Cruise Discounts?

Author Message   Gabriele Justmann New member Username: Gaby Post Number: 1 Registered: 05-2008 Posted on Wednesday, February 11, 2009 - 01:24 am:    Hi all, My husband and I have done a number of cruises, but I think this one will have the best itinerary. We will leave Ft Lauderdale on March 15th on Costa Fortuna (Italian) They will go to the Bahamas, Dom Rep, St Marteen, Guadaloupe, Barbados, then Trans Atlantic, the Canary Islands, Madera, Barcelona and end up in Savona, Italy. 17day total, from $699. We will disembark in Barcelona, where connecting flights are very reasonable. Air Berlin flies to Berlin for 39 Euros pp., We booked on cruise.com   Larry Campbell Senior Member Username: Czeezo Post Number: 806 Registered: 12-2005 Posted on Wednesday, February 04, 2009 - 11:51 pm:    Go Carnival - if you like kids - there are a lot of very young people on board. I'm a retired Pro Clown (my last full year of Clowning - I performed for over 167,000 boys and girls). When your doing 3 schools per day - it adds up. But in my old age - like to have peace and quite on my trips.   Dalton Hanks Member Username: Dhanks0001 Post Number: 14 Registered: 06-2003 Posted on Sunday, January 25, 2009 - 01:17 pm:    Hi My wife and I also use Vacations to go but found a pretty good rate at Crucon.com. this time for march 16th. An eleven night cruise from Ft. Lauderdale to Panama Canal and then back to Ft Lauderdale was only $649 per person. No fuel charges at this time. This for the 5 star Celebrity Constellation. We did a 13 night last April with Vacations to go ending in Harwich Engand and that one was $599 on the same ship. Looks like transatlantic cruises are altready starting to drop prices for April this year. Harwich is only about a 45 minute train ride to Newmarket 12 pounds and then we took a taxi to Mildenhall. We then got a hop back to the states. It was a great cruise. Dalton   Karl MICHAEL Schmidt Member Username: Aktravlr Post Number: 30 Registered: 03-2006 Posted on Wednesday, January 07, 2009 - 02:17 pm:    I work for Holland America&Princess Juneau,AK shoreside tour operations, and since moving to Juneau 12 years ago, my various jobs in the industry have taken me aboard most of the vessels. Soooo, while I'm not a travel agent, per se, should anybody want comments re different companies, cruising style, etc. feel free to drop me a line. BTW, I've had a number of cruise ship pax who swear by the unbelievable last minute prices they's obtained via VacationsToGo.com   Cherry C. Senior Member Username: Cherry Post Number: 4581 Registered: 06-2003 Posted on Wednesday, January 07, 2009 - 12:12 pm:    Back to the original topic for this thread: We continue to get multiple emails from travel agencies AND direct from cruise lines, offering deeper and deeper discounts on upcoming cruises, plus various amenities like shipboard credits. I have a hunch that last-minute fares will be incredibly low this winter and perhaps for the rest of the year, on all itineraries.   Jeffrey G. Carlen Advanced Member Username: Jcarlen Post Number: 240 Registered: 06-2003 Posted on Tuesday, December 30, 2008 - 11:36 pm:    This has strayed a little off topic but there are a number of online websites for travel insurance, I have used www.insuremytrrip.com to compare coverages and rates among several companies. There are other websites that do this also. Check around, the cruise lines insurance is usually not the best deal.   RICHARD GARBE Member Username: Garbalu46 Post Number: 18 Registered: 06-2003 Posted on Tuesday, December 30, 2008 - 03:36 pm:    We used travel guard. You have to keep copies of everything. The claim process took about 1 month but they paid for everything we didn't use, airfare, cruise cost, car rental everyghing. Had to get the doctor and hospital records to them.   