I am getting married next year and am trying to figure out the honeymoon. We are looking to go on vacation on June 3rd or 4th of 2007. Our age is 24 and 22 and neither of us have even seen a cruise ship. I hear good and bad things about them so I though you experienced cruisers could offer your advice. We will have around $3,000 - $3,500 for are vaction (total). We are more private people but crowds dont really bother us as long as we have a least one nice private spot. As far as things we would want to do on land would be: snorkling, jet skiing, parasailing, dining, and general shopping. One big concern is room size and would want the biggest I could get ( I really like the sounds of a balcony, but funds are limited) My vaction experiances are very little (Florida, South Carolina, ect)so it doesnt take much to impress me.

Any one think given these circumstances we should go on a cruise or just plan on flying somewhere nice. If you think we would like a cruise, which one might be best for us. Im up for any suggestions, even for something other than a cruise. We want to go warm tropical type places regardless of how we do it.

Thank you in advance for any help you may give

I think it would be a great idea to go on a cruise for a honeymoon, wonderfully romantic and a great deal of fun. If you're going on a tight budget, then book as low a fare as you can and spend the rest for your excursions, shopping, and memories. The interior room is a good deal smaller than a balcony, but you'll have to weigh whether the balcony is worth the extra money. Depending on the itinerary you book, there are many ports you can do shore snorkels. The one thing to remember is that a cruise is close to being all inclusive, except for soda pop and alcohol. If you can drive to a port of departure, you can save tons in air fare. Carnival has a younger crowd mix, Princess is my favorite, however we're in our 50s. There are young people on Princess as well. RCCL voyager class has a good deal of on board attractions. Princess does have pools, hot tubs, spas, and gyms, but not wall climbing and flo-riders. NCL has a dive-in program that we really enjoyed since we love to snorkel. There are many cruise lines to choose from, so I would suggest going to a reputable travel agent to get ideas and pricing. Then do as much research as you can on-line. As you may have noticed from this board, there are a great many opinions as which is the best cruise line. The caribbean is a wonderful place to enjoy and there's no better way than a cruise. You get to visit a few islands, then maybe decide to return if you really liked one in particular. Congratulations on your up-coming wedding and best wishes!

I agree with Penny3333 you should try a cruise. I also agree you should talk with a reputable Travel Agent that will help you find the perfect cruise. However; I feel this is your honeymoon. And hopefully your only honeymoon. You want it to be romatic and memorable. Therefore; I think you should go for the balcony for your honeymoon. It's all about the "experience". Picture yourself sitting on your private balcony at night. Picture the moon, the waves gently slapping the side of the ship. Perhaps a drink in your hands as you enjoy the quietness of just the two of you. Picture yourself on your balcony in the morning watching the sun rise across the glistening ocean as you enjoy your morning coffee and croissants. These are romantic memories that will last for years. A good travel agent will help you find that right cruise in your budget.

First, congratulations on your impending marriage!!

I think that most of us on this board would tell you that cruising is going to be a great experience -- and value -- for your honeymoon. Yes, the ships are large, but if you want to be alone, you can be. I think most of them would even put you at a table for two in the dining room at night if you request it. I know that a friend who has cruised on both Royal Caribbean and Carnival has had a table for two with his wife as they wanted to celebrate anniversaries privately.

My suggestion is to find a travel agent in your area who is a cruise specialist. That person can probably give you a lot of guidance as to which ships, itineraries, etc. fit your wants and budget best.

Re: your budget. . . .You can get a 7-day cruise for whatever you want to pay if you are willing to look hard. I think early June is fringe-time, so you may get some good bargains. In Sept. (which I know is not June), we have a balcony on the Valor for under $800 pp. Add in airfare, taxes and gratuity, and we're still under $1000 pp.

