What boat do you suggest for this picky traveler?

[beccaseraph7]

(Just noticed I called it a boat again and not a ship :P sorry guys, not used to "sailing terms" :P)

 

I was wondering if you guys could help me decide which cruise would be best for my mother’s first cruise.

 

She will be 65/66 when we go (either 2015 or 2016) and this will be her first time on a boat.

 

She was extremely reluctant at first, so we were going to do a land vacation with her but she insisted on tagging alone and trying it. She did threaten to follow me everywhere though (hopefully she changes her mind while on board :P).

 

I will tell you some things about her and maybe you guys can help me decide.

 

1. The ports don’t matter, because she refuses to get off the boat out of the country anyways, (Only place she has been not in the USA is Canada and was freaking out the whole time, what if we can’t get back in the US? She watches to many lifetimes movies, lol, but I don’t want to stress her on vacation so I’m not going to push it) so unless it’s in the USA she’ll stay on the boat in ports.

2. The food doesn’t matter to much, she loves the Golden Corral and her idea of “fancy” is Applebee’s and the one time she tried Johnny Rockets off the boat she loved it, so I figure she will be happy with the buffet and Johnny Rockets.

3. She doesn’t drink or smoke and is pretty straight edged, so I doubt she will want to visit the bars.

4. She likes to talk and meet new people, but again I don’t think she’d like going to the bars, she usually avoids being near them if there is one in a place we are eating at home, so if there is a place she can chat up new people not in a bar she’d like that, but again I think she’d be more comfortable eating at the buffet, so meeting new people at dinner isn’t a great option.

5. She doesn’t like water that much (:O I know right?) so she probably won’t be swimming or using the hot tubs.

6. She really isn’t that into music, just doesn’t care.

7. She loves watching movies and shows, but she gets distracted easily (which I wouldn’t say to her face) but it would probably need to be simple.

8. She likes to window shop, she doesn’t buy a lot but she loves looking around.

9. She isn’t very active so ships with the flow rider, zipline, ect.. mean nothing to her.

10. She requested a room with a window, she refuses an interior without a window. I am not sure if getting her a balcony is a great idea, since I’m not sure how she would react but she doesn’t want to feel closed in and isn’t fond of small rooms, so we were considering getting 2 rooms connected.

11. The place we leave from doesn’t matter to much, but she doesn’t like flying, so any place within driving distance (up to like 16 hrs) of lower IN is preferable like Florida and preferably not NYC since she is scared to go there (she’s scared of a lot )

12. She showed interested in casino’s before, but has never actually went to one, not sure why.

13. She loves her pop, so going to get her that package but she doesn’t care about coffee so specialty coffee’s don’t matter.

14. She loves chocolate :)

 

So what ship do you guys suggest and what actives on said ship do you think she would enjoy? I want to make this trip enjoyable to her even though she is nervous about being on a boat… she gets nervous about to many things but I want to show her how enjoyable it can be!

 

My first thought was a Disney line, since she loves shows and Disney but 1. They cost WAY to much for us and 2. I am loyal to Royal and want to continue to work on my C & A points since we don’t get to go on many cruises each year.

 

As for how many days- doesn’t matter as long as it’s under 7 and a reasonable price for 3 people (me, her and my husband) in mid 2015-mid 2016.

 

So any suggestions? What ship and why?

Edited September 17, 2014 by beccaseraph7

[Ourusualbeach]

I would try the Enchantment. A 4 day cruise is a good introduction to cruising. Sails out of Port Canaveral so you could drive. Very reasonably priced. Recently refurbished.

[ehfl]

Since she's the one that insists on tagging along, I would just book whatever ship you want with whatever line you want. It doesn't seem that she has any particular interests that wouldn't be satisfied on any ship. Enjoy whatever line and ship you want. Enjoy yourself, and just hope that she has a good time.

 

If she doesn't like it, at least you will have a nice cruise on the ship and line that works for you.

[setsail]

1 week

 

Half at WDW

Half on a short cruise out of port Canaveral, on rci of course

Edited September 17, 2014 by setsail

[cb at sea]

She will be fine on any ship. The food sounds like it will suit her just fine. The rest is like being at a resort hotel, albeit, with smaller rooms!