Brenda LaDell Intermediate Member Username: Blladell Post Number: 67 Registered: 09-2007 Posted on Tuesday, December 30, 2008 - 01:32 pm:    do you rememember who the insurance was with Richard   RICHARD GARBE Member Username: Garbalu46 Post Number: 14 Registered: 06-2003 Posted on Monday, December 29, 2008 - 01:15 am:    I had insurance and was hospalized 2 weeks before the cruise. Could not go and was refunded all expenses. Bought a policy not from the cruise line, now will never cruise without it   Cherry C. Senior Member Username: Cherry Post Number: 4542 Registered: 06-2003 Posted on Sunday, December 28, 2008 - 10:48 pm:    Most "trip insurance" appears to have two major functions: (1) refund some or all of your fare if you cannot go, or pay for you to return home if your trip is interrupted for certain stated reasons, and (2) pay some or all of your medical bills if you become ill, &/or transport you (or your dead body) back home if necessary. Almost all the time we do not buy such a policy and instead "self-insure." (With the money we save, we can take some extra excursions, and/or have more drinks on board!) The one exception was when we signed up more than a year in advance for a very long and expensive cruise, and wanted to hedge our bets in case one or both of us became ill at the last minute or otherwise was unable to go. As it turned out, we did have some modest medical expenses on that long cruise and collected a reimbursement after our return. (First we had to apply to Tricare as primary insuror, and getting it to pay turned out to be almost a full time job for many months of phoning and writing because we got bum information from everyone we consulted there. But that's another story. Just be braced for a bureaucratic SNAFU, keep copious notes, and don't give up.) Once we finally got the paperwork and small check from Tricare, the insurance company paid the remainder very promptly. But especially traveling within the U.S. and its possessions, or nearby places like the Caribbean, we do not think trip/travel insurance is worth the cost.   Brenda LaDell Intermediate Member Username: Blladell Post Number: 65 Registered: 09-2007 Posted on Sunday, December 28, 2008 - 09:33 pm:    I have found the interliner rates with Vacations to go.com are the best deal. What is everyone's opinion of travelcruise insurance. Is it really necessary if in USA( Hawaii) and have medical insurance. Looks like the standard affordable rates do not cover much and if you upgrade you have paid for another cruise almost.. Traveling Space A so could not recoup air if trip is cancelled. any opinions?   Eileen Intermediate Member Username: Colmat Post Number: 60 Registered: 06-2003 Posted on Wednesday, November 05, 2008 - 11:08 am:    Kenneth, When I called Carnival I was informed the the code CPM1 was the code used for Military Discounts. If you check the Vacations to Go website they list your cruise at the Mililtary Rate of $560 for an inside cabin. Hope this helps.   Kenneth E Cantrell Member Username: Kcantrell Post Number: 30 Registered: 06-2007 Posted on Tuesday, November 04, 2008 - 10:30 pm:    "To qualify you must use code CPM1 and provide proof of service." Went to the Carnival website and tried that code and got an error msg that it was an invalid code. Was that code for specific cruises? I am trying to check out an 18 Day cruise from Santiago Chile to SF Ca on the Splendor on Mar 3. Any help would be appreciated   JPM Member Username: Jpm Post Number: 29 Registered: 11-2006 Posted on Sunday, November 02, 2008 - 10:12 pm:    Carnival aims discounts at military Carnival has launched a promotion through November that that lets active and retired military personnel book as many as three Fun Ship staterooms at discounted rates for themselves, friends, and family. The offer, made in honor of Veteran’s Day, takes place in conjunction with a range of three- to 12-day departures through the end of 2009, including voyages to The Bahamas, Caribbean, Mexico, Alaska and Hawaii. Rates start at $159 per person for three-day cruises from Miami and Port Canaveral, Fla., and five-day cruises from New Orleans and Jacksonville, Fla.; from $189 for four-day cruises from Mobile, Ala., and Jacksonville; from $309 per person for seven-day cruises from Miami, Galveston, Texas, and Port Canaveral; and from $359 per person for six-day voyages from Fort Lauderdale, Fla. To qualify you must use code CPM1 and provide proof of service. There are some other restrictions. For additional information and reservations, contact any travel agent, call 1-800-227-6482 or visit carnival.com.   