Cruise?

[nle5]

For awhile now my FH and I have been trying to decide what we wanted to do for our honeymoon. I found a cruise through AAA that is very reasonably priced so last night I told him I wanted to go on a cruise. Now if I can only find a cruise I really want to go on. Has anyone ever been on a cruise that departs from the western states? I know going to Hawaii is out of the question because I won't have enough time. I only have a week and most cruises to Hawaii take 2 weeks. The one I found was to Ensenada.

[SOM Z28]

I've never been a cruise from the western side of the country, but you might be able to find a package deal that includes airfare if you want to depart from Florida or somewhere else.

Have you considered an Alaskan cruise?

And my suggestion is, if you have time and can afford it, definately go on a 7 day cruise.

[esp1087]

I went on one cruise with my parents a while ago (I was only 14 or 15). It was from Florida to the Bahamas, then we stayed in the Bahamas for a few days and cruised back to Florida.

My advice is to make sure the cruise ship is reputable. Our ship was supposed to have a pool, etc, but they never filled the pool. It was August too, so it was definitely hot enough for a pool... Plus, cabins in cruise ships can be really small so make sure you have a room on the ship that is to your liking (if you will be spending the night on the ship).

You can get cruises to many other places too.... just really research it. I am sure the big cruise lines are pretty good. Definitely check into it and don't go with the cheapest... Go with the one that has the best reputation and you feel the most comfortable with... My parents went on the cheapest... I remember being miserable on our cruise. Yes it was just to get from Florida to the Bahamas, but I think it could still have been fun. They made a mistake that I would hate for you to make on your honeymoon...

Good luck!
Elizabeth

[SOM Z28]

My cruise was on Princess Cruiselines' 'Grande Princess'. Yes, rooms are tiny, but if you get a good cruiseline, you'll have so much to do, you won't hardly ever go to your room. I got an 'inside' room (no balcony), and didn't regret it. I couldn't justify spending an extra 1-2K just to have a balcony that I would hardly use. But you do get what you pay for, so do a lot of research.

[jcurly-q]

I've been on 2 Carnival cruises and I had a great time! My fiance and I went last year, we left from Miami, and went to San Juan, St. Thomas and St. Martin and then back to Miami. We had a great time! We originally wanted just a room with a window but we were so surprised when we got upgraded to a balcony room! A lot of people say they're never in their rooms to enjoy the balcony but, you can't say that unless you had one. We had breakfast, just the 2 of us, every morning out on it and it was wonderful. Pulling into the ports and taking pictures and watching everything without anyone in the way. I miss it so much! Great experience!!

[SusanM18]

What about the Alaskan cruises??

[nle5]

What about the Alaskan cruises??

Yeah right. Isn't Alaska cold? I would freeze my arse off. LOL I tend to get cold very easy and so need to stay where the weather is nice.

[esp1087]

Alaska has a summer too... It just isn't as warm there in the summer as other states. If I had to guess, I would say it probably gets to about 50-60 degrees in the summer in Alaska, but that is a guess.

[reecey]

Alaska has a summer too... It just isn't as warm there in the summer as other states. If I had to guess, I would say it probably gets to about 50-60 degrees in the summer in Alaska, but that is a guess.

That is my absolute dream vacation - an Alaskan cruise - any time of year - I don't care - hell I live in Northern Michigan - it was 12 degrees when I woke up this morning and that's due to the cold snap being over (it was -20 a couple weeks ago) so cold doesn't really bother me. Alaska is so very beautiful. Alaska actually gets pretty nice in the summer - the southern region is beautiful - the closer you get the the polar circle, of course, the colder it is - but its not really just an iceberg :)

[SusanM18]

Ok, i didn't realize you were a March bride, which could throw a wrench in Alaska if you get too cold, but you know even the Seattle/Vancouver one would be too cold for you in March.

