other cruise lines?

[kathi]

Is is OK to ask a question about a different cruise line in here? My husband Brian and I have been on the Disney Cruise twice (3-day and 4-day) and we are looking at trying a different cruise line for an October 2003 cruise.

I was wondering if anyone has any experience with Celebrity? We are looking at a 10-day Western Caribbean cruise out of Baltimore.

kathi

(sorry if this is not an appropriate post - just let me know)

[Margaret64]

Kathi: We have been on both Celebrity and Carnival. Of course, there is no comparing the two, but on it's own, Celebrity definitely stands out.

The food, the decor, the guests, everything is top notch. It's not stuffy at all like some of the nicer cruise lines can be.

We did a 7 day Western Caribbean cruise leaving out of Ft. Lauderdale.

As I recall, it didn't cost that much more money and it was definitely worth it. We've been on 3 Carnival cruises and if you are 30 plus, you are considered ancient.

[kathi]

Thank you Margaret!

Do you recall which ship you were on?

Also - do you have any recommendations for shore excursions on the Western Caribbean stops? (or anything to steer clear of?)

Any and all suggestions, comments and tips would be very appreciated!

kathi

[LimeGreenCheri]

Sure Kathi, it's ok to ask about a Cruise other than Disney in here. I'm hoping for an Alasakan cruise soon. And when we decide on the specifics, I'm sure I'll be asking questions about that!

[kathi]

For anyone wanting to do some serious research on cruises I highly recommend

www.cruisecritic.com

It's a great site with lots of information and reviews. Although I can only speak for the Celebrity board...the folks are are very friendly and helpful (they must all be closet Disney Fans).

kathi

[Margaret64]

Hi Kathi:

We sailed on the Mercury and did the following shore excursions:

I should preface all of this with saying, don't waste your time or money shopping for any great souvenirs. Unless you take a taxi and go way off the beaten path, there was nothing but cheap and not-so-cheap junk to buy everywhere.

Key West - Nada. Just bummed around. Great walking town

Cancun - But they didn't call it that....... some tiny port between Cancun and Cozumel. We took an inland Mayan ruin tour. I probably would do something like that, but not that one. The one we took was about 1 - 1/2 hrs to get to on a bumpy bus. Then, the main ruin that we went to was awesome. I've heard it was very unspoiled and uncommercialized compared to some. what I wouldn't do again is climb up it. OMG, it was tall with tiny tiny stairs that were more like mountain climbing. All the people had this one rope to share. So, going up was strenuous, but okay.... Going down was terrifying! I can't say I was ever so sure I WAS going to die. I just looked at Celebrity's current list and there are two listed, but this one isn't anymore.

Cozumel: Snorkel excursion by boat..... We love to snorkel. I saw your MA post that you're not much for snorkeling. But if you are interested, this is probably a good start. I saw many people snorkeling for free in an area very close to the harbor that you can walk to though.... I think.... or was that in Cayman Islands. Now.... the NEXT TIME we want to go to the Xcaret Ecoarcheological Park. Mrs. Bear and so many of the Celebrity cruisers we talked to just raved about it. It has everything. Swimming, culture, etc, etc.

Cayman Islands: I don't remember. Some type of snorkel excursion again. Next time, I would probably do the Stingray City excursion.


Mostly my advice (and this depends on how adventurous you are) - is consider doing excursions on your own. They are so expensive and you spend so much time waiting in queue. If you are brave, and especially if you can find another couple, you can share a taxi for a fraction of the cost. There are risks, of course, and it requires good planning, but I would do more of that type exploring next time. Exceptions being if I want to take a boat to a special snorkel spot, etc.

I hope you enjoy your trip. Please keep us posted.

[kathi]

Margaret,

Thanks so much for taking the time to post such a detailed response. We definitely want to see the ruins and I'll have to check into what shore excursions are available.

I hope that we can book the cruise this weekend...just have a few more financial details to work out...(isn't that always the case).

