Going on my first cruise

[hopkinsnhorns 533]

My .02 - book the steakhouse for dinner 2-3 times that week.  It's the best meal on the boat.  We did the chef's table dinner one time, and it was good, but for the price, I'd much rather spend the upcharge on 2-3 steakhouse dinners than one 10 course chef's tasting.  This is best when you have the drink package so you can knock back 2-3 glasses of wine at dinner before finishing with a cocktail to go with dessert, otherwise that shit would be pretty pricey.

Chef's tasting - ~10 courses, small party w. the head chef of the ship.  Usually served either in the galley or some other private area, like a library.

Edited April 30, 2019 by hopkinsnhorns

[Sbbruin 22,142]

My wife and I went on one.  She ended up screwing a bartender.  But she was wasted.  And if you must know, he didn't even cum inside her.

[hopkinsnhorns 533]

Just now, Sbbruin said:

My wife and I went on one.  She ended up screwing a bartender.  But she was wasted.  And if you must know, he didn't even cum inside her.

Does your wife want to go on a cruise?

[Johnny Sack 8,397]

Make sure you take a tuxedo and your wife a sequined prom dress for the formal night. 

[Onboard 2.0 9,083]

17 minutes ago, Sbbruin said:

My wife and I went on one.  She ended up screwing a bartender.  But she was wasted.  And if you must know, he didn't even cum inside her.

I used to tend bar....

[Shaddie 1,684]

Kinda off topic but help me out. Sitting here in Curacao and while people are nice and prices are ok I am once again disillusioned. Been to a few Carib islands and none have any wow factor. I am looking for great wildlife tours. Great light tackle fishing. Great scuba. 

If they take US dollars I think they have to suck. 

Any ideas?

[phdhorn 6,225]

5 hours ago, Sbbruin said:

My wife and I went on one.  She ended up screwing a bartender.  But she was wasted.  And if you must know, he didn't even cum inside her.

Next time don't get the all-inclusive.

[Both Tacos 1,827]

What ship are you going out on and how many dsys?
Went on a 7 day East Caribbean cruise last month and had a blast. Probably because it was on Royal Caribbean's Harmony of the Seas which is a big ass ship with lots to do and it was a free trip except our drinks and excursions.
It was only the second cruise I've ever done and I think it is as good as you want it to be. Like others said, having other fun people around makes a difference and those who are experienced will be helpful.
Definitely do a couple of the specialty dining options.
Also, if you are going on Royal Caribbean you need to get the Key Program. Basically, you get all the perks of the suite guests plus more. I stumbled onto it before our cruise and it was worth the extra money and since I needed the internet package to keep up with work, it actually wasn't much more out of pocket.


Sent from my SM-G955U using Tapatalk

[HenryJames 67,330]

8 hours ago, Shaddie said:

Kinda off topic but help me out. Sitting here in Curacao and while people are nice and prices are ok I am once again disillusioned. Been to a few Carib islands and none have any wow factor. I am looking for great wildlife tours. Great light tackle fishing. Great scuba. 

If they take US dollars I think they have to suck. 

Any ideas?

Pampa

[Mo Horn 8,937]

Some have asked about details of cruise. We're on Carnival Conquest.  I've heard shitty things about Carnival but the couple who cruises a lot use only them so they did the booking and got us balcony cabins for great prices. I would have picked a different cruise line. 

Ports and excursions which all couples planned together, but I'm happy with the choices

Grand Turk - power snorkelling

San Juan - no excursion. Just going to visit the forts and wander through Old Town 

U.S. Virgin Islands - zip lining

Dominican Republic  - hike down a river through caverns and down waterfalls. 

All the comments have been great and appreciated. On the ship I'm going to treat it like a beach vacation and do a lot of nothing. Sit on my balcony and read and  disconnect for a bit. We may do some shows or dancing at night. And eat a lot. I'm looking forward to it mostly because I've never done one. I'm definitely more of a explore a city and culture person when I travel, but as stated we're going with folks who swear cruising is the only way to go. We'll see. 

