Carribbean Cruise for First Anniversary

We are going to the South Caribbean cruise in the end of August. We are going to spend 2 days in San Juan and then cruise for 7 days.
There is a great forum on the cruises
http://boards.cruisecritic.com/index.php
I got a lot of information there.
Good luck!!!

We took a cruise on Carnival and they do have smoking areas outside on the ship. You will love it. You get so spoiled you don't won't to get off when it is time. We took a Sunday to Sunday one. They have lots of specials so just keep looking.

There is always a smoking section. Save up the money and time. You will be gald you did. After all isn't being together the reason you got married in the first place? More is always better in that area. - Have fun!

B.,

Happy early anniversary! I have not been able to take a cruise myself, but I just wanted to give you an option to compare prices & packages! My husband & I have an online travel store at "www.jcptrips.com" and there are excellent deals on cruises - even last minute deals! Our company (YTB) has a great partnership with Carnival Cruise Lines and has won numerous awards in the travel industry. There are also options to purchase side trips for your port days and travel insurance. If you are really interested, I could show you how to get paid to take your vacation! Our website has all of the information. Just click on the "book travel" link to check out our cruise packages. If you're interested in joining - there are great presentations on the home page. Good luck and let me know if you have any questions!

As far as when you go on your cruise is up to you. Is it more important to go on your anniversary, or to have more time on the cruise. I have been on seven day cruises, and am still not ready to leave when they are over. Longer cruises allow you to stop at more ports-of-call.
I don't know if you have already found a website to book your cruise or not, but I own an at home travel business, and would love for you to check out my website and compare prices. If you find a good deal, I would love for you to book your cruise with me. My website is www.grishamtravel.com.

As far as a place for your husband to smoke his cigars, there are designated places for that on the ship, and usually even a cigar bar.

Please let me know if you have any questions about my website.

Thanks,
Lee Ann

My husband and I have an anniversary in October and we did Royal Carribean, on Rhapsody of the Seas for our anniversary a few years back and it was FABULOUS, we went in October and because of "off season" prices got the 7 day cruise for $499 a person. He had been on one before, but I had not. I was sick the first night due to the tropical depression and LARGE waves, but after I got over that It was the best 7 days of my life. In fact, we went on the same cruise, same ship with his entire family last July and paid full price because we loved it so much. About the cigars, as I recall, there may have been a cigar bar..I am sure that information is on the Royal Carribean website, and he certainly could smoke at the stops.

Royal Caribbean has a wonderful cruise out of Galveston that will start back up in the Fall. You can save money and drive there. It goes to several places - you can go online and check their website for prices and dates and destinations. We like to have at least a couple of days at sea to relax and enjoy the cruise. I recommended using a travel agent so that there are no problems. They can help you get a better rate also. A good resource for cruises is either Country Day travel or Gulliver's Travel, both in Fort Worth. My husband and family have been on many cruises and it is our favorite way to vacation. We took an anniversary cruise and our travel agent sent us a bottle of champagne that was waiting in our cabin when we arrived. I also recommend you get a room with a balcony if you can afford it. It makes it nice to sit out there and read or have a drink in private. I also would choose open dining, then if you meet other couples on the ship that you enjoy, then you can dine with them and not the same people every night. The two main dining rooms - one that you eat at the same time every night - either at 6 or 8 (I would choose the 8:00 time if you are not traveling with children. The people that travel with children eat at the earlier time slot and the older people as well)and you sit with the same people or the other dining room that will serve the same food and you do the formal nights as well. We did the formal thing on several cruises, but opt not to do it any more than one night (if at all) because of the amount of clothes you have to carry. Travel light and make it an easy trip for yourself. Shorts, t-shirts, several bathing suits and casual clothes to wear in the evening - slacks, capri pants and cute, sexy tops. For guys, khaki's, slacks, shorts, t-shirts polo type shirts and a sport coat. He could bring a couple of button downs and a tie for formal night. If you want to do the formal night, most men wear tuxes and women wear cocktail dresses or cocktail type pants, but the last few that we have been on, we have seen a more relaxed attire. There is a book they give you that tells you what to wear. Talk to people that have been on cruises to get their insight. Things have changed over the years and people tend to want a more relaxed cruise. Good luck!

