[mackbeth]

Has any one been on any cruises? which one's do you think are the best? ???

[swrinfla]

mackbeth:
I've cruised at least twice a year since I retired in mid-2002 and love it as a way of being truly pampered!

My favorite is Holland America. I've recently come home from my 5th cruise with them. They cater to us "old people!" Not that that means old geezers shuffling along on their walkers, or drooling into their soup! Just that they're into enjoying their retirement and loving the service. Staff on all HA ships is superior, friendly and helpful.

Example: on my first cruise, I "flirted" with a bar waitress in the top-of-the-ship Crows Nest bar. She learned my favorite drink and brought it without question every night!
Eleven months later, I cruised on a different HA ship out of San Diego. The wine steward for my dinner table was the same young lady. On the first night, she called me by name! [Made me wonder just how much "flirting" I had done, you can imagine!] ;D

I was on a Royal Caribbean ship last January, along with about 150 other Villagers. I found them very, very acceptable. A little bit more oriented toward a younger crowd (to me that means under 60), but not obtrusively so. I'd sail them again, given the right itinerary.

I've also done a four-night Carnival Cruise. They did a good job, too. But, they're after the 20- and 30-somethings, and offer some pretty wild around-the-pool happenings! [I am, frankly, not into "Hairy Chest" contests!] There were nearly 100 Villagers on this particular sailing and I think we pretty much agreed that Carnival is NOT the line we, as senior citizens, would normally choose!

I'm doing a Princess cruise over Thanksgiving and looking forward to it a lot. My years as a travel agent tell me that Princess will do a marvelous job, too. I shall see!

Steve

[Talk Host]

We just finished two trans Atlantic crossings on The Queen Mary 2. The experience is indescribable.

[Avista]

2004 we crossed the Atlantic on the Queen Mary 2 South Hampton to NY. I agree. What an experience. Barb

[F16 1UB]

If you're referring to cruise lines boys that's a tough one. We've been on 6 cruises, 3 different lines, but the toss up would be between Royal Carribean and Holland America. If you've never been you owe to yourself to go. Cancel the cable for a year if you have to save up for it. You can reminisce for a lifetime.

Steve

[mike1472]

Try Celebrity. We've tried several lines and have found Celebrity to be just a touch above the rest in service, ships and food. trying Holland America next. We hear they are also exceptional.

[beady]

Does anyone have any experience with the Costa Cruise Line?

We have one scheduled for February, 45th high school reunion for both of us.

We've done Princess and NCL , just okay for NCL. Food was marginal on NCL, but the fact you could eat at anytime during the 3 meals was a plus.

[Barefoot]

Originally Posted by beady

Does anyone have any experience with the Costa Cruise Line?

We have one scheduled for February, 45th high school reunion for both of us.

We've done Princess and NCL , just okay for NCL. Food was marginal on NCL, but the fact you could eat at anytime during the 3 meals was a plus.

Beady: We took a Costa Cruise last year to the Greek Islands & Croatia (out of Venice). They are an Italian line, which added to our whole Mediterrean experience. We loved it: the crew was wonderful, food great, nothing bad to say.

Costa Cruises were phenomenal ... we enjoyed every aspect of the cruise! We had an outside balcony .. cruising into Santorini and Mykenos .. absolute magic.

[beady]

Thanks barefootatlast,

We are really excited about the group we are cruising with, now we know the cruise line is going to be great as well.

[784caroline]

We love Celebrity both the Galaxy as well as the Millinieum class ship...plus they are comming out with a new ship next year slightly bigger than the M Class.

Alaska by far is the most awsome experience!!

[Gary S]

We are Celebrity fans also. Alaska was magnificent (best ever scenery) and we also spent 11 days in the Carribean. We have a reservation for next year for a 14 day trip in the Med.

My wife finally retired the day before yesterday, so we no longer have to plan around her vacation schedule. So lots more cruising.

Have fun.

[Hyacinth Bucket]

Best Cruises - this is a good question and there is no one correct answer. I will be as brief as I can be in response to this question.

The best cruise for someone is dependent on what they want from the cruise and what they want to experience. They need to decide if they want: to cruise on a small, mid-size or large ship, educational programs, entertainment, library, activities, amenities, traditional dining vs Anytime Dining, gym, spa service, and the list could go on. Once you know some or all of the answers to the above it will help you decide which cruise line you want to sail on.

One cruise line, Cunard, is different in many aspects than other cruise lines. The dining room you are assigned to and the areas that are open to you are dependent on the type of cabin you are in. You can not dine in a dining room that you are not assigned to unless you are going from a dining room where passengers paid more for there cabins to one where passengers paid less. This also holds true for which public areas are open to you.

I also would like to mention that the Cunard line is the only line where there is a planetarium on board, a library of nearly 8,000 books and formal Afternoon Tea. They also have more formal nights than most other cruise lines for the same period of sailing. If you do decide to sail with them it is best to take a transatlantic crossing going from London to NY as there are 25 hours in the day due to the different time zone changes.

There are also lines where the fares are higher than the main stream cruise lines - those are on smaller more intimate lines, and at times more and a deeper level of educational opportunities.

Fund Raisers - if you and a group of your friends and/or family are going on a cruise you can turn it into a Fund Raising Cruise for your favorite cause or charity. It is fairly simple to do and there is no extra cost to the group. I am doing a Fund Raising cruise for the Alumni board that I serve on. For every cabin that we book the Scholarship Fund will receive $50.00. Remember this is at NO additional cost to the passenger. It is a win win situation as I see it and so does the group who are going.

Persons who experience ambulatory, visual, auditory, physical, on dialysis, or need oxygen, etc should not feel they can not go on a cruise or a tour. There are many opportunities and companies than can provide the services that you need. I am a member of various Professional Travel Organization - there is one organization called - SATH - where you can locate answers to your questions if you have any. If you would like you can email me.

I just realized how long this response is - so I better end here.

What ever you do and where ever you travel - have a wonderful time.

HB

[Becky]

I love to cruise! Have Princess booked for New Years and RCCL for an Alaska trip next July. Although, since I bought in TV and haven't really had time to enjoy it yet, that my crusing days will slow down.

Becky

[F16 1UB]

Originally Posted by Becky

I love to cruise! Have Princess booked for New Years and RCCL for an Alaska trip next July. Although, since I bought in TV and haven't really had time to enjoy it yet, that my cruising days will slow down.

Becky

I love to eat. Don't care where it cruises to in Feb 08 on RCCL for East Carrib as long as it's warm. Yeah we booked already. Still waiting to get in TV. Don't foresee cruises slowing down even then. Great time. Can't recommend them enough.

Steve

Looks like I will need a passport now if I want to go on a cruise? http://cruises.about.com/b/a/196025.htm