posted by admin on Sep 2
Me and my soon to be hubby, are going on our honeymoon probably about six months to one year after we get married (getting married through court in Dec). Probably before he goes to the military which will be in July or August or after he gets done with BT and Aschool. Anyway, he wants to really go on a cruise and we live in Houston,tx so he wants to leave from Galveston, tx. I have already been on a cruise with Carnival about 5 years ago when I was in HS(for drill team). I already asked if he wants to leave from another departure port and he says NO. 
My question is, out of Royal Carribean and Carnival which one would be a good cruise to ship from? Should I buy my tickets from the actually cruise website or a third party? How far in advance? Do you have to pay for the cruise at once or can you set up payment installments? Should we get a suite or balcony or does it really matter? Which cruise is better for couples aged 21-25 on there honeymoon?
Also we are going on a seven day EASTERN carribean cruise, if that matters.
I definently do not want to spend more than $2000…2$500 max.
sorry, $2500…and that includes EVERYTHING!
Those who have said that Royal Caribbean does not cruise out of Galveston are completely wrong. According to Royal Caribbean’s web site there will be cruises leaving from Galveston several times every month starting this year in November 2010. And there are plenty of great cruises that will fit within your budget. Here’s a link to the Royal Caribbean cruises available: http://www.royalcaribbean.com/findacruise/search/vacationSearchResult.do;jsessionid=0000CNT7fRyTOh0NskCYcB703Ui:13hldcctq?promoType=&cS=EXPVSCH&cruiseTourOnly=false&dest=ANY&duration=ANY&date=ANY&port=GAL&includeAdjascentPorts=Y&ship=ANY&selectedCurrencyCode=USD&price=ANY&hasMilitary=Y&state=&x=64&y=6
The ships that Royal will cruise out of Galveston are its Voyager of the Seas and its Mariner of the Seas. The ship have different names but are identical; they are 2 of 5 of the RC’s Voyager Class of ship. I have cruised on the Mariner and its a great ship. It has just about the most on-board activities that you’ll find on any ship. Only Royal C’s larger Freedom and Oasis class ships have more to do on board. You can take a look at the features of the Voyager at this web link: http://www.royalcaribbean.com/findacruise/ships/class/ship/home.do;jsessionid=0000CNT7fRyTOh0NskCYcB703Ui:13hldcctq?br=R&shipClassCode=VY&shipCode=VY
The Royal C ships do have special pricing for the military and you can get a balcony cabin for about $900 each in January, 2011: http://www.royalcaribbean.com/findacruise/cruiseDetails/itineraryAndPricing.do;jsessionid=0000CNT7fRyTOh0NskCYcB703Ui:13hldcctq?packageCode=VY07W058&sailDate=1110123&date=ANY&selectedCurrencyCode=USD&promoType=&hasSenior=&hasMilitary=Y&hasFireandPolice=&state=
You can pay more for a suite but I think you will enjoy the balcony cabin just fine. You should book as early as possible so you have a better choice of cabins. You can book on line or call RC at the number on their web site and they will help you get booked. You’ll need a deposit of $250. per person (total of $500) and then you will have until 65-70 days before the cruise to pay the balance. You can make payment (right on line) any time you want. The prices listed do not include taxes and port charges which will be about $100 per person; maybe less. You’ll notice also that the cruise prices vary by date so you can save money by picking a date with the lowest price.
Your other option is Carnival Cruise Line which has the Carnival Conquest doing Eastern and Western Caribbean cruises out of Galveston. You can look at the features of the ship at this web link:http://www.carnival.com/cms/fun/ships/carnival_conquest/default.aspx?shipCode=CQ
These are the winter cruises: http://www.carnival.com/CMS/Search2/Default.aspx?&embkCode=GAL&dur=D2&StateCode=NC&PastGuest=Y&Senior=Y
and these are Spring cruises: http://www.carnival.com/CMS/Search2/Default.aspx?&embkCode=GAL&dur=D2&StateCode=NC&PastGuest=Y&Senior=Y
It also has good prices and that’s as usual because it is the budget cruise line. Note that costs also vary by date. Your deposit about will be about the same and also Carnival will help you with booking.
While the Carnival ship does both Eastern and Western Caribbean cruises in my opinion the Western Caribbean is a much better itinerary. Grand Cayman, Cozumel, Jamaica and Belize are much better port stops than the Bahamas and Key West, the Eastern Caribbean itineraries offered by Carnival.
My recommendation is select a Royal Caribbean cruise because the ship is better and the food, entertainment, and service will also be better.
September 3rd, 2010 at 1:48 am
Unfortunately, Royal Caribbean does not sail out of Galveston. Carnival is the only Cruise line that does.
You need to research where you can get the best benefits/freebies. You will get the lowest fares the farther out. In fact in late September early October the cruise lines have big sales. All you need to do is put a deposit down on the cruise, the remainder is due 90 days before the cruise.
As for the price, expect to pay a minimum of 1400 to 1600 range for the 2 of you in an inside cabin. You won’t be able to get a balcony with your budget. The room for the 2 of is very close to the 2500 and that doesn’t even include the 280 in standard gratuities. On top of that, you won’t be able to drink any soda or any alcohol as those are all extra. Just stick with the inside room. You aren’t really going to be in there other than to sleep or other things.