We did this for our honeymoon and loved it so much we did again for second anniversary. Go in the fall. It is not near as hot but still very warm to swim etc. Not as many kids on the cruises in the fall. We went early November and late November. book it now and get a great price and start paying on it then save money for your excursions etc. You will have a blast. Do a seven day for your first time so you really get the feel of cruising.

He can have his cigars. There are lots of smoking areas.

I would wait and go in Oct. or Nov. You will get more for your money AND the summer is hurricane season!!

We have not been on a cruise. We are going on our first one in Jan. (We're going to try Royal Carribean. I've heard it's really good.) We have been to several caribbean islands in Sept and Oct. The fall is a great time to go!!

You also need to leave time to get passports if you don't already have them.

Have fun!!
C. (wife to a WONDERFUL man and mom to 3 beautiful children - 9, 3, and 19 mos.)

Ok so my opinion is a bit different than the others. My husband and I along with several other family and friends recently took a cruise in April! I loved it. It was a Carnival Western Caribbean 4 day cruise. We had two port days and two days at sea. When our last day hit we were really anxious to get off the boat. Going with just you and your husband is great but there is only so much time you can spend together before you find that one wants to do one thing and the other wants to do another thing. I would suggest not going any longer than a 4 day cruise. Believe me 4 days was long enough, I think that you will find it it to be just the amount of alone time and relaxation time you and your hubby needed. Some one mentioned to go in the fall when the kids are in school, that might be a good idea too. That will also give you guys a chance to save up more money, cause once you are there you will want to pamper yourself and not have to worry about only having so much to spend. Have Fun!!

Keep in mind that the later you wait, the more likely you will have to worry about storms in the Caribbean and Gulf. Even tho hurricane season began on June 1st, the more serious storms we have had over the past 30 years have been in late summer and early fall.

Hi B.,

Some cruise ships have cigar shops and smoking bars. As far as when to go. I would say it depends on where your destination is. Summer can be really hot in the carribean and it can be tropical storm season. Fall can be chilly if you are doing Alaska. Take shopping into consideration too.

Have a relaxing time. Hope you find the answer you are looking for.

High B.. Congrats on your decision to take a cruise. My husband and I travel every year and in our opinion, cruises are the best. You will have everything you need on board and depending on where you are going you can get off and enjoy some cool excursions.

Yes, I think that it is a good idea to wait if it means less stress, the ability to save in order to fully enjoy yourself, and time to enjoy the experience.

Yes, your husband will be able to smoke on deck, the bars and the clubs on board.

You will absolutely love cruising. We were going to do the same for our anniversary next year but we took a 7 day cruise this year to Mexico and Jamaica and decided that we would actually like to spend more time in Jamaica and stay at one of the Rui resorts there so I will plan a cruise for the summer of next year once we get back.

Have fun!

About me:
35 year old mother of 3 (20, 15, 12), happily married and just celebrated my 10 year wedding anniversary to a wonderful man that God blessed me with, work full time and working on my master's in the field of counseling full time. I love time with my family, entertaining our family and friends by hosting parties, attending church, traveling, bowling, reading, and cooking.

We've taken multiple cruises out of Galveston, TX. It's a WONDERFUL VACATION, and you will LOVE IT! Your husband cans moke his cigar in the cigar bar/lounge (which most ships have) and usually there's a specific spot on one of the outside decks to smoke. I'd wait to take a longer trip in Oct, if I were you. If you can, it's a good idea- the week cruises are on bigger ships with more to do/see onboard. You also get more just "relax" days at sea, and another stop to explore. Plus, the ports and ship themselves will be less crowded in the fall, than in the summer. We've done 2 in october, and it's a beautiful month in the caribbean, still nice and sunny and hot! :) If you don't have kids yet- there will be many less children on board in the fall, too- which I'd take advantage of while you are still without little ones! Enjoy yourself!

I agree that you should wait until the fall but book now. Also definitely take the advice to look on the website, www.cruisecritic.com. I don't even have a cruise booked right now but I'm always checking the site and reading the forums.