JOHN M. NETTLE New member Username: Sail_on Post Number: 5 Registered: 09-2007 Posted on Saturday, September 06, 2008 - 08:29 pm:    John Goodbar . . . Good information to keep in my travel folder. Next time, before I book something, I'll check with Costco Travel before I finalize anything. John . . . Mesquite Nevada   Cherry C. Senior Member Username: Cherry Post Number: 3949 Registered: 06-2003 Posted on Saturday, August 23, 2008 - 07:30 pm:    When we know the cruise we want to take, and already have the plan in front of us showing the ship's cabins, we call Cruise Value Center (see their site at http://www.mycruisevalue.com/v3/index.asp), say we are simply looking for the lowest price, and ask flat out for their best possible deal. They have beaten all the others several times, giving a discount of 3% to 5% off the other quotes(tend to give more of a break on the longer, more expensive cruises) even after allowing for us being return passengers, military, seniors or whatever other deals are going on. We have had excellent service and received all the offered "extras" so there is nothing cut-rate about their operation--only the price. You have phone and talk to a person (who may or may not have a Joisey accent!). I think you'll find it worth your while to give them a try.   Jon Goodbar New member Username: Jongoodbar Post Number: 3 Registered: 03-2008 Posted on Saturday, August 23, 2008 - 05:44 pm:    Dirk, Let me give my two cents worth. Last summer, my wife and I took a two week round trip cruise from San Diego to Hawaii on the Celebrity Summit. While on the cruise I checked on an Alaskan 14 night Cruise on the Celebrity Millennium leaving from Vancouver and ending in San Diego where we live. We weren't sure we were gonna take that trip so I waited for a couple of months after we returned. I called Costco Travel and I got the cruise for the same price as I would of gotten on the cruise ship. I also got a $150.00 shipboard credit which was only $50.00 from the cruise line. Insurance cost only $82.00 for the two of us. So, I would advise to check around then call Costco Travel (1-877-849-2730) before you book.   Beverly Mullenix Member Username: Tynkrbelle82 Post Number: 9 Registered: 10-2005 Posted on Tuesday, August 05, 2008 - 05:15 pm:    one that I didn't see listed on here is: www.militarycruisedeals.com - they have wonderful deals and we've had a few acquaintances give rave reviews.   Barry Cantor Senior Member Username: Barry_c Post Number: 1262 Registered: 06-2003 Posted on Saturday, August 02, 2008 - 01:06 pm:    Just came back from a 4-day Carnival Cruise out of Port Canaveral to Nasseau & back. Me, the wife and her 88-yr old mum from the UK. It was the mum's 1st cruise and she loved it...Carnival Sensation. I've got a good friend at the PAFB ITT office. She tells me there's a 7-day trip on the Carnival Glory out of Port Canaveral leaving 3 Jan 09 going to the Western Caribbean. Military prices start @ $400/person inside, but should drop for military in a month or so. She thinks rooms with an ocean view will probably come in @ 50-100 less than that. Reason...as stated below...Carnival loves military (active, reserve, retired). And most folks will be back at work and the kids back in school, so there will be alot of rooms available.   Cherry C. Senior Member Username: Cherry Post Number: 3831 Registered: 06-2003 Posted on Saturday, August 02, 2008 - 12:53 pm:    Allan, that's a very sad story about your son-in-law's fearful attitude toward life. (Does he let his family use electrical appliances? Cross the street? Eat meat that is not completely Well Done, or vegetables grown out of state?...) We've taken several cruises since 9/11 and I would say that the security for a cruise ship is far tighter, better thought-out and well-administered than at any commercial airport. The cruise lines know that if there's just ONE bad incident, their bottom line will be toast. They act and react accordingly! Furthermore, their very intelligent, high-tech security procedures cause no trouble for the passengers (unlike the airlines').   Allan H Weagle Intermediate Member Username: Popsie1947 Post Number: 50 Registered: 10-2007 Posted on Friday, August 01, 2008 - 01:45 pm:    My daughter graduated from Smith College in May (MED in Deaf education) and I was going to give her and her kids a carnival cruise visiting a group of ports in Italy, Sicily, and Spain (12 days) with military discount it was a little under 6K for the whole bunch of us- including air fare- we'd fly space A to Italy. My son in law had a hissy fit and as a result they have postponed it until "terror goes away". Like that is going to happen. I have a relative who works for carnival, no better rates through him than what Vacationstogo.com can get, who says Carnival likes military and retired military travelers as "the other passengers feel safer". Can't imagine why, a man,(woman) who dedicates his life to protecting his country and some half brain decides he's going to put that man's family in danger and the soldier, sailor or airman is going to suddenly become a pacifist? Me thinks the terrorist will look for a easier target and leave the cruise ship alone.   