[Onboard 2.0 9,083]

7 minutes ago, Mo Horn said:

Some have asked about details of cruise. We're on Carnival Conquest.  I've heard shitty things about Carnival but the couple who cruises a lot use only them so they did the booking and got us balcony cabins for great prices. I would have picked a different cruise line. 

Ports and excursions which all couples planned together, but I'm happy with the choices

Grand Turk - power snorkelling

San Juan - no excursion. Just going to visit the forts and wander through Old Town 

U.S. Virgin Islands - zip lining

Dominican Republic  - hike down a river through caverns and down waterfalls. 

All the comments have been great and appreciated. On the ship I'm going to treat it like a beach vacation and do a lot of nothing. Sit on my balcony and read and  disconnect for a bit. We may do some shows or dancing at night. And eat a lot. I'm looking forward to it mostly because I've never done one. I'm definitely more of a explore a city and culture person when I travel, but as stated we're going with folks who swear cruising is the only way to go. We'll see. 

Well, it ain't the only way to go, but they're fun. The best part is you don't have to worry about a car. Get on board, and check out. Your planned ship board activities are about right for a cruise. Hanging on our balcony at night with a couple cocktails was always a very relaxing thing.

They're gonna feed you every couple hours so if that's your thing you're in luck.  Cruises are what you make of them. I said I'd never do a cruise, but had a great time on each of ours.  The balcony suite is the biggest game changer.

 

[Nueces River Rat 5,795]

1 hour ago, Mo Horn said:

Some have asked about details of cruise. We're on Carnival Conquest.  I've heard shitty things about Carnival but the couple who cruises a lot use only them so they did the booking and got us balcony cabins for great prices. I would have picked a different cruise line. 

Ports and excursions which all couples planned together, but I'm happy with the choices

Grand Turk - power snorkelling

San Juan - no excursion. Just going to visit the forts and wander through Old Town 

U.S. Virgin Islands - zip lining

Dominican Republic  - hike down a river through caverns and down waterfalls. 

All the comments have been great and appreciated. On the ship I'm going to treat it like a beach vacation and do a lot of nothing. Sit on my balcony and read and  disconnect for a bit. We may do some shows or dancing at night. And eat a lot. I'm looking forward to it mostly because I've never done one. I'm definitely more of a explore a city and culture person when I travel, but as stated we're going with folks who swear cruising is the only way to go. We'll see. 

Carnival is good for the budget traveler and for families with kids and that's their target audience for the most part.   Caribbean based type cruises are not designed to be the cultural type experiences one will see if they take a cruise in Asia or Europe.  You might get some cultural type things if you stop in Mexico as you can go see some ruins or experience the old towns, but it's like a drive by type experience vs a real get to know place like you might get in Asia or Europe where the port visits last all day with some staying two days in one port.  Plus because the ports are so close, the time "at sea" is scaled down which on most Caribbean cruise,  depending on the route you are going to have almost half of the cruise "at sea."    One just has look at the excursion lists on the Caribbean cruises to see they are just moving the fun off the ship on to land and the deep dive into cultural stuff just really isn't there.  

Many experienced cruisers will get to the point where they will skip excursions all together if possible and take in the sights of the port and pre plan their own time away from the crowds.  Thanks to internet it is very possible to line up private drivers,   time at a beach away from the beaches the excursion companies  or cruise lines will ferry people too, etc.   

The one good thing about cruise to any part of the world is it does allow you to get a taste and plan a later longer trip to one of those ports you stop over at.   I want to say our first stop at Cozumel on a cruise influenced us to later make a quick five day trip down there soon there after.  Same could probably be said of others who have stopped in Jamaica and a number of islands down there.   

Edited May 1, 2019 by Nueces River Rat

[hopkinsnhorns 533]

The shitty thing about the 7 day cruise was once we returned, I still had sea legs for like a week or two later.  I'd be sitting at my desk and it felt like the world was slowly listing around me.  Real mind fuck.

[JimmyHoffa 1,188]

19 hours ago, relapse98 said:

Why all the white people not in the pool? Can't swim?

 

It's the under 75, 30 minute swim time. 

