a few days before what your cabin # is, but it will be at LEAST what you paid for. You'll end up with better rates on NCL and Carnival then RCCL, but RCCL is a better "class" ship.
Now, I want you to go to CRUISECRITIC.COM Join the on line community (free) it is an information rich site. You can read about the ships, ports, ask questions, just about anything you want to know you can find. After you book your cruise, go to cruiscritic, navigate to your cruise line and ship and look for "Meet and Greet" area. Sign up...it's a private party for those that are going on the same ship, same date as you are. Everyone gets to know each other before they sail...you may end up with some friendships even before boarding. Captain and crew ususally attend, prizes, at times free drinks, always some food. Half of the fun is deciding where to go and doing this planning. Also on Wednesdays is when the travel groups put out their specials. either book with the cruise lines or with a cruise-only agency. Some sites I use are crucon.com, cruisebrothers.com, vacationstogo.com, lastminutecruises.com. Once you register you'll get weekly e mails. Book as soon as you can, if the price goes down, you call your agent and they'll reduce the price up until you've paid your final payment. After that, you'll get onboard credit (use for drinks, pics, excursions etc). Then you have a party after you've paid your last payment, next party is when you get your docs...we call it the "doc dance", tags for luggage and all kinds of info you'll need to know. REMEMBER CHRIS YOU NEED A PASSPORT TO BOARD. NO PASSPORT, NO REFUND, NO CRUISE. If you're typical of most young people, plan on spending about as much on the ship for booze as you did for your cruise!
Once you've digested all this and had your next beer, jot down any questions you 3 have and send away. You can use this forum or personal e mail is LSauls7537@aol.com
You're in for the vacation of your young lives. Enjoy Chris and buddies
