https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Fri, 24 Apr 2026 23:23:05 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/have-you-ever-been-on-a-cruise#post-68914 Tue, 07 Feb 2012 13:08:07 +0000 anbanan15 68914@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Nope, well not what you traditionally think of as a cruise anyway. They kinda freak me out, although I have a degree in Marine Biology...go figure. </p> <p>I was on a "cruise" (I guess you can call it that) for 10 days in the Galapagos, but it was a small 16 passenger boat, including staff. We ate on the boat but it wasn't those big fancy meals they have on cruises and there were no luxury amenities. I actually got very sick if I slept in the cabin or went to the bathroom below deck, so I ended up having to sleep on the top deck, outside, the ENTIRE trip (yes, even in the rain). </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/have-you-ever-been-on-a-cruise#post-68892 Tue, 07 Feb 2012 12:56:49 +0000 rattles 68892@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I went on a cruise from Istanbul to Athens on Windstar and loved it! It was a smaller, sailing ship which meant we could dock in smaller ports. You definitely don't get the depth of experience at each port, but I loved getting to see a wide range of places and built time into the beginning and end for a longer stay. Two thumbs up for sure! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/have-you-ever-been-on-a-cruise#post-68863 Tue, 07 Feb 2012 12:31:49 +0000 joyjoy 68863@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I've been several times! My parents are huge fans of cruising, so between family cruise vacations and little vacations with the hubs, I've been on 7 (Mexico a few times on both sides, Bahamas, Eastern Caribbean and Western Caribbean). I agree with @daniellemybelle in that they are quite touristy and commercialized, but once you get out of the port itself, it's not hard to create your own sightseeing itineraries and adventures. You don't always have to do just the ship approved activities. It just takes a little more planning ahead. </p> <p>I also agree that the ship makes a big difference in the experience, as well. I've only been on Carnival (the cheapest and is fairly on-ship activity friendly--for both kids and adults--but I didn't like the food as much), Royal Caribbean (in my experience, nicer than Carnival, with better food but fewer activities overall, but I haven't been on RC in years), and Princess (my least favorite of the three since it has few activities and the food didn't impress me); but I've heard great things about Disney cruises and can't wait to take LO on one. </p> <p>I always recommend to people to definitely try the fine dining restaurant on board. It will cost you extra, and many people avoid it because all the other food is included in your fare; but the ones I've tried have been SO worth it.</p> <p>As a side note, I always purposely lose weight before a cruise since I *always* gain weight on one. The least I've ever gained was 4lbs. I was so proud of myself, too. There was one year that my family went on a 10 day cruise, and when we look back at the vacation photos, you can literally see my brothers and I getting larger as days went by. Horrible, but hilarious. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/have-you-ever-been-on-a-cruise#post-68847 Tue, 07 Feb 2012 12:06:27 +0000 LuLu Mom 68847@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I have never had a desire to go on a cruise, but reading all the previous posts is changing my mind. I just don't know how I would deal with the being in the middle of the ocean thing! If I did one, I would want to do the European one and hit up all those countries! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/have-you-ever-been-on-a-cruise#post-68775 Tue, 07 Feb 2012 10:55:13 +0000 daniellemybelle 68775@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I love cruises! But you have enjoy them for what they are. They are definitely "commercial" and very American, if that makes sense. You will be 100% a tourist in every port you stop in. If you love to travel for the adventure and the culture, you might not love cruising. But if you are looking for a relaxing, tropical vacation with no end of things to do and stuff to EAT!, then cruising will make you very happy - and on a reasonable budget too. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/have-you-ever-been-on-a-cruise#post-68768 Tue, 07 Feb 2012 10:30:00 +0000 Mrs. Yoyo 68768@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@BoogieBea: Same here. I think I would go on one now because it seems like it might be a good vacation with a kid. But I've never wanted to go on one myself because I love exploring too much, and feel like I would never want to get back on the ship once in any given port! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/have-you-ever-been-on-a-cruise#post-68758 Tue, 07 Feb 2012 10:16:42 +0000 MegWag 68758@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I've been on 2. They were both family reunion-type things. The cruise line you go on makes a huge difference. The first cruise was a Caribbean on on NCL and it was a lot of fun. The second one was a Canada/New England one on Holland America. While we enjoyed the ports and scenery, the ship itself was way less our style.<br /> I think the tone of the line you choose is most important. I'd want to avoid "woo-hoo lets get drunk!" party lines as well as "uptight old people" ones. