Expert: Barbon - 2/17/2005

Question
My wife and I are thinking about taking a cruise this year.  We have never been on one and have heard both the negatives and the positives.  We are both in are late 50's.  Any feedback and suggestions would be appreciated.
·   We would like a cruise with a minimal amount of children on board.  More adult oriented.
·   What is the best time of the year to take a cruise?
·   What is normally included in the price (i.e. food, beverages, entertainment, etc.)?
·   What areas for the cruise would you suggest?
·   Definitely want a ship with a casino.
·   What cruise lines do you suggest?


Answer
Hi Doug,
  My husband and I are also in our 50's so we are probably looking at similar types of cruise experiences.  We love Celebrity cruiselines, but also have cruised Holland America, Princess and NCL.  We feel that Celebrity gives you an upscale, elegant cruise experience.  Holland America also offers a quiet atmosphere but it does tend to draw a much older crowd and their ships just are not (in my opinon) as elegant as Celebrity. Our most recent cruises were on Holland America because we liked the itinerary and they were what we call "touring cruises", Alaska and New England/Canada.  We did not like NCL at all and had a decent experience on Princess. Now I am assuming that you are looking at a Caribbean cruise.  If this is the case, I would definitely recommend Celebrity (in fact we are booked on the Constellation in Dec. Southern Caribbean.).  I also would pick one of the Millennium Class Ships, they are their newest and most up to date.  They are larger, upscale and have wonderful amentities.  I can't begin to tell you how beautiful their ships are. Now if you are looking for rock climbing, ice skating, more pool games etc., you may want to look at Royal Caribbean.  The ships have more glitz to them and do not have as quiet an atmosphere.
If you are looking to go top top dollar then you may want to look at Crystal, Radison, Silversea, etc. these being the most elegant and expensive ships out there.  
In my opinion I would avoid the Carnival cruiseline unless you are looking for a real party atmosphere.
When cruising avoid school holiday breaks and summer if you want to avoid a lot of children. We usually cruise the Caribbean in Jan. or Feb. but have decided on Dec. for our next cruise.  We really never encounter kids this time of year.  Also, if  you do the Caribbean, you have to decide between Eastern, Western and Southern Caribbean.  If you want to be assured of very warm weather go the Southern route, the downside being if you do a week long cruise  you must leave out of San Juan.  If you want to leave out of Florida, select Eastern Caribbean, the island stops are a lot nicer then Western.
You also have to decide if you want a cruise that stops at a port almost every day or just makes a couple of stops.
Included in the price of cruising is food, non alcoholic beverages and entertainment on board.  Shore excursion are extra, but in the Caribbean you probably would elect to do only one or two, there is plenty to do on the islands if you have never been.    
Most ships have casinos, have never been on one without one.
I suggest you visit the web site cruisecritic.com, this site will give you a lot of information on cruising.  Also all of the cruiselines have web sites, most with virtual tours of their ships.
I also suggest visiting a cruise only travel agent in your area and they could give you brochures and info on the different lines.  The web sites of all of the cruiselines will give you list prices so you can get idea of what a cruise will cost.  Celebrity and Royal Caribbean do not discount very much off of list, however, if  you book more on a last minute basis you will get a discount.
If you give me a little more information on where you want to cruise to and what time of year you are looking at I could be more specific with cruises and cabins.
Hope this helps you get started.
BArbara