Thinking about taking our first cruise

[divingmedic]

The wife and daughter want to do something different this year for vacation. For the last 7 years we have gone to all inclusive resorts, from the Bahama's to Mexico and have always enjoyed them. Since researching a cruise these past few days it seems that the all inclusive resorts seem to be the better deal money wise. We can stay longer for the same amount of money for a 5-7 day cruise, and that is not including the tips, extra dining fees, soft drinks and alcohol, and excursions.

 

So I need some help to be convinced in taking a cruise over staying 13 nights at an all inclusive resort.

 

Thanks.

[cb at sea]

If you enjoy the AI resorts, you may want to stick with that....a cruise (at least, on the affordable mass-market lines) are anything but "all-inclusive"!

You will pay for alcohol and sodas above the cost of the cruise. The suggested tips have to be taken into account. Then, there are the excursions....you probably have to purchase them separately at AI's, if you wish to go "off property"..just like on a ship...but do you do that at a resort?

1st timers generally spend about 1/2 the cost of the cruise in "extras" their first time out...the more you cruise, the less you will tend to spend in things like excursions, souveniers, specialty restaurants, etc....the alcohol can be a considerable cost if you drink on vacation (and we do!!!)

Cruising is fun, but it's not as cheap as you may have been led to believe!

[6rugrats]

The wife and daughter want to do something different this year for vacation. For the last 7 years we have gone to all inclusive resorts, from the Bahama's to Mexico and have always enjoyed them. Since researching a cruise these past few days it seems that the all inclusive resorts seem to be the better deal money wise. We can stay longer for the same amount of money for a 5-7 day cruise, and that is not including the tips, extra dining fees, soft drinks and alcohol, and excursions.

 

So I need some help to be convinced in taking a cruise over staying 13 nights at an all inclusive resort.

 

Thanks.

 

Why would you want someone to convince you to take a cruise? Stick with what you like, especially if it is more cost effective.

 

Why not consider a trip to Europe this year? The Euro is down and you will get more for your money. Rent an apartment instead of a hotel. We always rent through VRBO.com.

[Marie51]

Nobody should try to convince you to take a cruise. If you decide to try it, I would suggest a short cruise(3-4 days) to see if cruising agrees with you. Otherwise stick with what you know and like.

[Bill S]

What I infer from your post is that although you want to do something different, you don't want to pay any more than you would for a 13-day stay at an AI resort.

I think you should decide how bad you want to do something different versus how much you don't want to spend any more than you normally would. Probably, easier said than done. ;)

I doubt that anything we could say here would change your mind, unless you are willing to spend more than normal. If you are happy with the AI experience, stay with it. Otherwise, bite the bullet and try a cruise. If you don't like cruising, you can always go back to AI vacations.

If you do decide to try a cruise, do your homework here on Cruise Critic in an effort to gain realistic expectations and to minimize surprises. You will get a lot of help. :)

[divingmedic]

Why would you want someone to convince you to take a cruise? Stick with what you like, especially if it is more cost effective.

 

Why not consider a trip to Europe this year? The Euro is down and you will get more for your money. Rent an apartment instead of a hotel. We always rent through VRBO.com.

 

I like the AI, the wife does not. She is convinced that a cruise is way cheaper than a AI. I try my best to make her happy.

 

While I love Europe, I think we will save that for when our daughter is a little older. Plus in my opinion there is still a good bit of anti American sentiment out there. I spent two years in Europe, other than the English and German beers (and wine) I can see only so many museums and such. Beside the airfare alone is about what we would spend for our normal vacation.

[divingmedic]

What I infer from your post is that although you want to do something different, you don't want to pay any more than you would for a 13-day stay at an AI resort.

 

I think you should decide how bad you want to do something different versus how much you don't want to spend any more than you normally would. Probably, easier said than done. ;)

 

I doubt that anything we could say here would change your mind, unless you are willing to spend more than normal. If you are happy with the AI experience, stay with it. Otherwise, bite the bullet and try a cruise. If you don't like cruising, you can always go back to AI vacations.

