New to cruising

Need some advice. We are in our 70's but quite active. New to crusing. Looking for a crusing line that has good food, nice excursions and not too expensive. Any ideas?

You need to choose...price or quality!

Excursions are easy to do on your own...a guidebook is VERY helpful..learn something abut where you're going! You can save a bundle if you can do things on your own. Ship's excursions are costly!

Food...so subjective...you will not go hungry on any cruise line...but generally, the more you pay, the better the food....food on the "mainstream" lines has had a marked decrease in both quality and presentation in the last several years. If you never experienced the past, you won't know what you're missing, tho!

I'd suggest getting a travel agent involved in your plans...they can really help narrow down where you want to go, and how to get you there!

Need some advice. We are in our 70's but quite active. New to crusing. Looking for a crusing line that has good food, nice excursions and not too expensive. Any ideas?

Hi

We are in mid 60s and prefer Celebrity--very good food, excellent service and generally good excursions. We have only done Celebrity and 1 Royal Caribbean--food not as good, but more of a party atmosphere. I have done some reviews--type my screen name in search box if interested.

Tom:)

Princess and Celebrity are our choices. We prefer smaller ships and there are very few of those. Holland American still has some and they can be a good choice. Itinerary comes first with us.

A bit younger than you, but in the mainstream market, Celebrity or Princess are our go to's.

For the best food and an up-market experience look at Oceania and Azamara.

Smaller ships make all the difference as a first time cruisers. You will immediately feel at home.

Welcome to Cruise Critic! :D

Princess should work out quite well for you. Celebrity would also be worth considering. :)

As others have suggested, find a good travel agent would be extremely helpful.

LuLu

Be warned you have taken to 1st step towards total addiction.:D:D:D

Be warned you have taken to 1st step towards total addiction.:D:D:D

:):):)

Hopkinsgirl...I applaud your youthfulness!!

We are both 63 and started cruising at 55 after my husband got better after two illnesses. We have done Royal Caribbean and Carnival. I also noticed that you are from Baltimore. You can take cruises from Baltimore on both of these cruise lines. Both are small ships with good food and comfortable ships. Non holiday weeks, these ships are filled with retired people so you should find people your age. We prefer Royal Caribbean because we like their ships and their activities. We also like cruising because there is a doctor onboard.

We make a point of avoiding spring break cruises. I'm sure you don't need details.

You have the advantage of being able to choose times that have lower fares (the first two weeks in December for example). Cabin choice goes a long way toward governing price. Can you do an inside? Do you need a window? a balcony? Suite service perks?

Holland America, Celebrity, and Princess seem to be recurring choices among senior travelers. We've done the first two. Holland America is a good choice, only if you avoid some of their older ships that aren't getting all the care and attention they need. Visit the HAL forum here and you'll get the scoop of that.

We enjoy both lines. We prefer the food on Celebrity and really like their newer ships. And Princess has real fans too.

Check out cruise insurance and pre-existing condition clauses before you start adding up costs. Insuremytrip.com can help you get started. Even in port, the ship is considered a foreign country and your Medicare does not cover you.

Planning is part of the adventure. And it's free!

I think you will enjoy HAL. Beautiful ships, good food, and a lot of active older passengers. Check out the HAL board and read some reviews and discussions to get a good feel for the line and its passengers.

I am also from Baltimore but haven't taken a cruise from our port too many sea days

but since this will be your first cruise a would suggest you book excursions through the cruise line until you become more familiar with cruising and what to look for with private tour co. As far as food all line has a variety of places to eat so if one station don't suit your palate just try the next one you paid for it so enjoy.

We're using Viking Ocean Cruises. 2 ships at the moment (launched in 2015 & 2016 - 2 more in 2017 & 1 in 2018); Smallish ships (930 pax maximum); all rooms have a balcony; aimed at over 50s (no kids); focus is on the destinations;

Included excursion in every port; enrichment lectures; free wine & beer at lunch & dinner; no extra for specialty restaurants (though you have to book); no casino; no photographers; free use of the spa / snow room; no nickel & diming; extra time in ports;

It is a little more expensive than the mainstream, but once you take in to account all the add-ons that may occur on other lines, then the cost is very reasonable. Generally you travel with like-minded individuals.