Thread: Best for a first-time cruiser?

What is the best destination for two first-time cruisers (one in her 60s, the other in her 30s) who prefer sightseeing all day instead of just shopping and and relaxing? As much as I want to take a 12-day Rome to Barcelona cruise, I know realistically it is not the best for my first. Should I make a point of staying in North America? Does it have to be short? The Caribbean, naturally, is not on my wish list because it is shopping and beaches with little of what I love. Not that I don't like shopping and beaches, but I want to visit places with many attractions - museums, fancy buildings, aquariurms, formal gardens, and a variety of guided tours. If I'm going to sail in the Caribbean, I will not want to spend much time in port. So would you say I should do a Canada/New England cruise before the one to Europe just because it is my first or will it not matter much because I am addictecd to planning everything and am tackling this early enough to book ASAP?

Don't discount the caribbean, we just went to the western caribbean out of new orleans and like you we want the excursions and not the beaches. We saw Mayan ruins, rainforests and many other sites. I would suggest going to the different cruise lines websites and look at the excursions they offer at all ports they service. Find what you like and choose a cruise accordingly.

Islands like Barbados for instance have a wealth of history, probably more than the US in fact. If you go to a commercial tourist trap then yes, bland structures & people pretending to me more ''ethnic'' than they probably are trying to sell you stuff you didn't know you wanted. One of the oldest synagogues too, as well as a Jacobean mansion, old plantation houses & churches. Ask Aplemac. The whole region was fought over by the Brits & mainly the French for ages so there is evidence of those cultures as well as the Spanish. Don't even start on Cuba, but for Americans that isn't possible (still?) LOTS of old stuff over there.

Ok - don't flame me but to me - and me only - the Caribbean is relaxing and shopping and little culture. If you want to immerse yourself in culture and history do the Mediterranean. And do it while you are young enough to do that kind of walking. Some of the smaller ships have lecturers in the evening about the ports you will be visiting the next day.

Another great adventure is the Galapagos, Peru, Northern Lights, Norway. But some of these require getting on zodiac boats to go on the excursions so don't wait until you're 95 to do it.

If you're like me an you know you have an obsessive or addictive personality then why do a 3 day Caribbean cruise that is not what you want.

OK so I gave you my perspective and that's what it is - just my perspective.

OK, I just wanted to make sure I am not acting like an idiot here dreaming about a 12-night, Rome to Barcelona cruise for my first ever as opposed to something closer to home.

The one good thing about cruising is that there is something for everyone.

But keep in mind that what one person loves, another will hate. And remember, opinions are like bellybuttons; everyone has one. Don't let the opinions of others dictate what you want to do and where you want to go.

With that said, it really depends on what you're looking for and where you want to go. If you want to do a Med cruise, then go for it. You'll learn alot and have a wonderful time. There is much to see, much to do, and will offer you a wonderful experience.

Having done the Caribbean many times, Alaska, the Med, and the Baltics, I'm here to tell you that no matter what you select, it will be the start of something great - you'll want to try it again and again.

Pete

I will recommend a New England and Canada cruise, if not for your first one, then maybe your second.

The problem with a short cruise is you don't really get chance to "settle in", you have just found your way around when it's time to get off. 12 days is a nice length, and the med is lovely, so I think it would be a wise choice.

Originally Posted by Lanky Lad

I will recommend a New England and Canada cruise, if not for your first one, then maybe your second.

The problem with a short cruise is you don't really get chance to "settle in", you have just found your way around when it's time to get off. 12 days is a nice length, and the med is lovely, so I think it would be a wise choice.

Yeah, that is what I was thinking, except I wasn't sure if any problems related to being new to cruising and new to Europe at the same time could occur. My mom lived in Germany years ago, but never went to where I am taking her on a cruise.

There is just one thing I will hate about being away from home more than two weeks: I can't bring my two furkids. One of them will sleep on my luggage andl be mad at me for leaving.

That does bother me when I go on a longer cruise - not having my dog but then again I don't think I would take him even if I could because I need a vacation even from him sometimes. He's impatient, snores, farts, inconsiderate - oh wait that's not my dog I'm talking about. No really I think even the dog needs a vacation from me. So since I don't take 12 days away from home but once a year or so it's okay.

As John said, here is an incredible amount of history in Puerto Rico, Curacao,the Virgin Islands, Barbados, Nevis and a few other Caribbean islands, but it is hard to find a cruise that will go to all of them. (From just American history, George Washington spent time in Barbados when his brother caught smallpox, and Alexander Hamilton was born in Nevis and grew up in St. Croix.) Even if you could find a cruise that goes to all those islands, there's no guarantee that the days you are there, the historical places will be open. (I keep hoping for a cruise like this!)

Canada and the northeast would be an easy cruise probably, since you would not have to deal with foreign languages and only one foreign currency.

But let me ask this. Are you still talking about not cruising until 2013? Is it possible that you would have to wait a long time after that one before you cruise again? You don't have to post the answers, but you have to think about what is practical for you. I am wondering how you would feel if you went on a cruise to Canada, when you really had your heart set on Europe, and knew you had to wait a while.

My gut feeling is that you should assess what you and your mother would both really like late next year, then look at what itineraries are available for the time you want to cruise when they open up, and THEN decide what will work for you.