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/have-you-ever-been-on-a-cruise#post-68638 Mon, 06 Feb 2012 23:02:00 +0000 PitBulLover 68638@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I've been on 2. Once with 40 other high school classmates for our senior spring break trip and the second time this past December with DH for a week. I loved both times. Cruising is great because it's so easy. You are able to see multiple ports with little effort and it's not very expensive to do so. The best thing about cruising is the ports, sailing away, feeling like you're on a floating city and being totally relaxed. I went on Carnival twice and the food wasn't the greatest but it didn't break the vacation for me! I would definitely say everyone should giving cruising a try at least once. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/have-you-ever-been-on-a-cruise#post-68611 Mon, 06 Feb 2012 22:04:13 +0000 EmmeBaby 68611@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We love cruising. Been all over Caribbean, Europe and even Asia. We also got married on a cruise! We are going next month to Eastern Carib with LO -- ports that we've been before so our expectations will be low for activities. Just walk around and relax with LO. </p> <p>Royal Caribbean has a baby program. Order diapers so no need to lug with them around and also a Toy Lend program. There are also activities/ baby Fisher Price room. </p> <p>Most expensive part is the excursion, in my opinion. ($100/p) But since we're going on our first family vacay, I doubt we will be participating in much. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/have-you-ever-been-on-a-cruise#post-68610 Mon, 06 Feb 2012 22:04:05 +0000 mrs. wagon 68610@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@pastemoo: I'm serious! She couldn't stop drinking water, was falling asleep at the dinner table in front of her in-laws... when she looked up her symptoms when she came home, she realized she was in glucose shock! Too many sweets!!! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/have-you-ever-been-on-a-cruise#post-68599 Mon, 06 Feb 2012 21:57:51 +0000 MsMamaBear 68599@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>OMG. I LOVE them. I've only been on 3 so far, which sucks, trying to go platinum.LOL I thought they were lame until I took one. SO much bettter than being stuck on a plane to get somewhere and NOT being confined to ONE island.</p> <p>I love it. It's like a little city you can walk all the way around out on the ocean going places. That's how I describe it. Plus, for the price, it's a steal. My sister and I went on our most recent one for 8 days at $2k total for 2 people. Not bad for 5 islands. (I'm not a fan of mexico, so yes, I know it's cheaper, but grosser too. To me anyway.LOL)</p> <p>If you are a big drinker, bring money just for that., not saying what my tab was last time, but let's just say I could have used that to book a little 3 day cruise.LOL </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/have-you-ever-been-on-a-cruise#post-68588 Mon, 06 Feb 2012 21:49:54 +0000 pastemoo 68588@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@tina: OMG&gt; Are you joking, or serious? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/have-you-ever-been-on-a-cruise#post-68585 Mon, 06 Feb 2012 21:49:20 +0000 pastemoo 68585@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Never. Hoping to go for our anniversary, with our newborn. We'll see! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/have-you-ever-been-on-a-cruise#post-68511 Mon, 06 Feb 2012 20:07:35 +0000 ALittleP 68511@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I've been twice courtesy of my parents and grandparents - both times were transAtlantic on the QE2 before it was retired. The first time for my grandfather's 80th birthday and the second when my dad retired. Cruises are nice because of all the planned activities and the food available all day long!! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/have-you-ever-been-on-a-cruise#post-68191 Mon, 06 Feb 2012 14:37:00 +0000 Mrs. Pickle 68191@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Ive been on two so far. I think the best part is 24/7 access to food! The worst part is not getting to spend a lot of time in each location you visit. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/have-you-ever-been-on-a-cruise#post-68186 Mon, 06 Feb 2012 14:32:06 +0000 DillonLion 68186@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Cruises never appealed to me so I haven't been on one in my lifetime so far. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/have-you-ever-been-on-a-cruise#post-68177 Mon, 06 Feb 2012 14:04:49 +0000 mrs. wagon 68177@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>My friend went on an Alaskan cruise with her hubby and her in-laws, and while it was boring, she's a total chocoholic and put herself into glucose shock! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/have-you-ever-been-on-a-cruise#post-68175 Mon, 06 Feb 2012 14:03:09 +0000 prettylizy 68175@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Rescuemom10: My parents took my sister and I on the Disney cruise when we were 21 &amp; 19. We had no kids in our party, spent most of our time at the adults only pool (called quiet cove = heaven), and Disney always does everything to the nines. You'll LOVE it :) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/have-you-ever-been-on-a-cruise#post-68166 Mon, 06 Feb 2012 13:57:15 +0000 yoursilverlining 68166@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We went on a 2 week European cruise for our honeymoon and LOVED it. It was so nice not to have to stress about travel through different countries. You unpack once and that’s it – you’ve got your room for your stay and don’t have to mess with anything! The ship does everything for you. The food on Holland America was really good. We don’t drink soda, so I have no idea how their soft drink prices work, but alcohol was basically the same price as ordering drinks at any bar (some drinks were less expensive) and they were strong! They also had cocktail specials every day, so you could have money that way. The spa was so nice, and there were several pools including one with a taco bar – which I basically stationed myself at.