What boat do you suggest for this picky traveler?

[mattpro]

First, let me commend you on wanting to take your Mom on a cruise.

 

Speaking from experience ( had a mother with same background as yours ), I would suggest the Vision for her first cruise ( the 5 nighter going to Key West and Cozumel, sailing out of FLL.

 

This would allow her to get off in Key West and you may even be successful

at having her walk around the port area of Cozumel just to pick up some trinkets to remind her she was there. Wouldn't have to go far or take much time, so any fears should be alleviated.

 

During her days on the ship she could sit and chat up some folks around the pool, attend the daily trivia, maybe play some bingo and make a small donation to the slots.

 

Deck 4 has some loungers for those who just want to read in quiet or to watch the ocean go by ( very soothing effect for first time cruisers).

 

Evening shows are very nice and she should find them very enjoyable.

 

I would suggest all of you to have breakfast in the MDR - an enjoyable treat for everyone.

 

The Cruise Compass should be mandatory reading for her daily.

 

Balconies on this ship are affordable and if you list yourself in both rooms you will get double points (have to pay the 200% supplement anyway for a single.)

 

Again, enjoy your cruise.

 

Your mother will be begging you to take her again (just like a little kid). Funny how things always come around again. ( BIG SMILE)

[beccaseraph7]

 

Balconies on this ship are affordable and if you list yourself in both rooms you will get double points (have to pay the 200% supplement anyway for a single.)

 

 

You can do this? I knew she'd basically have to pay the same amount, but didn't realize you could do that.

 

I was debating putting on the paperwork me with her and my husband alone, but after thinking for more than a few minutes I realized that wouldn't help with the points.

[#55worktoplay]

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

 

Bingo is good but it is expensive and hearing how she is she won't want to pay the price. I am taking my 84 yr old mother on the Oasis in October and unlike your mother she asks me every time she gets a chance "when are we going on a cruise"? I think this is the 4th one we have gone on and she loves it BUT she plays bingo once and if you ask her a second time she says "No" it's too expensive for her.

 

I agree with either the 4 or 5 day cruise on The Liberty of the Seas, yes the ship is quite large but easy to get around and absolutely beautiful. The other good choice would be the Brilliance stopping in Key West.

 

Be prepared once you get her on one she will be asking every chance she gets "When are we going on a cruise".. :)

 

Whatever you decide enjoy the trip and enjoy your mom and just make it for her, she deserves it.

[boscobeans]

First, let me commend you on wanting to take your Mom on a cruise.

 

Speaking from experience ( had a mother with same background as yours ), I would suggest the Vision for her first cruise ( the 5 nighter going to Key West and Cozumel, sailing out of FLL.

 

This would allow her to get off in Key West and you may even be successful

at having her walk around the port area of Cozumel just to pick up some trinkets to remind her she was there. Wouldn't have to go far or take much time, so any fears should be alleviated.

 

During her days on the ship she could sit and chat up some folks around the pool, attend the daily trivia, maybe play some bingo and make a small donation to the slots.

 

Deck 4 has some loungers for those who just want to read in quiet or to watch the ocean go by ( very soothing effect for first time cruisers).

 

Evening shows are very nice and she should find them very enjoyable.

 

I would suggest all of you to have breakfast in the MDR - an enjoyable treat for everyone.

 

The Cruise Compass should be mandatory reading for her daily.

 

Balconies on this ship are affordable and if you list yourself in both rooms you will get double points (have to pay the 200% supplement anyway for a single.)

 

Again, enjoy your cruise.

 

Your mother will be begging you to take her again (just like a little kid). Funny how things always come around again. ( BIG SMILE)

 

Good way to introduce her for sure.

 

Take her down to the casino when it's not jammed and sit her at a penny or nickel slot for a while. Make sure she knows how to play so she isn't betting 20 credits on 20 lines.. LOL

 

If she is a real window shopper see if you can cruise to St. Thomas. ( US Virgin Islands ) where she can browse till her shoes wear out.