Barton Pepper Senior Member Username: Barpep Post Number: 563 Registered: 01-2004 Posted on Monday, June 09, 2008 - 04:28 am:    I apologize again for continuing an old thread, but thought it might be interesting to read about our latest ocean cruise on Royal Caribbean line, specifically the Radiance of the Seas, carring slightly over 2,000 passengers. We left on April 20 and had a port call at Cartagena, Colombia before going through the Panama Canal. Enjoyed the transit, took a lot of pictures. We are not the late-night dancers, casino-users, or port of call-tourists, but we did enjoy Puntarenas, Costa Rica, Acapulco, Mexico, and Cabo San Lucas. The food was great, the crew friendly and informative. At my age I don't expect to make another voyage but the right cruise might come along! We landed at San Diego on May 3 and spent the rest of May with our daughter who lives close by.   Larry Campbell Senior Member Username: Czeezo Post Number: 489 Registered: 12-2005 Posted on Thursday, November 29, 2007 - 01:43 pm:    Met my wife on the Cruse going thru the Panama Canal 10 years ago. I was from Colo. Springs, Co. and she was from Huntington Beach, Ca. We found out that we had been delivered by the same Doctor in Long Beach, Cal. Now married and it is one of the best things that has ever happen to me! (most of the time)   Phyllis DeLancey Senior Member Username: Phyllis Post Number: 1740 Registered: 06-2003 Posted on Wednesday, November 28, 2007 - 11:20 am:    Barton take plenty of sun screen and a hat that will shade the back of your neck as well as your face. The day you spend going from one end to the other, and you will want to be outside for much of it. If you have a room with a balcony, that will be great, you watch the action from you room. Also the day we did this the ship had very little, if any other activities going on that day. My husband love it, I though it was a very long day.   Barton Pepper Senior Member Username: Barpep Post Number: 557 Registered: 01-2004 Posted on Wednesday, November 28, 2007 - 05:09 am:    If you don't mind my continuing a thread from two years ago, I would like to say that we are going through the Panama Canal on April 20 - May 3, 2008, on the Radiance of the Seas, a Royal Caribbean ship. We leave from Fort Lauderdale and go through the canal to San Diego. My wife's sister and her husband are going and we felt obligated to go along. No, don't feel sorry for me, I didn't mean it that way. Actually, I will be glad to see some more of the Caribbean, as it has been about 40 years since I was aboard ship in those waters - and that was on an amphibious cargo ship! Ports of call are Cartegena, Colombia, Puntarenas, Costa Rica, Huatulco, Mexico, and Acapulco, Mexico. We will be at sea for six days, so that will be pleasant, too.   Cherry C. Member Username: Cherry Post Number: 962 Registered: 06-2003 Posted on Sunday, October 30, 2005 - 10:37 am:    We "did" the Panama Canal on Holland America in October (I think) two years back, cruising from Los Angeles to some port in Florida. It was a repositioning cruise from Alaska for the ship, so we could have been on board longer but chose to start in LA. We like longer cruises--gives us time to learn our way around the ship, and to relax--so the time was fine with us. There were many port calls along the way before the canal, some in Mexico, then Nicaragua and Panama and a couple more in the Caribbean. (Some were worth getting off for, some were not in our opinion.) There was a lecturer on board giving sessions on the history and technology of the canal before we started our transit,and a canal pilot giving a commentary (broadcast throughout the ship) during the transit. We stayed on deck or up in the Crows Nest bar for most of the day in which we transited the canal and found it fascinating. I would recommend it highly--EXCEPT that if you don't much care for very hot weather, I'd do it for the repositioning in the Spring, not the Fall. In Fall it was very hot because the summer was just starting to fade there, and I was highly uncomfortable at some of the ports because the temperatures were so high. My husband, who loves heat, thought it was just fine--so it's a personal preference. I know the Caribbean is warm year 'round but it does cool off a little bit over the "winter" months and that marginal difference would have made me somewhat more comfortable, I think. By the way, if you do start or stop in Los Angeles remember that Jet Blue flies in and out of Long Beach airport (the old NAS Long Beach) and that airfield is actually quite a bit closer to the Los Angeles cruise piers than the regular LAX airport is, so not only could you save on your airfare with Jet Blue but your taxi fare to or from the airport will be less than to LAX (I recall it as around $30 for the 2 of us and all our luggage).   