How to find the right cruise for your personality?

[3rdWaveRudeGirl]

Hello!

 

This is my first post and I have been lurking on the boards for a while, reading all these questions from first timers like myself.... I just wish there was a quiz I could take that would pop out a result saying THIS IS THE CRUISE FOR YOU! (is there one that I maybe missed out there!??!...haha)

 

So I thought...maybe I will give some statistics about myself and my guy and see if anyone had any advice.

 

Ages: Mid 30s

Lifestyle: Lightly active. Hiking, biking, nothing too extreme.

Ideas of fun: going to concerts, eating at amazing restaurants, reading, watching movies.

Budget: 2-3k for cabin only (up to 5-6k total if it was a luxury all inclusive crusie)

Why?: Honeymoon! We are getting married in September 2015 ...we have a currently 2 year old and are very much looking forward to our first "vacation" alone since she was born. She will be just over 3 when we get married and we 3.5 by the time we actually go on the cruise (want to avoid hurricane season if we can)

 

What I know I want out of it: I am looking to have only my second week (or longer) vacation ever. We went to Hawaii with the little one this past November and had fun but it was still a bit exhausting for me ....being the primary watcher of our daughter....so I really want to relax. I want to eat some great food and spoil myself in a nice room with some massages and shopping and a few shore excursions.

 

I am just so lost on what cruise lines to even be looking at... I want some good bang for my buck and I want to feel like this is a really special time but I do not want to feel like I have to be super dressed up all the time or that I just generally do not fit in.

 

I work in video games and my fiancee works in IT, so we are not the fanciest people in the world but enjoy paying for great food and good service.

 

Thank you for reading and I appreciate any advice you have ^_^

[caribsun]

Look at NCL Getaway. New ship, very good entertainment, many restaurants and casual dress code.

[paul929207]

Are you looking for a beach cruise (ie caribbean isles, etc)? or historical sites (ie Greece, etc)?

[3rdWaveRudeGirl]

Hi Paul!

 

I realize I should have said more about that...

 

I am thinking Western Caribbean (I would like to tour some ruins in Mexico) or possibly through the Panama Canal ^_^ That could be fun too.

[3rdWaveRudeGirl]

Look at NCL Getaway. New ship, very good entertainment, many restaurants and casual dress code.

 

I just checked out that ship and WOW... I am blown away. That is so beautiful. Crazy crazy.

[Lerin]

Hello!

 

 

Budget: 2-3k for cabin only (up to 5-6k total if it was a luxury all inclusive crusie)

Why?: Honeymoon! We are getting married in September 2015 ...we have a currently 2 year old and are very much looking forward to our first "vacation" alone since she was born.

 

With your budget and child-free celebration I'd suggest Oceania.

Enjoy and congrats :)

[Cruisin' Chick]

If you have a sit down meeting with a cruise specialist (a travel agent who specializes in cruises), with your budget, desired dates in hand, you'll get some help narrowing down your choices.

 

Also keep in mind that food is very subjective so what your standard as to what is good food may be different from another. So you might also tell the cruise specialist what restaurants you like (that's why a local TA would be good for you).

[Karysa]

I find tendering a real drag especially on a large ship so I would suggest that you consider purchasing cruiseline excursions if you have a port that you will be tendering in. This way you will be first off of the ship and you will not have to line up for tender tickets.

 

Panama Canal cruises don't go as often as Western Caribbean cruises and you would need to check if they go in November. That would be a great place to cruise IMHO.

 

We will be going on our first Celebrity Cruise in September. Perhaps one of the Aqua cabins on a Solstice class ship would be worth looking into.

[OCruisers]

A Princess cruise could be a very good fit for you. :)

