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Thank you Ken for setting this up! It's something I have wanted to be able to talk about for a long time, but never had the appropriate place to do it :clap2:
I know we have lots of cruisers here and we can all share our experiences and tips. Between us, we probably know about most of the major cruise lines and who offers the best deals to casino players like us!
So come on cruisers and cruise wannabes. Let's get this beach ball rolling!!
Oh awesome @Nhcris -- and thanks for setting this section up, @CPT!
I've never been on a cruise (not even a Gilligan-sized "three-hour" one), but will be very interested in reading about other people's experiences in this realm. Especially with the casino angle. I look forward to everyone's descriptions, photos, and recommendations!
Chris, I hope you're going to kick things off with some info about your latest escapades? :)
Great idea @Nhcris. Looking forward to hearing about the cruise you just got back from and your thoughts on the UBP. If somebody wants to put together a JWE forum I will see if I can talk sassycat into it. I like to cruise more than she does.
That would be a great time! And something different. Don't worry everyone, no Speedo on this guy.Quote:
Originally Posted by seemoreroyals
What?? That just ruined everything. HHH!Quote:
Originally Posted by zeus
But if you want to see someone that should not be wearing a Speedo, check out the Postman on this season of Survivor. That is what Speedo nightmares are made of!
I'm still mulling over this last cruise. It was our first on Celebrity, and it was just fabulous. From the thoughtfulness of the ship design to the exemplary service to the exceptional food, everything was great. Except the casino - HHH! I think I will do a separate post about it when my thoughts stop being all jumbled.
Seemore, the beverage plan I chose was simply too much for me to keep up with. It was not included at the time we booked, so I paid pretty dearly for it. Being the bargain oriented person that I am, that had me trying to get my money's worth the first few days. Well, I barely managed to stay up past 9pm - HHH! I slowed down by the end of the week, and just concentrated on having great wines with dinner and extra special cocktails here and there during the day or evening. It was a tough job :rofl: In the future, I would only do it if it were included as a perk for booking. But it was really fun to try it this once!
I would love to do some sort of a JWE cruise eventually. But it's pretty tough to get people to agree on a land based M&G so I am not sure we could ever agree on a cruise! But it's worth a try :)
I can't imagine we could get a group on a cruise especially when many are comped on "their" casino-affiliated cruise line.
You did ask about "favorite" cruise line and why. I have to go with Crystal Cruises. I love old school cruises and that's what they offer:) Also, a soft spot for Cunard Line.
Just to add:
What I've sailed:
American Hawaii Cruises 1, SilverSea Cruises 1, NCL 2X, Holland America Line 4X, Princess Cruises 1, Royal Caribbean 2X, Cunard Line 2X, Dolphin Cruise Line 1, Carnival 4X,
Crystal Cruises 2X, P&O Cruises (UK) 1 (both American Hawaii Cruises and Dolphin Cruise Line are now defunct)
My favorite cruise line as far as how they treat casino folks and general all around fun is NCL, hands down.
But for quality, class & attention to detail, of the lines I have sailed, Celebrity is the clear winner.
I would love to try Crystal, but I have never seen one that I could afford :)
I've been enjoying cruises since my first one at age 18. While I've recently enjoyed our 2 cruises on Oasis of the Seas and Allure of the Seas courtesy of M-Life (we upgraded to suites instead of taking the free regular balcony) my favorite cruise line still remains Celebrity for value received and service. For some reason I've only taking the time to write up one trip report on my cruises and it was a 15 day Panama Canal cruise out of San Francisco to Ft. Lauderdale. Back then I did do it as a blog day by day. It's years old but for the curious it's here with photos and videos.
This is the first post, from there hit newer post to read more.
http://evoni.blogspot.com/2007/10/in...uise-from.html
I am afraid you have a valid point there. Perhaps if we do one we should do something that is fair for everyone. Maybe a group trip to Europe, or to South America, or an all inclusive in the carribean, something along those lines.Quote:
Originally Posted by Mauretania
Europe and South America sound like wonderful ideas but then you're getting into "big money" trips with airfare alone. An all-inclusive might be a better idea but I suppose it would have to be near a casino or some might get the "shakes" lol
LOL, I got the shakes when we did the Punta Cana All-Inclusive last summer. I learned I much prefer a cruise!
What happened? Did you have too much to drink?Quote:
Originally Posted by Nhcris
I have only gone on Royal caribbean cruises as thats all my sister wanted to do ...love to cruise but have never done well in the casinos on slots and the paytables on VP are horrible... I did purchases a beverage package on my last one in January and like Chris I felt the need to drink my moneys worth on a few days but pretty well maintained with a couple mimosas for breakfast a few pool drinks wine with dinner and a after dinner coffee...few drinks at night hmmm thats a lot! The food on RCI is quite good alot of variety and the shows are usually good.
