This might seem odd but here is my pre-cruise review. Yes that's correct, we've not even sailed yet and I'm trying to guesstimate what my review will be like. The cruise is July 21 on the Glory.

As you may recall, in the very beginning I had asked on the forum about cost comparisons between a 7 day cruise and a 7 day land based vacation. I had mentioned that for years we have traveled the States, Mexico and the Caribbean usually always renting a beach front condo, rental car, air tickets and food for a week to be right around 4 grand for four people. This cruise has already cost me $6000 with everything paid for in advance except the sign and sail bill which I figure will be easily another $1500. So to me it's $4000 vs $7500. That's what I will be wanting to compare the most once I get aboard ship.

Next will be the crowdedness. Will I feel herded? My initial thought is yes, I can't see how you can not feel that way. But then again I could very possibly be wrong.

Entertainment. Honestly this is the least of my concerns. To me, being entertained is a lounge chair in the sun with a bottomless drink in hand on a non-crowded deck day after day. I'm a simple person and do not need these "Vegas" type shows at all. Nor the Casino.

The food will be interesting as well. Yes we like to eat but not continuously as some have mentioned they do.

It might sound as though I'm not looking forward to the cruise at all. Nothing could be farther from the truth. I have researched the cruise from head to toe for months. Matter of fact I have read about , viewed pictures and video's of the ship and researched the islands in so much detail that I honestly feel I've already been. I do not necessarily believe in reincarnation but if I did I truly deep down inside feel my former life would have had something to do with the Sea or Ocean. I have a very special tie to the Blue Water that is not easily explained.

So here's my marks in advance:
Ship - very nice, well laid out but crowded. Pools, very tiny and not nearly enough of them nor room to relax. Not enough nonsmoking areas and the areas that are designated nonsmoking are not enforced. Would love to see a full nonsmoking ship.

Food - Simply put, abundant. One should never go hungry. Loved the Chocolate melting cake.

Entertainment - Mediocre. Could have done without except for the steel pan music.

Ports of Call and Excursions - Wonderful. Love the islands, the island people, the food and the water.

Overall experience and grade - C plus. Just as I originally figured the cost is over inflated compared to what I have gotten in a land based vacation in the past. Other than the sea going. high seas experience of the ship it's self, I'll stick to the beach.

Wow! You've got it bad if you are still 40 days out and giving a "pre-cruise review"

I only have a couple of comments, since you will have to experience things for yourself and make your own opinion.

Crowdedness - not sure if that is even a word, but let's go with it anyway. yes, there will be times when you will feel "herded". BUT it is not as bad as its made to seem. Most notably will be the dinning room rush, the theater exit, and the port of call disembarkations. Everyone has to go through the same doorways for these events. Don't panic... it moves quickly. Stay behind in the theater to let the crowd bleed off and you should be fine.

I think you will be pleasantly surprised on the the food. Order more than one thing.. they don't mind. Inverably there is more than one thing you will want to try.

Don't count on the entertainment to be mediocre. Yes, I am with you and I can do without the Las Vegas review dance shows. I go anyway because the wife likes them. BUT, they will also have many other acts.. comedians, singers, hypnotists etc.. these are normally very good. The piano bars are great fund too.

The pools are indeed small. But they are only there for cooling off and not really meant for lap swimming.

I think you will be pleasently surprised with the smoking control. If you are not going to frequent the casino, you should be mostly smoke free. The dinning room is non smoking (strictly inforced) the main theater is also. The rest, you can avoid smokers....

Go, have a great time. I think you will see why we like cruising versus an all inclusive stay.

I think staying in a condo for a week is a very different vacation from a cruise. The condo is more of a "relaxing on the beach is the highlight" type vacation while a cruise is an "action" vacation.

It is all personal taste. I would lose my mind if I had to stay on any one beach island for a week with nothing much to do but sit on the beach. I consider the activities offered on a cruise as well as the "port-a-day" scenario more to my liking.

I once did Cancun for 3 short days and was bored out of my mind. Whereas, I did Vegas for a week and loved it.

To each its own.

However, you may be setting yourself up for disappointment if you compare a cruise to a week in a condo. Two very different vacation.

One question, the food for the condo, did you cook it or did you go out to eat all your meals? Did you condo come with daily room service?

I laughed out loud at your review of the chocolate melting cake! I have a couple months to go before my first cruise but after reading every post on these boards it is already ingrained in my head that I will try and love the chocolate melting cake!

DHornick, I hope you and I have much better reviews when we finally get off our ships. Personally I'm expecting a wonderful time. As for price - my daughter is constantly laughing at me for being on the cruise boards every day, but my idea is: I just paid $5000 for this trip, I'm going to get three months of enjoyment out of it!!! Personally, I'm dieing to book my second cruise without having boarded my first! Yes, I am excited!

dhornick, Welcome Back! So glad you enjoyed the melting cake. Sorry to hear about the hurricane, not much fun staying indoors I'm sure. (Just thought I would interject some additional detail for your upcoming cruise).

I hope you have a great time!! Maybe your forum name should be deja vu!

