chillhouse

Click here to view the cruise review

Hi Cheryl! I still "lurk" alot :shocked: ! But I still love this board - got the friendliest posters here. Oh, and I forgot to mention to loucna2 that if you go to the website, the handsome young man holding the huge fish is my son!

Loucna2: My DH & DS did a deep sea fishing excursion in St. Martin through Shoretrips.com. My husband could not say enough good things about Rudy - extremely clean boat, very knowledgeable, and they had a great time (and he's very picky!!) I believe that Rudy only takes 4-6 people so it's very private too. Paste & cut this link: http://www.shoretrips.com/common/search4.a...XM&tcode=000751 Or if that doesn't work, just go to www.shoretrips.com, click on St. Martin, then deep sea fishing. I've used this website a few times and they're great. They'll answer any questions you have. Cori

Just found this short piece in "Catholic Digest": The ship may have come in for seniors looking for a creative alternative to assisted living. According to the Journal of the American Geriactrics Society, living for 20 years on a cruise ship would cost only about $2000.00 more than living in an assisted living facility. And considering all the perks cruise ships offer - exotic destinations, great food, round-the-clock access to physicians, and housekeeping and laundry, life on the high seas may well be worth the extra money. At least one senior, The Boston Globe reports, has already taken the step. After Beatrice Muller, a widow, turned 80 in 2000, she packed her bags for a permanent voyage aboard the Queen Elizabeth 2. Sounds like a plan to me!!

Welcome aboard!

ujustgot2: I completely agree with Jeff. My first cruise was waaaaay back in 1974, and since then, have only been on Royal Caribbean, so it is my "first love", so to speak. Jeff is much more experienced, having been on several cruiselines! I am getting excited to try Carnival next time! One of your comments though, makes me think you'd be happier with one of the newer ships. All the cruiselines will have enough to keep the kids happy. The rockwall and ice rink on the newer Royal Caribbean ships are neat but how many times during the cruise would you want to do those things? We did those things the first two cruises but not the last two. But your kids might really want to try the rockwall and ice rink. These sites might interest you: http://www.cruisestateroom.com/ [url=http://parnami.tripod.com/]http://parnami.tripod.com/ [url=http://cruiseclues.com/activities.htm]http://cruiseclues.com/activities.htm Whatever you decide, you WILL have a great time!

We used Shoretrips.com for a 1/2 day deep sea fishing trip on St. Martin. I would use them again in a heartbeat. Very nice, very helpful over the phone before the cruise. My husband, son, cousin, and uncle went on Rudy's boat, just the four of them. They all were very impressed with Rudy and his boat. Very clean, Rudy was a great host. And my husband is extremely picky. My son caught the biggest fish and if you go to the shoretrips website, look up the 1/2 day deep sea fishing on St. Martin, you'll see his picture! I would not hesitate to use them again!

OH! Forgot to add this - Your best bet is to first decide what itinerary you'd like (more ports versus more sea days, and which ports you want to see), and then that will decide further which cruiseline. Then explore the boards to find out more (here and cc) and ask alot of questions or just "lurk". You can learn SO much - which cabins are best (aft balconies, IMHO), shore excursions (Capt. Marvins, Dolphin Discovery, etc). You say that you're "picky" - in what sense? And keep in mind that you might not be able to please everyone - sometimes it's impossible! I know you'll get alot of responses from the people here - everyone here is so friendly and helpful. I know I rambled on but if I think of something else, I'll post again.

ujustgot2 (LOVE that name!): You can't go wrong with Royal Caribbean. We've been on 4 so far (Grandeur, Explorer, Voyager, and Mariner) and absolutely love Royal Caribbean. I was the planner for our "Family and Friends" cruises. People's ages ranged from 8 to 85! The kids (or young adults!) program is fantastic. I had always said that I would never go on Carnival because of what I perceived Carnival to be - more of a "party" atmosphere, more drunks, etc. HOWEVER, I am now planning our next cruise - on Carnival!! :grin: Never ever say never! We want to go out of New Orleans on a Sunday and the Carnival Conquest is the only ship that does that. I've been reading alot about Carnival, here, and on the cc boards. I've come to the decision that it is really not the cruiseline itself, there seem to be the same likes, dislikes, problems,etc on both Royal Caribbean and Carnival. Your cruise is what YOU make it. And I intend on having a wonderful time on the Conquest! (but I'm still not gonna allow my hubby to go to "that" deck! :wink: )

Starting to plan the next "Friends and Family" cruise for April 2006. First time on Carnival - the Conquest, out of New Orleans. We chose the Conquest because of the Sunday to Sunday itinerary. We want to spend a few days in the city pre cruise. I'm a little nervous going on Carnival but the way I figure it, the cruise is only the experience of what one makes of it! Cori

Zima: I like to take a highlighter pen to mark events I want to do on the Cruise Compass (RCCL). And I take post-it notes to put on the mirror for either my husband or my son. I also take a journal and try to write in it every day (notice I said "try"!).

First cruise 1974. Not again til 1998. Now hooked. Can't wait until April 2006.

Rose; May you and hubby have a wonderful time!!

I'm with Jeff! My favorite spot is on our balcony looking at the wake! A vacation HAS to include an ocean!