 

If you do decide to try a cruise, do your homework here on Cruise Critic in an effort to gain realistic expectations and to minimize surprises. You will get a lot of help. :)

 

I love the AI, the wife is not happy with it. And we all know how we need to keep them happy. So I am doing my duty and researching. I just might bite the bullet but kinda looking for a little nudge, or see what some in here would say is an advantage of a cruise over a AI.

 

BTW, ex USAF myself. 1980-1988, Flt Medic.

[divingmedic]

If you enjoy the AI resorts, you may want to stick with that....a cruise (at least, on the affordable mass-market lines) are anything but "all-inclusive"!

You will pay for alcohol and sodas above the cost of the cruise. The suggested tips have to be taken into account. Then, there are the excursions....you probably have to purchase them separately at AI's, if you wish to go "off property"..just like on a ship...but do you do that at a resort?

1st timers generally spend about 1/2 the cost of the cruise in "extras" their first time out...the more you cruise, the less you will tend to spend in things like excursions, souveniers, specialty restaurants, etc....the alcohol can be a considerable cost if you drink on vacation (and we do!!!)

Cruising is fun, but it's not as cheap as you may have been led to believe!

 

Right now from my view point, the cost of alcohol is the largest detractor for taking a cruise. I am an avid scuba diver, but I will not dive on a cruise. I just prefer that if I am going to dive I am going to dedicate my whole time diving. And yes I usually do my homework and book excursions myself and not use the resort. I am finding we can get a nice balcony room for about what we pay for at a resort, just less time there.

[LarryL]

I wonder if you were to re-focus your approach you may find that the attributes to cruising are actually there. As others have stated, you will probably not match a cruise dollar for dollar comparing an AI. Think of it as a new experience and leave it at that. Your wife and daughter will form their own opinion, as will you. One of the things I have been able to experience is the ability to visit multiple ports so we can consider taking a vacation using one of our time shares as trade. I have looked forward to visiting ports I really had high expectations for and would not return for a time share trade or AI. Then, again, I have been very pleasantly surprised with others and are planning vacations there. I would recommend trying one out and with an open mind. Cruising isn't for everyone and as you find your way around these boards, you will find many cheerleaders. We love the experience but each has his own viewpoint. I wish you all the luck in your decision.If you have specific questions, I or any number of people here can help you.

 

By the way, when I was on Clark AB, PI 73-74 with Red Horse, the barracks next to ours was all PJs. A great bunch of people.

 

Larry

[xxoocruiser]

Right now from my view point, the cost of alcohol is the largest detractor for taking a cruise. I am an avid scuba diver, but I will not dive on a cruise. I just prefer that if I am going to dive I am going to dedicate my whole time diving. And yes I usually do my homework and book excursions myself and not use the resort. I am finding we can get a nice balcony room for about what we pay for at a resort, just less time there.

 

A balcony is nice. But you might want to price out an outside non balcony cabin on a 9-12 day cruise. It might give you the length of time for the same cost as a 7 day Balcony. Just a thought.

FYI RCCL does does a regulation sales promotion on every tuesday. You need to be fast on the draw to get the deals but it's worth checking.

[Marie51]

I would never suggest a 9-12 day cruise for a first timer. What if they don't like it and then they are stuck???

[DonnaK]

What cruises are you looking at? There are very well priced 7 day sailings out there, and we've always found cruising to be competitive in price with AIs. And they are more fun/interesting, too!

 

You dont have to partake in many of the extra cost things...outside of tips and excursions, we hardly spend any additional money.

[divingmedic]

What cruises are you looking at? There are very well priced 7 day sailings out there, and we've always found cruising to be competitive in price with AIs. And they are more fun/interesting, too!