References :
September 3rd, 2010 at 2:22 am
My suggestion is you speak with a travel agent. Travel agents do not charge more, but they will be able to offer many recommendations and suggestions for you. I would suggest you speak to a few and make sure you have asked all the questions,– service charges, cancellation fees, etc. You will also want to find one that will take the time to answer all your questions and offer suggestions. If they are pushy and aggressive, move on to another agency. If this is a first cruise, you will have many questions and you will want someone to guide you. I suggest you make a list of questions and start calling or emailing agents. Both lines you are looking at are non-discountable lines–so you should get the same rates from all agents (you will get amenities offered that may differ) If it sounds to good to be true it probably is.
If I can answer additional questions, ask away.
References :
Cruise Travel Agency Owner
September 3rd, 2010 at 2:43 am
Carnival is the only cruise line sailing out of Galveston. Carnival currently has two ships sailing out of Galveston. They are Ecstasy and Conquest. I would recommend Conquest, as it is a much more modern ship, more than 10 years newer than Ecstasy. You will need to do an inside cabin or an oceanview to stay within your price cap.
Since you are concerned about the price, your cheapest option will be something like this: Conquest 7 nights departing August 28, 2011. This sailing is running $429 per person for inside, and $569 for oceanview. Most of the other Conquest sailings around your dates are more expensive. This cruise goes to Grand Cayman, Jamaica, and Cozumel.
Conquest has other sailings that go to Key West, Freeport and Nassau. Personally, I’d take the former port stops over this itinerary. This sailing starts at $549 for inside and goes to $729 for oceanview, per person.
You can buy from a travel agent or Carnival. A travel agent isn’t a bad idea, especially for a first time cruiser, but is not required. You should book as soon as possible to ensure you get the travel dates you need. Prices generally go up over time, though there may be some fluctuation in price both up and down. Often Carnival will adjust your fare downward if the price drops before your final payment date.
Good luck.
References :
September 3rd, 2010 at 3:32 am
Those who have said that Royal Caribbean does not cruise out of Galveston are completely wrong. According to Royal Caribbean’s web site there will be cruises leaving from Galveston several times every month starting this year in November 2010. And there are plenty of great cruises that will fit within your budget. Here’s a link to the Royal Caribbean cruises available: http://www.royalcaribbean.com/findacruise/search/vacationSearchResult.do;jsessionid=0000CNT7fRyTOh0NskCYcB703Ui:13hldcctq?promoType=&cS=EXPVSCH&cruiseTourOnly=false&dest=ANY&duration=ANY&date=ANY&port=GAL&includeAdjascentPorts=Y&ship=ANY&selectedCurrencyCode=USD&price=ANY&hasMilitary=Y&state=&x=64&y=6
The ships that Royal will cruise out of Galveston are its Voyager of the Seas and its Mariner of the Seas. The ship have different names but are identical; they are 2 of 5 of the RC’s Voyager Class of ship. I have cruised on the Mariner and its a great ship. It has just about the most on-board activities that you’ll find on any ship. Only Royal C’s larger Freedom and Oasis class ships have more to do on board. You can take a look at the features of the Voyager at this web link: http://www.royalcaribbean.com/findacruise/ships/class/ship/home.do;jsessionid=0000CNT7fRyTOh0NskCYcB703Ui:13hldcctq?br=R&shipClassCode=VY&shipCode=VY
The Royal C ships do have special pricing for the military and you can get a balcony cabin for about $900 each in January, 2011: http://www.royalcaribbean.com/findacruise/cruiseDetails/itineraryAndPricing.do;jsessionid=0000CNT7fRyTOh0NskCYcB703Ui:13hldcctq?packageCode=VY07W058&sailDate=1110123&date=ANY&selectedCurrencyCode=USD&promoType=&hasSenior=&hasMilitary=Y&hasFireandPolice=&state=
You can pay more for a suite but I think you will enjoy the balcony cabin just fine. You should book as early as possible so you have a better choice of cabins. You can book on line or call RC at the number on their web site and they will help you get booked. You’ll need a deposit of $250. per person (total of $500) and then you will have until 65-70 days before the cruise to pay the balance. You can make payment (right on line) any time you want. The prices listed do not include taxes and port charges which will be about $100 per person; maybe less. You’ll notice also that the cruise prices vary by date so you can save money by picking a date with the lowest price.
Your other option is Carnival Cruise Line which has the Carnival Conquest doing Eastern and Western Caribbean cruises out of Galveston. You can look at the features of the ship at this web link:http://www.carnival.com/cms/fun/ships/carnival_conquest/default.aspx?shipCode=CQ
These are the winter cruises: http://www.carnival.com/CMS/Search2/Default.aspx?&embkCode=GAL&dur=D2&StateCode=NC&PastGuest=Y&Senior=Y
and these are Spring cruises: http://www.carnival.com/CMS/Search2/Default.aspx?&embkCode=GAL&dur=D2&StateCode=NC&PastGuest=Y&Senior=Y
It also has good prices and that’s as usual because it is the budget cruise line. Note that costs also vary by date. Your deposit about will be about the same and also Carnival will help you with booking.
While the Carnival ship does both Eastern and Western Caribbean cruises in my opinion the Western Caribbean is a much better itinerary. Grand Cayman, Cozumel, Jamaica and Belize are much better port stops than the Bahamas and Key West, the Eastern Caribbean itineraries offered by Carnival.
My recommendation is select a Royal Caribbean cruise because the ship is better and the food, entertainment, and service will also be better.
References :
experience of many cruises.