Looking for ideas for 2nd honeymoon

[Bear-n-Babe]

Even though my wife and I have taken one cruise, I still feel I am a novice at this cruising. We took the kids (21 and 18) on a 3 day cruise last Christmas on the Carnival Sensation. It just happened to fit in the middle of a family Christmas get together close to Port Canaveral.

 

My wife came off that cruise wanting to go on a longer (week long) cruise. I am now researching what would be the ideal cruise for just her and I. Kind of like doing a 2nd honeymoon. To date we are 24 years married, and we thought we could do a cruise in 2014 (April or May) for our 25th, but finances are going to most likely push this 2nd honeymoon cruise to 2015 (april or may).

 

We are looking for a week long cruise. A ship bigger than the Sensation that we were on. I am not sure how BIG we want to go. We'd like to stick with the Caribbean/Mexico destinations. I do not like massive crowds. We like shows, pampering ourselves, and we are active, yet we enjoy our down time. We enjoy GOOD food. I enjoy trying new drinks and wines.

The wife and I are in our early 50's. Fit and active (we run our own fitness and nutrition business). Maybe given what I just stated, taking a break from the vigorous exercise, with pampering and some lite exercise would be best.

 

I want to make this romantic for my wife and I. Excursions would be light to moderate. Her and I did do a massage at the spa on our last cruise.

I have been scanning through information on a few cruise lines and trying to come up with some ideas on Cruiseline and Ships and itineraries. We've been to Nassau. Baltimore is close home, but it appears that would limit my cruise selections.

 

Destinations are not the big priority for us, but we are open to suggestions. Ship is something that I am looking hard at, because I want something that we would enjoy on sea days. We do spend a little time by the pool, but on our last cruise, I gravitated to the quieter parts of the ship, and on the Sensation took advantage of the Serenity deck to get away from the noise and yelling kids at the main pool. I enjoy my peace and quiet.

 

So basically looking for suggestions for a romantic relaxing cruise for a couple in their 50's to get some pampering, and good food/drink.

[marco]

My first choice would be Celebrity Summit to Bermuda in May 2014. You most likely would not have to fly (being from PA). You'll be in Bermuda for 3 days, so you're not rushing around to get back on board to sail to your next port. Bermuda is a beautiful island (we've cruised there many times) and it's a nice, relaxing trip. Not to mention Bermuda is one of the top destinations for Honeymoons, so what could be better than going there by cruise for a 2nd honeymoon.

[Krazy Kruizers]

We did a cruise to Bermuda in May (on the Pacific Princess).

Weather was cold and rainy.

In April and May you will find very few ships sailing the Caribbean as most have left for Europe, Alaska and Canada/New England. The choices are fewer and the prices are higher because of that.

Can you cruise in February or March?

[Bear-n-Babe]

I wasn't aware of reduced number of ships and higher prices in April and May. Actually second half of February or first part of March might work as well. Wife's dad lives with us and goes to Florida middle of February and we could just escort him to Florida and then cruise out of one of the Florida ports. Lots of options and things to consider.

[skandls]

See if one of the new Celebrity ships is going where and when you want to book. AQ class is nice and the Blu restaurant has a 'lighter' menu. Don't worry (not all sprouts and tofu). Since its just the two of you - maybe you can splurge a little. Check this info out on the Celebrity board. I love the Oasis and Allure - but those cruises are busy busy - if you want to see all the shows.

[sail7seas]

We did a cruise to Bermuda in May (on the Pacific Princess).

 

Weather was cold and rainy.

 

In April and May you will find very few ships sailing the Caribbean as most have left for Europe, Alaska and Canada/New England. The choices are fewer and the prices are higher because of that.

 

Can you cruise in February or March?

 

Late April and May are low season for sailing Canada/NE. Too early in the season to suit us and we love those cruises but when it is warmer.

 

WAy too early for Bermuda, as well. We've been to Bermuda as late as Memorial Day and weather was awful. Of course, that is luck of the draw but I wouldn't risk it.