[marys350]

Check out Brilliance of the Seas, which leaves from Tampa. There are some 5 night itineraries in 2015, which have stops in Key West and Cozumel and the prices are reasonable. This might make a nice land/cruise combination vacation with a few days pre- or post-cruise in the Tampa/ Gulf Coast/Orlando area. I enjoyed my cruise on the Brilliance of the Seas and love the Radiance class ships for a number of reasons including the number of passengers/size of the ship; adult solarium pool area; beautiful glass views of the ocean everywhere; availability of open air dining in the windjammer café, etc. She might feel comfortable getting off the ship and exploring Key West. Celebrity Constellation also has some similar 5 day itineraries from Tampa.

 

Good luck!

[Grandma Dazzles]

My personal opinion would be for a 7-day cruise - shorter ones are okay, but she may not like the idea of just getting on board, getting comfy, and then off again! Even with a 7-day you are basically only enjoying 6 days.

 

Larger ships, especially Oasis and Allure, would have more shows to watch. Independence class and Voyager class also have great entertainment - she might enjoy the ice show, for example.

 

Sounds like she is a "people watcher" - any of the bigger ships have the promenade with shopping (even if just to look) and seats to watch people go by. Also, promenade cafe or park cafe are great for just having a cup of coffee/drink/cookie and visiting.

 

Price wise, assuming she is going to have her own cabin, she is going to have the single supplement. Connecting cabins might be an option with one balcony cabin.

 

Even if she does not like swimming/water, the solarium is a nice place to sit and relax - sun or shade.

 

How does she feel about kids? RC is very much a family cruise - would having lots of kids on board bother her, or would she enjoy watching them?

 

Sounds like you are trying hard - do what works for you and enjoy the cruise!

[biomedbob]

Just ask Clera....He is the end all....be all

1

[Trekker954]

I would say, give her a sedative and put her on a plane and take her on an Alaska cruise. Tell her Alaska, and that should make her happy, its in the U.S. just leave out the part where you get on or get off in Canada. I suggest the Radiance of the Seas, mid July is best. We did the southbound and it was awesome. Get a nice balcony, because you can't do Alaska any other way. She won't have to swim, even in July its chilly. Its port intensive so she can get off the ship almost every day. You will have to do some excursions since you are going all the way there. Some of the things I saw just took my breath away, or blew my mind. Alaska was the most amazing cruise/excursions. I'm 60. Not too many kids on these cruises because they do seem to cost a bit more, especially the excursions. I really wanted to do it while I was young enough to enjoy it. I think too many cruisers put it off for when they are older. This is a mistake.

[beccaseraph7]

 

How does she feel about kids? RC is very much a family cruise - would having lots of kids on board bother her, or would she enjoy watching them?

 

Sounds like you are trying hard - do what works for you and enjoy the cruise!

 

Thanks everyone for your suggestions! As for kids I think she'd be ok with them, she seems to like kids (I don't have any of my own, but she's always bugging us to give her some grand kids), but I never actually had any experience with them "bugging her" so, I have no clue, lol, but knowing her she'd try to help them with whatever they needed if they asked than be annoyed. I did see her walk up to someone at walmart gushing about how cute their baby was - embarressing for me!

 

And I discounted Allure and Oasis for her (we actually going on it, me and my husband alone) due to the size of the boat, I'm not sure she would enjoy walking that much since she does have problems with her knees- not enough to not get around, but I don't want to cause her to much discomfort and I think it'd be best to introduce her to a smaller ship to begin with instead of going "all out"

[beccaseraph7]

I would say, give her a sedative and put her on a plane and take her on an Alaska cruise. Tell her Alaska, and that should make her happy, its in the U.S. just leave out the part where you get on or get off in Canada. I suggest the Radiance of the Seas, mid July is best. We did the southbound and it was awesome. Get a nice balcony, because you can't do Alaska any other way. She won't have to swim, even in July its chilly. Its port intensive so she can get off the ship almost every day. You will have to do some excursions since you are going all the way there. Some of the things I saw just took my breath away, or blew my mind. Alaska was the most amazing cruise/excursions. I'm 60. Not too many kids on these cruises because they do seem to cost a bit more, especially the excursions. I really wanted to do it while I was young enough to enjoy it. I think too many cruisers put it off for when they are older. This is a mistake.