Definately cruise in the fall so you can take a 7 day cruise. A 4 day cruise will fly by, & it won't be that much cheaper anyway. Save money for excursions (you can read about them on your cruiseline's website, so you can plan in advance, & possibly even pay in advance to make sure you get the excursions you want, b/c they fill up quickly). Also, on the last day of your cruise, you are supposed to leave tips for your maid service and your servers, so you should save for that too. Have fun, and enjoy your kid-free time (my husband and I have never taken a week vacation together - EVER. Not even on our honeymoon. Now, we have 3 kids and God knows when we will be able to vacation for a whole week by ourselves).

Oct./Nov is hurricane season in the carribbean that is why it less expensive.

B.,

I worked for Princess Cruises Corporate until my daughter was born, 4 years ago. Cigar smoking is not allowed on most ships, I don't think. Princess has a Cigar Bar/Martini Bar called Crooners - they allow cigar smoking in the cigar room. Otherwise, if you book a balcony onboard a ship (if you book through a travel agent, a lot of times, they can get you an upgrade and/or credit onboard the ship to spend) and you are welcome to do as you please as far as cigar smoking on your own private balcony. I highly recommend a balcony... it's worth the extra money!!

If you have any more specific questions you'd like to ask, please feel free to email me and I'll do the best I can to answer.
-K.

I've been on a couple of cruises and enjoyed each one. The best time to go for the savings is actually in the fall. Its also better because when its 2 hot you really don't feel like spending time on the upper decks just because its so hot. There are alot of ships now that have ban cigrette smoking but I'm pretty sure they still have a room that does cigar smoking because they do sell the cuban cigars that are illegal here in the U.S. And you have to smoke them before you get off the ship.

Remember to pack at least one formal dinning outfit. And its well worth the $25 soda fountain drink card. Foods free but the drinks are not. Well if you have any questions let me know.

Have a great time.

J.

Hello B.,

Sounds like you don't want to spend all that money right now. do you have any alternatives or does it have to be a cruise? I do recommend that if you really want to go, go before having kids otherwise the schedule gets more complicated. just make sure you get cancellation insurance ... hurricane season until nov. 1 I think. and depending where you go, in July it will be extremely hot too. Have fun! ~C.~

I've cruised three times since 1999. The last two were on Carnival and I am planning another one on Carnival in Dec. 2009. I am a big-time thrifty person. I advise choosing off-peak season to go, plus all of the kids are in school. You can comparison shop on carnival.com...they've made it super-easy.
There will be places to smoke cigars, and they even sell Cubans on the ship, but you have to smoke them before you debark.
One thing that I WILL do this time that I've not saved for in the past is to buy a loose diamond in Cozumel. They have a store there called Diamonds International, and you can get the most awesome deals on quality stones, but you have to be selective & talk to the jeweler on duty about the quality before you buy. Just study up on your Four C's (diamond grading) before you go.
Carnival has a seven-day cruise on the ship named "Conquest" that goes to Montego Bay, Jamaica, Grand Cayman Island, and Cozumel. I loved this one!! I've also been on a five-day to Progresso, Mexican in the Yucatan Penisula, and Cozumel. It was great and more of a bargain. I went at the end of November in 2005 with my mom (who got a senior citizen discount), my four-year-old daughter, and myself. For all three of us it was $1000.25! I booked three weeks before (they'll cut deals closer to the cruise date because they are trying to fill up the ship), got a two-deck upgrade, and it was just a fabulous deal.
Also, consider the deck that you book on. For instance, the Empress Deck on the ship "Ecstasy" is on the same floor as the main restaurant and the Internet cafe. It was super-convenient and we got to debark first. I also have a personal vacation planner with Carnival. Her name is Kandice Whittle, and you can contact her (sometimes you can get a better deal this way, but shop online first so that you are well-informed) at 800-819-3902, ext. 85745.

I would suggest you wait until the fall, this is hurricane season and they are forcasting several. Also the longer cruise the BETTER!! On Carnival there is a special bar that is for cigar smokers as well as other designated areas. I have been on 3 and planning another. Have fun!!

L. L

my husband & I went on a 4 day cruise on Carnival and loved it however, we are now planning on a 7 day. I would wait until fall to go as you will incur onboard expenses so you definitely want to save as much as you possibly can between now and then. Plus you will want to do some shopping when you stop at whatever port is on your itinerary.