LuLu

~~~

[LHT28]

I second Oceania

no formal nights

the passenger may be a bit older but you can still enjoy the food some of the Caribbean cruise attract a younger crowd..not much nightlife if you like that

 

Are you taking your little one? if so Oceania may not be a good fit

Edited March 12, 2014 by LHT28

[Lulubelle45]

Stay away from HAL. Although food is great you are way too young. My best cruise was NCL but we sailed the Pearl, Breakaway and Getaway as well as the Epic are perfect. Celebrity is our next cruise and if you want to be spoiled, their Modern Luxury is a must. Carnival is too noisy busy family and party ship. My Cousin swears by Princess. Good luck!

 

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[Honolulu Blue]

I think there are any number of cruises that would make you happy. Consulting with a travel agent seems like a good idea.

 

Are you planning on cruising right after your wedding? If so, note that September is right in the middle of hurricane season.

[HeatherC430]

You’re in a similar age range and interest of me & my husband. We just took our first Celebrity cruise (after many on Carnival) and LOVED it! If you’re looking for something more relaxing and geared towards adults, I think Celebrity would be a great option for you. We loved sailing out of San Juan on such a port intensive itinerary. In port, you can choose to do as little or as much as you want. I have a detailed review of our trip with photos linked below in my signature.

[AmberCascades]

Fodor's and Frommer's guidebooks break down the lines, and the individual ships, by demographic, culture (i.e. party or quiet, formal or casual, etc.), food, types of cabins, types of entertainment and activities, etc. Once you narrow down possible itineraries you can take out the appropriate guidebook from the library and it will give you an objective overview, whereas here on CC you are going to get more biased opinions. Worthwhile opinions, to be sure :), but most people have their favourites and that's likely what they will recommend, which may or may not be what you personally would prefer.

[Lulubelle45]

Cruise line. Com (all one word) has a quiz that's call which cruise is right for you. Try it!

 

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[CruiseCritic_Matt]

From what you described, your style would probably be similar to mine. I recently went on Breakaway and loved it (same ship as Getaway). I prefer a larger ship, with more activities, and I'm ok paying for specialty restaurants. The Brazilian Steakhouse was amazing, if you're a carnivore. The salad bar there was amazing for all. So, I'd second Getaway.

 

Note: As you see in my name, I do work here. This is me speaking as a similar cruiser, not my site suggesting one way or the other :).

[3rdWaveRudeGirl]

I think there are any number of cruises that would make you happy. Consulting with a travel agent seems like a good idea.

 

Are you planning on cruising right after your wedding? If so, note that September is right in the middle of hurricane season.

 

I think you guys that have mentioned travel agent are right...I will totally do that...

 

but oh no no...we will NOT be sailing right after the wedding because of hurricane season....but our wedding date is uber important ...so we do not mind waiting until November or even January for our honeymoon ^_^

[3rdWaveRudeGirl]

From what you described, your style would probably be similar to mine. I recently went on Breakaway and loved it (same ship as Getaway). I prefer a larger ship, with more activities, and I'm ok paying for specialty restaurants. The Brazilian Steakhouse was amazing, if you're a carnivore. The salad bar there was amazing for all. So, I'd second Getaway.

 

Note: As you see in my name, I do work here. This is me speaking as a similar cruiser, not my site suggesting one way or the other :).

 

Thank you very much, Matt ^_^ I was looking at the restaurants on the ship and were just blown away. I love that some of their rooms have king size beds (since my guy sometimes throws an elbow in his sleep...haha

 

I am sort of falling for NCL and those new, fancy ships.

[3rdWaveRudeGirl]

Cruise line. Com (all one word) has a quiz that's call which cruise is right for you. Try it!

 

Sent from my SGH-I337M using Forums mobile app

 

I am so going to do this RIGHT NOW! Thank you!

[3rdWaveRudeGirl]

You’re in a similar age range and interest of me & my husband. We just took our first Celebrity cruise (after many on Carnival) and LOVED it! If you’re looking for something more relaxing and geared towards adults, I think Celebrity would be a great option for you. We loved sailing out of San Juan on such a port intensive itinerary. In port, you can choose to do as little or as much as you want. I have a detailed review of our trip with photos linked below in my signature.

 

Thank you very much, Heather! I am glad you had a great time on Celebrity. My fiancee has sailed before and he loved Celebrity ... ^_^

 

I need to look into airfare getting to San Juan...I have been ignoring cruises that leave out of San Juan because I was scared of how much it would cost to get there....but I should really check before I write that off.

 

Thanks!

[3rdWaveRudeGirl]

Fodor's and Frommer's guidebooks break down the lines, and the individual ships, by demographic, culture (i.e. party or quiet, formal or casual, etc.), food, types of cabins, types of entertainment and activities, etc. Once you narrow down possible itineraries you can take out the appropriate guidebook from the library and it will give you an objective overview, whereas here on CC you are going to get more biased opinions. Worthwhile opinions, to be sure :), but most people have their favourites and that's likely what they will recommend, which may or may not be what you personally would prefer.

 

Great advice! Thank you ^_^

[navybankerteacher]

Thank you very much, Heather! I am glad you had a great time on Celebrity. My fiancee has sailed before and he loved Celebrity ... ^_^

 

I need to look into airfare getting to San Juan...I have been ignoring cruises that leave out of San Juan because I was scared of how much it would cost to get there....but I should really check before I write that off.

 

Thanks!

 

We flew New York to San Juan for a cruise a few years ago - after finding that airfare was very close to that to Miami. Check it out.