Any big fans of cruises here?
Just got back from a one week Disney Cruise to the Caribbean out of Galveston on the Disney Wonder. This is my first ocean cruise, did a Viking River Cruise Last year. My observation that if you are into the cruise ship as the destination, then a cruise ship could be an excellent way to relax, or go play bingo, see a movie, watch a show, take a class on flower arranging, etc. Internet? Forget it unless you don't mind spending $.75/minute for snail speeds.
However if ship activities don't really interest you, and you look at it as a means to get to an exciting destination, then it's inferior, because you are just not going to see much of a place in 9 hours (or so) except for lots of SHOPPING exposure. I knew this in advance, the cruise just confirmed it.
The cruise we did was to Jamaica, Grand Cayman, and Cozumel. Based on this and previous trips to Jamaica, don't go there unless you want to hang out on the beach in the "protected compound" or take a guided tour. Don't plan on seeing the real Jamaica. Grand Cayman was ok, probably better if I had gone and done some rushed snorkeling. Finally Cozumel, we went on a tour visiting a Mayan ruin at San Gervasio. It was the most single interesting thing we did on the trip. Then we stopped by the tequila farm and got a good deal on coffee flavored tequila among other flavors.
Comparing the ocean cruise to the Caribbean vs the river cruise through Europe, I give higher marks to the river cruise because of more stops and less cruising time. Obviously if you live in the States and are taking a cruise in Europe, you got to get there to start it. Living in Houston, a Galveston departure was convenient, although we had people on the ship from as far away as New York and New Mexico (that I knew of). For a river tour, although you are working with the same available time frames (8-12 hours), you get to do walking tours and see more history. You don't spend 3 days getting to your first stop and 1.5 days to get home. And you don't have to deal with rough seas, although overall the weather was good, one day we were rock'n and roll'n. And although cruises are sold as all inclusive, restaurant and room keeping rely on tips that the cruise line is gracious enough to figure into your bill. And if you are a normal person with a spouse, allow for an extra $800-$1500 (possibly less or more) for whatever.
To emphasis my point, if the cruise ship is the destination, that is ok, but if the goal is to spend quality time at a destination, don't go there on a cruise.
BTW, I give Disney high marks for service, cleanliness, outstanding meals, and food available just about 24 hours a day (did not checks from 1-5am), two large theaters to watch... Disney related movies (saw Man of Steel and the new Thor there, but missed Monsters University) and overall an outstanding atmosphere and environment if you don't mind listening to Disney songs 24 hrs a day. "Just a spoon full of sugar..." Wine and beer were not free. Our ship's capacity (Disney Wonder) was about 2700 people, not counting crew. Of the other ships we saw, Disney was the most esthetically pleasing, looking more like a traditional ocean liner, not a glorified cargo container ship, and compared to the largest ships out there, I think there is something to be said for less being more. And I think we got a pretty good price at $1600 (I think) for 2 people for 1 week, 2200 miles (approx) of cruising.
For "party" atmosphere, I really can't compare Disney to Carnival, Princess, or Holland America. The big Caribbean Pirate Deck Party was definitely child/teen oriented. The fire works were so-so but what can you really expect onboard a ship?
Just got back from a one week Disney Cruise to the Caribbean out of Galveston on the Disney Wonder. This is my first ocean cruise, did a Viking River Cruise Last year. My observation that if you are into the cruise ship as the destination, then a cruise ship could be an excellent way to relax, or go play bingo, see a movie, watch a show, take a class on flower arranging, etc. Internet? Forget it unless you don't mind spending $.75/minute for snail speeds.
However if ship activities don't really interest you, and you look at it as a means to get to an exciting destination, then it's inferior, because you are just not going to see much of a place in 9 hours (or so) except for lots of SHOPPING exposure. I knew this in advance, the cruise just confirmed it.
The cruise we did was to Jamaica, Grand Cayman, and Cozumel. Based on this and previous trips to Jamaica, don't go there unless you want to hang out on the beach in the "protected compound" or take a guided tour. Don't plan on seeing the real Jamaica. Grand Cayman was ok, probably better if I had gone and done some rushed snorkeling. Finally Cozumel, we went on a tour visiting a Mayan ruin at San Gervasio. It was the most single interesting thing we did on the trip. Then we stopped by the tequila farm and got a good deal on coffee flavored tequila among other flavors.
Comparing the ocean cruise to the Caribbean vs the river cruise through Europe, I give higher marks to the river cruise because of more stops and less cruising time. Obviously if you live in the States and are taking a cruise in Europe, you got to get there to start it. Living in Houston, a Galveston departure was convenient, although we had people on the ship from as far away as New York and New Mexico (that I knew of). For a river tour, although you are working with the same available time frames (8-12 hours), you get to do walking tours and see more history. You don't spend 3 days getting to your first stop and 1.5 days to get home. And you don't have to deal with rough seas, although overall the weather was good, one day we were rock'n and roll'n. And although cruises are sold as all inclusive, restaurant and room keeping rely on tips that the cruise line is gracious enough to figure into your bill. And if you are a normal person with a spouse, allow for an extra $800-$1500 (possibly less or more) for whatever.
To emphasis my point, if the cruise ship is the destination, that is ok, but if the goal is to spend quality time at a destination, don't go there on a cruise.
BTW, I give Disney high marks for service, cleanliness, outstanding meals, and food available just about 24 hours a day (did not checks from 1-5am), two large theaters to watch... Disney related movies (saw Man of Steel and the new Thor there, but missed Monsters University) and overall an outstanding atmosphere and environment if you don't mind listening to Disney songs 24 hrs a day. "Just a spoon full of sugar..."
Wine and beer were not free. Our ship's capacity (Disney Wonder) was about 2700 people, not counting crew. Of the other ships we saw, Disney was the most esthetically pleasing, looking more like a traditional ocean liner, not a glorified cargo container ship, and compared to the largest ships out there, I think there is something to be said for less being more. And I think we got a pretty good price at $1600 (I think) for 2 people for 1 week, 2200 miles (approx) of cruising.For "party" atmosphere, I really can't compare Disney to Carnival, Princess, or Holland America. The big Caribbean Pirate Deck Party was definitely child/teen oriented. The fire works were so-so but what can you really expect onboard a ship?
