Expert: Barbon - 7/6/2002

Question
Hi!

This is our first cruise. We really are having a difficult time choosing in every way. I though that Celebrity sounded great, but the price was higher than we could get from RCI so we have narrowed the choices to a 7 day Western Caribbean on the Grandeur or a 14 day transatlantic on the Radiance (about the same price for either). 245 sq ft room on Grandeur, 204 sq ft room on the Radiance. Worried about long time at sea. Also want to make this trip special, as it is to celebrate 25th anniversary. Worried about seasickness. Also worried about the small rooms.

Please help,
Barbara

Answer
Hi Barbara,
  First, I hope you have priced your cruise with several travel agents.  I always recommend finding a good cruise only travel agent in your area.  Also there is a web site www.uniglobe.com (I would not use them, I just check price online with them), that you could compare prices with.  I like using this site because you don't give any personal information, you just put your dates and ship in and you immediately get a price.  At least you can see if your price is within range.  
  As for which cruise to do.  They are certainly so different it is hard for me to say which one.  Transatlantic cruises are usually much less costly because of all of the days at sea and to be honest I would not recommend it to someone who has never cruised before.  (Just my opinion).  You could end of being a little bored being at sea too long.  I happen to like sea days but too many would be boring to me also.  
  You do not state what time of year you are cruising.  I would not do the Caribbean in the fall, or close to hurricane season.  I also do not find the weather as good on the Western, especially during the winter months.  You also do not state if the rooms you are looking at are inside or outside or if they have balconies, or the location of these cabins.  (This is why I hope that you have gone to a good cruise only travel agent, who could tell you about all of this.)  I would also recommend looking into the Eastern Caribbean which I feel is a better itinerary unless you are really into diving or snorkling.  Also the cruises that do the Southern Caribbean out of Puerto Rico also have great weather.  As for being seasick, just take a Dramamine about 1 hr. before you sail and you should be fine.  We never get sea sick but find that doing this helps our bodies adjust.
  If you get back to me with a little more information about type of cabin, time of year, etc., I will try to help you a little more.
  I hope this helps a little.
Barbara
Barbon2@aol.com