As far as your husband smoking his cigars it is no problem on deck. My husband and I are both smokers and had no problem finding places where we could smoke. There was even a piano bar (that was great good fun) that we were able to smoke in.

My husband and I are taking a week long cruise in Sept. on Carnival. I talked with Carnival yesterday and they confirmed that if THEY cancel a cruise due to a hurricane that you are refunded your money.

Don't underestimate the value of being excited about the cruise. We scheduled ours for the fall back in Feb. There have been many days that I have had it up to my eyebrows with my boys when I've been glad to be able to remember that I will get to get away for a week!

One piece of advice that my husband & I learned when we went on our cruise was to take it in the fall when all the kids are in school. Unless you take an adults only cruise (which I don't know if they even have), you will be on a ship that is at least 40-50% children. And the parents on the cruises don't watch their kids they let them go wild. We went before we had our daughter & it was very nerve racking with them running up & down the hallways, overloading the pools, etc. Ya go on a cruise to relax & get away but with everyone's screaming children all around, it's hard to relax. We took our cruise the week before 4th of July. We found out afterwards that it's best to take a cruise when kids are in school because you are less likely to have as many on the boat. I'm not sure about smoking cigars. I know that they had designated areas for smoking & the casino was a smoking area. We took a Royal Caribbean cruise & it was really nice.

Have fun!!!

I hear Aug-Sept are the cheapest times to go and you can get the best deals because of height of hurrican season. I guess it depends on how much this bothers you. Personally, I don't worry about it too much and I would take my chances and book a better cruise for less money and risk cancellation due to storms. But I know some people worry more than me, and if that's the case for you, you could go later in the fall for your own peace of mind.

B.,

I am a cruise counsellor that has been providing wonderful cruise vacation advice for 15 years. You can certainly afford more if you sail in the fall. If you want to completely avoid any chance of a hurricane, sail in November. You can sail 4,5 or 7 day cruises out of Galveston and save on airfare and see Cozumel & Progresso, Mexico; Grand Cayman and Jamaica depending on the length of your cruise. You can go to the eastern Caribbean (St. Thomas, St. Maarten, Aruba, etc.) by sailing from Miami or Ft. Lauderdale.

In order to hold a cabin you will need to put down a deposit of $100 - 250/person again determinant on the length of the cruise. The final payment is due 60-75 days prior to sailing. Use this information to also determine when you want to go.

Also, think about whether you want to stay in an inside (no window), oceanview or balcony cabin.

Cigars are treated differently than cigarettes on most ships. Some ships have lounges that are specifically accommodating to cigars. Most ships don't have a place for them.

If I can help you please call me.

J. Maxvill MCC
Master Cruise Counsellor
ClearHaven Cruises
____@____.com
###-###-####

Go in October, and don't purchase cancellation insurance through the cruise line. Go through Travelguard or something similiar. First off it is usually cheaper, price is based on age and price of the cruise. It will cover you in case of a hurricane too. Even though the cruise line will not sail into a hurricane. They sail around it by changing ports of call, or if the hurricane is bearing down on Galveston they will not leave port or return to port until it is safe. When things like a hurrican happen with the cruise line, they don't just keep your money if you don't have insurance and tell you too bad. They have some sort of compensation. Ive been a travel agent for 8 years, and Ive never known a cruise line not to offer you some sort of compensation.

October is a much better time to sail. Royal Caribbean will be back in Galveston either at the end of October or November. They bring in their mega ship the Voyager of the Seas. It is a beautiful ship with lots of things to do. I love to cruise.

Whichever you decide, usually the further in advance that you book the trip, the less it will cost. So, make a decision quickly and get it booked. Sometimes when you use a travel agent, you can put down a deposit to hold the reservation and pay the remainder closer to the date of the trip.

You'll need to weigh which is most important to you--celebrating your anniversary with a cruise or having a longer trip. Personally, with this being your first anniversary, going on the cruise on your anniversary will be much more special than going later. It won't really feel like your anniversary in the fall......but a nice dinner on your real anniversary could be great, and then take a vacation in the fall that isn't an anniversary trip.

