Suggestions for a first time cruiser?
 

I'm starting to plan my first cruise and what I've come to realize is there are so many great and wonderful choices that I don't know where to start. That and I'm not sure of things like, are the Disney Cruises a no-go for a single person since they would obviously be geared more towards family? Any insight on planning tips and thoughts about where to go would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks in advance!

Our favorite cruise:

www.bluescruise.com

cruisesritic.com

You will find information for first timers, reviews of many ships and itineraries - register for the boards and read the answer to every question that could possibly cross your mind (and it repeats every month as new first timers join).

www.cruisecritic.com mentioned above is a fabulouse source of information. Additionally you can try www.cruisemates.com.

Awesome. Thanks everyone. I'll definitely check them out. I'm pretty excited, being my first time and all.

how much do you want to spend?

scratch that, this guy is an advertiser...

Yes, you would have to check the OP's profile to give a worthy response.

actually, if you had read this thread earlier, you would have noticed two links in his signature. one of them seemed quite disreputable.

The person's personal profile says he is a travel agent. Don't you think that he should have enough information to decide for himself?????

his second website imho made it pretty clear hes not a travel agent

I would recommend Celebrity, as their (newer) ships are great and the price are OK.

Many of the mainstream cruise-lines are pretty much the same; although each company has bigger ships, newer ships, older ships, smaller ships. We have cruised NCL, HA, RC, CC, and most of the others, and whereas we find HA to be maybe a half notch more classy, and whereas we had big problems with RC's service and attitude (twice, now) I do think you have to keep your expectations in check, so not to be disappointed. Cruising has gone "mass markets" and it's not as elite as it once used to be, and you get treated pretty much the same as being processed on a greyhound bus tour. But I love it for the ride, the weather, the activities on the ports, and the relaxation. The food is over-rated on most cruise lines (not as great as it once used to be) and by Wednesday everything starts to taste the same. My strongest recommendation is to negotiate for a nice outside cabin with a patio and window -- because it's the journey not the destination.

I can't find a second website, but the one linked from his profile is nothing more than a multi level marketing scheme, very similar to Global Travel. You can make a lot of money, IF you can convince other boneheads to sign up to "be a travel agent". The one catch line I love- "They do not receive travel credentials and cannot sell travel. Unless fully contracted with YTB Travel Network".

Hubby has the Global Travel credentials. Saves more than the cost of the yearly fee in discounts at hotels and rental car companies. But he tried to book two cruises this year using the credentials. Was told he had to book through his "home agency". Called Global for a quote. Now remember-he is one of their "agents" and the quoted price SHOULD reflect a discount if for nothing else, his portion of the commission. Both cruises priced out at more than $1000.00 over other internet and bricks and mortar agencies.

The OP really shouldn't be selling travel if he has to post on a public forum about which cruise to take. Since there is no or little commission from airline tickets anymore, how you going to make any money in travel without selling cruises? Hotels and rental cars sure wouldn't make a lot of money alone. I'm off my soapbox.

there was a link to a fake blog type site with a lot of advertising, for things like diet pills. (and the guy's "name" all over the place)

i reported the signature ad links, and a mod removed them.

I just got email from the OP ADVERTISING his business. Isn't this against T & C's? And a newbie to FT as well. if this is message 1 of 6, I BETTER NOT get the next 5.


rom the desk of: Tim Draayer

Message 1 of 6

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