 

You dont have to partake in many of the extra cost things...outside of tips and excursions, we hardly spend any additional money.

Well first, I would like more than 7 days. I only have 7 days a year that I can take off of work, so I must maximize my time. Also my wife is a teacher, has works shops and other things to contend with this summer. With AI's alcohol is included, with a cruise it is not. I could rack up a nice bar bill in heart beat on a cruise. Since we have already spent time in Mexico and Western Caribbean I was looking at Southern Caribbean. Those are places we have not been to yet ( or at least the wife and daughter, I did a live aboard dive trip two years ago in St Croix)

[ChicagoCruizn]

Having no idea what you pay for an AI resort vs what deal you can find on a 7+ day cruise makes it difficult to compare. But I would have to imagine it's within $1,000 all in? All things considered, that's not all that much more. If you can afford to go to an AI every year, a cruise can't be THAT much more.

 

But as others have said, no need to convince you to cruise. If your family wants to relly try it though, you may want to do so for that reason alone. Not everyone loves cruising, but only one way to find out.

[divingmedic]

Having no idea what you pay for an AI resort vs what deal you can find on a 7+ day cruise makes it difficult to compare. But I would have to imagine it's within $1,000 all in? All things considered, that's not all that much more. If you can afford to go to an AI every year, a cruise can't be THAT much more.

 

But as others have said, no need to convince you to cruise. If your family wants to relly try it though, you may want to do so for that reason alone. Not everyone loves cruising, but only one way to find out.

We can get 13 nights at an AI for around $2,600.00. Throw in $900.00 for airfare, couple hundred in excursion, hundered or so for t-shirts and what not and that comes out to about the price a 7 day cruise with out excursion, alcohol and what not. Just figured that some people here might have also done the AI and cruises and would be able to tell me the pro and cons of a cruise versus AI. But no, most people on here seem taken aback that anyone would question not taking a cruise. Not many friendly folks on here.

[ChicagoCruizn]

Not sure where you're getting that from? In fact, I see the opposite. Many people have said you DON"T need to cruise if you're happy with AI resorts.

[madelinerose]

Check out Celebrity Summit leaving from San Juan to the Southern Caribbean. You can purchase a drink package. ;)

[colomom]

One of the things that appealed to me about cruising was waking up in a new place every day but never having to pack between destinations.

[dac61]

I like the AI, the wife does not. She is convinced that a cruise is way cheaper than a AI. I try my best to make her happy.

 

 

 

Here's my thought on that. If mama ain't happy..... Nobody is happy!!!

[divingmedic]

I like the AI, the wife does not. She is convinced that a cruise is way cheaper than a AI. I try my best to make her happy.

 

 

 

Here's my thought on that. If mama ain't happy..... Nobody is happy!!!

Excatly;)

[Bill S]

divingmedic: your perception that no one has really encouraged you to cruise, in part, could stem from the possibility that many of us have never done an AI vacation. That is true in my case, so it is hard to compare the two experiences.

I can only tell you why we consider cruises to be a great vacation: our hotel travels; the service is grand; the food is very good and varied; there is entertainment and dancing available every night; a good choice of activities each day, above and beyond excursions, or you don't have to do anything; there is a casino, if you are so inclined; on some ships there are two pools, one enclosed and one open; spas; etc.; and we meet interesting people.

I imagine that an AI vacation offers many of the same choices, other than the traveling hotel part. :) It seems like the deal breaker for you is the bar bill issue. Can't help you there, except to suggest booking a non-verandah cabin, or booking a guarantee non-verandah cabin and take a chance of getting an upgrade to a verandah cabin, thereby perhaps saving enough on the cabin fare to give you the slack for the bar bill.

I think that we are all trying to help you come to a decision without twisting your arm and without looking too biased toward cruising vs AI land vacations. In the final analysis, it comes down to "different strokes for different folks". Whichever you choose, I do hope that you and your family have a great time.