I'm pretty sure that I've smelled cigars and pipes during cruises in the past. There are smoking areas on the deck, and possibly in the dining room. Check with the cruise line before you book, though.

You didn't ask, but I'd advise waiting more than a year to start having children, unless your ages make it important to start sooner. Having a couple of years to solidify your marriage would make it a firmer foundation for your child. No one can possibly truly understand how much children will change your life and your marriage until you get there. Along with the joys come some real challenges, and a solidified marriage will make the rocky places easier to handle.

Enjoy your trip!

Diane

I suggest you wait and go in the fall. You can enjoy a longer cruise and there will be less kids running around (not that there's anything wrong with kids running around, but if they're not yours, sometimes they can get annoying). And the anticipation would make it that much better. How fortunate for you to be able to do something so nice for your first year anniversary. Cruises are wonderful! You will love it!

Sorry...can't help you on the cigar thing. I wouldn't take anyone's word on that because rules change. Check with your specific cruise line.

(Be sure to google up on the "pilot boat" and try to see one while on your cruise. It's fascinating.)

I would wait and take a longer trip. At least 7 days or more. Four days just isn't long enough. If you go on a 7 day cruise you get to go to more places too. The ship has a lot of designated areas for people to smoke. They will inform you of those areas when you get on the ship. You will have a blast! My husband and I just went on the Voyager of the Seas with Royal Caribbean for our honeymoon and it was amazing. That ship is awsome! You will love it!

I go on a cruise every year. If you are going out of Galveston, you may want to wait until November or after to be out of the hurricane season. I have been on a ship that had to outrun a hurricane and we did not get to stop in two ports that we were supposed to and it was just not fun. You can also take a 5 to 7 days cruise for a lot less money. You can use the extra money to pay for excursions in the ports you go to. You will really enjoy it.

They have designated smoking areas on the ship.

Hope you have a great time.

I would go for the longer cruise, just to give you that little extra time to enjoy. We went on a 7 day Carnival Carribean cruise for our honeymoon last year, and had a blast!

I know with Carnival they have a cigar lounge for anyone who chooses to smoke cigars. You can smoke cigarettes alot of places, but they have one specific place for the cigar smokers. Also, if he is wanting to try out a cuban cigar...he can purchase them off the ship and bring them back on the ship with him to smoke. He just can't bring it onto American soil.

Hope this helped you a little, and enjoy your cruise!!!

Hi B.,
Wait for the longer cruise if you can. Four days will not seem like enough. :-) Plus, most ships have smoking, for instance in the casinos, etc. I am a non smoker and can't stand it so I know. :-)

You are going to have such a blast. I have been on two cruises: the Dawn Princess (before it was bought by Carnival) and the Carnival Liberty. I had tried to avoid Carnival cruises because they were known as party ships with lots of young college students etc. I am young too but didn't want the "Spring Break" feel. I was impressed with the Carnival Liberty. It was so much fun and much classier than other Carnival ships I had heard about.

My husband and I went on the Liberty before we had children and it was great. I know if/when I go on holiday with my hubby now we will miss our children so much! It might be hard to concentrate on having fun. :-) Great timing to go pre-baby.

The Dawn Princess was really fun too. I went on that one when I was single and we had a blast too.

I hope you have great time!
Best,
A.

YOu should consider going out of the Port of Galveston to save money and spend more on your trip itself. Check out Travelocity and also Cruises.com for special out of that port. Also, try cruisedeals.com. YOu also can save more if you are able to do it last minute. Unless you leave from a port outside the US, you need only your birth certificate and marriage license, not an actual passport. They may offer a smoking area on some ships, you would have to inquire. Have fun and Happy Anniversary.

