The cheapest cruise....how do you find them?

[Sherri1480]

Can anyone tell me which cruises are all-inclusive? I've never been on one before but I would like to surprise dh with one sometime this year. He thinks a vacation is to drink, lol, so I would need something where alcohol is included, and sprite for me lol. Thanks everyone for the good info so far.

[FantasyIsland]

Generally cruises are all-inclusive except for: alcohol and soda; and shore excursions. There are also some newer ships with additional fee required dining options but that is in addition to the many ways you can eat on most ships - from formal dining to room service.

Some cruiselines offer a soda card for a small additional fee; and I'm sure there is a smaller cruiseline that has an alcohol option but you're going to pay for that.

[aCRaZyCoUpoNgiRl]

great tips! I would love to plan one sometime.

[#1RobThomasfan]

I've always booked with Carnival , never used another cruise line. I'm scared to! lol.....I just know whats included with Carnival and its always fun. I can't wait to go on another one, I've only been on 2 but will go again. Its my favorite way to vacation..I don't have to drive anywhere, cook anything,etc. oh yeah its sweet. I'm looking at either Cabo or Alaska next.

[travelingcamper]

People are talking about all inclusive which is way different than a cruise. All inclusive is ALL INCLUSIVE. A cruise does not include soda (pop), alcoholic beverages, and excursions. I have been on both.

[Shannon T]

I go on 2-3 cruises a year. Been on Carnival, Celebrity & Royal Caribbean. I prefer Royal Caribbean. Was on a cruise in Jan And leaving this Mon for another. We always purchase our cruise through vacations2go.com or I call Royal Caribbean directly. This is the cheapest. You are cutting out the middleman. If you live within driving distance of a port you are lucky because you can get last minute cruises for a fraction of the cost. You can catch short cruises out of Baltimore to The Bahamas fairly cheap. Like stated above a cruise is NOT ALL-INCLUSIVE. You have to pay for soda, alcohol, pictures, excursions & tips. Also if you want to eat @ five star restaurant (on certain ships) there is a $15-$25 fee for that. We are leaving Mon morning and taking our 5yr old for the 1st time. ;)

[basill1970f]

Fresh of the Carnival Imagination with my daughter.. Just booked the Destiny for may 3rd for my husband and I. This will be my 12th and all with Carnival. Just wish I lived closer to a port so we didnt have to fly. Ive loved every one ive been on. We are not big dinner people, the buffet works best for us. We go cheap and we hardly spend any on board. We do take our own soda on board, this is allowed in moderation. We take 1 case usually. WE use a shuttle service that will stop at the store for us on the way to the pier.. super convenient.

The way I see it a cruise can never be a let down as long as your eyes are open and you remember you are on vacation!!!!!!!!

[toekneeface]

I am thnking about an Eastern Canada cruise (Carnival) that leaves from NYC, but all your cautions about not leaving from NYC has me rethinking. What are the issues with leaving from NYC?

[FantasyIsland]

I don't like it when other people don't control their children. When I have to speak to your child about running around in the food area, nearly knocking ME and others over who are carrying hot food, it's a problem.

When I am sitting at a table and have to deal with YOUR children running on the seats running into me - kind of a strange situation. The bench seats were in a square facing OUT with four tables set outside the bench seats.

These people allowed their children to run around the center area on the seats. Well, how nice. We were sitting there and the children tried to bully their way ACROSS us. I told the child No and the parent got upset. Well too F'n bad.

But that was the beginning tone for the 8 days on ship. The parents who took their children out of school (when they desperately needed schooling) acted as though they owned the ship. The children were not the problem. The parents were. The attitude was. And I refuse to sail with a ship full of NY City folks again. I live in NYC. Not all NYC people are like that - arrogant, feelings of entitlement, pushy, and aggressive. But without exception, those parents were. Let me fly to Miami and head south from there.

Perhaps the cruises north will be different. But that is MY reason I will not sail from NYC again.

[basill1970f]

FantasyIsland.. i totally get it ;) the kids running around seriously come close to giving me a heart attack sometimes when they are up a deck from the pool .. running like wild people.. one slip and sorry but someone is going to get hurt or worse.. im talking small under 5 kids.. the last straw was when the deck was hot and the kid kept putting his feet in the drinking fountain.. i got my happy rear out of my lounge chair and kindly let him know his feet belong in the bathtub not where someone drinks from :shrug7:

And do kids seriously have to sit in the hot tubs right on lido and pretend like they are a pool.. i do have a problem with this and i really do think that children under a certain age, just shouldnt be allowed in the hot tub...

That being said,, put me on a cruise anytime and sunny spot for my chair and also so I can see the action.. and im good to go !!!!

We cruise in offsesaon from summer and spring breaks for a reason !!!!

Never gone out of NYC.. always Florida ports.

Happy sailing to all...