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Cruising this Spring

Discussion in 'Travel Forum' started by Dr. Bob, Jan 29, 2006.

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  1. Dr. Bob

    Dr. Bob Administrator
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    Anyone else going out on the high seas this spring?

    We love to cruise, go at least once a year, and this year looks like a good tour.

    We leave out of Houston/Galveston on Celebrity (a quality line for an "older" crowd than Carnival)

    We hit Mexico (couple of ports) Jamaica, Grand Cayman, Costa Rica and thru the Panama Canal. 13 days.

    Cruising out of Galveston (we went on Royal out of there last February for 7 days) and it is CHEAP compared to any Florida port or even LA/SD on the left coast.
     
    #1 Dr. Bob, Jan 29, 2006
  2. RockRambler

    RockRambler New Member

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    We went in November out of Ft. Lauderdale on the first cruise for the Carnival LIBERTY ...went to San Juan, St. Thomas, Tortola, Antigua, Nassau...great time!!

    Our next one is in May on Carnival INSPIRATION, going to the Grand Caymens and Cozumel....taking our youngest daughters this time, one graduating from HS, the other from College.
     
    #2 RockRambler, Feb 3, 2006
  3. Thankful

    Thankful <img src=/BettyE.gif>

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    We have just returned from a cruise on Holland American Line Out of Norfolk, VA to the Southern Carribean...St. Thomas, St. Kitts, Dominica, Barbados and San Juan. It was great going from a smaller port than Ft. Lauderdale.

    We did have rough seas in the Atlanta, but it was still a wonderful trip. And yes, it was for the older crowd.

    Holland America does not sail out of Galveston and we prefer the Eastern and Southern Caribbean to the western Caribbean, but would like to go through the Panama Canal.

    Our largest expense is always the air fare. If we could just lived closer to a port...

    Hope you have a wonderful trip, Dr. Bob.
     
    #3 Thankful, Feb 3, 2006
  4. Dr. Bob

    Dr. Bob Administrator
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    Just a week away for us now. And living in your area is just 8 hours from Galveston!! HA is a great line, but Royal, Celebrity and Carnival all go out of there and it is CHEAP. If I lived in Oklahoma or Texas, I'd take a cruise vacation every year!

    For those not familiar with costs, this gives a rough idea.

    7 day cruise, outside cabin with picture window, all inclusive (everything on ship, tax, port charges, but not tipping) on a standard line (like Royal or Carnival)
    Galveston - Western Caribbean/Mexico is $600
    Miami/Ft Lauderdal - Eastern Carribean is $800
    LA/San Diego - Baja/Mexico is $700
    per person

    Same with balcony is about $300 more per person
    Alaska and Hawaii cruises are MUCH pricier and very limited seasons.
     
    #4 Dr. Bob, Feb 4, 2006
  5. Dr. Bob

    Dr. Bob Administrator
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    Our itinerary (bore you to tears)

    Sun 12th preach, then fly to Houston
    Mon 13th shuttle to Galveston, embark
    Tue 14th at sea
    Wed 15th at Cozumel, Mexico
    Thu 16th at Costa Maya
    Fri 17th at sea
    Sat 18th at Limon, Costa Rica
    Sun 19th transit Panama Canal
    Mon 20th at sea
    Tue 21st Montego Bay, Jamaica
    Wed 22nd George Town, Grand Cayman
    Thu 23rd at sea
    Fri 24th at sea
    Sat 25th disembark Galveston and fly home

    We are going on Celebrity and total cost (air, cruise, taxes, insurance, transfers from Houston and back) is under $3k for both the bride and I. For two weeks, that is a good price and great vacation.

    Our 9th cruise. #10 is next March (2007) 15 days from LA to Hawaii and back.
     
    #5 Dr. Bob, Feb 4, 2006
  6. Thankful

    Thankful <img src=/BettyE.gif>

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    That sounds like a wonderful trip!

    What cruise line for your Hawaii trip?


    Everytime we consider another cruise line, HA sends us really great deals. Can they read our minds? [​IMG]
     
    #6 Thankful, Feb 4, 2006
  7. Dr. Bob

    Dr. Bob Administrator
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    Haven't locked in, but Princess is the best deal (there are NO "deals" on Hawaii cruises). They have 15-day - 5 days at sea, 5 days on 5 islands and 5 days back - from LA that works into our time schedule. We want a balcony cabin to enjoy the long days at sea. We LOVE "not" visiting places and would enjoy a cruise that went nowhere - just the ship itself is great.

    Here's a website - we just choose a destination from the left column and then look for dates that work and costs. I always deal with an agent and get better bargains than directly with the cruise lines.

    http://www.vacationstogo.com/?source=kwmarket
     
    #7 Dr. Bob, Feb 4, 2006
  8. Thankful

    Thankful <img src=/BettyE.gif>

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    Ed and I totally agree with you! We didn't get to enjoy our veranda at sea on our recent cruise because of rough seas. Fortunately, we have been on only two cruises in which there were rough seas.

    Thanks for the info. We would like to go through the Panama Canal and maybe Hawaii, but we can go on at least two Caribbean cruises for the price of Hawaii Cruise. I have been to Hawaii, but Ed hasn't so we may go some day.

    I would like the days at sea going to Hawaii.

    Until Ed retires, we have to book several months in advance
     
    #8 Thankful, Feb 4, 2006
  9. FriendofSpurgeon

    FriendofSpurgeon Well-Known Member
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    Yes, Galveston is cheaper than Miami/Ft. Lauderdale, but there's a major reason. It is Galveston (motto: ugliest beach in America).

    Nothing like seeing the oil rigs as you leave the port. Plus, not much to see or do pre/post cruise there either. Of course, I'm a bit partial ...
     
    #9 FriendofSpurgeon, Feb 10, 2006
  10. Dr. Bob

    Dr. Bob Administrator
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    I don't speak spanish, so not much for me to do pre/post cruise in South Florida, either. [​IMG] [​IMG]
     
    #10 Dr. Bob, Feb 12, 2006
  11. Dr. Bob

    Dr. Bob Administrator
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    Oh, and flight leaves Wyoming at 4 pm tomorrow to head to another beautiful spot - HOUSTON.

    Ugh! :rolleyes:
     
    #11 Dr. Bob, Feb 12, 2006
  12. FriendofSpurgeon

    FriendofSpurgeon Well-Known Member
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    Hope you had a great time. We too love cruising. It's great for families.

    I can't imagine paying $1500pp for a cruise though - even for two weeks on Celebrity. Yes, you're right -- it's still a good deal. But we tend to get great deals here.

    Let us know what the Canal is like -- we've always wanted to do that one.

    Note - you can always get by in Miami without speaking Espanol, but it's always better to speak the local language. Just remember "comida y mojitos" and you'll get by just fine.
     
    #12 FriendofSpurgeon, Feb 24, 2006
  13. Dr. Bob

    Dr. Bob Administrator
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    We DID have a great time. I wrote a review that will be up soon and I'll link it. Lots of good and a very great vacation.

    And the Galaxy is an older ship that is like "an old shoe" - a little shabby but still elegant and comfortable.
     
    #13 Dr. Bob, Feb 27, 2006
  14. standingfirminChrist

    standingfirminChrist New Member

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    ya know yer on the wrong cruise ship if you are issued 2 oars and leg shackles as you board for your trip.
     
    #14 standingfirminChrist, Feb 27, 2006
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