Hope this helps!!

chris

Thanks for the input, you guys are pretty much tell me what I want to hear. I just need to do a bit more research. I just want to make sure that where ever we go, we dont have to worry about running out of money....we were originaly think about doing a 10 day cruise, but we could find one of the 7 days cruises and just hang out in flordia for a couple of days on our way back. Thanks again

My husband and I got married two years ago and we took a cruise for our honeymoon and it was the best time we have ever had. I had been on 3 cruises prior but it was his first time. We decided to go to the Mexican Riveria because neither one of us had ever been there. I would definetly recommend the Caribbean. We had a great time and it was very romantic. We had a table for two at dinner. We went with and ocean view room instead of a balcony because we also were on a budget and we wanted to do stuff on the island. After taking a cruise for our honeymoon my husband is hooked, we actually took one that Sept. after we got married in July and every year since then.

Hope this helped. Feel free to ask any questions?

Congrats!!!

We had our honeymoon back in October 2003. We book a 10 day Eastern Carribbean on the Sun Princess. It really is a trip that we will remember for our life time. I, especially, had never cruised before then and this cruise had me hooked for life. My wife and myself had sailed on 3 additional cruises and we have excellent experience with all of them.

PS. My wife and I enjoy the quietness of Princess much better then the party theme of Carnival. But that's just us

Congratulations! My husband and I took our honeymoon on the Carnival Celebration when I was 7 months pregnant with our first child (whoops!). While it was fun, I didn't get the "romantic" atmosphere I was looking for on the ship. Carnival is more family-oriented and loud. The only thing about going to the Caribbean in early June is the hurricanes - they're bad down here in the Gulf so I would suggest taking the Mexican Riviera. Where are you from? The reason I ask is because when we were on a tight budget back then, we normally tried to take cruises out of the nearest port closest to home (Houston/Galveston) and drove there, which saved a bundle on airfare. I don't recommend NCL Dream out of Houston, though because it's an older ship and has had sooooo many engine problems. Even the ship is lacking a serious exterior paint job. I've never been on Royal Caribbean but I have heard GREAT things about them as well as Princess, which I will be going on in December. IMHO, I think you should try Royal Caribbean or Princess for your romantic honeymoon and get a balcony - you want to make it special and memorable as possible. Good luck and happy cruising!!!

Do it right. Book a cruise on a Royal Caribbean "Voyager" class ship.

Sonny V is right. The Royal Caribbean Voyager Class Ships are awesome. The Navigator of the Seas is one of the best in the world.

Hi, clueless,
first of all congratulations for your impending honeymoon. It is the best idea you can have to spend your honeymoon an a cruiseship! The 3rd of June 2007, is this your wedding day? This day is my 65rd birthay and the 49th of my spouse....If you like snorkeling, look for an american ship sailing in the Caribbean. The RCl Voyager Class is ok. You will find a lot of space for yourself. And: take a balcony suite!!!!! Just on your honeymoon cruise you feel better there than inside. Be on board, when the other passengers made excursions. Forget excursions on your honeymoon. Stay on board and be happy. Good luck for you both
Uwe

Clueless,
I have to agree with everyone. We took our first cruise in celebration of our 10 year Wedding anniversary. We were not sure if we would enjoy it or not. After ten years and three kids we wanted a little romance. We decided to go for it and took a 7 day cruise on a RCI voyager class ship. We were not dissapointed in the least. We had everything we could ask for at our finger tips. We also ran into many couple who were enjoying their honeymoons and I do believe there was a special party aboard ship specifically for honeymooners. We did go for a balcony room and enjoyed a few times, but our next cruise we have chosen to go for an inside cabin. We just felt like it was money we would rather spend elsewhere.
Congrats and good luck

I have been most impressed with Princess's large, but intimate atmosphere and with Royal Caribbean's open concept ,but yet not too party atmosphere. Both are good choices for first timers and special occasioners. I like the balconys on the lower decks (usually 6 or 7) because they tend to have longer balconys, but at the regular balcony stateroom price. (go on ship websites to explore deckplans) I found regular rooms to be spacious enough, so a suite is not an option for me. You spend so much time exploring and partaking in activities that room size is not a big deal, but its just nice to have that extra balcony length for coffee, mourning breakfast, or an evening nightcap. I would suggest looking into the new intineries going out of New York for 5 or 8 days to Bermuda. The ports-of-call out of here may be newer and more intimate. You'll find lots of pink sand, turquiose water, snorkeling, scuba diving, and even swimming with the turtles or dolphins. I'm still in the process of exploring this region on-line, as I intend on visiting it in the future. Lots of on-line research will help you make a decision which you will be happy with. BUT, I guarantee...you will be happy with a cruise anywhere, any length, anytime.

