Cruising - How did you start doing it?

[Sue J]

My sister (72) and brother-in-law (77) are cruisers. They go on 3 or 4 every year. Last fall was for their 25th anniversary and they were on Norwegian Prima cruising Norway and Iceland, staying in a Haven suite. That's the ship within a ship that has special upscale stuff including a butler. They had a great time until BIL got very sick and had to be taken by ambulance to a hospital in Norway. It was Influenza A. He is fully vaccinated for everything possible. The staff was very helpful in their situation and he was able to return to the ship a day later, although they missed a few ports.

They are currently on Oceania Vista in the Caribbean. This ship holds 1200 passengers which is much smaller than the ones they usually go on.

We have not cruised but I like to learn about her trip and follow her ship when she's on a cruise. So I'm familiar with the boards on Cruise Critic. Great place to read and learn.

Are any of you familiar with EmmaCruises? Emma is a 30 year old British woman who blogs and YouTubes about cruises. She started out finding the cheapest way to do it but has expanded to a wide range of prices and ships. I just love her accent and her way of explaining things. She covers lots of details like how many electrical outlets, bathroom details, etc.

https://www.youtube.com/@EmmaCruises

DH and I should probably try a cruise sometime. My sister loves it because there are always people to talk to. I'm far less of a "people person" and I would probably hang out on my balcony and get room service.

 

[MRG]

Wife and I have done two. A smaller ship on Windstar around Iceland. Nice with 300 passengers and 450 crew. Weather stunk but everything else was great.

Last year we were on a 300' sailboat going around French Polynesian with 100 of our new friends and 150 crew.

It was pretty rugged and it took me three weeks to recover from being at sea for two.

 

[sengsational]

^ Can you expand on "rugged"? I would have thought it was easy to be on a 100 passenger ship. Was it that you went beyond your usual physical activity level?

 

[1242Vintage]

First cruise was awesome. Itinerary was Miami to some company island and then an overnight stay in Havana. Ship left late and we ended up going straight to Havana and staying in Havana two nights. Was awesome! Went to a huge stage show at a night club one night. Waiter set us down at a table right up front ($20 tip) brought a fifth of rum, two colas and a bucket of ice. He also handed me a huge cigar. Three hours later the rum was nearly gone, cigar smoked and we stumbled our way back to the ship. Best night ever. Next day … with hangover …. Explored Havana. We need to go back! Basically the ship was our floating hotel room for a couple days with air conditioning.

Have only been on one other cruise … Montreal to Boston. Not as much fun as Havana! That was a couple years ago and haven’t cruised since!

 

[Mr._Graybeard]

^ Can you expand on "rugged"? I would have thought it was easy to be on a 100 passenger ship. Was it that you went beyond your usual physical activity level?

I'm not sure how it was in Polynesia, but a cruise ship on the open ocean can be a lot rockier than on the Caribbean. If you're prone to seasickness ...

 

[Happyras]

A lot of good input so I will try and be additive. We have done many cruises. My first was on Costa when i was divorced and dating a nice gal, it was an experience.

Skipping ahead 50 cruises this is what we settle on now.
Pay for the best, April we do a San Juan to Lisbon on NCL Viva. Of course we pay for the Haven ship in a ship, private restaurant and bar, pools etc, no crowds and lots of service!
We were Celebrity fans for many years mostly in suites, they have a similar ship in a ship experience. NCL has better, with dedicated elevator, no lines on or off the ship etc.
We tried Regent Seven Seas in Japan last Oct. Nice but the small ship was limited in both dining and entertainment, could have done better with better comforts on NCL.

Something I like about the big ship, with the private areas, is access to a large variety of things to do. I like their pub, that has a keg room full of great draft IPA as one example.

My friends, who can afford anything, took their first cruise in Jan. It was on Atlas, a small ship to Antarctica. They had a blast, but nothing to compare to. They liked the small ship feel, as they have a yacht and are avid sailors. I would not like that ship.

I would definitely recommend your first cruise should go all out and book the Haven on a newer NCL ship, or The Retreat on Celebrity. To make it worthwhile, I recommend at least a 10 day cruise with no more than 3 sea days.

There will be an exclusive boarding with no long line to check in, and the accommodation's will be more like a luxury hotel, with proper bedding and large rooms and balconies. You can be as private as you want, or socialize in the dedicated open spaces, with no crowds to fight. They even escort you to reserved seating for shows etc.
It is worth it at our age, join the SKI club, we did several cruises ago. (Spend the Kids Inheritance)

 

[Happyras]

Just another thought, these larger newer ships have great stabilizers and you would not experience the sea sick days from the older smaller ships.

We always shop down the cruises, take advantage of the 25% off coupon from NCL, check vacationstogo.com for relative pricing and Book through Costco Travel for the rebated commission in the form of a shop cash card.

BTW 2 for 1 is basically a standard price for most lines, but they make it seem like today only. Look for at least a 2 for 1 price with a bunch of perks added like cruise credit, tips etc.

 

[ShokWaveRider]

What do folks here do for Healthcare Insurance when on a Cruise, and roughly what does it cost for 2 retired people?

 

[mystang52]

What do folks here do for Healthcare Insurance when on a Cruise, and roughly what does it cost for 2 retired people?

You can buy travel insurance which includes medical coverage ( secondary to any insurance you have that night be primary). If you go to insuremytrip,com you can put in dummy dates and cruise cost to get an idea how much the insurance cost would be. My best guess, about $250.

 

[Aerides]

You can buy travel insurance which includes medical coverage ( secondary to any insurance you have that night be primary). If you go to insuremytrip,com you can put in dummy dates and cruise cost to get an idea how much the insurance cost would be. My best guess, about $250.

Bit more than that, depending on the price of the cruise. But yes there are plenty of options for travel insurance. You can cover the cost of cancellation and/or for medical including medivac.

 

[Lewis Clark]

What do folks here do for Healthcare Insurance when on a Cruise, and roughly what does it cost for 2 retired people?

You existing health insurance may cover you at no extra cost. I know ours does. It is worth asking the question.

 

[Sunset]

What do folks here do for Healthcare Insurance when on a Cruise, and roughly what does it cost for 2 retired people?

We buy 1year long ins. Good for up to 70 day trips.
It covers health and evacuation.
Cost is approximately $250 or $450 (higher limits).

 

[Chuckanut]

Skipping ahead 50 cruises this is what we settle on now.

WOW! That’s about all I can say.