Phyllis DeLancey Member Username: Phyllis Post Number: 752 Registered: 06-2003 Posted on Sunday, October 30, 2005 - 02:58 am:    Barton, we did it last year went from San Juan to San Francisco on NCL. I would not recoment NCL. We went in May it was a very long time to be on board. If I was to do it again, it would be one that was only about 10 day at the most. Princess is having a sale right now on this cruise, but you have to go in November. We have sailed on Princess and like it, it is much like Holland. I think when the ships are changing home port for the seanons you may get a good price.   Barton Pepper Member Username: Barpep Post Number: 351 Registered: 01-2004 Posted on Sunday, October 30, 2005 - 02:14 am:    We want to go on a cruise through the Panama Canal from one end or the other, it really doesn't matter to us which direction. Anyone have such experience? Do you know of any advantage of direction, time of year, or cruise company? If so, please let me know - my only experience has been with Holland America, and it was good but too short! We will want to go sometime next Fall, perhaps.   Mike Bird Member Username: Old_goat Post Number: 755 Registered: 06-2003 Posted on Saturday, October 29, 2005 - 11:55 pm:    I get sea sick. no boats for me....   Barton Pepper Member Username: Barpep Post Number: 288 Registered: 01-2004 Posted on Thursday, July 14, 2005 - 04:14 am:    My wife and I, and two other couples went on Holland America from Seward to Vancouver, on the Ryndam and enjoyed it immensely! Recommend Holland America to anyone!   John R. Silvers Member Username: Dickins Post Number: 55 Registered: 06-2003 Posted on Monday, July 04, 2005 - 02:40 pm:    Jack - I'd like whatever info you can get on freighter travel.   Phyllis DeLancey Member Username: Phyllis Post Number: 478 Registered: 06-2003 Posted on Friday, March 04, 2005 - 09:43 pm:    All you folks in the Norfolk area that might like a last minute deal, Holland American is offering outside cabins for 10 day trip to the souther and eastern Caribbean for only $799 they have inside for less. They are for 3 different dates in March.   Jack T. Paxton Member Username: Jpaxton Post Number: 398 Registered: 07-2003 Posted on Tuesday, March 01, 2005 - 03:47 pm:    While I have neve tried this, I have friends in our retirement community who annually cruise on freighters and swear by them. They have been to Pago Pago, Hawaii and other Pacific ports many times. Advantages are great rates, small passenger lists, very informal atmosphere,and ability to bring your own booze on board. While there is not much entertainment beyond movies, etc., they love traveling that way. Both are avid readers. If anyone is interested I could ask them about contact sites, etc.   Ned Madigan Member Username: Edmphila Post Number: 122 Registered: 06-2003 Posted on Tuesday, February 08, 2005 - 02:03 pm:    We were considering that April 10th Legend of the Seas cruise Ft. Lauderdale to Lisbon (calling at King's Wharf, Bermuda, Ponta Delgada (Azores)). We would probably bus Lisbon-Rota after a few days in Lisbon. It's a repositioning cruise: The cruise Prices are great; and we love Lisbon. As a matter of fact, Lisbon's harbor approach is considered to be in the same category as Rio de Janeiro, Hong Kong, and San Francisco, for beauty. We stay at Residencial Estrela do Saldanha at the Saldanha MetroLisboa stop (Duque de Avila exit). Carlos Ferreira, co-owner/manager speaks pretty good English and prices are reasonable. Its category is like a Hostal. It's also very centrally located.   Phyllis DeLancey Member Username: Phyllis Post Number: 463 Registered: 06-2003 Posted on Monday, February 07, 2005 - 04:25 pm:    I just used the link to dynamict travel, their 800 # will not work from all areas, so if you can't get them use the 817 # to reach them.   