Congratulations on your pending marriage! I have to agree with the earlier postings--get a balcony. It is so nice to experience the sunsets in the Caribbean from your very own balcony. In addition, it is fun to watch the ship come in to various ports, wave to passengers on the other ships, etc. The inside cabins are always dark, unless you have a light on. My husband would be claustrophobic, I think. As far as dining is concerned, I would only add that we have met some dear friends on our cruises. They were our tablemates and we enjoyed their company so much. We still keep in touch by email. Since this is your honeymoon, it will be a personal decision as to whether you want to share your meals with other people or be alone. Either way, I know you will enjoy every minute of a Caribbean cruise! We do!!

As I am sure most of us on this site would agree, a cruise is a great option. There are many Caribbean cruises leaving on the 3rd for affordable rates. Another option would be land based vacation in the Caribbean. This may be cheaper than a cruise and you will get to experiance everything you wanted. Two places I would recomend would be St. Martin or Martinique. These are islands that have everything you want and strong influences from European countries. These places are wonderful for experiancing culture and the Caribbean sun. With European roots food is exquisite. Best of luck.

whatever you do DON"T always believe what you have read in the reviews from past guests. We have been on 6 cruises on various cruiselines and we have read so much BAD stuff about the same trips that we have taken......I truly believe the vacation is what YOU make of it......it is supposed to be a VACATION not a place to BUY ART or HAVE A PERSONAL RELATIONSHIP with the room steward....I mean come'on.
We have been to the caribbean, alaska and Mexico and every cruise was what the commercials and print ads say they are. I believe there are people out there who are just sooo miserable no matter what the situation.
Sorry but I just read some reviews on this site that were not at all any comparison to our trip just 3 weeks ago t the eastern Caribbean on the Carnival Legend.
The trip just made us want to plan our next one.

Pasta, I agree with you. Reviews of any kind, be it cruise reviews, restaurant reviews, movie reviews, whatever, are so subjective to the person writing them, that I never rely totally on reviews. If 5 people take the same cruise, it's likely that they'll write 5 completely different reviews. And they may be very different people, coming from a different mind set, than I am.

I know from being on a lot of cruises, that there are always people looking for things to complain about. I *always* hear people say this is a terrible cruise, and the best cruise they've ever been on seems to be the one they took right before this one. But I know that when they go on their next cruise, they'll be complaining about that one and say *this* one is the best they've ever been on. Go figure.

I agree that cruising, like any vacation, is what you make of it, and some minor things should just be overlooked. I have enough trust in the cruise product that I know most, if not all, of the vacation will be fantastic.

Bob Dickinson of Carnival Cruise Line likes to say, "Cruising is like sex. Even when it's bad, it's good." There is something to that!

Sandy

Dear Clueless,
I agree with the last two posts from Sandy and Pasta. When ever I read a post that says you have to take this cruise or that excursion because it was the best I immediately take a different one. Why? Because there are so many to chose from. As Sandy says everyone has an opinion. Opinions are just that. Nothing says they are right or wrong. Let's be honest every cruise line wants to offer you a product that is enjoyable, safe, and meets your expectations. It really doesn't matter if you go on NCL, RCCL, Carnival, Holland etc etc.

If you are flying into the port city you should also consider arriving a day early. Sometimes the airlines misplace luggage. You don't want to be on your cruise with no clothes. Oh wait a minute you are on your honeymoon. Maybe this is not a problem for you. But it also allows you to relax and unwind after the rush rush rush to the airport and getting out of the reception. Some like to stay a day after the cruise ship arrives but unless I am in Puerto Rico or Vancouver I usually just get right on the plane after the cruise.

If room size is a concern for you then check out the room sizes on the net. 10 square feet may not seem like much while you are sitting in your own home but it will seem like a big deal once you are in the room for 7 days. Balcony's are great but make sure you get a cruise that has some sea days in it. Otherwise, you really won't have much time to truly enjoy your balcony. There is a lot to do on board a cruise.