[esp1087]

That is my absolute dream vacation - an Alaskan cruise - any time of year - I don't care - hell I live in Northern Michigan - it was 12 degrees when I woke up this morning and that's due to the cold snap being over (it was -20 a couple weeks ago) so cold doesn't really bother me. Alaska is so very beautiful. Alaska actually gets pretty nice in the summer - the southern region is beautiful - the closer you get the the polar circle, of course, the colder it is - but its not really just an iceberg :)
I live in Lower Michigan. It gets cold here too... I would love to take an Alaskan cruise. It looks SO gorgeous! I think I would want to go in the spring/summer though. I think it would be a great trip any time of year if you're used to the cooler temperatures.

[SOM Z28]

Alaska has a summer too... It just isn't as warm there in the summer as other states. If I had to guess, I would say it probably gets to about 50-60 degrees in the summer in Alaska, but that is a guess.

Believe it or not, Alaska does get hot in the summer. I lived in North Pole, Alaska (just outside of Fairbanks) and the first summer I was there, it got up to 98 degrees! The greatest part about where we lived is that we weren't near any major water, so the humidity was very low, and so the heat wasn't unbearable. Along the coast, like Anchorage, gets more humidity in the summer. Alternately, the winters seem colder on the coast, b/c it's a 'wet' cold.

Of course, there are some very, very cold winters. The coldest I experienced was -82. I was in high school, and they closed the schools for 2 days (only time in over 4 years I lived there) b/c the attendance rate dropped so low. School was optional at -40, I think it was.

Anyways, back on subject...I recommend to anyone that gets a chance to go to Alaska to go. It's incredibly beautiful, anytime of year. I hear the cruises are amazing, but I've never been on one.

[Starship Trooper]

Believe it or not, Alaska does get hot in the summer. I lived in North Pole, Alaska (just outside of Fairbanks) and the first summer I was there, it got up to 98 degrees! The greatest part about where we lived is that we weren't near any major water, so the humidity was very low, and so the heat wasn't unbearable. Along the coast, like Anchorage, gets more humidity in the summer. Alternately, the winters seem colder on the coast, b/c it's a 'wet' cold.

Of course, there are some very, very cold winters. The coldest I experienced was -82. I was in high school, and they closed the schools for 2 days (only time in over 4 years I lived there) b/c the attendance rate dropped so low. School was optional at -40, I think it was.

Anyways, back on subject...I recommend to anyone that gets a chance to go to Alaska to go. It's incredibly beautiful, anytime of year. I hear the cruises are amazing, but I've never been on one.

I see that this thread was mostly last years, but for others whom are curious, I thought I'd share our experience. My wife and I just returned from an Alaskan Cruise (May 21-May 28). My first cruise, her second. We went on the Island Princess (only two years old, Princess Cruise Lines) and celebrated our 13th wedding anniversary.

We departed from Vancouver, BC and arrived at Whittier, AK (Princess built its own dock and began using it in 2004 in Whittier. Most others use Seward, AK). Airport gateways are Vancouver, BC and Anchorage (with bus or train transport to Whittier). You can also choose to depart Seattle and cruise SE Alaska roundtrip which avoids the "open jaw" airline travel. Holland America has a similar cruise that starts and returns to Vancouver.

Our itinerary was:

Saturday Depart Vancouver
Sunday At sea (traversing Canadian Inside Passage)
Monday Ketchikan, AK (arrive 7 AM, depart 3 PM)
Tuesday Juneau, AK (arrive 7:30 AM, depart 9 PM)
Wednesday Skagway, AK (arrive 7 AM, depart 9 PM)
Thursday Cruise Glacier Bay (afternoon), At sea (Gulf of Alaska)
Friday Cruise into Prince William Sound and the College Fiord
Saturday Disembark in Whittier, bus transport to Anchorage


A couple of notes: while Alaska can be cold, the water temperature generally keeps the air temperatures reasonably warm along the coast. Rain gear and layering is a must for being topside to look at the scenery or onshore. Cruising season is from early May through late September. Some things don't really get "cranked up" until June but the cost goes up quite a bit as you get into June-August.

The further north you go, the more daylight you have in summer and clear sunny days do occur, but don't be surprised if it is mostly cloudy most days. It is Alaska, after all.

We loved our cabin and the balcony (I used the balcony more than my wife). Having breakfast on the balcony can be problematic though we did have the champagne breakfast in our cabin on entrance into Glacier Bay.