 

JMO.....

 

[dorisis]

Royal Caribbean's Freedom of the Seas goes out od Port Canaveral and does 7 day cruises.

 

I vote for Bermuda tho. We celebrated our 60th there last April. Weather was lovely not hot and not cold...pefect!

[marshhawk]

While Bermuda is beautiful, I understand about saving money and would make some suggestions, you liked Carnival, and I have cruised Carnival (cheer leader of sorts) we are in our early 60's, and love to see new things, I too suggest get out of April and May, look for a February cruise out of Florida, look for eastern or southern caribbean. Check out Holland american too, they have some great cruises out of Ft Luaderdale. I have nothing against Bermuda, but from Philadelphia, you could fly and spend a week, and really see it. Good luck, do your research, but get out of the April May mindset, it will save you alot. Cruise happy!:).

[cruiserking]

I think Holland America Line would be a perfect fit for you and your wife.

We have sailed with them and great fans of their elegant ships, relaxing environment, delicious food and top-notch service. A February cruise from Florida would give you a lot of options particularly on one of their new ships like the Eurodam or Nieuw Amsterdam

 

You might also consider Celebrity. This is another formal line and traditional line like HAL and their newer Solstice class ships like the Soltsice, Silhouette, Reflection, Equinox and Eclipse are really gorgeous gorgeous liners.

 

I think either of these two lines would be a very suitable for you and make for a delightful second honeymoon.

 

Bon Voyage.

 

Jonathan

[momofmeg]

I think Holland America Line would be a perfect fit for you and your wife.

We have sailed with them and great fans of their elegant ships, relaxing environment, delicious food and top-notch service. A February cruise from Florida would give you a lot of options particularly on one of their new ships like the Eurodam or Nieuw Amsterdam

 

You might also consider Celebrity. This is another formal line and traditional line like HAL and their newer Solstice class ships like the Soltsice, Silhouette, Reflection, Equinox and Eclipse are really gorgeous gorgeous liners.

 

I think either of these two lines would be a very suitable for you and make for a delightful second honeymoon.

 

Bon Voyage.

 

Jonathan

 

I like HAL except for their less stringent smoking policy. Since their competition have gone stricter on smoking polices,they attract too many smokers now. I would suggest instead of HAL, either Celebrity or Princess for the OP if they are nonsmokers.

 

 

Of course for May, the Caribbean is out for those lines. but there is Alaska, Bermuda, Mexican Riviera. If the OP wants warm and sunny though, I guess the Mexican Riviera, unless they want to really splurge and go to the Med.

[aideek2000]

You have many options and I feel that if you liked Carnival for a Christmas cruise you will really enjoy yourselves better this time around, not that many kids, older crowd, and quiet ship. I suggest a 7 day cruise with a port intense itinerary, at least 4 stops. Book independent excursions to save money and have better customer service, check ports of calls and tripadvisor for good suggestions about operators, and maybe a visit at a spa in one of your ports. Many resorts and beach clubs have spas and you and your wife can let them pamper you for a fraction of the cost of prices onboard the ship. To us the unforgettable experiences will be on the ports, but there's a lot of searching for the right place and person involved.

If you do your research you will find the prices for February in comparison for prices for a Christmas cruise excellent deals. Carnival has a promotion right now of reduced deposit for many of the sailings, and now you qualify for a past guest discount.

You can each take 750 ml of your favorite wine onboard and drink it at the main dining room for a small fee. You may also take reasonable amounts of soda and bottle water at embarkation.

Carnival Von Boyage department sells cabin decorations, anniversary and honeymoon cakes to have at dining room or the place of your choice, chocolate covered strawberries and champagne for a welcome aboard surprise in your cabin for your wife.

The options are endless you just have to be creative.

