Just booked a cruise from Tampa - Join Us

01-10-2009, 11:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by icehog3

Do those prices include airfare? I would assume not, but never been on a cruise so I don't know.

Usually you might be better off doing your own airfare and if you belong to any of the airlines clubs you get points. My wife and I travel quite a bit which means airline points add up and we get free airfare. Everyone must play this game, if your credit card doesn't give you points for purchases, get another card. Everytime we use ours for anything, we get points and sometimes multiples depending if we rent cars, stay at hotels we might even get double and triple. Sometimes the cruise lines or Cruise sites will discount the A/F for your cruise you want to go on. There is a way to play this game and get the best price for the cruise you want,,,it pays to have the right info or else you might end up paying twice the amount somebody else did. We have cruised about 20-25 times and people always compare their rates,,,not once have I been beat when it comes to a cruise except for the first 3 times and I was pissed. Our last cruise: 17night Transatlantic cruise from Italy to the US,,,in a suite ( amazing room,,400 sq. feet with its own seperate master and living and balcony,,we flew from San Diego to Rome all for $5200,,,for both of us including taxes. I defy anyone to beat that!

Aside from that, cruising is probably the best type of vacation you can take for the money. Where else can you get a decent room that is cleaned 2-3 times a day,,,eat 24 hours a day,,,all for about $50 a day if you travel with another person,,bring your G/F, wife, mistress,,,buddy. Pick a ship that lets you smoke your cigars,,,amazing jazz bands on some boats while you have your cigars. When you stop at the ports take your time and visit the port on your own. You can rent a two seater mini car, or scooter for like $45 and see what YOU want to, not some crappy bus that only stops at places that suck. They have liquor stores in the Carribean that charge $7-$12 for the best liquor you can buy in the states that cost anywhere from $30 up to $50.

I could go on and on but you get the idea,,PM if you have questions for shortcuts, websites for great deals, etc.

icehog3 · 01-11-2009, 01:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cigary

I could go on and on but you get the idea,,PM if you have questions for shortcuts, websites for great deals, etc.

Thanks for all the info. My biggest drawback is that I am not much for being on a boat and not being able to see land in any direction. Kinda freaks me out.

SmoknTaz · 01-11-2009, 02:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by icehog3

Thanks for all the info. My biggest drawback is that I am not much for being on a boat and not being able to see land in any direction. Kinds freaks me out.

Yes to everything Gary said and take something for motion sickness especially if you've never been on a cruise. Next to Norwalk motion sickness is the $hits. Oh and pack loose fitting pants, you'll need it.

Don Fernando · 01-11-2009, 04:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by icehog3

Thanks for all the info. My biggest drawback is that I am not much for being on a boat and not being able to see land in any direction. Kinda freaks me out.

Unless it's on the northpole and you are surrounded by ice?

icehog3 · 01-11-2009, 10:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Don Fernando

Unless it's on the northpole and you are surrounded by ice?

Cruise to somewhere cold?

Pass.

Tio Gato · 01-11-2009, 01:48 PM

A cruise sounds like a great way to celebrate the Gators National Championship!!

Hope you have a good time.

Smokin Gator · 01-11-2009, 02:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tio Gato

A cruise sounds like a great way to celebrate the Gators National Championship!!

Hope you have a good time.

You know... now that you mention it

I figure I should do my part to keep an eye on all of those college girls around the pool on Spring Break as well. Just being a good citizen you know!!!

01-11-2009, 04:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Smokin Gator

You know... now that you mention it

I figure I should do my part to keep an eye on all of those college girls around the pool on Spring Break as well. Just being a good citizen you know!!!

Lol,,,,let me know if you need help! I am current on my CPR,,regardless if they need it or not,,,just here to help!

01-11-2009, 04:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by icehog3

Thanks for all the info. My biggest drawback is that I am not much for being on a boat and not being able to see land in any direction. Kinda freaks me out.

These boats are like huge,,,half the time you forget you are even on a boat and you settle in with all of the stuff there is to do plus the fact you will be in ports most of the time. If you don't like looking at water, just get an inside room in the middle of the boat as they have stabilizers on each side to make it even more smoother, if that is possible. Seriously, they have exercise rooms that rival any gym you have ever been too since I know you work out,,,seen your photos and you are HUGE,,scary huge, and like I said before there are some great cigar bars on them. C'mon,,,try one out and choose a ship that is at least 80,000 ton and you will hardly feel any motion.

Quote:

Originally Posted by SmoknTaz

Yes to everything Gary said and take something for motion sickness especially if you've never been on a cruise. Next to Norwalk motion sickness is the $hits. Oh and pack loose fitting pants, you'll need it.

Funny, cuz it is soooo true. My first cruise I put on an extra 10 pounds and could hardly fit into my clothes so now I always bring the sweats for breakfast and lunch.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Smokin Gator

We finally figured out and easy way last year to get our liquor on board... They will let you take bottled water on board. So, we bought a couple of 8 packs, I think, of bottle water, poured the water out, filled them with vodka, put the caps back on, and carried them right on board. Easy peasey!!!

Yahtzee! Exactly the thing to do and you walk aboard like you own the place and no problems,,,been doing this for years and if you want to keep the bottle, you fill it with water and then they will give you the bottle at the last day of your cruise. If you buy your booze on the ship you still get some good deals and they always have a day for you to sample different brands. Here's a tip also, always always befriend your cabin steward. Make this person your best friend as he will do "special" things for you. This is what we do on every cruise and on the first day we talk with this steward and ask them what they would like for dinner,,,they will look at you funny because nobody ever asks them this,,we know that the crew does not ever eat the same things that the rest of the boat eats, they are not allowed. So, we ask them what they would like and order extra for room service and then call them in to eat,,,trust me, these guys will break their necks for you the rest of the week because you are feeding them what they never get,,,,steaks, lobsters, prime rib, etc etc. They will always make time to get to your cabin to visit and talk and they will eat the dinner you ordered for them so nobody else from the crew can see them,,,they aren't allowed but it's ok if we order it for ourselves and instead give it to them. This Steward would then buy us anything we want with their 2040% discount they have,,,we'd get jewelry, booze, anything that was for sale. It's great!!

Quote:

Originally Posted by icehog3

Cruise to somewhere cold?

Pass.

I thought the same thing,,,just like you did. We went on a cruise to Alaska and it was the most beautiful cruise I have ever been on,,,the majesty of that region will blow you away. I spent literally hours just on the decks (inside and out) looking at the views and I was literally blown away,,,one of the best cruises ever and this is coming from someone who has cruise across the oceans, Mediterranean, N. Europe, Mexico and other places to numerous to mention. Don't let the idea of cold deter you as it did me,,,amazing cruises to Alaska.

icehog3 · 01-11-2009, 04:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cigary

These boats are like huge,,,half the time you forget you are even on a boat and you settle in with all of the stuff there is to do plus the fact you will be in ports most of the time. If you don't like looking at water, just get an inside room in the middle of the boat as they have stabilizers on each side to make it even more smoother, if that is possible.

Oh, it isn't motion sickness that deters me, I am fine on boats even in rough water. It is just the idea of being out in the middle of the ocean, with no land in sight, and all those sharks between me and solid ground!

01-11-2009, 05:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by icehog3

Oh, it isn't motion sickness that deters me, I am fine on boats even in rough water. It is just the idea of being out in the middle of the ocean, with no land in sight, and all those sharks between me and solid ground!

You kill me,,,in the 100 plus years of cruising I have never heard or seen any issues with sharks on a cruise. If you take the Carribean or Mexican cruises you will always be able to see land. You go to bed and you are in port the next day. You sail away and it gets dark and you eat like a pig and smoke a few cigars and you go to bed and wake up in port. It's like Groundhog Day except you are in a different place every day. I'll take you with us as a third person cruiser will only cost you $125 for a week,,,

01-11-2009, 01:48 PM	#6
Tio Gato Uncle Kitty Join Date: Oct 2008 First Name: Jeff Location: Casa Grande, AZ Posts: 2,079 Trading: (11)	Re: Just booked a cruise from Tampa - Join Us A cruise sounds like a great way to celebrate the Gators National Championship!! Hope you have a good time. __________________ "You stink like cigars Uncle Kitty!" Said my Boo age 3. "Kid, take care of your family and the hell with anyone else" My Grandpa Bubba.