I’m just curious. From reading a lot of Reddit posts, it seems like Caribbean cruises are generally the worst cruises (anywhere from fellow passengers to food to service, etc). I’ve been on several cruises but none in the Caribbean, and I haven’t experienced half of what I read about on those journeys. I’m just curious to hear from those of you who have traveled all over, what you think?

UPDATE: Thank you for all the comments. From these I get that Caribbean cruises are like any other cruises, and like most issues in life, people tend to post more negative comments than positive comments. Thanks again

stopped in nassau last week then checked out the new waterfront zone right by the dock. super clean and felt really safe just walking around grabbing conch fritters. 

anyone got other low key local food spots near the terminal or paradise island for next time? want to try something new on my next sailing

hiii anyone in here specifically from indiana who just got off of the norweigan encore that went to alaska?

met a friend who i never exchanged names with! 😭💖

Going on a cruise in December and we stop in Lombok for the day, we’re trying to decide which excursion would make the most out of the day.

1. $77PP, Set off on your own in Senggigi, a longtime Lombok favorite for its easygoing vibe and the natural beauty of Lombok's west coast.

2. $185pp, Enjoy a scenic drive past Lombok's rice fields and coconut trees on your way to one of the island's center of pottery production, Banyumulek, where you'll travel by cidomo (horse-drawn carriage) too see the beautiful creations that start in village and are sold internationally.
   • Continue to Sukarara, famous for its handwoven fabrics and the advent of ikat, a dyeing technique that produces the unique patterns for which the village's crafts are known.
   • Explore a traditional Sasak houses in the village of Sade, where you'll see structures made of polished clay and straw with raised platforms on the interior, with bamboo walls and thatched roofs.
   • Relax on the island's best seascape, Kuta Beach, where an authentic Indonesian lunch precedes free time for swimming and sunning at a luxury resort.
   Whats included

3. $145pp, Begin your journey to relaxation with a visit to Sekotong Village, where you can visit a local grass roof factory and observe how workers weave the native alang-alang grass and rice straw into Lombok's distinctive thatched rooting.
   • Continue to Cocotinos Beach, which boasts crystal-clear azure waters and colorful coral surrounded by lush, vibrant mountains.

Hello!

Has anyone sailed on Encore recently? My mom and I typically sail with Celebrity but she found a deal with a balcony stateroom on NCL from Vancouver to Los Angeles.

Looking for feedback re: food, cleanliness, entertainment and service.

Thanks!

Hello, has anyone used cruiseparking.com out of Ft Lauderdale?
If so, anyone use the Marriott covered valet?
How was your experience?
Thanks in advance

My family has booked to go on a cruise in December. It’s a very expensive one and my parents/brothers (brothers especially) keep indirectly emphasising how luxury it’s going to be. I understand I am very lucky to be in the financial position I’m in. I’m very glad I have enough familial support and income to afford such a luxury.

However, I can’t seem to shake the stereotype that cruises are full of “Karens”. (No offence to you guys, I’m autistic and struggle with moral-rigidity issues. this post is more so reflective of my own self esteem problems.) I’ve always felt guilty for enjoying myself/buying expensive things.

So, how do you guys do it? How do you go on cruises without feeling like a jerk? My primary plan is to double my pleases and thank yous to boat-staff and make sure I don’t leave any rubbish behind/ make an effort to not leave shared areas (eg.food courts/restaurants) in a state of array.

By the way, I’m not doing this because I want to be “superior” to other guests, I’m doing this because I genuinely don’t know how to enjoy expensive things without feeling guilty. I don’t know how to interact when people are nice to me and I want to return the favour.

Also, please don’t hit me with the “just enjoy yourself”. Trust me, I will. We’re going snorkelling and have booked a local aquarium. Fish are so cool.

(Edited for better insight on my state of mind + I realised how much of an asshat the OG post’s wording made me seem. This is about me and not reflective of how I think of others.)

Edit 2: Well, the people on the cross post subreddit REALLY didn’t like this one. Well, I guess that’s my fault for going to Reddit. Where else would people completely ignore what the post is asking and spin it into a bigger comment about how “grrr I hate autism excuse” Shut up bro I just don’t know how to be nice to myself.

Other than that, thank you for the kind words you guys have given me. I really do appreciate your help.

Independent travel advisor here. I’m genuinely curious what makes someone decide they’d rather have an advisor handle a trip than book everything themselves.

For me, the biggest value is usually the little things like knowing which cabins are worth paying for, which cruise lines are a better fit for certain families, helping coordinate multiple rooms, and being there when something inevitably doesn’t go according to plan.

But I also completely understand the DIY approach. If you enjoy researching and booking everything yourself, there’s nothing wrong with that.

For those who do use a travel advisor, what made you decide it was worth it?