What more can I say? The landscape is other-worldly. Intense green of the temperate rain forest set against the background of the rock and blue ice of the glaciers. Sharp peaks set against the rounding from glaciers that were once 4000 feet thick.

We became "independent travellers" at the end of the cruise (at the time we booked, the cruisetours were sold out). Our travel agent made arrangements through the Alaskan Railroad to customize our land travel package. We overnighted in Anchorage (a nice city to walk in) and left for Denali National Park on Sunday. We stayed in Denali until Wednesday afternoon and returned on the Alaskan Railroad to Anchorage on Wednesday night. We spent most of the next day in Anchorage before flying home. Denali is often enshrouded in clouds but the entire terrain is unbeleivable even if you never see "The Mountain" (Mc Kinley or ask the residents call it, and as I prefer to call it, Denali. "The Mountain" was "out" one day in our four days in the park.

If you can afford the extra days, I'd recommend the extra time. Alaska is so large, that you just barely scratch the surface. For me, it was the "last" of my 50 state quest. It was worth putting it at the end of the state visit list.

Would we do it again? Yes, with only a few changes. We liked our excursions and would probably choose others to see some of the things we didn't/couldn't on this trip. We would probably add the time to go to Fairbanks and perhaps up to the northern coast (where it IS cold) to Barrow (to cross the Arctic Circle).

[Niffer&yert]

For awhile now my FH and I have been trying to decide what we wanted to do for our honeymoon. I found a cruise through AAA that is very reasonably priced so last night I told him I wanted to go on a cruise. Now if I can only find a cruise I really want to go on. Has anyone ever been on a cruise that departs from the western states? I know going to Hawaii is out of the question because I won't have enough time. I only have a week and most cruises to Hawaii take 2 weeks. The one I found was to Ensenada.

I used to work for Princess Cruise lines as a reservations agent. I can answer any of the questions you may have. Alaska cruises go during Alaska’s warm season. You would still need to bring pants and a sweater, but it’s absolutely beautiful. There are still glaciers and I hear Alaska cruises see a lot of the marine life because the do prefer the colder waters. Also the Glaciers make a whistling noise when they break off and hit the water. Alaska cruises are great. If you have questions I can give you some answers. Princess and Carnival are sister company's so the ports of call they visit are very similar

Edit: Opps didnt notice how old this was. Well, I can still answer any questions that may come up in the future

[CKNEET]

I have been on about 4 cruises, 2 Royal car. and 2 carnival, Royal are the best, you can leave out of LA and do the mexican rievara, sorry cant spell, but umm usually they go to cabo san lucas, puerta vallarta, maztlan, there are alot of different choices, ixtapa, aclcupulco. there very fun, rooms are SMALL, but you are never in your room, ever, i absolutley LOVE cruises, we were thinking about one but you have to be 21, and we're both 20, but it didn't work, but then we decided on Fiji, Club med, where everything is paid for, the cruise is too, except drinks which trust me will run up your bill, no cash is ever used, your room key will be your hooked up with your credit card. . . but the food is AMAZING, there is always stuff to do, you'll never be in your room, only to sleep, you can gamble dance, tons os amazing shows, like broadway magic, it is like being in a tropical vegas on the boat, and then getting to stop off in mexico, there amazing, but one word of advice, I'd say to a Royal, there more elegagant, oh and when you first get on the ship, search the entire thing, so you can learn your way around, lol, Good luck let me know what you have choosen!!!! oh and also, if you do, do a cruise book ahead of time excurrsions for when you get off the boat.

[tickie]

I really pushed for a Panama Canal cruise for our honeymoon, but FI was afraid he would get sea sick!

I've done 5 cruises on Cunard ships and loved every minute of it. Cunard's QM2 is going to be hitting the west coast ports in March of 2006 and that would truly be a memorable honeymoon. It will be hitting a lot of inaugural ports of call and that is always a HUGE deal - you'll feel like the rich and famous! Not sure what your time frame is or your budget, but it is a once in a lifetime opportunity.

FI and I are booked on July 4th cruise in 2006 - hope to have a QM2 baby out of the trip!

Whatever ship you are on you'll have an incredible time - cruising is fantastic!