One of biggest choices you will have to make is the size of the ship you want to go on. Smaller ships can get into smaller ports easier due to the number of passengers they carry. The bigger ships offer more non traditional things to keep you occupied, ie ice skating and rock wall climbing. One of my favorite ports is St. Bart's. But the island is so small that they can only handle a few guests on the island at a time. Hence only smaller ships call on the island. Bigger ships mean more people so when you get off the ship you really can't get away from all of them on most islands. Just keep that in mind if crowds bother you. I don't really care what ship I have been on I have always found a small quite place to sit and relax with my wife. It is just easier to find them on smaller ships.

Some people will claim one chain is more family friendly than another. After cruising on about 12 different ships and lines I can truthfully say they are all the same except for maybe Disney. You will meet great people and you will meet rude people. Every cruise will have the kids from hell and the kids that are perfectly behaved. Celebrity, Holland, Princes tend to charge more for their cruses are they better - not really - but the people who are paying more like to feel they are getting a better product or they are somehow superior to guests on the other lines. It is not true but that is how some people will act.

The time of year you cruise will have a big influence on the number of "Kids" on the cruise. Cruising is expensive, so younger people who don't have as much money as others tend to book on the cheaper / shorter cruises. NCL, RCCL and Carnival. If you go on a cruise at spring break you are going to get more kids. If you go in the summer you are going to get more kids. A 7 day cruise will have more kids than a 10 day cruise. Every parent thinks they are the best parents. Just sit back and watch. It is really amazing. You will see "Little Johnny" running around by himself because Mommy and Daddy are on vacation. After all they are on a ship where could he go? Besides they have given Little Johnny a walkie talkie to call them on in case he needs anything. You will hear little Johnny screaming into the walkie Talkie the whole time you are on the cruise. Sad but true you will meet all kinds of people on a cruise. So if this scene disturbs you try to pick a longer cruise not during the summer or spring break.

Each cruise line will try to say there food is best. They are all great and you don't have to do the cooking or cleaning. It is really fun to listen to other cruisers talk about how this item wasn't cooked correctly or it was not seasoned correctly. One night our table mates sent their dinners back because the Green Beans were not cooked "Al Dente". I have never heard of cooking green beans until they are "Al Dente". Pasta sure but not green beans but hey I am not an expert on languages nor do I pretend to be. The problem was the green items on their plates were baby asparagus not green beans. The waiter took all of this in good humor and brought them a different meal as they requested. I can guarantee you these people are telling everyone that the cruise ship had lousy green beans. So the moral of the story is don't believe everything you read.

Sandy quoted Bob Dickinson in her last sentence. It is so true. Don't be one of those people who goes on the cruise and complains about everything. You will have already spent the money. You will have gotten the best vacation deal you can possibly find. So enjoy yourself. So many people are always looking for something for nothing. If their flight is late the want the cruise line to somehow reimburse them. Or if they miss a port due to weather they think they should get a whole new 7 day cruise. The cruise line is a business, not a charity. They want everyone to be happy but they know they won't succeed 100% of the time. Life is too short - don't waste it standing in the line at the Pursers office trying to complain about something.

The island people say it best. "Don't worry - Be happy". Hope this helps. Enjoy your cruise and your honeymoon.

Just to chime in, congrats on your wedding. In my previous experiences, it is definitely adventageous to book as early as you can with a deposit. The big decision: Carnival, Royal Carrib., Holland America, Princess.

Since you are sailing in June, remember that is peak season for cruises. So be ready for lots of kids and higher rates than what you would expect to pay. I looked at Carnival's website and a balcony room is $1109.00 per person for the time you are looking to cruise.

Since this is your first cruise, I would definitely have a cruise specialist (travel agt) assist you with your needs and do the leg-work of finding your cruise. Different lines have their own unique genre, so to speak. Hope I helped.

Congrats,
Billy

On our last cruise in Hawaii - there was a couple on their honeymoon - they dressed in their wedding finery for the first formal night photos. On the cruise before that (Mexico) we saw a bride embarking in her wedding gown -