From: Charles on
In article <86vtuhFfa5U1(a)mid.individual.net>, Sue Mullen
<kjmullen(a)comcast.net> wrote:

> I think a 7 day Bermuda cruise would be a great fit, Ohioguy would have
> lots of time ashore if he isn't thrilled with cruising, yet his wife
> would be able to get a good first cruise experience. There is so much to
> do in Bermuda, sightseeing, swimming/snorkeling, eating out in fun
> restaurants and much more. Also in October Bermuda weather would be very
> pleasant, not as hot as the Carribean and not as cold as it can get up
> in New England and Canada.

I tend to shy away from recommending Bermuda as a first cruise because
of the increased odds of rough seas.

I think they should go on a Caribbean cruise. I have to say I don't
take at face value the fussy sounding stuff he posted. I think that
represents that he is unsure about a cruise.

--
Charles
From: Stu on
On Sat, 05 Jun 2010 19:20:17 -0400, Charles
<fort(a)his.com.remove.invalid> wrote:

>In article <86vtuhFfa5U1(a)mid.individual.net>, Sue Mullen
><kjmullen(a)comcast.net> wrote:
>
>> I think a 7 day Bermuda cruise would be a great fit, Ohioguy would have
>> lots of time ashore if he isn't thrilled with cruising, yet his wife
>> would be able to get a good first cruise experience. There is so much to
>> do in Bermuda, sightseeing, swimming/snorkeling, eating out in fun
>> restaurants and much more. Also in October Bermuda weather would be very
>> pleasant, not as hot as the Carribean and not as cold as it can get up
>> in New England and Canada.
>
>I tend to shy away from recommending Bermuda as a first cruise because
>of the increased odds of rough seas.
>
>I think they should go on a Caribbean cruise. I have to say I don't
>take at face value the fussy sounding stuff he posted. I think that
>represents that he is unsure about a cruise.


and all of us are going to confuse him further
From: John Sisker on
"Ohioguy" <none(a)none.net> wrote in message
news:5ydOn.76532$304.8267(a)newsfe12.iad...
> It looks like my wife and I will be going on a cruise in early October.
> It just works out that several relatives can come by and watch our kids
> (all are 7 or under). I think this will be the first time my wife and I
> have had a week to ourselves since our first child was born over 7 years
> ago.
>
> My preference for a vacation is actually hiking in the wilderness for a
> week or so, but my wife wasn't interested in that. I find that when I'm
> around crowds of people, it typically makes me feel worn out. I tend to
> recharge when I have time to reflect in nature, in my garden, or similar
> activities. Probably has something to do with growing up in the country,
> out on a farm.
>
> Anyway, details: we can take a 7 day cruise, with up to a day allowed
> for travel on both ends. In other words, we can be gone a grand total of
> about 9 days, and wouldn't want to push it past that. Due to a "Disney on
> Ice" show that various folks in the family want to see, we can leave
> either October 1, 2, 3 or 4. Sort of wish there was a website that could
> also lump in airfare - I'm trying to do it separately. (from Dayton, Ohio)
> I think we will focus on the Caribbean 7 day trips.
>
> I'm most interested in buffets, magic shows, and perhaps 40's/50's/60's
> type nostalgia music shows, or just some variety shows. I'm not very
> interested in formal dining, because by the time you've waited to be
> seated, waited to order, waited to get your food, and waited for the
> bill - I find myself thinking, "gee, I could have fixed something like
> that in half the time". I am looking forward to having time to relax and
> read as well, rather than change diapers, get kids ready for school, etc.
>
> I've used a website, cruisecheap.com, to come up with some
> possibilities. They are all Carnival ships - Legend, Victory & Liberty.
> Oct. 3 7 night Western Caribbean from Tampa shows $569 for balcony, so
> that is one possibility.
>
> I'm also considering the Norwegian Epic. I think I heard that it has
> Blue Man Group show, which I've always wanted to see - and was trying to
> decide if it was worth the extra cost. (and smaller room, most likely)
>
> If anyone has advice or suggestions, I'm very interested in benefiting
> from your experience to hopefully improve the quality of the trip.
>
> Thanks!