Mav Flanders New member Username: Mflan Post Number: 4 Registered: 02-2005 Posted on Monday, February 07, 2005 - 02:03 am:    James Flowers writes:My wife and I signed up for the cruise to Lisbon on April 10. Does anyone have any information about Portugal that may help to enjoy the trip. If anyone else is taking this cruise, drop me a note and may be we can swap information James, Is this Transatlantic with Royal Caribbean? I have done about 20 cruises so far (no need to quit now!) and especially enjoy the longer TA crossings, more time at sea is great!! If your crossing is with RCCL, have you enrolled for their "Meet and Mingle" get togethers, usually have a party on the 2nd or 3rd day out. Just go to www.cruisecritic.com site, scroll down to RCCL, find "Roll Call" for your ship and destination. It's a wonderful way to get to know a few passengers prior to the cruises. Right now I am trying to decide on the Brilliance Transatlantic, did the Ft. Lauderdale to Barcelona last year, also had a port call in Lisbon. Be happy to share info on Lisbon with you. I have also done numerous crossings on the QEII before she was retired to the Med, also Prinncess, a few others. I am definitely a "frequent floater" !! Enjoy !   Phyllis DeLancey Member Username: Phyllis Post Number: 460 Registered: 06-2003 Posted on Sunday, February 06, 2005 - 01:48 pm:    If you want to do the Missippi River, Gerald, be ready to pay a high price. We cruise often and have not done the Missippi because of the $$$. If you find a good fare be sure to share it with us. One thing keep in mind for a cruise vacation, June 1 to Oct 30 is storm season and you nerer know what to expect.   Gerald Beneke Member Username: Gerryb Post Number: 9 Registered: 06-2004 Posted on Sunday, February 06, 2005 - 12:31 am:    We took a trip on Carnival, out of Maimi, they offered a military discount, I think it was $100 p/p including everyone in the party of 7, (Mrs. & I, 2 daughters, one grandaughter & 2 friends of the girls. We ended up running from T.S. Jeanne as it approached St. Martin, back to Nassau, but all in all it was a good time. Personally, BTDT applies for me, but the rest of the family seems to think it would be good to do it again. I'd rather ride the Mississippi River   Gerald Beneke Member Username: Gerryb Post Number: 8 Registered: 06-2004 Posted on Sunday, February 06, 2005 - 12:29 am:    We took a trip on Carnival, they offered a military discount, I think it was $100 p/p including everyone in the party of 7, (Mrs. & I, 2 daughters, one grandaughter & 2 friends of the girls. We ended up running from T.S. Jeanne as it approached St. Martin, back to Nassau, but all in all it was a good time. Personally, BTDT applies for me, but the rest of the family seems to think it would be good to do it again. I'd rather ride the Mississippi River   ShueFong Dilley Member Username: Shuefong Post Number: 13 Registered: 07-2004 Posted on Saturday, February 05, 2005 - 01:18 pm:    I signed up with www.interliner.com and www.dynamictravel.com for their weekly emails. Both offer discount rates for airline employees and military - active and retired. We just got back from a 12-night Panama Canal on Galaxy, Celebrity. Paid $937 pp for a deluxe ocean view cabin. The best deals we booked through them were a 19-night, Athens to Baltimore, on Norwegian Crown, $1,010 pp, gratuities included, and a 7-night Western Caribbean on Norwegian Dream for $199 pp (gratuities not included on this one). Currently, Orient Lines (Marco Polo) is offering a 15-night (Feb. 25) Amazon and South America cruise for $599/inside or $699/oceanview. If you can get Space A for the outbound and inbound flights, it’s the best deal I have seen in a while.   Edwin B McConville Member Username: Perkyva1 Post Number: 209 Registered: 06-2003 Posted on Saturday, January 29, 2005 - 05:45 pm:    Colleen: More on your query 14 Jan abt cruise boats lvg frm Norfolk: the cost to park your vehicle in the vehicle parking lot while on a cruise is $10./day   James Flowers New member Username: James_from_la Post Number: 3 Registered: 07-2004 Posted on Saturday, January 22, 2005 - 01:33 pm:    My wife and I signed up for the cruise to Lisbon on April 10. Does anyone have any information about Portugal that may help to enjoy the trip. If anyone else is taking this cruise, drop me a note and may be we can swap information.   