 

If she likes Golden Coral give her a change of pace and spoil her for the week. MDR for breakfast, lunch and dinner when possible. My mother in law is now addicted to eating with full service and avoids the buffet when possible.

 

Have a ball and she will too.

 

bosco

[fourkittys]

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.

 

Check out Holland America cruises to Alaska. Some go out of Seattle Washington seven days round trip. This was our first cruise and was fantastic. We were in our 60's at the time it was a beautiful relaxing cruise. They have beautiful ships.

[Spurschick]

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.

 

Jewel is doing Seattle to Seattle (sorry if someone else mentioned this)

[OCruisers]

Maybe she would enjoy Oasis or Allure. It's more of a floating resort so she would hardly know she was on a ship.

LuLu

[mattpro]

Originally Posted by mattpro View Post

 

Balconies on this ship are affordable and if you list yourself in both rooms you will get double points (have to pay the 200% supplement anyway for a single.)

 

 

You can do this? I knew she'd basically have to pay the same amount, but didn't realize you could do that.

 

I was debating putting on the paperwork me with her and my husband alone, but after thinking for more than a few minutes I realized that wouldn't help with the points.

================================================

 

Actually, the best way is to book 2 balcony rooms, one in either yours or your husbands name, the other with your mother's name and one of you.

 

You will get double points for the single room (200% supplement) and will only have to pay port fees for one.

 

Whichever one of you has the single room in their name will have double points, but when you link your spouse and travel together, you will receive the same amenities as you go up the chain to Diamond (another BIG SMILE).

 

Most likely you will have the opportunity to even upgrade your balcony for a junior suite ( at a nominal fee or even the same amount) as prices change before your final payment date. Monitor until final payment.

 

The Junior Suite has a much larger closet and you will also receive double C&A points for the suite. ( 15 points for either you or your husband, while 5 points for those listed in the balcony room.)

 

Also, the Vision has a large full screen out by the pool, where a movie is shown nightly. Just like going to the drive-in ---- minus the popcorn. Get some munchies from the WJ for your viewing pleasure.

[barb in ga]

DH is 70+ and I'm 64--we love all the Royal Ships because of the friendly, relaxed atmosphere. You can truly do as much or as little as you like, whether that means reading in a quiet spot, enjoying the shows, and having nice meals.

 

We love the range of dining, entertainment and activities on Oasis class, but we have sailed at least one ship in every class and they all are wonderful.

 

Your description of your Mom makes me think that Brilliance out of Tampa, or Enchantment out of Port Canaveral would be excellent choices for her first cruise. I sailed on Serenade, similar to Brilliance, and thought it was one of the prettiest ships at sea. That class also has the nicest card/game room and library, which are nice, restful places to spend a few hours out of the sun. No zip line, or surfrider, but beautiful views in every direction.

 

The idea of a stop in Key West is a good one, and a slightly shorter(4 or 5 days) makes sense for a first time.

 

Whatever you choose, enjoy the time with your Mom.

Barb

[LeeW]

Given the driving restriction, I would suggest Navigator out of Galveston, Coz/Cayman/Jamaica itinerary. She probably won't go ashore in GC (tender), but the port area in Coz and Falmouth are big enough for some shopping and probably a good introduction to foreign countries. She definately should try eating in the dining room just for the variety, and encourage her to dress up for dinner. Have her try the slot tournament and bingo. The ice show is great. And there were a lot of trivia/name that tune get-togethers in the bars. The solarium is a good area to watch the ocean and people while staying out of the sun.

 

Do agree with the Alaska cruise idea, though. If you can get her to fly that is ALL about the scenery and watching for wildlife. Excursions are expensive but there is quite a bit to do just visiting the towns. She might even like the lumberjack show!

[ahecht]

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?

 

I was going to suggest a New England cruise out of Boston as well. It avoids New York and there are a couple of American ports (Bar Harbor, Portland) that many itineraries stop at.

[OCruisers]

Possibly a cruise to Alaska or Hawaii?

LuLu

[awhcruiser]

How is this answer helpful?

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

1