A good travel agent specializing in just cruises would be your best bet for
help and advice. And they only get paid if and when you happen to book, and
that even that comes from the cruise line. Besides, their recommendations
don't cost you any more than doing it all yourself. Likewise, as having been
seen here, everyone seems to have an opinion on one thing or another. Some
praise Carnival to the hilt, others bad mouth them to no end. Some recommend
sailing ships and/or river cruises, and some even suggested the new mega
ships. Not a good idea at this time for you.

Not to recommend, but just a suggestion, Carnival Cruise Line would indeed
fit the bill in your situation to most, if not all, of what you are looking
for. In addition, you might want to consider an 8-day Exotic Western
Caribbean Cruise on the Carnival Miracle. Ports include: Cozumel, Costa
Rica, Panama... round-trip from Ft Lauderdale.

A shore excursion to the Panama Canal may be that adventure you seek, while
your wife might enjoy the shopping and sightseeing in some of the other
exotic ports, vs. the more crowded Caribbean destinations. Our records show
that cruise starting at$569, and that for 8-days, not 7. In addition, even
cruise line air could be added on; at least as a price comparison to getting
air on your own air

Whatever you decide, remember... there is no wrong cruise.

Bon Voyage...
John Sisker - SHIP-TO-SHORE CRUISE AGENCY�
(714) 536-3850 or toll-free at (800) 724-6644 & (Agency ID: 714.536.3850)
www.shiptoshorecruise.com / www.tinplatedesign.com >
Facebook/Twitter/Blog/Flickr/MyPage

From: Ohioguy on
Just found out about "Caribbean Travel and Life" magazine. Do any of
you read it, and if so, is it a good overview of what I would encounter
on a cruise in the Caribbean?

I was hoping our library had it, but they have "Cruising World",
which is evidently about sailing. (go figure - "Sailing World" must have
already been taken)

I could get a sub to the magazine pretty cheap, but I'd only get an
issue or two before we leave for the cruise.
From: Ohioguy on
> more alternative itinerary - Alaska - if you can cruise a month or two
> earlier.

I looked at Alaska and Hawaii. Gave up on Hawaii immediately due to
the airfare cost. I flew to Alaska in 2000 and had a nice land & short
boat (inside passage) visit with my parents and grandparents. Almost
drove there 3 years ago when My wife and our 2 (at the time) kids flew
out to Bellingham, WA for about $40 each on Skybus. I bought a 1969
Ford Econoline van for $500 from a guy on Craigslist, had it looked over
by a local auto shop, and then we took off to Mt. St. Helens, then up
into the Canadian Rockies. The van was pretty basic, had a cupboard
along one side for canned food & other needs. We slept in the van about
2/3 of the time - just didn't want to mess with setting up & taking down
a tent when it rained that often.

If I'd had more faith in the van's condition, we would have driven
through BC and into the SE portion of Alaska. My wife has always wanted
to go there. However, it's a good thing we didn't, because something
got stuck on the accelerator, and we had to be towed from the middle of
nowhere. (thank goodness for the GM Auto Club - got my money's worth)
However, this caused us to spend about 3 days in a hotel, in a location
where we hadn't intended to spend much time. Interesting and enjoyable
anyway.

I still have the van, and good memories. After giving the van a new
white coat of paint, I have to decide between turning it into the:

A) Trekmobile - Star Trek homage & artwork
or
B) MarvelMobile - Marvel Comics homage & art

Alaska - I think it is ruled out because our travel dates are
inflexible. However, I'll have to double check with my wife. We were
making the travel dates in early October simply because it worked out
that her Mom was coming to visit so they & the kids could go see Disney
on Ice. Then she would already be here to watch the kids. Without that
stipulation, yes, indeed, we might be able to do Alaska. However, I'm
not sure that is what my wife had in mind this time around.