</p> <p>It was fun to see a bit of each country and then make plans to go back at a later date if you wanted – already knowing whether or not you liked that place, rather than risking the chance of booking a week long vacation somewhere you might not love.</p> <p>We plan on doing Disney cruises when LO is old enough to enjoy them! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/have-you-ever-been-on-a-cruise#post-68152 Mon, 06 Feb 2012 13:45:44 +0000 BSB 68152@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>No, never been but I hear now is the best time to go. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/have-you-ever-been-on-a-cruise#post-68114 Mon, 06 Feb 2012 13:18:35 +0000 BoogieBea 68114@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Cruises never used to appeal to me but now that we have kids, I might give it a try. Most people I know who's been loves them. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/have-you-ever-been-on-a-cruise#post-68112 Mon, 06 Feb 2012 13:18:07 +0000 tequiero21 68112@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>=( never been on a cruise. i really want to take the alaskan cruise. or a european cruise. i'm afraid we'll get seasick though, since both hubby and i get seasick. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/have-you-ever-been-on-a-cruise#post-68109 Mon, 06 Feb 2012 13:16:55 +0000 Rescuemom10 68109@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Nope! I have always wanted to go on one though. My SIL has been on many and we plan to go one one together. Maybe for my 30th Birthday seeing as DH wont be here.<br /> @PRETTYLIZY- I sooo want to go on a Disney cruise. I LOVE Disney!!!! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/have-you-ever-been-on-a-cruise#post-68100 Mon, 06 Feb 2012 13:12:51 +0000 mrs. wagon 68100@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Mrs. Bee: ohhhhh yes I lost weight in preparation because I knew I'd gain at least 5 lbs. I think I ended up gaining around 8 or 9 :T but it was TOTALLY WORTH IT. :D Seriously you don't have to plan a THING... one of the funnest things was sitting down each night with our friends and planning out the next day's itinerary! We didn't plan a single thing in advance! There is SO much to do when you get there. </p> <p>We DID do a lot of research on how to cruise economically though. So we made friends with a bartender and ordered buckets of beer for daytime, very strong cocktails for night (and he'd make them very strong for us!), we each got a soda cup per couple (free refills for the entire cruise, it was like $24 or so) and would get refills with no ice.... there are always drink deals like free drinks at the reception to meet the captain, and each day there's a special drink for 1/2 price. Drinking is really the only thing you end up spending a lot of $$ on, other than excursions at the various stops, which we didn't do. We just hung on the beach and shopped at the little market stalls.</p> <p>The ONLY bad thing was that our server for the sit-down dinners wasn't very good, so we ate at other locations on the ship for some dinners. All included, of course! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/have-you-ever-been-on-a-cruise#post-68093 Mon, 06 Feb 2012 13:09:26 +0000 prettylizy 68093@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Mrs. Bee: on our last cruise, by the end of the week, some of my pants were a little.. ahem.. snug! lol! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/have-you-ever-been-on-a-cruise#post-68089 Mon, 06 Feb 2012 13:08:34 +0000 prettylizy 68089@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I've been on 3, loved every single one, I'm a cruise-a-holic. We're not HUGE drinkers, so we don't mind paying for a drink here and there, but we're total foodies and the food on cruises (especially Disney.... best food ever!) is amazing and plentiful. I love that you get set up in your room, but get to see different places every day. Make nice with a server on the pool deck, and they always manage to find you a place to sit :) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/have-you-ever-been-on-a-cruise#post-68087 Mon, 06 Feb 2012 13:08:24 +0000 Mrs. Bee 68087@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@tina: wow best vacation ever?</p> <p>i think i would love it because it's so stressful to plan vacations. but i bet i would come back like 5 pounds heavier! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/have-you-ever-been-on-a-cruise#post-68081 Mon, 06 Feb 2012 13:07:12 +0000 Mrsbells 68081@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I have never been and I've always wanted to. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/have-you-ever-been-on-a-cruise#post-68080 Mon, 06 Feb 2012 13:06:55 +0000 emahlee 68080@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I've been on a cruise three times- twice in highschool with family (including aunts, uncles, cousins etc.) and once with my husband and immediate family. </p> <p>Cruising is fun, with all that great food, accessible at any hour, being my favourite thing. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/have-you-ever-been-on-a-cruise#post-68079 Mon, 06 Feb 2012 13:06:52 +0000 mediagirl 68079@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>The most awesome part of the cruise - not having to plan anything!! We spent days at the pool (me) and casino (him) and spent our evenings together gorging ourselves on delicious foods. :)</p> <p>Adira mentioned sodas - you can buy a soda card and get them on the cheap that way. If you're not a big drinker, it's not a huge deal that they charge for alcohol - we had no problem with it. We actually took two bottles of wine on with us! </p>