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Where to go? - February 2016

For me, Western Car. is a much nicer choice than Eastern Car.

In shopping on various cruise sites, to make your decisions easier about which site to use:
1. they all have to have the same price the cruise line is offering (unless the travel company bought the cabins earlier--in that case, they can sell them for whatever price they want)
2. The difference is in the buying incentives each travel company offers. We consistently find the best incentives on CruCon--but I shop a lot of others because "you never know," and sometimes I find a better deal on incentives somewhere else. (Currently CruCon is offering a lot of incentives on Celebrity: free drink package, free gratuities, and on board credit to use on whatever you want. From Celebrity, you get one of them; from CruCon on selected sailings, you get all three.)
 
The specific cruise line is critical to your enjoyment. Which cruise line leaves from Houston?
 
BocaBoy said:
The specific cruise line is critical to your enjoyment. Which cruise line leaves from Houston?
Click to expand...

Princess and NCL. We're looking at the Princess cruises.
 
PStreet1 said:
For me, Western Car. is a much nicer choice than Eastern Car.

In shopping on various cruise sites, to make your decisions easier about which site to use:
1. they all have to have the same price the cruise line is offering (unless the travel company bought the cabins earlier--in that case, they can sell them for whatever price they want)
2. The difference is in the buying incentives each travel company offers. We consistently find the best incentives on CruCon--but I shop a lot of others because "you never know," and sometimes I find a better deal on incentives somewhere else. (Currently CruCon is offering a lot of incentives on Celebrity: free drink package, free gratuities, and on board credit to use on whatever you want. From Celebrity, you get one of them; from CruCon on selected sailings, you get all three.)
Click to expand...

I've looked at the Princess website, CruCon and vacationstogo. Right now vacationstogo is offering the only incentive, and it's not much of one. Do more incentives get offered as it gets closer to the date of the cruise?
 
Luanne said:
I've looked at the Princess website, CruCon and vacationstogo. Right now vacationstogo is offering the only incentive, and it's not much of one. Do more incentives get offered as it gets closer to the date of the cruise?
Click to expand...

Incentives get offered to fill cabins (duh!) Feb cruises to the desirable W. Carib. will likely be full. Hence, no- or just in certain cabin class discounts or perks. VTG (we use Donald there) will re-book you at lower cost if they become available. Also, if you or DH are veterans, there is a discount offered by Princess.

Jim
 
Passepartout said:
Incentives get offered to fill cabins (duh!) Feb cruises to the desirable W. Carib. will likely be full. Hence, no- or just in certain cabin class discounts or perks. VTG (we use Donald there) will re-book you at lower cost if they become available. Also, if you or DH are veterans, there is a discount offered by Princess.

Jim
Click to expand...

Thanks for the name of who you use on VTG.

And no, we're not veterans......just old. ;)
 
Luanne said:
Thanks for the name of who you use on VTG.
Click to expand...

I'll ask DW for his last name and PM you if she has it handy. He's working on a Ft Lauderdale to Valparaiso transcanal in a few months for us. VERY helpful agent. Works LONG hours too.
 
Passepartout said:
I'll ask DW for his last name and PM you if she has it handy. He's working on a Ft Lauderdale to Valparaiso transcanal in a few months for us. VERY helpful agent. Works LONG hours too.
Click to expand...

That would be wonderful!

And if he asks who referred me, what name can I use?
 
If you can swing it, the suite experience we had on an NCL ship last year was phenomenal. They can be pricy accommodations , but the amenities are superb. It was the most relaxing, pampering vacation we have ever had.

(Mini suites are not included for the suite perks)

They are also offering several extras or freebies right now and when you book a suite or the haven level of accommodation you get all of the extras rather than just one.
 
medsed said:
If you can swing it, the suite experience we had on an NCL ship last year was phenomenal. They can be pricy accommodations , but the amenities are superb. It was the most relaxing, pampering vacation we have ever had.

(Mini suites are not included for the suite perks)

They are also offering several extras or freebies right now and when you book a suite or the haven level of accommodation you get all of the extras rather than just one.
Click to expand...

Who is "they"? Which cruise line and what website? What itinerary?
 
Luanne said:
Who is "they"? Which cruise line and what website? What itinerary?
Click to expand...

Sorry..tired...NCL suites can be a bit pricy but are worth every penny. We did an eastern carribean and a western.. Loved the western. Stops in Cozumel and costa Maya were really awesome!!

We booked directly with NCL. Couldn't really get a better deal when we booked. Right now I believe they are offering a drink package for two, a dining package for two, a shore excursion credit for each port and 250 minutes of free internet. If you book a suite (not a mini suite) or a haven cabin you get all four perks.

