Cruise planning 101

[Trip]

Ok, who plans the cruise,and who tags along? How long does it take you to go from point "A' to picking up the phone to book? Did you have a ship already in the pipeline you knew you wanted to sail this time, or you started from scratch...the fun for so many of us...!

1st time crusiers? You must have a different pov, then the seasoned cruisers.

[LisaK]

we always travel in a group of friends, someone starts the conversation we throw ideas back and fourth, pick a date, destination, somebody hops onto the computer and pulls up a couple different cruise lines, we go hmmm or naah, then i get on the phone and call my trusty miracle worker of a travel agent

[green_rd]

Depends - we do the research. Sometimes we see a good deal. When we went to Europe we did a ton of research & planning. Our latest cruise we picked a date (Valentine's Day) and found a cruise to match.

[GrannyLorr]

Granny does ALL the planning and booking in this household! DH tells everyone he just gets told what to pack and wether to turn left or right as he exits the airport! I LOVE the planning and research stage "almost" as much as the actual travels. Since the internet was invented it has been even more fun....although I do manage to "waste" hours and hours every day sitting in front of the computer! Oh well....everyone needs a "hobby"!!

[MercedMike]

Well, in our household it works one of two ways -- we talk it over for a long time and narrow down destination ideas until we settle on one. Then we start to research who goes there (Princess and HAL being the first places we look) and pick the trip mainly by itinerary, usually 9 months to a year out. Renée books it and I start doing the research on shore excursions. About 4 to 3 months out we book our excursions, some ship's and some private.

The other way is that Renée comes home from the office (she is a brick and mortar TA) with a fax or a flyer and says, "Look at this!" We spend the evening discussing how we can't afford it, and the next day she books us! Then depending on how far out it is we follow the process above.

[Mike M]

My wife has become more concerned about destinations and itineraries. She really has a problem with a Caribbean itinerary.

I tell her the destination and the cruise cost and she says yes or no. From there I do everything and she packs the bags and goes.

She loves cruises but doesn't go overboard with details. She could care less if the ship is 40,000 grt or 140,000 grt. It just has to have a decent stateroom, decent food, a place to lay in the sun, a casino and some entertainment. She does like to climb rock walls but it isn't a requirement. She is more concerned on what ports we'll be visiting.

She really wants to return to Southeast Asia or Australia.

We have booked cruises within ten minutes of seeing one we wanted and sailed within one month. Actually, most of our cruises sail within four months of booking. I really don't like booking something a year or more out. There always seems that something else pops up and we can't go.

Take care,
Mike

[the witvoets]

We first started off deciding on Carnival for a cruise line, because a fellow coworker had gotten back from his umpteenth cruise with them. We had originally decided to sail on Glory for a 7 day, but just recently changed out minds and opted for a 5 day on the Ecstasy. I think it might be well work the $50pp fee to change. I have never been on a cruise and would rather spend less time on a ship, in case I get super sick. If and when we do the next one it will be more days.

[Trip]

When you come back, I bet you wish you had those 2 extra days I hope you love it!

Boy, that 50 pp change fee is steep, considering the change is for the same cruise line.

[MercedMike]

Originally Posted by the witvoets

We first started off deciding on Carnival for a cruise line, because a fellow coworker had gotten back from his umpteenth cruise with them. We had originally decided to sail on Glory for a 7 day, but just recently changed out minds and opted for a 5 day on the Ecstasy. I think it might be well work the $50pp fee to change. I have never been on a cruise and would rather spend less time on a ship, in case I get super sick. If and when we do the next one it will be more days.

You do know that $50 "change fee" is being levied by your Travel Agent and not by the cruise line? IMAO that is outrageous and you should vote with your feet and find another Travel Agent. Most good full service Travel Agents do not have phony "change fees" on cruise bookings.

[jacdenv24]

getting charged for a "change" is a rip off! We canceled an RCC cruise a couple of months back and even booked another cruise line....absolutely no charge, Get another TA!!