[scapel]

Well first, I would like more than 7 days. I only have 7 days a year that I can take off of work, so I must maximize my time. Also my wife is a teacher, has works shops and other things to contend with this summer. With AI's alcohol is included, with a cruise it is not. I could rack up a nice bar bill in heart beat on a cruise. Since we have already spent time in Mexico and Western Caribbean I was looking at Southern Caribbean. Those are places we have not been to yet ( or at least the wife and daughter, I did a live aboard dive trip two years ago in St Croix)

Look at Silverseas cruises if you want alcohol included. Personally I enjoy the alcohol better if I am paying by the drink. If it is paid, I kind of feel the more I drink the better deal I have. Not good.

[Gablin]

For me, cruising is mostly about the destinations, although I do enjoy the ship experience. I really like unpacking only once and stopping in several different ports.

 

On my last cruise, I only visited one new place out of the three (five counting Seattle and Vancouver) ports, but it was a family cruise, so I enjoyed the ship experience with family members.

 

The one before that was in Norway, up the coast. It was a delightful way to spend our last week in Norway, relaxed, getting off the ship for tours when we wanted, staying aboard to enjoy the quiet sometimes.

 

The closest I've come to an "all inclusive" resort vacation was church camp. Not the same experience, I'm sure!

 

Without the new destinations every few days, I wonder what I would do at a resort. I don't golf, don't play bridge, don't play tennis, don't fish. I like to hike and I like to see new places and meet new people. I know I would meet new people at a resort!

[scapel]

For me, cruising is mostly about the destinations, although I do enjoy the ship experience. I really like unpacking only once and stopping in several different ports.

 

On my last cruise, I only visited one new place out of the three (five counting Seattle and Vancouver) ports, but it was a family cruise, so I enjoyed the ship experience with family members.

 

The one before that was in Norway, up the coast. It was a delightful way to spend our last week in Norway, relaxed, getting off the ship for tours when we wanted, staying aboard to enjoy the quiet sometimes.

 

The closest I've come to an "all inclusive" resort vacation was church camp. Not the same experience, I'm sure!

 

Without the new destinations every few days, I wonder what I would do at a resort. I don't golf, don't play bridge, don't play tennis, don't fish. I like to hike and I like to see new places and meet new people. I know I would meet new people at a resort!

I think you summed it up pretty well. I likewise use cruising to visit new ports in different countries each day. It is much less stressful to visit this many different countries than moving day to day by plane. Un pack once and each day wake up in a different city or different country.

I have visited 68 countries and seven continents and most visits were by cruise ships. I like the smaller ships for this.(28,000 GRT). The larger ships

(102,000 GRT +) are for ship board life (like an all inclusive resort).

[scapel]

We can get 13 nights at an AI for around $2,600.00. Throw in $900.00 for airfare, couple hundred in excursion, hundered or so for t-shirts and what not and that comes out to about the price a 7 day cruise with out excursion, alcohol and what not. Just figured that some people here might have also done the AI and cruises and would be able to tell me the pro and cons of a cruise versus AI. But no, most people on here seem taken aback that anyone would question not taking a cruise. Not many friendly folks on here.

 

divingmedic: I have been to Sandals Dunns River which I think was an all inclusive. They even supplied booze in the room. Had a wonderful time and went back for a second dose.

All I can say is "forget the money". This is your vacation and don't think about the money. It is what makes your vacation an experience to remember that counts. I rather have one good trip that two poor ones.

You will only know if cruising is for you if you take one, but pick a good ship and don't try to go as cheap as you can. You can sail out of New Orleans on a Carnival ship for $500/week in and inside cabin. Don't go this route because it is so cheap. You won't enjoy it as much. No AI worth anything would be this cheap.

Sailing around Cape Horn, Sailing through the Panama Canal, Arriving by sea to Rio de Janeiro, Approaching Gibralter, entering the Black Sea, Sailing out of Singapore have been some memorable experiences for me.