Cruise Trip: Sometime in Mid Nov (3-4 days). Any advice?

[7jai]

Hey guys!

Wanted to know if there were any cruise lines, cruise ships you would recommend for a couple of newbies like my gf and i? We definitely want to have fun, and get a good deal for cruises, but don’t know where to start looking nor what to look for. Any advice would be great! Thanks!

[canabiz]

You may find more responses and information at cruisecritic.com board

I do believe that is still in the hurricane season so you may want to do some more research.

have fun!

[lor74]

Mid Nov is fine, H season "should" be finished by then.

you need to provide more information on your desired vacation...for starters, where would you want to leave from...what port city?

[7jai]

Well I will be leaving from the GTA airport; I'm looking for an all inclusive package so I don't have to worry about flights and such. I'm aiming towards the carribean (or anywhere close to there). I would love to join those cruises that stop over at some of the islands, and where you can explore etc...

I hope thats enough information :)

[lor74]

You can book the entire package air/cruise, directly through the cruise company, but you would prob find a better deal booking the air on your own.

If you want to go to the Caribean, your main 2 ports would be NY & Florida. There are many options available, so I would recommend that you check out the 90 day ticker on www.vacationstogo.com, and see what fits your budget (taking into account what the air will potentailly cost you).

Once you have an idea of where you would be cruising from and a date range, we can give you better opinions :)

[girlstar]

Short cruises less than 7 days are usually the older smaller ships.

I'd definitely try and go 7 days.

My bf and I did Royal Caribbean Freedom of the Seas at the end of last summer and had a blast! We definitely want to go again! It's a good crowd, huge ship, so many activities, great ports of call (Eastern Caribbean). He loves the FLowrider and surfing on board.

If you need any other cruise advice let me know!!

[eddiet19]

Most cruise ships sail out of Florida (Miami, Orlando or Fort Lauderdale) for various number of days. I recommend no less than 7 days.

There are two popular cruise companies: Royal Caribbean and Carnival Cruise Lines. They target the general public and young adults.

There are also the high-end brands: Celebrity, Princess, etc. and target the mature and super luxury crowd.


There are lots of cheap competitive flights from YYZ to Orlando. It could be cheaper if you book your flight independently. However, getting from Orlando airport to the sea port (Port Canaveral) can be a challenge. I stayed a few days in Orlando and rented a car last time. Otherwise, you can take a cruise line operated airport transfer for ~$35 per person each way.

Sailing out of Miami is a lot closer but the flights cost more. You can get a taxi from the airport to the sea port for ~$25 per taxi.

Let me know if need a few more pointers.

[lor74]

Most cruise ships sail out of Florida (Miami, Orlando or Fort Lauderdale) for various number of days. I recommend no less than 7 days.

There are two popular cruise companies: Royal Caribbean and Carnival Cruise Lines. They target the general public and young adults.

There are also the high-end brands: Celebrity, Princess, etc. and target the mature and super luxury crowd.


There are lots of cheap competitive flights from YYZ to Orlando. It could be cheaper if you book your flight independently. However, getting from Orlando airport to the sea port (Port Canaveral) can be a challenge. I stayed a few days in Orlando and rented a car last time. Otherwise, you can take a cruise line operated airport transfer for ~$35 per person each way.

Sailing out of Miami is a lot closer but the flights cost more. You can get a taxi from the airport to the sea port for ~$25 per taxi.

Let me know if need a few more pointers.

RC, Princess, Holand America, & Celebrity all fall in the same class 5* for their newer ships. Carnival & Norwegian only go up to 4.5* for their latest vessels.

Norwegian & Carnival gear towards families and younger people (and more riff raff). Princess and Royal also are good for families and all ages. Celebrity is for a more mature crowd (I'm in my 30s, and I loved my 2 celebrity cruises, but not for those who want to party), Holland is for the geriatrics!

Of course, everything mentioned above is also directly affected by the port city and time of year.

I also would recommend a min of 7 days. If you end up loving the cruise, 10-11 days is the perfect amount of days for future vacations!

[SENSEI]

Hey guys!

Wanted to know if there were any cruise lines, cruise ships you would recommend for a couple of newbies like my gf and i? We definitely want to have fun, and get a good deal for cruises, but don’t know where to start looking nor what to look for. Any advice would be great! Thanks!

I've been on so many cruises I've lost count. (At least 11).

Depending on your age, I would suggest hitting an Eastern Caribbean for the first time. The ship usually leaves from Florida, so no need to travel to far to get on to the ship. And you can feel pretty comfortable planing your own flight to get there since you have the option of staying a couple of days pre- and post- cruise.

The eastern iten will take you places that have ample shopping, beaches, touring. The islands are usually the most popuylar that you hear about (St thomas, St.Maarten, Bahamas, San Juan...) With enough info and safe enough to tour and plan day trips yourself instead of getting ripped off by the cruise tours.

Personally, I wouldn't go with anything other than Princess or Royal Caribbean. Carnival has wayyyy to many kids. Royal prolly has the most on ship activities as far as rock climbing, skating rink, surfing pool, etc....but their service and food is on the weaker side. Princess is catered to slightly older crowd, ship tends to wind down a bit earlier in the night, but that's because most Princess cruisers are veterans and want to be on the islands as early as possible the next morning to maximize time and money. Plus Princess offers "anytime" dining. Which is the most important factor for me. The ability to sit and eat dinner at anytime, with whoever I want. Otherwise, you are assigned to a table and must show at a certain time if you want to eat in the proper dining rooms.

I've booked with Airmiles, vacationstogo, Cruise Holidays all with success. If it is your first trip and you want the most carefree planning, book your flight and cruise with a tour company. If you travel alot and just want plain out the best deal, wait 90 days prior to your leaving date and then book your cruise on vacationstogo. You will be able to book a flight to Florida (Fort Lauderdale or Miami) no problems yourself. Cab ride for 2 is less than $10 per person to the piers. The cabbies there know what is in port that day, you just need to say the ships name, and they will know where to go).

Let me know if you have any other questions.