 

No offense this sounds like a fantastic idea, because I'd love to go to Alaska but since she refuses to go to other counties she doesn't have a passport and you can't fly to Canada without a passport, only closed circuit USA cruises, so this won't work, but thanks for the suggestion.

[beccaseraph7]

1 week

 

Half at WDW

Half on a short cruise out of port Canaveral, on rci of course

 

This is what I was thinking so far, a shorter cruise and part of the trip at WDW because my husband can only get a week off + the weekend before and after, so it'd take a few days to drive each way, so we'd need a cruise 5 days or less from what I was thinking.

 

Thanks for all the suggestions I will check out all the ships mentioned and see what seems best.

 

I do know she lived in Key West for a few months when she was younger so that might be somewhere interesting to see if any cruises go to there like mentioned and I have almost convinced her to get off at Labadee and / or Coco Cay.

[BND]

Honestly from what you've posted, I don't really see her having a great time on any ship. I don't know that the ship really matters since the more bells and whistles don't do it for her. I thought you would say she was 90 or something. I'm 54 and I can't see myself ever being that "picky" or whatever you want to call it at 65. That's young nowadays.

 

I do think you will probably have a constant shadow the entire time. I've tried to talk my 77 year old mother into a cruise for a while, but her argument is she doesn't want to be "out in the middle of the ocean". We can't convince her that you really don't even think about it most of the time because there's so much to do and it's so relaxing. There are much older cruisers who don't get off in any port and sit and play cards and/or read or something all day every day so she should be able to find someone to talk to outside of a bar.

[dacsmom]

I also like the Brilliance, only because it stops in Key West and she may feel comfortable getting off the ship. Other than that she might like the Freedom Eastern itinerary, not too big, good shows, She might like to get off in CoCo Cay.

[cruiserfromalabama]

You are a great daughter to do this for your mom! Are you dead set on RCCL(I love RCCL)? You said she likes chocolate and I believe that the newest Princess ship has a chocolate cruise on their newest ship Regal Princess! I loved Princess Cruise Lines and the layout of their ships.

[karen s]

I would say, give her a sedative and put her on a plane and take her on an Alaska cruise. Tell her Alaska, and that should make her happy, its in the U.S. just leave out the part where you get on or get off in Canada. I suggest the Radiance of the Seas, mid July is best. We did the southbound and it was awesome. Get a nice balcony, because you can't do Alaska any other way. She won't have to swim, even in July its chilly. Its port intensive so she can get off the ship almost every day. You will have to do some excursions since you are going all the way there. Some of the things I saw just took my breath away, or blew my mind. Alaska was the most amazing cruise/excursions. I'm 60. Not too many kids on these cruises because they do seem to cost a bit more, especially the excursions. I really wanted to do it while I was young enough to enjoy it. I think too many cruisers put it off for when they are older. This is a mistake.

 

I concur with Alaska - just off the Radiance on a Southbound in late July this year and it was breathtaking. So glad I was with my family, to include my 71 yr old mom, my daughters in their 20's, and nieces and nephews in their tweens...there was something for everyone.

[beccaseraph7]

You are a great daughter to do this for your mom! Are you dead set on RCCL(I love RCCL)? You said she likes chocolate and I believe that the newest Princess ship has a chocolate cruise on their newest ship Regal Princess! I loved Princess Cruise Lines and the layout of their ships.

 

I prefer Royal since I wanted the points, but dead set no... I want her to enjoy it :) I will check it out!

 

And thanks again to the others for the tips, I am making notes and comparing until I decide, I talked to her again today and she is seeming more excited to go than scared now.

 

She actually told me today she won't be following us around once she gets the lay of the land and we can do "whatever we want" if she doesn't think she'd like it (such as she'll stay on the ship in ports we want to get off at if she's not "comfortable" doing so). I figured she'd be at ease on the ship once she gets used to it, she's used to going places by herself since my dad is disabled now, I think being out in the ocean just scares her, but she'll realize it's fine once we get going :).