[aideek2000]

I found two newer and bigger carnival ships, Breeze and Dream, with an affordable price out of Florida. (itinerary and dates below)

 

Feb 1, 2014 8 Days Caribbean-Eastern

Carnival Cruise Lines • Carnival Breeze

Miami, Grand Turk, San Juan/Puerto Rico, Saint Maarten, Saint Thomas, Miami

 

Feb 23, 2014 6 Days Caribbean-Western

Carnival Cruise Lines • Carnival Breeze

 

Feb. 15, 2014 8 Days Caribbean-Southern

Carnival Cruise Lines • Carnival Breeze

Miami, Grand Turk, La Romana, Curacao, Aruba, Miami

 

7 Days Caribbean-Western

Carnival Cruise Lines • Carnival Dream

Port Canaveral, Cozumel, Belize, Roatan, Costa Maya, Port Canaveral

2 departure dates: Feb 1, 15 2014

 

7 Days Caribbean-Eastern

Carnival Cruise Lines • Carnival Dream

Port Canaveral, Nassau, Saint Thomas, Saint Maarten, Port Canaveral

2 departure dates: Feb 8, 22 2014

[cruzeluver]

Highly suggest you look at Celebrity. You mention food and good wine as priorities, and Celebrity does both very well. Great line for a couple looking for romance, quiet time and fewer kids. We go to the Caribbean in late March or April (after Spring break time) and find fewer kids and rates are reasonable.

[Bear-n-Babe]

Thank you everyone for the good suggestions. Whether we do this in 2014, 2015 or later, is to be seen. I do want to treat my wife to a special 2nd honeymoon. She works very hard to take care of everyone else (including her 97 yr old father that lives with us), that one of these "days" she needs treated and pampered. We were just talking today about maybe putting this "2nd honeymoon" trip off till I retire in April of 2016. Our daughter graduates from college the 2nd weekend of May. We'll have a LOT more to celebrate.

I was just now looking at the Celebrity website. They are more than your standard economy Carnival, but my initial assessment is that by the time you add the extras and the "service", all things are equal.

[jwm51]

Even though my wife and I have taken one cruise, I still feel I am a novice at this cruising. We took the kids (21 and 18) on a 3 day cruise last Christmas on the Carnival Sensation. It just happened to fit in the middle of a family Christmas get together close to Port Canaveral.

 

My wife came off that cruise wanting to go on a longer (week long) cruise. I am now researching what would be the ideal cruise for just her and I. Kind of like doing a 2nd honeymoon. To date we are 24 years married, and we thought we could do a cruise in 2014 (April or May) for our 25th, but finances are going to most likely push this 2nd honeymoon cruise to 2015 (april or may).

 

We are looking for a week long cruise. A ship bigger than the Sensation that we were on. I am not sure how BIG we want to go. We'd like to stick with the Caribbean/Mexico destinations. I do not like massive crowds. We like shows, pampering ourselves, and we are active, yet we enjoy our down time. We enjoy GOOD food. I enjoy trying new drinks and wines.

The wife and I are in our early 50's. Fit and active (we run our own fitness and nutrition business). Maybe given what I just stated, taking a break from the vigorous exercise, with pampering and some lite exercise would be best.

 

I want to make this romantic for my wife and I. Excursions would be light to moderate. Her and I did do a massage at the spa on our last cruise.

I have been scanning through information on a few cruise lines and trying to come up with some ideas on Cruiseline and Ships and itineraries. We've been to Nassau. Baltimore is close home, but it appears that would limit my cruise selections.

 

Destinations are not the big priority for us, but we are open to suggestions. Ship is something that I am looking hard at, because I want something that we would enjoy on sea days. We do spend a little time by the pool, but on our last cruise, I gravitated to the quieter parts of the ship, and on the Sensation took advantage of the Serenity deck to get away from the noise and yelling kids at the main pool. I enjoy my peace and quiet.

 

So basically looking for suggestions for a romantic relaxing cruise for a couple in their 50's to get some pampering, and good food/drink.

 

Sounds like Celebrity or RCL is for you!:D