What cruise for BFF's??

I haven't even gone on my first cruise (dh and I are going on 10/5/15 on the Ecstacy), I'm already thinking of planning a second cruise. My BFF and I live on opposite sides of the country now and try to visit each other once a year...but I think we should go on a cruise together. She lives in WA (state) and I live in TN....so unless we sail from Seattle...we'd both have to fly somewhere...so any US port is do-able. Any suggestions???

We're both 40ish and have kids. She likes sun and I like more quiet activities (on board comedy and trivia would be fun for both of us). Neither of us are big adventure types...I'd like to stick to being safe. We're moderate drinkers (she's single and likes to party a little more than me) We'd definitely be on a budget...so probably a 3-5 day cruise would be best.

Any ideas??? I haven't pitched the idea to her yet....Thanks in advance!

Decide when you want to sail. Then go to cruisetimetables.com and check out the ships sailing from all of the US ports. When you see what the port possibilities are, check out airfare for each of you. Airfare can sometimes run as much as the cruise. Your choices will be more limited if you sail in the summer, as most of the ships will have moved to Alaska and Europe. EM

Royal Caribbean is a terrific cruise line, plenty of on board activities, lots of trivia, beautiful ships, energetic fun vibe.

Celebrity is a bit more traditional, contemporary and elegant, particularly there newer Solstice Class ships.

Princess also has some very beautiful ships. Royal Caribbean's brand new Anthem of the Seas sails 7-day Bahamas cruises in November from New York. We were on sister ship Quantum and adored it, will really knock your socks off with all of the cool innovations on board.

Jonathan

First you both are going to have to decide on what port you both want to fly to and sail from.

Check prices of airfare now just to get an idea of what that will cost. Then remember that airfare will go up.

After you decide on a port, then follow Essiesmom's advice.

If she enjoys the sun (and why wouldn't she...in the Pacific NW, there's not a lot of sun), then I wouldn't do a West Coast cruise.

If she enjoys the sun (and why wouldn't she...in the Pacific NW, there's not a lot of sun), then I wouldn't do a West Coast cruise.

What about cruises to Mexico from California?

Decide when you want to sail. Then go to cruisetimetables.com and check out the ships sailing from all of the US ports. When you see what the port possibilities are, check out airfare for each of you. Airfare can sometimes run as much as the cruise. Your choices will be more limited if you sail in the summer, as most of the ships will have moved to Alaska and Europe. EM

I think we'll go during late winter/early spring. Maybe I'll have her fly to Nashville and we could take a couple of extra days to drive to a port (dh and I are driving to Miami for our cruise).

Thank you to everyone who has replied (and thank you for not suggesting I do reading on here...I've spent many hours reading about the cruise for dh and I, already....I tend to get a little obsessive about vacations!)

When I read your post, I immediately thought of NCL Pride of America in Hawaii. Both of you could fly to California to meet there and then take the second leg together directly to Honolulu where you would get the ship, which sails roundtrip from Honololu. Since the ship flies under an American flag, it does not have to visit a foreign port, so no sea days. You would have 7 days of fun in the sun. If you like casinos though, you would be out of luck. No casino on POA. We enjoyed this cruise a lot. Another thing is that the timeframe you are considering would be the whale watching season.

@pillygirl63....thanks for the suggestion...I'll have to look into it!

Don't forget New Orleans and Galveston ports that are sorta in the middle between you and your BFF. For what its worth, if you really want to feel a party atmosphere, take a 3-day cruise! I would not recommend it if you want a little more calm. A 5-day would be better and a 7-day the best! ;)