1st time cruiser - which cruiseline which ports?? Honeymooners early 30's

[Babydoll2012]

Hi All,

 

I'm looking for advice on what cruiseliners and ports of call are your favourites.

I'm planning my honeymoon I'm 28 and my partner 32.

Can anyone recommend something special? I am from Ireland and willing to travel to America or even stay in Europe but there are so many differesnt cruise companys and then to each of them many ships.

Where do I start? We have been saving really hard for this special holiday and want it to be perfect. I suppose you could say this would be a once in a lifetime opportunity.

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

 

p.s I had a western caribbean cruise booked on the allure that left yesterday but we cancelled as we postponed our wedding until next year. We are planning our honeymoon for 2015 and are willing to travel anytime in that year.

 

I am now having second thoughts on that cruise as it seems really big for a first time cruiser. I also think I rushed into booking it with no real research and mainly excitement overload.

[CruiserBruce]

When is this holiday? That will have a lot to do with the choices. Budget is another key point. Your interests (seems like Caribbean, but open?) would also be important.

 

Very difficult to recommend things as we don't know you.

[Karysa]

Hi All,

 

I'm looking for advice on what cruiseliners and ports of call are your favourites.

I'm planning my honeymoon I'm 28 and my partner 32.

Can anyone recommend something special? I am from Ireland and willing to travel to America or even stay in Europe but there are so many differesnt cruise companys and then to each of them many ships.

Where do I start? We have been saving really hard for this special holiday and want it to be perfect. I suppose you could say this would be a once in a lifetime opportunity.

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

 

p.s I had a western caribbean cruise booked on the allure that left yesterday but we cancelled as we postponed our wedding until next year. We are planning our honeymoon for 2015 and are willing to travel anytime in that year.

 

I am now having second thoughts on that cruise as it seems really big for a first time cruiser. I also think I rushed into booking it with no real research and mainly excitement overload.

 

 

You have lots of time. I would start with speaking to a TA that specializes in cruises and see what she/he recommends once you tell them what you are looking for in a cruise. I would then start reading reviews on those particular cruiselines and destinations.

[Babydoll2012]

Hi

 

It is anytime in 2015. i don't want to pick a time until i know where i'm going as I want to keep away from spring break travellers and also want nice weather etc

I also don't have a budget as this will be a trip of a lifetime so am willing to spend what is needed.

My interests are leaning towards caribbean purely because I'm from Ireland and feel I can get to the med anytime I like but if the cruises are well worth it then i would definitely consider it.

We are young and would like to be on a cruise with other young people. We like to have fun but relax also and I suppose I would like to do a few things i've never dreamed of doing before.

[CruiserBruce]

OK, tough one here. Can't really compare the Med to the Caribbean. I would think most Americans, at least, consider the Med cruises for history, culture, architecture, religion, etc. Our Med cruise was the best of our 16 cruises, and would do it again in a heart beat. But that is an American talking.

 

Essentially none of those things apply to the Caribbean. I know, I will get flamed...there is some culture, a little bit of history. But mostly, the Caribbean is about warm weather, beaches, snorkeling, water sports, etc.

 

I wouldn't want to sail the Caribbean in July-November, due to hurricane season. Won't want to see you spend a lot of money, for this special event in your life, to have a hurricane scramble your plans. It is unusual for cruises to be canceled due to a hurricane. Rather the ship would re-route. But still won't want that hanging over us.

 

I would suggest a 10 day cruise on some cruise like Princess or Royal Caribbean as a good starting place. December (up to about a week before Christmas)will have good prices, Jan-April higher. After April the number of ships shrinks considerably. But you could do a back to back on Oasis or Allure.

[Guest maddycat]

If you do decide on a Caribbean cruise book one that does the Eastern Caribbean. I think that the islands are much nicer. Royal Caribbean gets many passengers in your age group. Read RCI ship reviews. You also will get information from reading the RCI board and it might be helpful if you post on the UK board.

 

As far as what time of the year, we cruise in April/May and October/November and so far have never had a problem with hurricanes.

 

Royal Caribbean International - Cruise Critic Message Board Forums

 

UK Cruisers - Cruise Critic Message Board Forums

[SPacificbound]

What is a place or places the two of you have always wanted to see? :)

[cruiserking]

I agree with CruiserBruce. We enjoy the Caribbean it is convenient to us sailing from New York but, if you are celebrating a trip of a lifetime as you say why not consider a cruise to Hawaii instead. These are mostly longer voyages from California ports like Los Angeles but, certainly a thrilling and iconic place to visit.