Jeffrey G. Carlen Member Username: Jcarlen Post Number: 76 Registered: 06-2003 Posted on Saturday, January 15, 2005 - 01:55 am:    Wow! What a great (space-a related) thread. Our last cruise was on the Celebrity Zenith out of Jacksonvile to the usual Carribean islands. It was great even though my brother-in-law and sister-in-law traveled with us. The service was excellent, the food was excellent and the ship was easily negotiable. We, too, sailed on Norwegian Cruise Line. Twice, but no more. The first was on the Sun and it was quite good. I really like their "freestyle" dining-no assigned tables and a window of time to eat rather than a specific seating. The second time was after the line changed hands, on the Norwegian Dream. More like the Norwegian Nightmare. We never did get to St. Petersburg, Helsinki or Tallin. The staff could not answer any questions, always said they were awaiting guidance from home office, food was just OK, same with service. Dissident passengers tried to set up a class action against NCL, NCL stonewalled, etc.. Would not sail with them again. In May we are taking a 19 day repositioning cruise on the MSC Lirica from Ft. Lauderdale to Genoa Italy with stops in the Carribean, Portugal and Spain. Cost is under $100/day/person. Have reservations at Camp Darby for the following week then hope to space-a home before the schools let out. BTW, I am now seeing repositioning cruises offered with free air transportation.   Edwin B McConville Member Username: Perkyva1 Post Number: 207 Registered: 06-2003 Posted on Friday, January 14, 2005 - 04:08 pm:    Colleen: Public transport to the Nauticus Maritime Museum, near Waterside Festival Park, downtown Norfolk, is very tenuous at best. I would probably call for a civilian taxi from NAS Norfolk for that ride down Hampton Blvd, to Brambleton Blvd, thence to Boush St to the Museum thru which you would pass to get to the boarding processing area. There is a car parking area maybe a 3/4s mile from the boarding area, not an easy walk with bags & baggage, even ones with wheels. That area is on Monticello Ave, shuttles to the boarding area are provided, not sure abt the cost if any. If you would like more info email me, Ed   Colleen Hickman New member Username: Colleen Post Number: 5 Registered: 12-2003 Posted on Friday, January 14, 2005 - 03:56 pm:    Edwin--How about Ground Transportation from Norfolk NAS to where you board the ships? Any information you have on that would be greatly appreciated! Thanks.   Edwin B McConville Member Username: Perkyva1 Post Number: 206 Registered: 06-2003 Posted on Friday, January 14, 2005 - 03:38 pm:    Dirk: We are going on our 5th cruise Sunday, this time lvg from Norfolk on a Holland America ship,Maasdam, heading for the eastern/southern Carib for 11 days. We have also departed from Ft Lauderdale twice & from San Juan twice, 3x on a Princess ship & once on a Royal Carib. Not knowing from where you intend to start your cruise suffice to say there are many options on the east coast as the ships have come to where the pax are vice the pax having to go to where the ships are, since 9/11. You can find good opportunities in the travel section of the Sunday paper & certainly by contacting any good travel agency who specializes in cruises & who books a good number of cabins for sale to customers. You'll find the cheapest prices are for interior cabins(no windows), but darker for sleeping. The time spent in your cabin is not much anyway. Feel free to email or call me for more info.   Bernard Leo Kline New member Username: Chitcharney Post Number: 3 Registered: 06-2003 Posted on Thursday, January 13, 2005 - 08:44 pm:    Sato now has contract for travel for a number of installations including McDill. See www.satovacations.com click on Military specials.   john w mccarthy New member Username: Routestep Post Number: 5 Registered: 06-2003 Posted on Thursday, January 13, 2005 - 07:21 pm:    Try www.military.com Click on travel.   Tomi~D Member Username: Tomi~d Post Number: 308 Registered: 06-2003 Posted on Thursday, January 13, 2005 - 01:36 pm:    Dirk...here's a web-site to check out cruises... http://www.vacationstogo.com ... hope this helps.   