[Abogado Peligroso 89]

Seabourn Mediterranean cruise or gtfo 

[HRSchenker 2,340]

Just some pieces of advice

• Get the soda pass. Just do it.
• Be careful with the booze pass because most companies don't allow single passes if you're sharing a room. So if you're in the room with your wife, she will need to buy a pass if you buy one. If she doesn't drink or you don't drink then you end up spending more money than you would if you just bought the high priced drinks at the bar
• Do not use the onboard ATM. Go to the casino, buy some chips, then immediately cash out. That should save you a ton in ATM and international fees

[Mo Horn 8,937]

1 hour ago, HRSchenker said:

Just some pieces of advice

• Get the soda pass. Just do it.
• Be careful with the booze pass because most companies don't allow single passes if you're sharing a room. So if you're in the room with your wife, she will need to buy a pass if you buy one. If she doesn't drink or you don't drink then you end up spending more money than you would if you just bought the high priced drinks at the bar
• Do not use the onboard ATM. Go to the casino, buy some chips, then immediately cash out. That should save you a ton in ATM and international fees

Already got the soda pass

Didn't do the alcohol one. As I stated, I enjoy a glass or two of wine and an occasional cocktail but will not drink near enough to afford the pass. As much as it costs I'd die of alcohol poisoning before I got my money's worth. $52.00 a day plus 18% gratuity added on. 

Great tip on the ATM.

[michaelpshayes 417]

rather spend a week at the Super 8 of Lawton, OK than 2 days on a floating toilet with 4500 proles

have fun though

[Macanudo 13,318]

44 minutes ago, Mo Horn said:

As much as it costs I'd die of alcohol poisoning before I got my money's worth. $52.00 a day plus 18% gratuity added on. 

Going on a Carnival Cruise in June with with 9 other adults.  My bunk mate is a very light drinker as well.   But we're both getting the drink package.  I'm going to get my money's worth.

[Onboard 2.0 9,083]

31 minutes ago, michaelpshayes said:

rather spend a week at the Super 8 of Lawton, OK than 2 days on a floating toilet with 4500 proles

have fun though

So yer idea of a vacation is tailgating in the Super 8 parking Lot, and dining on the complementary breakfast buffet, followed by hanging in the room taking advantage of their 6 TV station (10 if you count the Spanish speaking stations), and sometimes splurging for porn ? 

I'll take the week on a cruise in the Carib for $1,000 Alex.

[Nueces River Rat 5,795]

36 minutes ago, michaelpshayes said:

rather spend a week at the Super 8 of Lawton, OK than 2 days on a floating toilet with 4500 proles

have fun though

And risk getting herpes from a bunch of Sooners? 

 

[Nueces River Rat 5,795]

Cruise ship in St. Lucia quarantined over confirmed measles case

 

https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/cruise-ship-st-lucia-quarantined-over-confirmed-measles-case-n1000751

 

 

Edited May 1, 2019 by Nueces River Rat

[Baboontyme 2,883]

$60/day? That's probably 6-7 drinks. Alcohol poisoning?? Maybe for my 6 year old. She cuts herself off after 4 rum runners. 

[relapse98 634]

The Cheers program really is a good deal, if you like to drink. $60/day, 15 drink max and can include everything from the Bubbles program (unlimited sodas or juices) plus energy drinks, milkshakes, specialty coffees, bottled water.

It includes any drink served by the glass up to $20. I could do some damage with cocktails and wines and Easily get my $60 worth.

Pro tip: If you get all 15 drinks in, they cut you off from all alcohol until 6am rolls around. But if you only do 14 off of Cheers and then start charging them to your room, you can keep going and then when 6am rolls around, you start your 15 drink counter all over again. Go for it, alcoholics.

 

 

Edited May 1, 2019 by relapse98

[pepper brooks 580]

On ‎4‎/‎27‎/‎2019 at 9:51 AM, Mo Horn said:

I've done tons of traveling but have never cruised. Leaving from Miami for a week in the Eastern Caribbean at the end of May. Going with others who cruise regularly. Already have our shore excursions booked. Got the soft drink package but not getting the alcohol one. I love a glass of wine and a cocktail occasionally, but won't drink enough to warrant the almost $60 a day. Any tips from cruising veterans would be appreciated.

critical error.  you will learn quickly if you're not on excursion there is nothing to do on the damn boat aside from drink and watch the fats gorge at the countless buffet and food options.  