I would like to try some different lines such as Celebrity, NCL and Princess...Carnival I am leery of... I would cruise more if I had someone to go with. Might check out a singles cruise for the over 40 set HHH
This is VERY exciting to see here!!! I've done Royal Caribbean x 5 and a wonderful repo from LA to Vancouver on NCL. I absolutely LOVE cruising!!!! I think if there is enough time to plan and save (for broke people like me) it would be wonderful. I'd like to rqst that it stay within departing from the US though to avoid international flights which can really be big bucks.
Also if you include costs for things like Chris the drink package you just bought that would be helpful.
Thanks, Ang
I have only been on one cruise. It was last year and I won it in a drawing at the local casino. It was on Royal Caribbean. I took my Mom because Foamy really didn't want to go and it was at a bad time of month for us both to be gone from work. No choice on the date with the group.
We had a balcony room and had a great time! Good food but the shows weren't anything great.
Foamy said the only cruise he would be interested in is an Alaskan one so I think we are going to try to do that in 2016. NCL offers a discount for CET card holders but not sure which line yet. Chris did make Celebrity sound great! Will be watching for specials.
So glad to see this thread started and read everyone's comments!
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Boots, we need to get you on a cruise! But you need something extraordinary like the Galapagos Islands or perhaps a Rhine River cruise. Everything I have done is pretty tame, but you can definitely find some fascinating itineraries with a bit of searching.Quote:
Originally Posted by boots
I have never been on a cruse, it is on my bucket list! So when you purchas a cruse does it include food and drinks?
Actually I have seen lots of cruise itineraries that sound intriguing. We got as far as booking a Voyages to Antiquity cruise in the Eastern Mediterranean at the beginning of 2011. It was an archaeological tour of Syria -- which unfortunately exploded into civil war a few months later, so they canceled the trip. Now many of the priceless historic sites we were going to visit have been destroyed.Quote:
Originally Posted by Nhcris
The two things that always stop me from considering most cruises -- no, wait, the three things -- ahem, among the things that stop me are: 1) having to dress up for dinner, 2) too much enforced socializing, 3) being a captive audience to certain types of entertainment, and 4) just finding the time. Also, my lovely spouse has near zero interest in cruise ships OR casinos, whether on land or sea...though that's never slowed me down before! :)
If enough Jokers wanted to do a short Alaska cruise, departing anywhere on the West Coast, I would seriously consider it.
@boots what do you consider short? 7 day?
@Laurie given my typical cycle of work obligations, seven days would probably be the longest I could do. :)Quote:
Originally Posted by Laurie
7 days is the most for us as well :nod:
My first few cruises were on RC over 10 years ago. Since then, we have mainly cruised on Carnval and that was strictly based on price. Cruising is the cheapest way I have found to take a week long vacation with my family and enjoy every minute of it. I stick with carnival now based on "casino offers" I get. I don't normally bring a whole lot to gamble with. Usually under 500$ for a 5 day cruise. But let me tell you, carnival is great at recognizing their gamblers and show it by sending some pretty great deals. My wife and I are headed on an 8 day cruise to Aruba in June. Ocean view room for a grand total of $349. Not each. TOTAL. With a $100 onboard credit!
As far as winning in cruises, I've had good luck and bad luck. I cruised in January and lost my ass. But, I also took a 5 day cruise last September and only lost $37
Holy crap! That is a heck of a deal. I would not mind losing in their casino if they practically gave me the cruise like that.Quote:
Originally Posted by ReelEmIn
I've been waiting for you to chime in JR! I've also cruised Carnival number of times, but it seems like they have really stepped up their game recently with regard to casino offers. If I start a Carnival thread here, will you share of your experiences there? I bet there are lots of folks that are close to Carnival homeports that might love to give them a try.
Quote:
Originally Posted by ReelEmIn
Id be happy to!Quote:
Originally Posted by Nhcris
It includes food & some non-alcoholic beverages, but cocktails are an additional charge. Generally, the casinos on ships don't give out drinks, although sometimes that can be fixed :nod:Quote:
Originally Posted by QHLover
I think I am going to give this some serious thought! Thank you!
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I've only been on one cruise and that was on Carnival about 10 years ago with my sister. I keep thinking I'll book another cruise and try again, I was pretty bored most of the time but, it was very relaxing.
will be on NCL Star in 23 days, will post pics and a short review if anyone is interested. I have been on NCL, Princess, Carnival, Royal Caribbean and Celebrity. Celebrity remains my favorite for exceptional service and food!
I have been on a few dozen cruises over the last 30 years and here is my rating on the ones I've cruised
1 Celebrity
2 Royal Caribbean
3 Princess
4 Holland American
5 Carnival
GG, I think it's time for you to do some more research :)
Have a fabulous cruise! It would be great if you posted a review here :)Quote:
Originally Posted by mcgovernsandra