The suites are wonderful,accommodations...ours was huge and well-appointed. we have never sailed on the newer large ships...the Jewel class is our favorite. the Gem, Jewel, Pearl and Jade are sister ships. We like a forward penthouse suite and are especially partial to Cabin 10000. It and one other cabin are the only two on each ship offering a rather unique configuration. It is Directly under the bridge. Amazing views as you approach a port and again as you are leaving.
The amenities that are offered to suite passengers are wonderful. Butler service, concierge service, priority tenders. Priority departure on the last day. Exceptional breakfast and lunch in one of the specialty restaurants. Simply put if they can accommodate your request they will if you are staying in a suite,

I am ready for another cruise myself. We have a TS vacation in Florida in two weeks...Orlando to visit family and then a week in Destin...after that I think it needs to be a cruise. Out 30th anniversary is in March, I am hoping to have another wonderful cruise experience!!!
 
BocaBoy said:
The specific cruise line is critical to your enjoyment. Which cruise line leaves from Houston?
Click to expand...

Royal Caribbean sails out of Galveston. There is a w. car itinerary I've had my eye on for years, includes Belize and Roatan. Sigh, eventually will do it!
 
geekette said:
Royal Caribbean sails out of Galveston. There is a w. car itinerary I've had my eye on for years, includes Belize and Roatan. Sigh, eventually will do it!
Click to expand...

I took a look. It doesn't sail the dates we want.
 
Has anyone mentioned Cabo?? Not quite like mainland Mexico, but Feb is prime whale watching, and warm without being overly so.

Usually plenty of resorts to choose from, tho I prefer PBSB and watch whale show from my balcony.

eta Also Canary Islands were a Feb trip for us, we picked Tenerife, which was a great deal of fun to explore, with rain forest, desert, and volcano in the middle.
 
Last edited:
geekette said:
Has anyone mentioned Cabo?? Not quite like mainland Mexico, but Feb is prime whale watching, and warm without being overly so.
Click to expand...
A cruise would be my first choice, but Cabo would be a great destination, too. Southwest flies there now.
 
Doing the cruise. This is the itinerary we're going to do.

DAY DATE PORT ARRIVE DEPART
Sun Jan 31 Houston (Bayport), TX 4:00pm
Mon Feb 1 At Sea
Tue Feb 2 At Sea
Wed Feb 3 Grand Cayman, Cayman Islands 7:00am 4:00pm
Thu Feb 4 Majahual, Mexico Noon 8:00pm
Fri Feb 5 Cozumel, Mexico 7:00am 4:00pm
Sat Feb 6 At Sea
Sun Feb 7 Houston (Bayport), TX 7:00am
 
Luanne said:
Doing the cruise. This is the itinerary we're going to do.

DAY DATE PORT ARRIVE DEPART
Sun Jan 31 Houston (Bayport), TX 4:00pm
Mon Feb 1 At Sea
Tue Feb 2 At Sea
Wed Feb 3 Grand Cayman, Cayman Islands 7:00am 4:00pm
Thu Feb 4 Majahual, Mexico Noon 8:00pm
Fri Feb 5 Cozumel, Mexico 7:00am 4:00pm
Sat Feb 6 At Sea
Sun Feb 7 Houston (Bayport), TX 7:00am
Click to expand...

Sounds great! I've haven't heard of Majahual, Mexico before. Let us know what it's like. Love Grand Cayman and Cozumel!
 
Luanne said:
Doing the cruise. This is the itinerary we're going to do.

DAY DATE PORT ARRIVE DEPART
Sun Jan 31 Houston (Bayport), TX 4:00pm
Mon Feb 1 At Sea
Tue Feb 2 At Sea
Wed Feb 3 Grand Cayman, Cayman Islands 7:00am 4:00pm
Thu Feb 4 Majahual, Mexico Noon 8:00pm
Fri Feb 5 Cozumel, Mexico 7:00am 4:00pm
Sat Feb 6 At Sea
Sun Feb 7 Houston (Bayport), TX 7:00am
Click to expand...

We did a cruise like this many years ago when we were younger on Carnival out of Miami. Loved Grand Cayman and Cozumel area- Tulum pyramids, etc. Did not stop in Majahual, however. We stopped in Jamaica, which I didn't like much (did the falls, etc.). I liked being off the boat the best, but the food was great and had a lot of fun. Enjoy!
 
The ruins are, in my opinion, definitely worth seeing out of Cozumel. It's a long bus trip to get there, but you'll probably never be any closer, so a day trip from a cruise is a reasonable way to see them.
 
Majahual (Costa Maya) was a nice relaxing beach day for us. Reserved a spot on the beach at the Tropicante...no charge for the chairs/umbrella. There is info on cruise critic.
The Tropicante was nice. Good service. Free wifi. Good food...especially the ceviche. We went early in the morning so we had several mineral lemonades before we enjoyed a couple of afternoon tropical cocktails.
 
PStreet1 said:
The ruins are, in my opinion, definitely worth seeing out of Cozumel. It's a long bus trip to get there, but you'll probably never be any closer, so a day trip from a cruise is a reasonable way to see them.
Click to expand...

We are in Cozumel from 7:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Would that be enough time? I guess I'll see what shore excursions are available.
 
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