 

Plus why not plan a longer voyage for your honeymoon. I would just research the best time of year for a Hawaiian cruise as the seas tend to be rough during certain seasons.

 

As far as cruise lines either Royal Caribbean or Celebrity. Royal definitely features a younger vibe and caters more to families. Celebrity has beautiful and elegant ships a bit more formal.

 

Definitely visit a travel agent that specializes in cruises.

 

Jonathan

[dorisis]

I would like to suggest you look at Oceania and Regent Seven Seas Cruise Lines. We have done both aand they are very different from the mass customer lines. Your Honeymoon should be SPECIAL! Regent is smaller and more expensive and includes almost everything. Oceania is still very special.Both have fascinating itineraries.

[nathuhbelle]

For me at least, the Caribbean = convenience; not that I don't greatly enjoy it...but it's a lot of the same beautiful beaches and snorkeling. I'd consider something like going to Hawaii or Hawaii and other Pacific Islands.

 

As for ship/cruiseline, what are you looking for? Do you want tons of on-board activities or a smaller environment. We did the Med on one of Princess' small-ships, and it's a vastly different (and in my mind superior) experience than their larger ships.

[Markanddonna]

I also vote for Hawaii. The weather there is much less affected by things like hurricanes which are a huge issue in the Caribbean.

[t_car]

Looks like you have lots of time to plan your honeymoon.

2015 is far enough away. Some things you may want to consider:

 

1. Look at what ships are being built now that will be new in 2015. Keep in mind that a lot of mainstream cruiselines debut new ships in the Med.

 

2. Compare your preferred destination. Most suggestions here are Caribbean or Hawaii. There are many other choices - Transatlantic repositioning cruises (can be a great deal), a portion of a ships world cruise (think Cunard), the Orient, South America, Australia and New Zealand (definitely on my bucket list).

 

3. How important are the ship amenities. A ship like the Allure of the Seas has itself become the destination simply because of its size and vast activities on board. A lot of people would be happy if it just sailed around and just returned to the same port.

 

Your honeymoon is special, and hopefully only happen once. Make it memorable, exciting and unique.

 

Lastly, consider your choice of cabin. You may opt to book a suite with more space, and luxury, a real tub instead of a shower. Depends on how much time besides sleeping you plan on spending in your cabin. lol :D;)

 

Personally, we enjoy the planning part of our cruises almost as much as the cruise itself.

 

Best of Luck and happiness to you both.

[Babydoll2012]

wow thanks a million for all your advice everybody. I do have loads of time to research and by the looks of things I'm going to need it. So much to consider. I have never looked into this before.

 

I suppose a ship doesn't have to have too many activities and I don't want to feel overwhelmed by everything.

 

I also never thought or considered Hawaii.

[busmech]

You might consider a Panama Canal cruise. That is still on my list

[Shorex]

Do take a close look at Windstar Cruises. The ships (yachts) are smaller (about 150-300 total guests), beautiful and as their advertising says "180 degrees from ordinary." You will find younger, more active guests who love to take advantage of the water sports platform. The ships have sails but also navigate under motorized propulsion. Recently, Windstar purchased Seabourn's smaller vessels to add to their fleet, and expand their destinations.

 

Because they are a smaller line, fewer people on cruise critic will mention them as a possibility. Imagine - no lines, no crowds, no mobs waiting for a line of buses, no elbow to elbow in the elevators. One interesting but rarely found feature is the open bridge policy -- just walk onto the bridge anytime to watch the captain/officers at work.

 

Full disclosure, our honeymoon was a Windstar cruise -- absolute perfection.

[Jimnbigd]

Try this: Go on the Royal Caribbean Freedom of the Seas from Port Canaveral, Florida, and stay the week before or after in Orlando and see Disneyworld and Universal Studios

Or, for lots of ports, do a Southern Caribbean from San Juan, Puerto Rico.

[DonnaK]

Try this: Go on the Royal Caribbean Freedom of the Seas from Port Canaveral, Florida, and stay the week before or after in Orlando and see Disneyworld and Universal Studios

Or, for lots of ports, do a Southern Caribbean from San Juan, Puerto Rico.

 

 

I was about to suggest Freedom of the Seas too! The OP had considered Allure, but then decided it might be too big and overwhelming for a first time. Freedom would give a similar cruising experience, but not on the same intense scale. Independence of the Seas from England is also a good choice if you decide on Europe instead of Caribbean - it is the sister ship to Freedom.

