1stime88

Thank you for all the advice!!! It all really helps

Thank you everyone!!

We prefer Alaska for special occasions over the Caribbean. We have gone on two anniversary Alaska cruises in mid August. In fact, we are going on another anniversary Alaska next August.

 

We enjoyed mild weather both times. We wore shorts in Ketchikan on our August 2012 cruise. It was very warm and sunny that day. The only cold weather we experienced was in the glacier viewing areas on both cruises.

I am surprised that many are willing to go to the same places multiple times instead of exploring new places. Is it that good? What ships did you go on to Alaska that you loved it so much to go again?

Just my opinion, of course. Alaskan cruises are amazing. However, I've seen you jump around quite a bit on choosing that perfect first cruise. I applaud you for doing so much research, but I really do think that for a first time cruise, you're probably better off in the Caribbean. My opinion...save that Alaskan cruise for a time when you're able to splurge not only for a better room, but on the really good excursions.

I hear you and that is exactly what my husband and I were thinking before and only considering the caribbean: we would go to alaska when we can spend more. However, now we are really thinking about Alaska because an interior room on princess from alaska to vancouver is about 550pp including taxes and we thought we should see Alaska even if we cannot splurge on it. Part of the reason is because if our budget is higher ever then I want to see other places like Europe, The Mediterranean, Austrailia, etc.

Aloha :D

 

Our first cruise was on Princess, Sept. 2012, 7 days from Anchorage (Whittier, 45minute shuttle or train ride because ships don't actually leave from Anchorage) to Vancouver. The ship only stopped in Skagway, Juneau, and Kitchikan. The rest of the time the ship was sailing, including one day to look at the glaciers. The port towns are all landlocked and not very big.

 

If you did the roundtrip from Seattle (7 days), you would have more than enough time to walk around the ports. Yes it is cool on the ship but it was not cold except when we went inland to the glaciers. The keys are a good breathable lightweight rainjacket (so no umbrella needed), a good lightweight backpack (I just bought a nice $20 one for our upcoming Sept. NE/CA cruise), and multiple lightweight layers. I bought a size larger lightweight rainjacket so I could wear it over the backpack and keep it dry, because yes Alaska is very drizzly all year round (That's why it's so green!).

 

Also, most cruise lines don't tell you that there is an automatic gratuity charge per day for almost all cruise lines now. $12/day x 7 days x 2 people = $168.

 

You are not allowed to bring your own soda or alcohol on to the ship. If you don't buy a beverage package, you pay for each soda or alcoholic drink which normally includes an automatic tip. Beverage packages on the ship are not inexpensive, even the soda package, $6.50/day x 7 days x 2 people = $91, so make sure you read the information on the website to avoid any surprises.

 

For a first cruise this is a good one so you know what it is like to cruise. This will also give you a good idea what it is like to spend most of your time with your SO!

 

We haven't cruised the Caribbean so I can't tell you much about it.

 

Aloha :D

Oka, so roundtrip to seattle is too expensive. So we are looking at the cruise you described, alaska to vancouver on star princess. How was it? Was it a great experience? Are there still options for excursions?

Looks like Navigator is the clear winner- if I do Caribbean, I will go with Navigator. Although now I am considering Alaska, (which is the best affordable cruise line that goes to Alaska from Seattle?)

All the input really helps, as I have never cruised before. I can only do the Alaska cruise if I do interior- the balcony is too expensive for us. My other option is Western Caribbean (Mexico, Belize, Honduras). Any recommendations on which is the better first cruise?

Now I am also considering: Alaska roundtrip from Seattle but it will not be navigator- just not sure what cruise line yet still have to do research on the best prices; princess would be a possibility) and Western Caribbean (Mexico, Belize, Honduras) on navigator.

I heard Alaska cruises are the best and really worth seeing.

This would be our first cruise

Is it really cold on those cruises to Alaska in August or September? I am afraid if it is too cold I won't be able to enjoy?

Ok so Navigator is better, but should I pay $400-$700 more for balcony or go with interior? It is our first cruise. My husband loves the idea of a balcony but the price difference is alot.

On a cruise to Alaska, is it really important to have a balcony? Is it worth going on an interior cabin?

Ok thanks!

I had to cancel the cruise I booked (for those who read my previous question asking about RC vs Carnival) so now I am considering a couple of other options:

Royal Caribbean Navigator of the Seas or Caribbean Princess.

Points to consider:

Both ships have the same itinerary: Mexico, Belize, and Honduras

Princess will cost less for a balcony but does not leave until November 15.

RC's balcony is too expensive so we would get inside cabin but we would be able to go on September 27

We are 26 and 31.

We do not drink.

We want the ship to be beautiful, the entertainment (shows) to be the best, and food to be good.

Thanks!

What is the Ben & Jerry suite on the Navigator of the Seas

Ugh oh- you have to be able to swim? I didn't see that on the website- guess that is a deal breaker for me [emoji53]

Are you sure?

What is the best option for cave tubing in Belize. There are several options through royal caribbean.

What about ziplining and west bay with victor bodden in honduras? Will we make it back in time? Is the ziplining scary? Is it slow or fast?

I hear that cave tubing is a unique experience for belize so I might do it.

I want to do dolphin encounter at chankanaab in cozumel.

You give no information beyond the itinerary, so we can only give our personal preferences.

 

First cruise would be my choice

I always wanted to see a rainforest.. is the one in honduras or belize worth it?

We like both, when we booked Navigator I did not even look at which one we booked, have been to all the places a few times, but my favorite Dolphin encounter is in Rotan so I might go with that, best port is Cozumel which you get with both and Cayman has Stingray city which is nice but so crowded

Can we do the dolphin encounter if we can't swim?

We like both, when we booked Navigator I did not even look at which one we booked, have been to all the places a few times, but my favorite Dolphin encounter is in Rotan so I might go with that, best port is Cozumel which you get with both and Cayman has Stingray city which is nice but so crowded

What makes Cozumel the best? What did you do that you loved so much?

Just curious, 2 people said that neither is appealing, why is that? What ports of call are appealing for future reference?

I was also leaning towards the honduras and belize one. I was thinking ziplining and monkeys and west bay in honduras, and cave tubing in belize. Not sure what to do in cozumel.

Of course there are "bugs" on ships...bugs are EVERYWHERE! Do they keep them in check? Of course! You actually have mites that live in your eyelashes...did you know that? Everyone does, and they are harmless to you.

 

If any offensive insect is found, it is quickly taken care of.

 

Your question reminds me of another poster's....who asked if there were sharks at Coco Cay...and again, of course! Sharks are in all oceans!

Lol!!!!

Are there ever bugs on the ship? Planning my first cruise ever.. Navigator of the Seas.

I hate bugs and was curious if they are on the cruise ships. Also, do you guys check for bed bugs when you get your room? How do you check?

Thanks!

Cozumel, belize city, roatan bay

Or

Cozumel, falmouth jamaica, grand cayman?

Leaving on navigator of the seas

It turns out that I can go to honduras. So do you guys recommend belize and honduras or grand cayman and jamaica

I am debating between doing a day pass at Hilton Rose Hall or zip lining over rainforest when my cruise ports in Falmouth, Jamaica. If I do the day pass, how will I get there? Is transportation included?