Anyone Want to Share Their Cruise Experiences??

We hated being assigned a table, but our best friends love it. They go with 20 adults and 11 kids all sitting at one huge table every night for dinner. That means no one orders until everyone is seated. She swears they only had to wait 10 minutes at the most. When we were on our honeymoon, we spoke up and insisted we get one of the tables for two.
Do NOT go during Spring Break or Christmas because of all the kids. If you could go during school, it would mean fewer kids.
You can save a lot by booking together and going to vacationstogo.com
I don't work for them, but I have gotten deals with no mistakes. The fullpriced travel agent gave us "freebies" but screwed up several times so I would have rather paid much less.
You don't HAVE to dress up, but it is fun once you are there to join in on formal nights. The photos are top quality. Also, if you KNOW you will be doing shore excursions, you can prebook before you go. Especially ziplines that sell out months ahead of time. There are sometimes cheaper prices for shore excursions on shore, but sometimes the company running them cut corners and I want a safe, fun, guaranteed time. I once got half back from Princess on an excursion that was not as we were told.
The cabins and the showers are small. I would get your own room, not adjoining anyone. Oceanside is worth it to have your own balcony. It was so exciting to see the whales and other animals in the wild. Plus, it seems bigger with a patio.
Get off the ship in every port. Seriously. Even if you think you will hate it. Past the cruise ship owned port(like a sanitized version), visit the local area. Take a taxi and tour around. We ate the food in every country and never got sick. We shopped and bartered in the real markets.

I am not into clubs, but we went to look and people were having a lot of fun and dancing. Also, let them know it is your anniversary. They have special games for newlyweds and those renewing. The prizes are cruise souveniers and credits.

Don't look down on activites as for old people. Try everything once. The bingo was led by a comic who was hysterical. The fanciest dinner included a parade of deserts ending with one on fire. The shows were like Las Vegas. There are sports and virtual sports.

I've been on Carnival to Mexico and Norwegian to Alaska.

The Mexico cruise was alot of partying, noisy, crowds and a little crazy.

I loved the cruise to Alaska. It was a little cold by September when we went, July would be warmer. Get a balcony so you can watch for whales and be close to your own room.

I liked Norwegian because you can dine anytime, sit where you want and at whichever main dining room you like. You have to make reservations for the specialty restaurants, some have an extra cost and a couple do not. Norwegian didn't have a required formal night which was fine for me. You can check cruisecritic.com for some great advice on choosing an itinerary and cruise line that fits your style.

We went to Alaska which is amazing and totally different.
I would not cruise again, but would definitely recommend a cruise for a first time visit to Alaska. It was relaxing, stunning, and fun!
It ends in Vancouver- awesome city to visit.
It really was the trip of a lifetime.
Went on Holland America cruise and the ship was the perfect size. Not too small and most importantly, not too big. Very high ratings from my end!

Cruises are wonderful. Extremely relaxing because as a woman, you have no one to take care of!!!!!!!! They even turn down your bed, do all the cooking, cleaning, preparing, organization, its a no-brainer. Very good if you bring others too because you can meet up at dinner and go off on different activities or excursions etc. Not sure about your budget, summer rates are pretty expensive but any other time, you're sure to get a deal! Have a wonderful time! It's a great choice for your situation....

We did a princess cruise lines cruise. It went to the cayman islands and on to mexico and another little one I can't remember the name of lol along with a stop at one called princess cays which was basically just a tourist stop to swim. loved it all. we got off and shopped a little bit at the stops but I loved the ship. they had auctions, live theater shows, karaoke bars, movie theater, bingo, games in the lounge, 3 decks had pools, a fitness track all around one level of the ship, food all the time, I loved the formal tea in the afternoon. hubby loved the formal dinners and the being able to get food at the bar. A little known fact here. If you are at dinner and love the lobster they will bring you another if you ask. or say the dessert is devine you can ask for one to go. The food is one of the really spectacular parts of the cruise so enjoy it to the fullest. we bought the bands for your arm to get pop free all week long I think it was $15 bucks a person and then you could drink pop or tea without it costing. all liqueur was billed to your room and paid at the end. be prepared for that you won't think its much till you get a $600 bill and then those margarita's will seem a little more expensive. they don't tell you but each one is about $12. Let them take photo's of you all over the ship at the end you can go thru them and buy what you want and they are always really good photos.