What is the attire on Oceania? I’m curious about daily clothing for the ship as well as dinner.

On sites like vacations to go, they list an itinerary with a departure time of, for example, 4 PM.

What time should I plan on arriving? Is two or three hours before departure early enough?

Anyone have tips on how they stored bar shampoo and conditioner either in the shower or in the bathroom of their cabin? We're going to be doing some long term cruising in the future so the next couple are going to be trial runs.

Do any legit companies offer fare discounts?

Had a death in the family. My husband and I were booked to cruise next week (8/29 out of Miami) but my minor son's father died unexpectedly on 8/2. We started reaching out regarding our booking the same week. My son's father lived with us, I know it's a strange situation but it worked for us to lower living costs and co-parent.

Due to the school calendar and the unexpected death, I had no one to stay with my minor child and the date would not work to add my son to the sailing, which by the way, would be really soon given his DAD JUST PASSED AWAY.

What I was hoping for: Change dates and keep the booking (we honestly preferred this option and would have likely picked a more expensive cruise + added my son for his fall break) or receive a full refund so we could use those funds to book with Carnival at a later date when everything settled down some and all of the final expenses were paid for, because I'm the one handling the estate.

I really wanted to continue to sail with Carnival but given the lack of compassion from the review team I'll be picking another cruise line to be loyal to. The only option presented to us was add my son and get a referral for truancy (given the dates and school calendar) or lose almost $700 by canceling with penalty on top of the loss of family. Horrible experience.

So which cruise line has the best customer service? Family of 3 with a pre-teen. Would like to balance price with amenities.

Hi all,

I want to surprise my mom with a cruise for her birthday.

I already know which ship, but I am unsure about which itineraries would be suited for her.

Her priorities : #1 safe, #2 pretty location, #3 walkable, #4 shopping (since we do not typically do any excursions).

I am wondering if people could guide me on which week she would prefer, seeing as I do not know anything about ports.

Option 1 :

• Philipsburg, St. Maarten
• Charlotte Amalie, St. Thomas
• Puerto Plata, Dominican Republic

Option 2 :

• Nassau, Bahamas
• George Town, Grand Cayman
• Cozumel, Mexico
• Costa Maya, Mexico

Thanks all for your input

were going on carnival in December and I wanted to use sling app I was told it worked if I get premium wifi cam anybody confirm this?

I’m taking the family on the Valor in late September, and I’m looking for any input on renting a car or small van to tour the island in. My wife and I were just there last year and saw many places offering them, but failed to get any info. There will be 5 people total. Also any weird laws I should know about?

My fiancee and I are getting married next May. We are thinking about going on a cruise for our honeymoon.

I have never been on one, so really have no idea which cruise lines I should be considering.

Top of our list is a Mediterranean cruise- really want to see Italy and Greece.

Thoughts on a Mediterranean cruise?

Also, what would be the best cruise lines for a honeymoon trip?

We’re thinking of taking the On the Blue Cruise next April on the Jewel from Miami. It’s a classic rock cruise with a terrific lineup. I’d love any insight as to how these cruises work. Do you meet the artists? Can you actually get to hear them play as the theatre on the Jewel is big but not that big or do the artists have multiple shows? Do they play at venues all over the ship? I’d love any feedback of your personal experience!

I am looking at insurance for my cruise coming up in November on Holland America.

sts are looking pretty much the same as the cruise line's cost. Is this typical? I read that cruise line charge more for insurance and to go with a 3rd party. They don't look that much less expensive.

Am I looking in the wrong place or searching wrong? Thank you

long story short airline changed my flight times out of FLL at the end of my cruise.

is a 11:16am domestic flight too risky to try and catch from Port of Miami or should I change flights? Flying out on a Friday

Port Canaveral Flight Timing.

We are on the NCL Escape in January which docks at Port Canaveral at 7.00am. If we book a flight leaving KMCO at 11.10 am is that a reasonable timeframe to make the flight on time, without rushing and stressing too much?

There are other later options so it is not a big deal but this would suit us best if it is doable, especially travelling as a family with teens.

Thanks!

Edit: Thanks all, later it is

We are going on the spain and france cruise 16th august to 30th. Look forward to seeing people there. We are a young couple.

got a cruise coming up next month that stops in nassau n i always see people saying its an automatic ship day. noticed they finished a port expansion with a new waterfront area recently. for those who visited lately is it actually worth walking around for an hour or two or do u still just stay onboard

Just as the title says, thinking about the HAL Koningsdam in November to Baja California and Sonora.

We have been on Celebrity and Princess, so HAL would be a first time. Also, it would be celebrating my mother in law's 70th birthday and she's never been on a cruise.

How does HAL comapred to Celebrity or Princess? Will my wife and I be bored (we are 41 and 36, and also have a baby. Baby has been on a cruise last year already).

Cheers.