I would opt for the longer crusie in oct. When we went on our cruise it was loaded with kids. We have kids and wanted to take a break, some alone time and that really spoiled as they tried to get into the clubs anc casino. You can forget trying to use the hot tub with a boat full of kids. Plus, with the 7 days you will have time not only to do the activities but to just plain relax, get settled in. The 7 day will not only give you more time save up but you can catch soem great clearence sales at the end of summer. My favorite travel tip....i always pack and empty suitcase inside my suitcase. I have a set that all fits together but you could opt for a bag that is heavy duty and folds down. Teh empty bag is great for bring back you goodies and you are not stuck trying to lug a million shopping bags around. A friend we were traveling with finally broke down an dbought another suitcase. I love this trick and i use it everytime i travel. It is especially handy with the bag charge the airlines now have. Actually, there has only been one trip that i did not need the other bag, but no harm no foul. My other cruise tip.....bring walkie talkies. They rent them on board but they are cheap to buy before you go. They are super handy. Have a great time!!!!

My husband have taken a cruise for 2 years in a row on the Carnival Conquest out of Galveston. We opted for the 7 day and it goes to Jamaica, Cozumel and Grand Cayman. To me it is the BEST way to vacation. We would have gone this past May but we just had a baby in Feb. We have already booked our cruise for next May though, we can't wait! On the Conquest there is a place that your husband can smoke cigars, there is a cigar lounge. He might be able to smoke them out on the deck toward the front or back of the boat but I've only seen other people doing that, not sure if it was actually allowed. I know people who have gone in the fall but you do have to be aware of hurricanes and weather conditions. The cancellation insurance is nice but even if you do cancel you don't get 100% of your money back. I say no matter how long the length of the trip is you will have a GREAT time. I highly reccommend cruising! Definitely go before you have kids! We have been able to leave ours at home both times we went and it was so much easier that way. Good luck!

B.,
I am a WAG (work at home Grandma)travel agent in Flower Mound Texas. I have some answers to your questions. I would wait until Fall and early winter before taking your cruise. Summer is the most expensive time. You will get a lot more for your money in Fall and Spring.
We will have 3 good options this Fall from Galveston. The Ecstasy 4 and 5 day and the Conquest a 7 day. If you wait till early December you can go on Royal Caribbean's Voyager of the Seas. It is in Galveston from December until April.
Most ships have cigar bar where you can smoke cigars.
I will be happy to help you. My number is ###-###-#### and my email is ____@____.com. I also have a website www.smartpricetravel.com/N..
Happy Anniversary
N. Cox

I totally recommend taking a cruise. You are waited on hand and foot. You are totally spoiled. Depending on your preference-- A Oct.- Nov. cruise will have mostly adults and a summer cruise will have lots of kids,(they are kept busy) but summer cruises are more geared towards families. You and your husband may enjoy the Oct.- Nov. cruise for now. Whrn you do have kids I would take them on a Carnival cruise, where kids and parents have a blast. If you do not have a vacation planner- give Omar Linton @ Carnival a call 1-800-819-3902 ext 82466. One thing I would stay away from Aug. & Sept. those 2 months are the heaviest hurricane season and we took one last year in Aug. and it was a bumpy ride. Happy Cruising!

As a person who has cruised several times, and my husband more than 30 I say you have to weigh your options. First I would say wait until the fall when the cruises are less expensive, but keep in mind this is because of hurricane season. I would not go in Sept or Oct, because that is when most storms have historically occurred, if you can wait until Nov it is less likely you will be caught in a storm and being in a storm at sea may mean the ship will not be able to dock at your port of call. Also if you are flexible with your timing you can find some really great last minutes deals, the closer you get to the travel date the better the deal, because they just want to fill up the boat. Try to get as many on board credits as possible, tell them it is your anniversary. If you book through a travel agent like AAA or costco or someone else they may be able to get you on board credits. Be prepared to spend a lot of money on the ship or not, you will have to consider things like if you like to drink soda, you have to pay extra, alcohol is extra, you need money for tips, and all of the great pictures they post around the ship. Or be frugal and do not do anything extra and you will still have a great time. When you book your cruise consider taking one that goes to a lot of different places if you do a 7 day trip, being trapped on a boat for 7 days and only going 1 place can make you stir crazy, if you like to get out and about.

For a first timer, I would really suggest a 4 day cruise, i have been told by many cruise staffers that the food is much better on a 4 day cruise because every night you get the best meal.

B.,

Check out www.samsclub.com. They have GREAT deals there! And to become a member of Sam's Club, it is only like $35.

Check it out - I think you will be blown away!

Happy Anniversary!
E.