[relapse98 634]

1 minute ago, pepper brooks said:

critical error.  you will learn quickly if you're not on excursion there is nothing to do on the damn boat aside from drink and watch the fats gorge at the countless buffet and food options.  

Which is sometimes nice. Pull out a book and read on the balcony or by the pool. Or do like my wife and daughter and MIL and just order room service to the room and sleep all day.

[pepper brooks 580]

I find that you're either a cruise person, or not a cruise person.  Only way to find out is to go on a cruise.  I went on one once.  

[Johnny Sack 8,397]

12 minutes ago, pepper brooks said:

I find that you're either a cruise person, or not a cruise person.  Only way to find out is to go on a cruise.  I went on one once.  

As did I in college on Spring Break.  It was fun then.  Before I knew better.

[Llano Estacado 1,257]

Which is sometimes nice. Pull out a book and read on the balcony or by the pool. Or do like my wife and daughter and MIL and just order room service to the room and sleep all day.

I did not pickup the “like” when I read that in my head the first time. Completely changes that post.

[pepper brooks 580]

24 minutes ago, Johnny Sack said:

As did I in college on Spring Break.  It was fun then.  Before I knew better.

ousr was due to a wedding.  guy was going to marry his stripper GF and decided to do it on the cruise.  chick ended up in rehab thus cancelling the wedding, but since we weren't getting refunds we decided to go anyway.  It was allegedly a "nice" cruise.  I might do another one in Alaska or something, but I am definitely in the "not a cruise" person camp.  

[JimmyHoffa 1,188]

44 minutes ago, pepper brooks said:

I find that you're either a cruise person, or not a cruise person.  Only way to find out is to go on a cruise.  I went on one once.  

 

I agree but there are also a ton of things that can adjust the line. 

How long? How cheap? How big is the boat? Location, location, location. 

My parents have been on an Alaskan, Mediterranean, and the Baltic they loved all of them and didn't have any issues. 

 

All that said it's a no for me dog. 

[gyroprotagonist 2,597]

https://www.digitalmusicnews.com/2017/04/10/kid-rock-cruise/

Quote

“Good morning, motherfuckers” was our greeting every day at around 11am on the ship-wide PA system by a soothing woman’s voice.

For the 8th year in a row, Kid Rock’s Chillin’ the Most cruise brought together the (self-proclaimed) rednecks of America in the most spectacular fashion – 4 days and 5 nights on a cruise ship in the Gulf of Mexico with lots of music, lots of booze, lots of swingers (really) and a total of zero fucks given.

[TornACL 7,792]

So is that cruise ship in dry dock for disinfection for like a month after the Kid Rock cruise? I think I got herpes just looking at that pic.

[luke duke 6,449]

The phrase “rode hard and put up wet” comes to mind.

[Nueces River Rat 5,795]

1 hour ago, gyroprotagonist said:

https://www.digitalmusicnews.com/2017/04/10/kid-rock-cruise/

Looks a typical cruise leaving Galveston or New Orleans.

[Both Tacos 1,827]

critical error.  you will learn quickly if you're not on excursion there is nothing to do on the damn boat aside from drink and watch the fats gorge at the countless buffet and food options.  

Not if you are on some of the newer large ass ships. Always something to do on them. Cruise last month, I sat by the pool one hour one day and that was it. All the other time we had things going on like the wave rider, rock climbing wall, water slides, casino, arcade, mini golf, ice skating, etc.

Sent from my SM-G955U using Tapatalk

[mycox 587]

6 hours ago, relapse98 said:

Pull out a book and read on the balcony or by the pool. Or do like my wife and daughter and MIL and just order room service to the room and sleep all day.

Well you don't need to spend thousands of dollars on a cruise to do nothing, man. Just take a look at my cousin, he's broke, don't do shit.

Edited May 2, 2019 by mycox

[Nueces River Rat 5,795]

Scientology Cruise Ship Freewinds Held in Quarantine.