I'll keep you all posted and then I'll be looking for more excursion suggestions/tips.

kathi

[SW+7]

Has anyone ever done an Alaskan Cruise along with the land excursion (you either take a bus/train or both so you can see more of Alaaska?) I'm very interested in this and hope to do this in 2 years. Any information anyone has I would greatly appreciate! SW+7 :girlears:

[kathi]

My parents have done the Alaska land/sea tour twice. I'll give them a call and get the particulars...I know they loved it both times.

kathi

[SW+7]

Thanks Kathi, really there's no rush though, I have to save the $ for it first LOL!! :lol:
A friend did the 7 day cruise only and she really liked it too. Whenever you get the info is fine, I'll keep checking the boards like I do everyday. Thanks again! SW+7 :girlears:

[kathi]

SW+7

I talked to my mom yesterday about her Alaska cruising experiences. She highly recommends Holland America Lines. My mom said the ship was beautiful and the service and food top-notch. She said the Holland American owns a number of hotels (can't remember the brand) and they also either own or exclusively sub-contract a number of shore excursion companies.

My parents got a full package deal from Holland America that included both the land and sea portions of their Alaska trip. They really liked that everything was booked in advance and they just had to go and enjoy themselves.

You can get more information on Holland America at www.cruisecritic.com.

kathi

[JeanC]

Kathi -- We did a 10 day Western Carribean on the Celebrity Galaxy out of Charleston, SC, last December. Very nice ship -- great food. I think that the Galaxy departs from Baltimore sometimes. If so, be sure to try the little grill that is next to the covered pool -- not the regular pool -- for lunch. It is at the back of the ship. They have really different food than the big lunch buffet or the grill by the open pool, and it is very good. Also, no problem finding a table to eat at either inside or out on the open deck. You can also make a reservation for dinner there if you get tired of getting dressed up for dinner. The Mercury is the Galaxy's sister ship so they probably have a similar grill.

We did not do much in the way of excursions because I was not feeling well -- came down with laryngitis the first night and had a cough the whole time. Finally went to the ship's doctor -- bronchitis -- got meds and went back to the ship's hospital twice a day for 3 days for breathing treatments. I'm a nurse and it was really interesting to see them evacuate a woman who had fallen on the upper deck. Quite efficient and just like in the movies.

Well, back to excursions. We did the ruins at Belize. Also took a very bumpy road to get there. Not too many ruins, but it was only a half day trip and I didn't think I felt well enuf to do the 8 or 9 hour ruin tours at Cozumel altho that's what I really wanted to do. If you hit Belize, be sure and bring bug repellent. It's a really poor little island, but I understand that the diving is some of the best in the world. Has the world's 2nd largest reef. Also, I would not suggest doing a private taxi excursion here. Someone on the ship did -- paid for the roundtrip and when they got half done, they had to pay more money to get back to the ship. Believe me -- you do not want to get stranded anywhere in Belize. All the houses that are not huts with no doors or windows have bars on their windows. Big drug and theft problem.

Grand Cayman and Cozumel -- we just went shopping. Key West -- Took the Conch Train which gives you a very nice tour of the city. A great walk around city.

We really liked the Galaxy. Staff were wonderful. Too many formal meals for us (3 on a 10-day cruise) and then 4 informal (suit & tie) and only 3 casual dinners. I missed having a laundry and ironing room. The cabins (we had a verandah on the Penthouse Deck) were roomy but not as big as they are on DCL. Only one bathroom (very small) compared to two on DCL. No refillable drink mugs as on DCL. Can you tell that I preferred the cruises on the DCL? I just felt much more comfortable (why not when Mickey is there!). HOWEVER, we got a 10-day luxury cruise (with verandah cabin) for only about $1200 each. I know we would have paid twice that much for a 7 day on DCL. Also, it was great to do a 3-1/2 hour drive to Charleston instead of a 9 hour drive to Port Canaveral or paying to fly and then having to transfer. Too long --I quit!

[SW+7]

Thanks for the information and the site Kathi, I'm going to save it to my favorites :D
I'm beginning to wonder if I'll ever get on a cruise, we just found out we have to have our entire heating/AC units replaced (18 years old so can't complain too much) and boy if that isn't going to set the budget out of whack. OH WELL, it's only money! LOL
Thanks again! SW+7

[kathi]

Jean,

Thanks for your detailed post..that was exactly what I was looking for! We are still waiting to see if our finances are healthy enough to do the trip. Right now there are plenty of veranda cabins available.

We would be taking Galaxy out of Baltimore..which saves us on having to fly to Florida. We looked at Disney but you are correct, it would cost a lot more to do the 7-day Disney than the 10-day Celebrity. And from everything I have read, Celebrity's food is much better.

Boy - do I need a vacation!

kathi