[cruisetrail]

beccaseraph7,

 

Three things about cruising.

 

1. My suggestion to first time cruisers: leave your habits at home. You will return to them in 7 days.

Life on a cruise ship is different. Enjoy what you find on the ship. It may happen to be better than you could imagine!

 

2. A cruise ship next door is not necessarily the best option! Sometimes we need to fly or drive to get the best of our cruises.

 

3. Although we are on RCI board, it does not necessarily mean that RCI is the prescription for eveyone.

My suggestion is one of two best HAL ships - Eurodam or Nieuw Amsterdam (only these two!) - most comfortable resort ships in the Caribbean. They depart from Fort Lauderdale.

Choose Eastern itinerary that includes two paradise islands. They are safe and homey - like an extention to the ship. No need to go far from the ship. Watch video - link in my signature.

It needs to be not less than a full 7 days cruise.

 

My favorite RCI ships (Oasis class and Freedom class) are beautiful, but for an introductory cruise for your mom nothing is better than Eurodam and Nieuw Amsterdam.

You'll try one of RCI ships later when your mom falls in love with cruising.

 

Best wishes to your mom.

Enjoy your cruises!

 

 

P.S. Just notices your remark about points. My opinion: best cruise is my points.

Edited September 18, 2014 by cruisetrail

[molsonschooner]

I also like the Brilliance, only because it stops in Key West and she may feel comfortable getting off the ship. Other than that she might like the Freedom Eastern itinerary, not too big, good shows, She might like to get off in CoCo Cay.

Not too sure about the Freedom not being too big. Freedom class ships are the second biggest ships in the rcl fleet.

[homeschoolmama]

Alaska can be sailed without going to Canada. Celebrity, for example, has some ships sailing from Seattle and she could take in stunning scenery without leaving the ship, if she so chooses. Another option might be an itinerary to Bermuda where you basically stay there the whole trip except sea days. Hope something works out to meet all your interests and that she has a great time.

 

Sent from my SCH-I915 using Forums mobile app

[Cruzin-K]

You are a great daughter to do this for your mom! Are you dead set on RCCL(I love RCCL)? You said she likes chocolate and I believe that the newest Princess ship has a chocolate cruise on their newest ship Regal Princess! I loved Princess Cruise Lines and the layout of their ships.

 

I think that's a decent option.

 

I took my Mom (age 69 at the time) on her first ever cruise. When I booked it, I was loyal to Royal but I wanted to take Mom to the Med and Princess offered the best itinerary. Of course, I had to try out Princess first, because I couldn't take Mom on an unknown line :D so I did a 7 night on the Ruby out of Ft. Lauderdale just to see what it was like. Anyway, the end result was that Mom loved the Med cruise, and I loved Princess. I now have two favorite lines and while the climb up the loyalty ladders will be slower because I'm splitting time between lines, it gives me more options.

 

If you are dead set on sticking with RCI, I agree with the posters who suggested a cruise that includes Key West. At least she'd be able to get off the ship and look around a little bit.

[30scruiser]

Have you thought about a Canada/New England cruise? Some leave from near NYC but you don't have to go into the city and other lines have ones that leave from Boston. They stop in Maine and maybe she would get off the ship in Canada too?

[crusinot]

Your mom makes me think of my mom. We just tried Enchantment 4 night in August. My husband was very not sure if he would like cruising and he loved it. My mom would be nervous getting off in a port but she would have loved coco Cay. Even to just poke around the little shops, eat the lunch buffet and get back on the ship. I think that my mom would have liked the shows, they have movies, and she may have tried BINGO. Not much shopping on the ship but there is some. Good Luck. Hey you never know!

[beccaseraph7]

I forgot about bingo! My mom and grandma used to go to Bingo games all the time when I was little... I think she'd love to do that again, thanks for reminding me of that :D

[rednose83]

I would say an Alaska or New England cruise. Then she'd at least get a chance to get off the ship.

 

If she was scared in Canada- you can count anywhere in the Caribbean out.

 

Honestly, I don't think a cruise sounds "up her alley." I'd probably go back to a land-based resort somewhere that she likes or maybe Vegas- plenty of shows, no water (:p), all kinds of food available, and it's in America.