Phyllis DeLancey Member Username: Phyllis Post Number: 443 Registered: 06-2003 Posted on Wednesday, January 12, 2005 - 08:23 pm:    We have taken several cruises on several different line. One thing to ask is if the crew is international. I know I will take some heat from this, but we took a 17 day on NCL from San Juan to San Fran. through the Panamal Canal. They had put an all american crew on it, getting ready for the cruises out of Hawaii. It was by the far the worse cruise we have ever had. It only got worse when the ship got to Hawaii and NCl had to start refunding money, not chaging the $10.00 a day tip for each person and giving away free trips to poeple. I would go with NCL again, but I will always ask about the crew. Also once you set you date and pay your money, keep checking with the cruise line to see if the price has come down. Twice I have had a refund of several hundred dollars. We have use Vacationtogo.com too and got a good price. We just got back from a river boat cruise in Germany and it was very nice, no one under 21 on board they cater to the older travler.   Tom Jackson Member Username: Tombo Post Number: 29 Registered: 05-2004 Posted on Wednesday, January 12, 2005 - 04:43 pm:    Being a Florida boy and an avid cruiser, you get the best cruise rates during the height of hurricane season. The best dates/cheapest are 18 September - 1 October. Sure you take chances with the storms, but you also take chances with getting a seat on Space A flights. Other good deals are like Karen mentioned. Cruise ships that relocate to/from Europe to the States and the other way around during the summer and winter months. You also have cruise ships that are based in Alaska during the summer and go to "Southern Ports" for the winter. All are great deals during their relocation cruises, if you dont't mind starting from one location and getting ransportation back from another. Hey thats the adventure of traveling.   Karen Yan Member Username: Karenyan Post Number: 39 Registered: 06-2003 Posted on Wednesday, January 12, 2005 - 03:54 pm:    Bay Area Travel on MacDill AFB has had some amazing military discounts on cruises. I've never seen them lower than what they posted. I took a 4-night Carnival Cruise in December out of Tampa to Cozumel. Total cost for 2 adults and 2 children was $1,080 including taxes & port charges. I also notice that they are advertising a 10-Day transatlantic cruise departing in April. Leaving Tampa, arriving in Portugal (or Spain, I can't remember). I think the price is $528 total per person & it also stops in Bermuda for 1 1/2 days. Has another port of call too. It's with Royal Carribean.   DAVIS, L. E. Member Username: Ldavis Post Number: 309 Registered: 06-2003 Posted on Wednesday, January 12, 2005 - 03:52 pm:    We did a Carnival Cruise out of Tampa last year and want to try one out of Mobile before long. We enjoyed the cruise but have not been on any other cruise line so we can not compare.   Kim Rivera Member Username: Kim Post Number: 50 Registered: 10-2003 Posted on Wednesday, January 12, 2005 - 03:44 pm:    Dirk, We took a Carnival cruise out of New Orleans a few years back. We booked it via Sam's Travel Club. If you are a member of Sam's Club, you may want to check them out. At the time, they had great prices. Kim   Jim H Member Username: Jim_h Post Number: 58 Registered: 06-2003 Posted on Wednesday, January 12, 2005 - 03:31 pm:    Have you checked this site? http://www.skyauction.com/action/search?cat=40   Colleen Hickman New member Username: Colleen Post Number: 4 Registered: 12-2003 Posted on Wednesday, January 12, 2005 - 03:26 pm:    Excellent addition to this site--thanks Dirk!   Edgar Inocentes Member Username: Traveler88 Post Number: 11 Registered: 01-2005 Posted on Wednesday, January 12, 2005 - 02:29 pm:    There are several cruises originating from San Diego going to the Mexican Riviera as well.   John C Donahue Member Username: Daytona_john Post Number: 33 Registered: 06-2003 Posted on Wednesday, January 12, 2005 - 01:37 pm:    Dirk, try www.02cruise.com. Their site has a wealth of information   Bill Moore New member Username: Billemoore Post Number: 5 Registered: 06-2003 Posted on Wednesday, January 12, 2005 - 10:40 am:    A web site that I have used frequently is www.vacationstogo.com. I have crossed checked often and find their prices the same or better than others. You can sort by price, destination, dates, departure point and others. Enjoy!   Dirk Pepperd Board Administrator Username: Admin Post Number: 121 Registered: 06-2003 Posted on Tuesday, January 11, 2005 - 11:22 pm:    Hello everyone. I wanted to add this thread not only because I'm starting to research taking a cruise this spring but this could be a useful topic for some. I'm thinking of going with carnival but if someone knows of a good company with discounted cruises please let me know. Thanks!