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-6982269/Cruise-ship-carrying-nearly-300-people-quarantined-St-Lucia-confirmed-measles-case.html

 

No boobs or booze on this one.....

[Js1 87,178]

18 hours ago, relapse98 said:

The Cheers program really is a good deal, if you like to drink. $60/day, 15 drink max and can include everything from the Bubbles program (unlimited sodas or juices) plus energy drinks, milkshakes, specialty coffees, bottled water.

It includes any drink served by the glass up to $20. I could do some damage with cocktails and wines and Easily get my $60 worth.

Pro tip: If you get all 15 drinks in, they cut you off from all alcohol until 6am rolls around. But if you only do 14 off of Cheers and then start charging them to your room, you can keep going and then when 6am rolls around, you start your 15 drink counter all over again. Go for it, alcoholics.

 

 

It was never easier to hit the 15 without even trying when you're on a boat and don't need to drive anywhere.

2 mimosas at breakfast - 2

2 frozen drinks by the pool - 4

Drink with lunch - 5

2 mid-day drinks by the pool or lounging on the deck - 7

2 glasses of wine or cocktails at dinner - 9

After dinner shot at the bar - 10

3 while gambling or taking in a show - 13

2 night caps - 15

The only time we didn't hit 15 was on shore days.  Then it was like, 8 or 9.   I think it was something like at $8/drink, you only needed to hit 7 to break even for the day.  Anything above that and you're robbing them. 

Edited May 2, 2019 by Js1

[Mo Horn 8,937]

28 minutes ago, Js1 said:

It was never easier to hit the 15 without even trying when you're on a boat and don't need to drive anywhere.

2 mimosas at breakfast - 2

2 frozen drinks by the pool - 4

Drink with lunch - 5

2 mid-day drinks by the pool or lounging on the deck - 7

2 glasses of wine or cocktails at dinner - 9

After dinner shot at the bar - 10

3 while gambling or taking in a show - 13

2 night caps - 15

The only time we didn't hit 15 was on shore days.  Then it was like, 8 or 9.   I think it was something like at $8/drink, you only needed to hit 7 to break even for the day.  Anything above that and you're robbing them. 

I'm definitely a lightweight, because if I drank that much in one day I'd be passed out.

[relapse98 634]

3 minutes ago, Mo Horn said:

I'm definitely a lightweight, because if I drank that much in one day I'd be passed out.

I wouldn't be passed out, but I would definitely be hitting on milfs, which is frowned on by the wife but well, I'm like a gremlin. You know what you are going to get when I get buzzed.

Edited May 2, 2019 by relapse98

[SimonBolivar 11,064]

5 hours ago, Js1 said:

It was never easier to hit the 15 without even trying when you're on a boat and don't need to drive anywhere.

2 mimosas at breakfast - 2

2 frozen drinks by the pool - 4

Drink with lunch - 5

2 mid-day drinks by the pool or lounging on the deck - 7

2 glasses of wine or cocktails at dinner - 9

After dinner shot at the bar - 10

3 while gambling or taking in a show - 13

2 night caps - 15

The only time we didn't hit 15 was on shore days.  Then it was like, 8 or 9.   I think it was something like at $8/drink, you only needed to hit 7 to break even for the day.  Anything above that and you're robbing them. 

Yeah that doesn't seem that easy to me. I think I could hit the 7 to make it worth it though.

Edited May 2, 2019 by SimonBolivar

[Both Tacos 1,827]

Oh, I just saw you are going on Carnival. Ignore everything I wrote. Enjoy the Carnivalians. 

[Mr. Drummond 2,244]

i did an Alaska cruise last year.   Went with a group of friends.   Went on bad ass excursions that i found - helicopter rides landing on glaciers.   Drank a lot.   was fun. 

I thought the passengers where pretty upscale, although old - after 9pm the ship was all ours.  

 

Im sure the quick ones out of galveston are quite a bit different. 

[HornPhD 1,389]

10 hours ago, Js1 said:

It was never easier to hit the 15 without even trying when you're on a boat and don't need to drive anywhere.