 

Jewel or Adventure of the Sea for Southern Caribbean would be a great option, especially in the cooler months. We just returned from Jewel! However, these itineraries are quite port intensive, so they can be exhausting. I'd recommend flying down to San Juan a few days in advance, and if possible, extend your stay a few days post cruise to have a nice balance between relaxing and activities.

[AZbeachboy]

You are getting lots of good suggestions. I might suggest that you think about your dreams. When you think of the world where have you always wanted to go. Where did you dream about as a child. What fascinates you now. Tahiti, French Polynesia was a place I always wanted to go. I had to wait until one of our later cruises to go, but we did it on our 25th Anniversary. It was amazing.

 

Our first cruise just introduced us to cursing. So we began to cruise because we loved it. But we were introduced to some great places once we started. I had always wanted to see the Panama Canal and what a great trip it was. Then I had plenty of it when assigned to work there and our offices were under the Bridge of the Americas.

 

My favorite port is St. Martens. We had such a wonderful time there. That is a place we would have never thought off because so many other Carib places get talked about so much.

 

Somebody talked about starting from Puerto Rico. Great Idea. But you can take a longer cruise and see it as well as part of the US. So again, what is your goal and dream for your honeymoon?

[Cruisin' Chick]

As others have stated above, go seek the advice of a cruise specialist.

 

If you want a more special experience and you want do want to splurge, I would agree with those suggesting a different itinerary such as Hawaii. How about a cruise that starts in Tahiti?

 

We honeymooned in Hawaii (one of our very few vacations that didn't involve a cruise at all). From the place where our reception was held, we boarded a limo that drove us to Marina Del Rey (a really picturesque place) and we watched the sun set. Then we continued on to a hotel by the airport (not picturesque but our flight was very early in the morning). Flew to Honolulu, then to Kauai, picked up our rental car and drove to Poipu Beach and spent a few days at a resort (a nice splurge) and drove all over the island. Then we flew back to Honolulu and spent a few more days there at the Hilton Hawaiian Village (we got upgraded because of our honeymooning status to a room with an incredible view).

 

Our last three cruises were the Princess RT from LA to Hawaii, and each time my hubby insisted that we visit the Waikiki area where the HHV is to relive that special time years before.

 

BTW, there really isn't a relationship between time of year and sea conditions for this cruise. We actually went the same time all three years (the holiday cruise) and had different conditions each time.

[jenmac1978]

Hi All,

 

I'm looking for advice on what cruiseliners and ports of call are your favourites.

I'm planning my honeymoon I'm 28 and my partner 32.

Can anyone recommend something special? I am from Ireland and willing to travel to America or even stay in Europe but there are so many differesnt cruise companys and then to each of them many ships.

Where do I start? We have been saving really hard for this special holiday and want it to be perfect. I suppose you could say this would be a once in a lifetime opportunity.

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

 

p.s I had a western caribbean cruise booked on the allure that left yesterday but we cancelled as we postponed our wedding until next year. We are planning our honeymoon for 2015 and are willing to travel anytime in that year.

 

I am now having second thoughts on that cruise as it seems really big for a first time cruiser. I also think I rushed into booking it with no real research and mainly excitement overload.

 

 

I honeymooned (and got married) on the RC Explorer of the Seas in Sept. 2012. It was a 7 day to Bermuda (awesome honeymoon location) It was the easiest, most stress free wedding I've ever been a part of. My hubby and I were both your ages and LOVED it.

[jocap]

I think I would splurge on the cabin, rather than the ship.

You're looking for young life on board, so perhaps a party-type ship in the Caribbean, but you could make it special by having the most luxurious suite on board- when the disco overheats, you can retreat to cushioned splendour! Some of the smaller luxury ships attract an older cruiser.

Try looking at the suites on NCL ships- now, they're very special. Some even have a small shared pool out on a terrace.

Also- there's usually around 6 ships leaving Southampton on world cruises each January. Now, I'm not suggesting you do a worldie, but the long cruises are cut into sections, which you can book as a package eg fly to Dubai, then take 3 weeks to return to Southampton.

Some fly to Australia, cruise around OZ/NZ and then stay on board for the long sail home. Or Singapore to India. Or South Africa!

The other suggestion is to take a package with P&O from Manchester, or your nearest place across in the UK, to the Caribbean....the 2 ships going each winter are family ships, so have plenty for younger folk- but look at the suites and the speciality restaurants. A package can work out cheaper, then you'll spend the rest on your cabin......:cool: