Normal
CCidaho:Don't give up on cruising just yet. I know plenty of people who are on a budget and take many cruises. I am booked on the Diamond Princess in December on a 7 day cruise for $599 per person including all taxes and port charges. I was on the Holland America Ryndam for 7 days last year for $499 per person out of San Diego. Airfare can be expensive, but if you plan early there are deals on Southwest and a few other cruise lines. To me this price is a very good value. These are not value or bargain cruise lines and are a step above NCL and Carnival. Just start shoppinga round. I can honestly say I have never been on a nightmare cruise. But first timers are often fooled by all that hype they see in TV ads. The food is usually pretty good, but not much better than most chain restaurants in large cities. They have to serve 1,000 to 2,000 dinners each night in a 4 hour span. It's really glorified banquet food. But if something does not taste right, send it back. They only serve lobster, and filet mignon usually once. BTW... on my Radiance cruise of 3 weeks ago to Alaska they never served Crap Legs.Entertainment is hit and miss. But usually pretty good overall. Shore excursions are expensive, but if you had read some cruise boards in advance you would have learned about independent tours.In summary, cruising is a very good deal. Just price out a 7 day land vacation some time to say Miami, Hawaii, San Diego, New York City or San Fransisco.
CCidaho:
Don't give up on cruising just yet. I know plenty of people who are on a budget and take many cruises. I am booked on the Diamond Princess in December on a 7 day cruise for $599 per person including all taxes and port charges. I was on the Holland America Ryndam for 7 days last year for $499 per person out of San Diego. Airfare can be expensive, but if you plan early there are deals on Southwest and a few other cruise lines. To me this price is a very good value. These are not value or bargain cruise lines and are a step above NCL and Carnival. Just start shoppinga round.
I can honestly say I have never been on a nightmare cruise. But first timers are often fooled by all that hype they see in TV ads. The food is usually pretty good, but not much better than most chain restaurants in large cities. They have to serve 1,000 to 2,000 dinners each night in a 4 hour span. It's really glorified banquet food. But if something does not taste right, send it back. They only serve lobster, and filet mignon usually once. BTW... on my Radiance cruise of 3 weeks ago to Alaska they never served Crap Legs.
Entertainment is hit and miss. But usually pretty good overall. Shore excursions are expensive, but if you had read some cruise boards in advance you would have learned about independent tours.
In summary, cruising is a very good deal. Just price out a 7 day land vacation some time to say Miami, Hawaii, San Diego, New York City or San Fransisco.