[halfpricehoneymoons]

Cruises are Fun....been doing them for years. Mexico (Cancun and Cozumel) are always favorites as speak more English than Spanish! If you're worried about price (as we all are) Check out the Fabulous Last Minute Deals on my website if you scroll down on the screen at:

http://www.travel.cashcardworldwide.com/5124402

However, and don't let your wedding party know (just make the commissions from their travel to your wedding) for $150, you can be the TRAVEL AGENT yourself and still call your fellow agents at the physical location of K&E for help - they love to help new agents. You can make money daily posted to your cash card/credit card for your friends coming to your wedding! How cool is that!

http://www.cashcardworldwide.com/5124402 Watch the movie for great information...talk about an affordable honeymoon

Also, if you do join, on the back of your website are the direct lines to the cruise lines themselves. They'll give you the "travel agent" prices for the cruises (get ready to fall out of your chair) for agents travelling.

Usually, if it's available, as an agent they upgrade you to suites, to first class on the plane, to bigger rental cars for the agent price you're already booked for....obviously, because they value your word of mouth as a travel agent.

Hope it helps..........Linda

[halfpricehoneymoons]

Put down the wrong direct extension for the cruises/booked travel website.
http://travel.cashcardworldwide.com/5124402
Hope it helps.........Linda

[SarahK]

we are going on a cruise. I dont know why, other then because i want to go. But i figure since i cant get a wedding out of him, im at least going to go on vacation. I get vacation in march and in april im going. I dont care if we own a boat and if we have spent several months on our boat. I want to go to places HE wont go. SO ummmm i called my mom and told her i was taking her on a vaction.lol so umm when i say we i mean my mom and i. hehehe we spent the weekend talking about it and looking at books and what not. Im so much more excited about a vacation then any other thing.

has anyone been on a crusie western carib?
Good- maybe you and your mom and have a good time together and work a bit on your relationship. :D

[Marsha]

we are going on a cruise. I dont know why, other then because i want to go. But i figure since i cant get a wedding out of him, im at least going to go on vacation. I get vacation in march and in april im going. I dont care if we own a boat and if we have spent several months on our boat. I want to go to places HE wont go. SO ummmm i called my mom and told her i was taking her on a vaction.lol so umm when i say we i mean my mom and i. hehehe we spent the weekend talking about it and looking at books and what not. Im so much more excited about a vacation then any other thing.

has anyone been on a crusie western carib?

[Marsha]

we are going on a cruise. I dont know why, other then because i want to go. But i figure since i cant get a wedding out of him, im at least going to go on vacation. I get vacation in march and in april im going. I dont care if we own a boat and if we have spent several months on our boat. I want to go to places HE wont go. SO ummmm i called my mom and told her i was taking her on a vaction.lol so umm when i say we i mean my mom and i. hehehe we spent the weekend talking about it and looking at books and what not. Im so much more excited about a vacation then any other thing.

has anyone been on a crusie western carib?
confusing because yours is posted before mine. hmmm we have been getting better. (mom and i) and infact we had a grea tweekend planning. My mom is a great travel companion. so i know we will be ok on the trip. Its when i change my life dramatically she hates.(as in getting married) oh btw i heard u talked to harry last night. When i asked him who he was talking to he said MY friend sara, and im like o.k. He didnt say your friend sarah, from ws.. sooo weird. when i reasked him this morning, hethen told me it was you. Hes acting stupid lately. anyone got any little bro's i can date for awile lol JK

[CKNEET]

confusing because yours is posted before mine. hmmm we have been getting better. (mom and i) and infact we had a grea tweekend planning. My mom is a great travel companion. so i know we will be ok on the trip. Its when i change my life dramatically she hates.(as in getting married) oh btw i heard u talked to harry last night. When i asked him who he was talking to he said MY friend sara, and im like o.k. He didnt say your friend sarah, from ws.. sooo weird. when i reasked him this morning, hethen told me it was you. Hes acting stupid lately. anyone got any little bro's i can date for awile lol JK


Marcia I have been on a western carribiean cruise, private message me if you would like to know anything. :)

[Kikki]

Mexican Rivera, 7 day cruise, 3-4 ports
I did this one a while ago, and it was so much fun!