Cruise advice to stop my irrational panic

LondonDiva

hi guys

I was planning on taking my mum on a cruise in November for a couple of weeks to mark her big birthday.

I'd planned to start looking round in May, but was told yesterday by someone that I needed to have booked last year - cue hyperventillation as it's really the only thing she's set her heart on for a long time.

HELP!

• Have I left it too late?
• Can you reccomend a company that would be good for the Carribean?
• Can you reccommend an itenery - there seems to be limitless choices and I feel my heart sinking at all those choices. It's bad enough deciding between pizza and pasta in a restaurant, but it's like I can literally do anything and I don't know where to start.
• The only thing that I 'know' is that I want American standards of service as it'll be one of those once in a lifetime things for her.

I'm hoping you experienced wise ones can come up with some suggestions, reccomendations, comments and most of all an assurrance that I've not left it too late, my halo seriously needs polishing :A

Thanks
:)Diva

saveapenny

Dont be bullied into booking early for November, Its not a popular time to travel and companies often discount heavly closer to the date
But saying that it can depend if your willing to go via Miami or another US port ..If you are hold out
If there is only one date you can go and one ship you have your eye on maybe then you should look at booking asap
2weeks caribbean crusie shouldnt cost no more that about £800-£1000 depending on your chosen cruiseline
Iten...That all depends on what you want to see...If its all the pretty islands or visiting places like mexico

Ships I would say it all depends on ages of whos traveling and your budget...there are alot to chose from ...Cunard leave from New York in the winter months for the Caribbean, PO do round trips from Southampton , Royal Caribbean leave from Miami, Tampa, New York, Texas and probably others, Celebrity leave from various US ports and San Jaun, Princess mainly use Miami

Put your dates up and what sort of budget and which ports your prepared to sail from and maybe some of the cruise folks might come up with something

Forgot to add...Look through this thread on holiday truths http://www.holidaytruths.co.uk/viewtopic.php?f=35&t=101339 there are 45 pages but well worth ready through them. It will give you an idea of what deals come up on a regular bases

nw_man

I agree with Saveapenny..... dont be bullied.

We went on a Med cruise last November ( I Know you want Caribbean ), but we only booked it about 4 or 5 weeks before sailing and got a bargain !!

If you can hold on, do so.

However, if you have your heart set on a particular ship / itenerary then maybe you should book now.

Good luck.

mobby-2554

I wouldn't worry either I also think there will be a lot of offers around.

I went on a cruise & stay last year with Travelsphere.
We cruised with Carnival it was fantastic and it's an American firm so standards have to be high, there were a lot of Americans on board & they were lovely & so funny.
We couldn't believe the food they put on all day & night.
Banquets at midnight, I was amazed at how much you could eat if you wanted to.
Cabins were quite roomy, we had a Oceanview room so we had a sofa & coffee table.
It was our first cruise & we loved it!
Cannot wait to do another one!

LondonDiva

Thanks guys!

I wish I could double thank like I double post:o

I'd ideally like the second half of November, but can go earlier in the month (has to be November though). I just need to book the dates off work round about September.

Ports: Happy to go via the US as I sometimes think holidays are geared up to slightly higher standards when aimed at the European market (I think thery're prepared to moan a little bit more!)

Age of travelers: (30 & 70)

Budget: up to £1500pp at a big push (I'd really like to spend the savings on my next holiday or on some special day out / treats for her on the cruise)

Itenary: That's part of what's doing my head in - there are SO many choices I can't seem to decide.I think I'd like to see some islands & a quick glimpse at Mexico maybe?

It took ages to narrow down to the Carribean & sadly apart from originating from the US, the only other must have is short sleeve weather.

nearlyrich

I get a couple of emails from cruise companies, there are some great deals for later this year so far as I can see, have a look in Saturday's daily Mail, we it's got to be good for something, they have a lot of cruise ads in their travel section, you can sign up for some of the sites' weekly emails. We fancy a cruise in autumn this year, it's been a while since out last one but it is a great way to see a lot without too much travelling, you just unpack once and away you go, someone else in charge of the route etc.

Don't panic you haven't left it too late and I am sure you and your mum will have a great time.

Amys

Loads and loads of availability for Nov for the Caribbean.

I like Royal Caribbean and Celebrity. If flying to the US I would rather have a ship that sails from Port Canaveral, as then I can fly into Orlando, rather than have to deal with Miami which is a nightmare). My (non travel agent) recommendation would be to look at cruises on Freedom of the Seas leaving from Port Canaveral, if you want islands and Mexico the western carrbean itinary may be a good idea. If you look at that at least it will give you a good starting point.

I would not book ATM, April/May is peak booking time, so the prices are highest around this time of year, even for quieter holiday times, November is quiet quiet so you may be some good deals if you wait and keep an eye on prices.

You can book flights with the cruise company, but usually cheaper to do it yourself. It is nice to hire a car, and drive down to the port a day or so in advance (you will need to be there at least a day in advance). You can drop the car off at the car rental offices and they mostly have shuttles to the port, so easy to get there.


Take time, read up www.criusecritic.com is useful and as everyone else said, do not be bullied ionto booking quickly.

colmil

I would like to thank Saveapenny for her help on this site.

Well done!

colmil

Oops, I have assumed that Saveapenny is female, sorry if I'm wrong!

getmore4less

Late Nov is Thanksgiving a major US family holiday.

Some of the choices will be back to back(B2B) cruises to make 2weeks.

To start have a look at

Princess
Royal Caribbean
Celebrity
NCL

decide if you don't want a cruise line elimnate some choices.


Carnival has some very low cruise only prices so worth a look.

saveapenny

yeah Colmill...all women

This ones nice http://www.vacationstogo.com/fastdeal.cfm?deal=12349 you need to add flights to New York and then maybe 1 night before and 1 night after the cruise and get to see the christmas tree at the Rockerfella Centre. What better way to finish off a Caribbean cruise
Leaves 29/11 so you would need a flight on the 28/11 return 12/12 £867 each without flighs or hotels

This one from Miami on the 29/11 http://www.vacationstogo.com/fastdeal.cfm?deal=31972 £719 + flights and hotel night before

This one from Fort Lauderdale on the 22/11 http://www.vacationstogo.com/fastdeal.cfm?deal=12731 goes to teh Islands and Mexico so a good mix £846 + flight and hotel night before excellent deal for a 5* ship Holand America as an excellent reputation . We are going with them in July so I could alwasy let you know what they are like


These are just a couple thats about but just tried to give you an idea