r/Cruises

Had a death in the family. My husband and I were booked to cruise next week (8/29 out of Miami) but my minor son's father died unexpectedly on 8/2. We started reaching out regarding our booking the same week. My son's father lived with us, I know it's a strange situation but it worked for us to lower living costs and co-parent.

Due to the school calendar and the unexpected death, I had no one to stay with my minor child and the date would not work to add my son to the sailing, which by the way, would be really soon given his DAD JUST PASSED AWAY.

What I was hoping for: Change dates and keep the booking (we honestly preferred this option and would have likely picked a more expensive cruise + added my son for his fall break) or receive a full refund so we could use those funds to book with Carnival at a later date when everything settled down some and all of the final expenses were paid for, because I'm the one handling the estate.

I really wanted to continue to sail with Carnival but given the lack of compassion from the review team I'll be picking another cruise line to be loyal to. The only option presented to us was add my son and get a referral for truancy (given the dates and school calendar) or lose almost $700 by canceling with penalty on top of the loss of family. Horrible experience.

So which cruise line has the best customer service? Family of 3 with a pre-teen. Would like to balance price with amenities.

Do any legit companies offer fare discounts?

Anyone have tips on how they stored bar shampoo and conditioner either in the shower or in the bathroom of their cabin? We're going to be doing some long term cruising in the future so the next couple are going to be trial runs.

Hi all,

I want to surprise my mom with a cruise for her birthday.

I already know which ship, but I am unsure about which itineraries would be suited for her.

Her priorities : #1 safe, #2 pretty location, #3 walkable, #4 shopping (since we do not typically do any excursions).

I am wondering if people could guide me on which week she would prefer, seeing as I do not know anything about ports.

Option 1 :

• Philipsburg, St. Maarten
• Charlotte Amalie, St. Thomas
• Puerto Plata, Dominican Republic

Option 2 :

• Nassau, Bahamas
• George Town, Grand Cayman
• Cozumel, Mexico
• Costa Maya, Mexico

Thanks all for your input

My fiancee and I are getting married next May. We are thinking about going on a cruise for our honeymoon.

I have never been on one, so really have no idea which cruise lines I should be considering.

Top of our list is a Mediterranean cruise- really want to see Italy and Greece.

Thoughts on a Mediterranean cruise?

Also, what would be the best cruise lines for a honeymoon trip?

were going on carnival in December and I wanted to use sling app I was told it worked if I get premium wifi cam anybody confirm this?

I’m taking the family on the Valor in late September, and I’m looking for any input on renting a car or small van to tour the island in. My wife and I were just there last year and saw many places offering them, but failed to get any info. There will be 5 people total. Also any weird laws I should know about?

I'm going on my first cruise next month and trying to plan out one of my port days. Probably a dumb question but when it says "departs at 5pm" does that mean I have to be back on the ship BEFORE 5pm or that I should be in line to get back on AT 5pm?

One of my excursions doesn't end until 3:30 so I'm hoping to have that hour and a half to shop since the rest of my day is already full. But if I have to be on before 5pm then that kind of ruins that plan for me and I'll have to cancel something else so I can get gifts for people lol

I am looking at insurance for my cruise coming up in November on Holland America.

sts are looking pretty much the same as the cruise line's cost. Is this typical? I read that cruise line charge more for insurance and to go with a 3rd party. They don't look that much less expensive.

Am I looking in the wrong place or searching wrong? Thank you

long story short airline changed my flight times out of FLL at the end of my cruise.

is a 11:16am domestic flight too risky to try and catch from Port of Miami or should I change flights? Flying out on a Friday

Just booked a cruise with MSC and now I'm having buyers remorse. AFTER I booked a suite on MSC world, I realise that I have to pay $1100 for my kids to have access to sodas... me to get a couple of drinks per day... pay for food, any offshore excursion is SUPER expensive and all the cool ones are fully booked. Anything on board is ridiculously pricey... Was told that there's a free buffet and free diner at specific times (5:30 PM)...
Help me out, can I even do anything cool for free? It seems like after paying 4500 for the suite I need 900 for wifi, 1100 for drinks and for the kids to play is another 700... All I keep hearing is spa is free... It's a cruise... I wanna get to my destination, get off the ship and go explore and enjoy the beach free since I paid 4500...
It's my 1st time cruising, I think I may be getting it all wrong... are the packages worth it?

got a cruise coming up next month that stops in nassau n i always see people saying its an automatic ship day. noticed they finished a port expansion with a new waterfront area recently. for those who visited lately is it actually worth walking around for an hour or two or do u still just stay onboard

We’re thinking of taking the On the Blue Cruise next April on the Jewel from Miami. It’s a classic rock cruise with a terrific lineup. I’d love any insight as to how these cruises work. Do you meet the artists? Can you actually get to hear them play as the theatre on the Jewel is big but not that big or do the artists have multiple shows? Do they play at venues all over the ship? I’d love any feedback of your personal experience!

Port Canaveral Flight Timing.

We are on the NCL Escape in January which docks at Port Canaveral at 7.00am. If we book a flight leaving KMCO at 11.10 am is that a reasonable timeframe to make the flight on time, without rushing and stressing too much?

There are other later options so it is not a big deal but this would suit us best if it is doable, especially travelling as a family with teens.

Thanks!

Edit: Thanks all, later it is

My partner and I are in our early 30s with demanding jobs and love Princess/Celebrity for the mix of exploring, good food, entertainment and downtime. We also like being able to blend in and do our own thing on a bigger ship. We’ve tried Virgin and enjoyed parts of it, but preferred the more traditional cruise experience. Our retired family members constantly rave about the food and service on luxury lines, so we’re curious to try one.

For those who’ve done both mega and luxury cruises, what does the 600-1,200 passenger experience actually feel like compared with 3,000+? Totally aware that there’s a huge difference but how much more socially intimate is it, how easy is it to keep to yourself and how noticeable is the drop in entertainment/activities?

We would want to cruise with a company of 2 adults and 4 kids (youngest would be 1 and 3 or under 1 and 2). Is there any ship where we could fit into one, not super expensive cabin?

Hi everyone. We love cruising and are looking for cruises that don't start or have any American ports. We don't have a say in America, however we and tens of thousands others vote with our dollars and refuse to spend money to support the current climate.
We changed a booked cruise around Hawaii last year to cruise out of Puerto Rico (American adjacent although most don't consider themselves American) and do the Caribbean.
We are looking for cruises around Mexico and the Caribbean that avoid the U.S. and have found a round trip from Barbados with Princess.
Does anyone else have any other cruises they've found without U.S. ports?

We are looking for a cruise without a casino. Any info?

Are there totally smoke free ships or lines? Which?

Just as the title says, thinking about the HAL Koningsdam in November to Baja California and Sonora.

We have been on Celebrity and Princess, so HAL would be a first time. Also, it would be celebrating my mother in law's 70th birthday and she's never been on a cruise.

How does HAL comapred to Celebrity or Princess? Will my wife and I be bored (we are 41 and 36, and also have a baby. Baby has been on a cruise last year already).

Cheers.