Just Back From Carnival Dream Cruise

We did this to have one last extended family vacation. 2 15 year olds, 1 18, 1 21, 1 22, 1 23, 1 47, 2 49, 1 50, 2 7X. One is in law school, 2 in college, 3 in high school... It was my parent's best solution.

It wasn't cheap, that's for sure, but maybe it would have been outrageous to be on one of the other cruises in the type of cabin we had. We plan to do the Alaska cruise some day. My neighbor did it in a rented trawler (RIP).

We'll stick to Sea Ray cruises for a while.
 
My wife (As I am quickly learning--The Admiral) wants to go on a cruise but I have no desire what so ever. If I cannot captain the boat, I do not want to be on it for more than a few hours. Getting this 280 buys me about 3 – 4 years before she brings up a cruise again. (hopefully) It kills me, got the boat at end of season—had it out for no more than 20-minutes. Now it is winterized on the side of my house—only 92 more days until slip opens.

I too will read this to the Admiral Go Aweigh2452

Sorry Hampton that your trip was not what it could be—I agree with wetpaint—Sea Ray Cruise lines the way to go. Ports of Destination; Atlantique, Sunken Forest, Davis Park, and on down the line.

I also agree with 2k—Don’t do these trips with kids on vaca; it cost more and you are more inconvenienced. Last year we took the kids out of school and went to Aruba. We spoke to the teacher and they gave us their assignments for the week. The kids did their work in record time—if they could only do this consistently, all would be right in the world. The resort had just enough people, no lines, no waiting for the waiter to bring us drinks on the beach, renting Jet-skis, the guys let us stay out way longer then our time, renting jeeps—we were the only ones four wheeling, out to eat with no waiting, Getting chairs on the beach was not an issue—grass huts, no problem.

We went to Aruba with another couple that had been there before, same place—A time share—and they said it was night and day.

On a different note—The Admiral is calling CSR my Facebook.

Happy new years all.
 
Been to Aruba 6 times. My buddy taught me how to do it right. Flew in with no plans. First car rental $40/day, 2nd one $35/day, 3rd one $30/day - sold. Drove past resorts, just past fisherman's huts. Found rooms for rent. $60 - $100/day. Each was a hand-built cabana facing the beach, kitchen outside, each with a theme. Had a pool out front. Park out front. Shopped at local stores for snacks.

Drove to South East end, in view of the prison, to kitesurf the windward side with huge waves, reefs, and no one else around. (I went out deep into the hammerhead trolling zone, I found out later - the color of the water was too much to resist).

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Did you make it to Bonaire while down there? I liked that Island better...
 
To repeat plus 1
The two things you did wrong were as follows:

1. You went on Carnival... not a good cruise line. Cheap but not very good.
2. Never, never, never cruise when kids are on holiday or summer break!
3 RE: Disney. Unless things have changed Disney cruise ships don't have Casinos on board.
 
JohnEGraham said:
To repeat plus 1
The two things you did wrong were as follows:

1. You went on Carnival... not a good cruise line. Cheap but not very good.
2. Never, never, never cruise when kids are on holiday or summer break!
3 RE: Disney. Unless things have changed Disney cruise ships don't have Casinos on board.
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Parents picked Carnival for the kids. Wasn't cheap at all.
Picked holiday break to accomodate 3 HS kids, 2 college, and 1 law school.
Never ever will catch me on a Disney anything until I'm a grandfather and drugged up.
 
2K WINGIN' IT said:
Did you make it to Bonaire while down there? I liked that Island better...
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No. I flew free on Delta. I don't know if they go to Bonaire, but Aruba is really easy for me and it's known for kitesurfing.
 
Swimparent said:
Hey John,
Where are you cruising in June? We have often thought of cruising to our place on Mexico Beach but it would take 5 or 6 days to get there and then that much for the return trip. We have just never figured out a time to do it.
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Don't think I ever answered this. We'll be cruising from port to port from our area in PCB to Key West and Back. We're taking a whole month to do it. It's a retirment from the military gift, a 25th aniv gift, and an opportunity to do some house hunting along the Gulf Coast. It's too cold way up North here in the winter.
 
MaddyDean said:
Hay John(Hampton) what is with the binary code?

And Aruba was great, kitesurfing is the best down there--always a wind and I mis the balashi beer
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The guy that owns the place where we stay keeps the fridge stocked with Balashi. When we leave, we pay him back.

The binary code goes back to a couple of months ago where guys went crazy with it on this forum. Mine says "Really" or something like that regarding my boat being almost perfect, at least for us.
 
John, your upcoming cruise seems to be the ticket (post along the way!). I'm sorry if its too cold where you are now - could I send down an artic clipper from the midwest (just to keep your beer cold!)
- Jeff
 
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Great pics...thanks for sharing.
 
Bridog said:
Aloha Friday...
Wow...After reading Johns post I was ready to stop nagging my wife about going on a cruise. I've never been on a real cruise but she had a very bad experience as a young adult on one. But now, after THAT post, I want to reconsider.:smt101 What cruise line is better than the rest? I will do research and do not want a bunch of kids running around so I'm assuming Disney cruise line is out. Thoughts?
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In terms of better than the rest....I believe that it really depends on what you are looking for. We cruise with Royal Caribbean almost exclusively beacause of their loyalty program. Each cruise line has their niche / flavor... We too are not looking for a bunch of kids running around. But on any line and on any voyage the cross section of customers can change. Generally speaking, you'll find older cruisers on longer cruises and younger cruisers on shorter cruises. As far as Disney, I can't comment personally but hear that their cruise ships are beautiful. But, no Disney ships have casinos, if that is your thing. Tell me what you would hope to find on a cruise and I can be more specific with respect to a reccomendation.
 
northern said:
If you own a boat why would you go on a cruise? We go to Alaska in the summer and into Washington in the fall. Always cheep drinks and the food is good.
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Well, relaxing mindless fun for starters. Cell phones don't work. French beaches.

Memories / views like this....
 

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We've been on 3 cruises. So here is our break down.

First cruise. Disney Wonder, We had a balocny, most of the kids are confined to a baby sitting deck or the pool deck. The staff were exelent and the entertainment was first rate. Great cruise. We would go on another even without kids.

Second cruise, Carnival Inspiration. The ship in really out dated. We had a inside room (never again). We came to the conclusion that we were not fun people. The stff actually turned and ran when we saw them. It was more like a college atmosphere with entertainment that you would find on spring break @ Daytona.

Third Cruise. NCL Sun. We had a room with a port hole (better than an inside but sill, never again. Crew was ok. We like the tipping and dinning policies. We would go on another NCL ship.
 
John.....

Next time can you label the pictures so we know who everyone is.......kidding...great pictures and good looking family......thanks for sharing....
 
I'm leaving in 27 days for Western Caribbean on Royal Caribbean, Navigator of the Seas. I can't wait considering it's -18 degrees here in Michigan right now. I planned our cruise around AVOIDING kids vacations and hoping for lightly loaded ship.
 
Thanks for all of the inputs.

Here's Part Deux:
 
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