Okay, Mr. Dhornick from KC, I had to reply to your synopsis too because it was so cute. You didn't say if you were traveling with kids or not but for the money you paid, I am assuming you are. Imagine a vacation where there is relatively little fighting over which restaurant you are eating at and every wim that your children want as far as food is concerned is taken care of. (They totally cater to whatever you want). If you have older kids, they will have plenty to do to keep them occupied and you can rest without being bothered- at least not as much as normal. You didn't say whether you will be visiting the Eastern Caribbean or the Western. Either way, you will be stopping at several ports where there is always something different to do. Just make the most of it no matter what! On my last family cruise a year ago, all of my kids got a terrible stomach virus (aquired before the cruise). We still managed to have a wonderful trip in spite of dragging my son from port to port while he was heaving uncontrollably. Boy, do we have some memories and pictures of him puking at each port! My point is, you make your own fun! Good luck!

Not sure I agree that it's over inflated. Just got back from 2 days in Pensacola, FL. Transportation, food, hotel, over $800. No where near like being on a cruise. Same scenery every day, small pool, not crowded. Beach was white sand, crowded, no snorkeling, water was not a beautiful blue, drinks were really expensive, $5 for 6 ozs. of beer in a plastic cup (no not 16 ozs. 6 ozs.). Food, unremarkable, expensive, could not change entrees for something better, service was good. I really believe you will be quite surprised at what you will experience. I'll bet your post cruise review will be letting us all know you're hooked. Best wishes and have a marvelous time!

I agree Penny.. our 2.5 days at Disney World after our cruise cost nearly as much as the seven day cruise. Heck, we spent $400 for a dinner and a couple of breakfasts. Not sure what we spent on drinks and snacks in the park.

I'm sure there are all inclusives that are very reasonable, but I'm not the type to enjoyed being parked on a beach chair for a week.

dhornick,

how did your total for a 7 day cruise get that high? I just ran the numbers on a Cat ST, Suite guarantee and the total with tax included with no specialty promotion like military or past guest promo at all the total for 4 came out $4876.68

If you booked an assigned cabin in Cat 12, you may want to change category to the ST. That would guarantee a Cat 11 or 12 suite and there are no Cat 11's left for this sailing. Unless there is a Cat 11 cancellation (it's in full penalty so the odds are against it) you'll still get the Cat 12 and save a chunk. If you're ex-military ask for the rates, that would save you even more.

Happy sailing, Neil

One more tip, when booking for peak season book earlier and the cost will not be quite as extreme. If it then goes up you're protected, if it goes down CCL will adjust it for you.

Cheers, Neil

Maybe you should cancel the cruise and do a land vacation. You already have too many preconceived notions that you are setting yourself up to look for the negative.

Trvlpro, The price quoted included airfare and what was projected to be on the sign and sail balance.

Gotcha, I wondered how it got that high.

You guys are killing me with this

Jim C., Glad to see you! Hope you had a great cruise.

quote:

Originally posted by Jim C.:
being parked on a beach chair for a week

Great image. Not that dynamic, but great.

I'm conceiving your chair against a red sunset, sunken in the wet sand and pinned up with seven fines ...

Thanks Islandcruz... I wish I could say its great to be back... but.. its not. I'm still trying to get the teak splinters out from under my fingernails from them dragging me off the ship... I hope they can remove the scratches from the deck

fredo... that very image of me occured in St Marteen, me, beach chair with a big umbrella, a small table of empty beer bottles... kids playing in the surf... absolute heaven...

quote:

Originally posted by TrvlPro:
dhornick,

how did your total for a 7 day cruise get that high? I just ran the numbers on a Cat ST, Suite guarantee and the total with tax included with no specialty promotion like military or past guest promo at all the total for 4 came out $4876.68

If you booked an assigned cabin in Cat 12, you may want to change category to the ST. That would guarantee a Cat 11 or 12 suite and there are no Cat 11's left for this sailing. Unless there is a Cat 11 cancellation (it's in full penalty so the odds are against it) you'll still get the Cat 12 and save a chunk. If you're ex-military ask for the rates, that would save you even more.

Happy sailing, Neil

The total price is for 2 adults and 2 teens, one inside and one outside balcony cabin, air fare, hotel night before and night after and all excursions.

dhornick, that's cheating. You're comparing a 7 day resort to a 7 night cruise with pre/post hotel, making your vacation a 9 day event with excursions. Are you also counting add'l cost in your resort stay for excursions, airfare, etc.

I work for a company that has a cruise division (what I do) and a Tour/Resort Dept. The average cost of the tour resort (on a per day basis) is significantly higher than the per day, per person cost of a cruise. There are exceptions, if you book Seabourn, that model wouldn't hold unless you compare it to a 6 star resort.

I'll be interested in your real review after your cruise. Cruising isn't for everybody but comparing the two (I've done both) the cruise wins hands down for value (what you get for what you spend) in my opinion. But you know what they say about opinions...

Cheers, Neil

quote:

Originally posted by dhornick:

The total price is for 2 adults and 2 teens, one inside and one outside balcony cabin, air fare, hotel night before and night after and all excursions.

So your vacation is actually 9 days long including entertainment both on and off the ship.

If this is correct, there is no way you can get that on land for the price you paid to get on the ship.

I really hope you enjoy yourself. It sounds like you planned a heck of a great cruise for your family.

I can't wait for your post-cruise review.

Happy cruzin'

quote:

Originally posted by Jim C.:
St Marteen, me, beach chair with a big umbrella, a small table of empty beer bottles... kids playing in the surf... absolute heaven...

Empty bottles.
Let's say Purgatory ...