[ajs922]

Leaving on 4/20/14 for a 7 day Western Caribbean Cruise out of Tampa. Going on the Norwegian Dawn. Wondering if anyone else from The Villages was joining us.

[ajs922]

bump???

[Carl in Tampa]

Let me recommend an excellent cruising resource that I have been using for decades. It is a site called Cruise Critic. Think of it as a sort of seagoing TOTV.

Among other things, it contains an area where people who will be going on the same cruise can exchange information, give and take advice, and become acquainted prior to the cruise.

In most cases the group becomes an ad hoc affinity group that the cruise line will recognize and the line will provide a free meeting place for an initial "Meet and Mingle" so the people who have been becoming acquainted on-line can meet face to face. This gives you some people you "know" and can say "hi" to when you meet throughout the cruise.

The particular cruises can be accessed through the "Community" tab of the web site. However, you must register as a user of Cruise Critic before you can access this area. Cruise Roll Calls

Most people who use this feature are seasoned cruisers and can give a lot of good advice about shore excursions available on the particular cruise in question. There is also a separate "Forum" area, similar to TOTV, There you will find reviews of the various cruise lines, Ports of Call, and particular cruises. Cruise Critic Message Board Forums

There are search engines for finding cruise offerings in particular areas, on particular lines, and on particular dates. There is lots of good information for first time cruisers. Cruise Reviews, Cruise Deals and Cruises - Cruise Critic

As I said, I have used Cruise Critic for decades and have found it to be a reliable resource. I last reviewed a cruise (Norwegian Sky in Hawaii) back in 2005, using the same screen name that I use on TOTV. Pride of Aloha - Hawaii - NCL Review by Carl in Tampa

Enjoy your cruise.

[PennBF]

What have some observed as the differences between the Cruise Flyer's saying what you will get and what you actually got? What has been taken away or reduced over the last 5-6 years? The costs shown on the flyers and what they actually end up being when you book and when you get home? Just interested if any have noticed or observed these things?

[buggyone]

When you ate in Grand Cayman, be sure to take the morning excursion to Sting Ray City. The water is around 4 feet deep and you get in the water and handfeed huge stingrays. It is an amazing experience.

[njbchbum]

OP posted, "Leaving on 4/20/14 for a 7 day Western Caribbean Cruise out of Tampa."

Perhaps they will come back here and let us know how they enjoyed the cruise.

[racedaygal]

Originally Posted by Carl in Tampa

Let me recommend an excellent cruising resource that I have been using for decades. It is a site called Cruise Critic. Think of it as a sort of seagoing TOTV.

Among other things, it contains an area where people who will be going on the same cruise can exchange information, give and take advice, and become acquainted prior to the cruise.

In most cases the group becomes an ad hoc affinity group that the cruise line will recognize and the line will provide a free meeting place for an initial "Meet and Mingle" so the people who have been becoming acquainted on-line can meet face to face. This gives you some people you "know" and can say "hi" to when you meet throughout the cruise.

The particular cruises can be accessed through the "Community" tab of the web site. However, you must register as a user of Cruise Critic before you can access this area. Cruise Roll Calls

Most people who use this feature are seasoned cruisers and can give a lot of good advice about shore excursions available on the particular cruise in question. There is also a separate "Forum" area, similar to TOTV, There you will find reviews of the various cruise lines, Ports of Call, and particular cruises. Cruise Critic Message Board Forums

There are search engines for finding cruise offerings in particular areas, on particular lines, and on particular dates. There is lots of good information for first time cruisers. Cruise Reviews, Cruise Deals and Cruises - Cruise Critic

As I said, I have used Cruise Critic for decades and have found it to be a reliable resource. I last reviewed a cruise (Norwegian Sky in Hawaii) back in 2005, using the same screen name that I use on TOTV. Pride of Aloha - Hawaii - NCL Review by Carl in Tampa

Enjoy your cruise.

I second this recommendation. I, too, have been using Cruise Critic for many years and have met many people on the boards. We now cruise with some of them frequently and are fast friends with others. I have saved hundreds of dollars on private excursions by posting on the Roll Calls for our various cruises and asking propel to share excursions with us. A great web site.

[buggyone]

Originally Posted by njbchbum

OP posted, "Leaving on 4/20/14 for a 7 day Western Caribbean Cruise out of Tampa."

Perhaps they will come back here and let us know how they enjoyed the cruise.

Dang, is it the end of May already?

I didn't catch that date. Thanks.

[chuckinca]

Originally Posted by buggyone

When you ate in Grand Cayman, be sure to take the morning excursion to Sting Ray City. The water is around 4 feet deep and you get in the water and handfeed huge stingrays. It is an amazing experience.

Tampa's Lowry Park Zoo has a round tank about 3 feet deep with stingrays swimming around the circle that you can feed and touch - Pretty Neat

Tampa's Lowry Park Zoo | Voted #1 By Parents Magazine

.

[lovsthosebigdogs]

Originally Posted by Carl in Tampa

Let me recommend an excellent cruising resource that I have been using for decades. It is a site called Cruise Critic. Think of it as a sort of seagoing TOTV.

Among other things, it contains an area where people who will be going on the same cruise can exchange information, give and take advice, and become acquainted prior to the cruise.

In most cases the group becomes an ad hoc affinity group that the cruise line will recognize and the line will provide a free meeting place for an initial "Meet and Mingle" so the people who have been becoming acquainted on-line can meet face to face. This gives you some people you "know" and can say "hi" to when you meet throughout the cruise.

The particular cruises can be accessed through the "Community" tab of the web site. However, you must register as a user of Cruise Critic before you can access this area. Cruise Roll Calls

Most people who use this feature are seasoned cruisers and can give a lot of good advice about shore excursions available on the particular cruise in question. There is also a separate "Forum" area, similar to TOTV, There you will find reviews of the various cruise lines, Ports of Call, and particular cruises. Cruise Critic Message Board Forums

There are search engines for finding cruise offerings in particular areas, on particular lines, and on particular dates. There is lots of good information for first time cruisers. Cruise Reviews, Cruise Deals and Cruises - Cruise Critic

As I said, I have used Cruise Critic for decades and have found it to be a reliable resource. I last reviewed a cruise (Norwegian Sky in Hawaii) back in 2005, using the same screen name that I use on TOTV. Pride of Aloha - Hawaii - NCL Review by Carl in Tampa

Enjoy your cruise.

Thanks for this good advice, Carl. I can't wait to get on this site and register. I am anxious to plan my first cruise and this will be a huge help. My husband has cruised before but I haven't and I want to make sure I am not disappointed with my first experience or I won't want to do it again. The website you suggested seems like an excellent place for me to find what I am looking for so that I can make better informed decisions. It's always a good idea to hear what others have to say when trying to plan. You're the best!!