2 mimosas at breakfast - 2

2 frozen drinks by the pool - 4

Drink with lunch - 5

2 mid-day drinks by the pool or lounging on the deck - 7

2 glasses of wine or cocktails at dinner - 9

After dinner shot at the bar - 10

3 while gambling or taking in a show - 13

2 night caps - 15

The only time we didn't hit 15 was on shore days.  Then it was like, 8 or 9.   I think it was something like at $8/drink, you only needed to hit 7 to break even for the day.  Anything above that and you're robbing them. 

One shot? 

[HornPhD 1,389]

2 hours ago, Mr. Drummond said:

i did an Alaska cruise last year.   Went with a group of friends.   Went on bad ass excursions that i found - helicopter rides landing on glaciers.   Drank a lot.   was fun. 

I thought the passengers where pretty upscale, although old - after 9pm the ship was all ours.  

 

Im sure the quick ones out of galveston are quite a bit different. 

We did the Alaska cruise when our kids were 3 and almost 1 (MIL loves cruises). It was fun; however, we didn't get to do any of the cool excursions. Now that the kids are 11 and 8, I'd do that cruise again. 

[burns_312 356]

I'm confident I could hit 15 by lunch every single day.

[Mo Horn 8,937]

Got back late last night and I have to say it was a great experience. Had a 4 hour delay with our connection so didn't get home until almost 2:00 am, but that was the worst thing of the whole trip. 

I loved the relaxed free time and the lack of a schedule on the ship. Mrs. MO doesn't do "nothing" well so at first she didn't like all the down time. Left on Saturday and had a sea day on Sunday. On Monday the excursion was snorkeling at Grand Turk. She is almost blind without her glasses, and can't wear contacts, so she really didn't enjoy it like I did. That afternoon she said she was done with the cruise thing... and we still had 5 days left. I thought oh crap, we're in for a long week. But then she found her groove. Had a great time wandering around San Juan, PR on Tuesday, zip lining on US Virgin Islands on Wednesday, and waterfall hike, jump, slide, in the Dominican Republic on Thursday. She even said she loved the sea day on Friday. By the time we got back to Miami on Saturday she was talking about what cruise to book next.

The food was great and we even did the steakhouse one night and had Wagyu beef, which was phenomenal. Spent a lot of time sitting on my balcony reading or just walking around and people watching.  Like everyone said, think Wal-Mart on a ship.  We intentionally didn't get the internet so it was great to unplug for a week. Live music was good, the shows were decent, but we're big Broadway fans so we're spoiled. Food is everywhere, and there's always an activity going on if you want to do something.

We both agreed it was in the top 5 of our vacation trips. We still prefer to spend time in the culture of another country but overall it was a great trip. It was definitely the most relaxed vacation we've done.  Not something we'll do every year, or two times a year like some do, but I definitely get the appeal.  We're talking about an Alaskan cruise next in two or three years. Now back to the real world, which always sucks. 

[Jimbaround 987]

On 5/1/2019 at 12:08 PM, Abogado Peligroso said:

Seabourn Mediterranean cruise or gtfo 

Did this around Italy, and also did a Silversea in the Baltic.  These are nothing like the Carnival Wal-Mart ships.  They are much more expensive though unless you can find a special (and are then only about 3x a Carnival cruise).

I recall when checking in for our Baltic trip the dude next to me (later found out he and his family were taking a year off to travel around the world) was sporting a nice Lange Tourbillon; not your typical cruising crowd.

[Dbeasy 15,589]

The Cheers program really is a good deal, if you like to drink. $60/day, 15 drink max and can include everything from the Bubbles program (unlimited sodas or juices) plus energy drinks, milkshakes, specialty coffees, bottled water.
It includes any drink served by the glass up to $20. I could do some damage with cocktails and wines and Easily get my $60 worth.
Pro tip: If you get all 15 drinks in, they cut you off from all alcohol until 6am rolls around. But if you only do 14 off of Cheers and then start charging them to your room, you can keep going and then when 6am rolls around, you start your 15 drink counter all over again. Go for it, alcoholics.
 
 

User name definitely checks out.