Thread: What's the best cruise out of NY for 20-23 month old twins?

Originally Posted by cruisinwtwins

Thank you all very much for your feedback! I found out that there is also a port in Bayonne, NJ we can get to. That would also open up a Celebrity Cruise, although it is a little longer than what we had intended.

Good idea on asking for an agent (though I'm hoping that won't be more expensive than booking directly or online.) I did go through cruise.com when I booked a short Cunard cruise for my mom and my brother. However, I wasn't very happy with the service. I had to cancel my trip since my husband had emergency surgery and since I didn't get the trip insurance, I lost all of my money. Then, they were supposed to have two twin beds - one for my mom and brother. However, my brother's was in some sort of space where he had to climb up and he kept falling down/out since he has a disability. Even when they explained this to the crew, nothing was done.

Unfortunately, I can't trust my brother alone with the kids so we would need to get a sitter. He could though, report to me if anything happened - if there was someone else there, if the babies fell, etc. and I think his presence would be a deterrent for any sloppiness on the part of the sitter.

Do you know if it is less expensive for me to call the cruises directly vs. going through cruise specialist? I'll also look into cruisesonly and some other sites.

Thanks!

I know what you mean about some relatives not being the best to look after the kids. I know I wouldn't trust my brother in law or even my mother. Some of the lines do have in cabin sitters (not Carnival or Princess, I know), but I just wouldn't feel like that would have been an option for me, either. When my daughter was on her second cruise, she was 3, and we did take advantage of the late night and port sitting that was done in the camp Carnival room -- with others around.

In your case, as I've said and the others have said, go through a real travel agent rather than one of these online companies. The latter is just a basic call center if you call with questions and Pete is probably dead on that they wouldn't know anything about cruises other than looking up prices.

I don't have a problem with booking thru the cruiseline, but I've been on enough cruises now. But the customer reps there don't have a clue either so if you have questions.... Here's an example from my experience: about six years ago, I got an email that said I can now book my shore excursions on line. But when I went to the Princess site, I couldn't for my sailing. I called the 800 number and the CSR suggested I keep checking the site every week. What? I checked with others that I knew were booked on the same cruise and they were having the same problem. The next day one of them reported they were able to book their excursions, so maybe Princess got enough calls that they went in and fixed the matter.


Here's an update (from what I heard) about Princess and the 24-hr buffet. Apparently the Horizon Court (what the buffet is called on just about every Princess ship) will be closing around 11pm and then opens again for breakfast. But the ships that have the "International Cafe" which is.what I call, a display case of yumminess is supposedly going to stay 24 hrs/day. It has everything from sandwiches to desserts, depending on what time of day. And the best chocolate chip cookies ever. But again, not every ship has it yet. The Sapphire is undergoing a major renovation right now which includes the Cafe, but that ship is staying here in the Pacific (yea!). Definitely you can get something to eat at any time between 7am and 11pm elsewhere on the ship.

thanks for the input Ellie and Cruisin Chick! Much appreciated.

I'd really like to find someone who is from our area and has been on the cruises that leave from NY and NJ. I wonder where are all the NY/NJ/CT posters? I had a referral for an agent but she's in Miami. I guess my concern with going with an independent cruise specialist (vs. a corner store travel agent or a large online cruise agent) is how will I know that they are legit? vs. me forking over a ton of money and then not getting a cruise ticket.

Originally Posted by cruisinwtwins

thanks for the input Ellie and Cruisin Chick! Much appreciated.

I'd really like to find someone who is from our area and has been on the cruises that leave from NY and NJ. I wonder where are all the NY/NJ/CT posters? I had a referral for an agent but she's in Miami. I guess my concern with going with an independent cruise specialist (vs. a corner store travel agent or a large online cruise agent) is how will I know that they are legit? vs. me forking over a ton of money and then not getting a cruise ticket.

Working with an agent in another area is no longer a problem like it use to be. I have clients all over the world and many I've never actually talked to. Have one client in South Africa that's been a client for 8 years and books two cruises a year. I finally got to talk to him several months ago for the first time - we both had a couple of good laughs.

Most cruisers just don't have the time to personally visit an agent, so they conduct almost all of their business on the phone or online.

But yes, you do have to be careful. There are many unscrupulous agents who are just out to get your money.

Couple of things to do; look for agents that are associated with major companies, such as American Express. Check out the cruise line's website and see if they're listed. Check out the agent's website and see how professional it is. Call the agent and ask alot of questions. Check out the BBB.

If an agent is in a hurry, find another agent. You need to feel comfortable and confident with your agent. After all, they work for you and they should have your best interest at heart, not their bottom line. And a good agent will take as much time as you need to answer all your questions and help you through the process. But they should not be recommending. Their job is to provide information so you can make an informed decision. If they keep pushing you or recommending things, find another agent.

But make sure you're dealing with a Cruise Specialist. There are many agents out there who have never even been on a cruise. I once met an agent on a cruise and she proudly announced she had been doing it for 20 years. Imagine my shock when I inquired about the number of cruises she had done and she said this was her first. My obvious question was how could she sell something she knew nothing about. Her partner chimed in that she was very good at it. Needless to say, I thought to myself that she's very good at lying to people.

Bottom line is not to shy away from dealing with agents long distance. In today's electronic environment, distance is more of a mindset than a problem.

Hope this helps.

Pete

Always pay with a credit card (not a debit card) so you can dispute the amount if there are any problems. With that one aside, I would not be afraid to suggest any of the agents who post on the board regularly.

I have not been on a cruise that leaves from NYC (only arrived there from my TA) but we have several people who cruise out of NYC. In fact, one just got back! http://www.cruiselinefans.com/observ...ill-today.html (From the Observation Lounge - where is tonylinsdell (Tony & Gill) today?). Let me give them a PM and ask for advice.....

And check your credit card statement (usually you can do this online even before your monthly statement) to make sure that your deposit is paid to the cruiseline and not to the travel agent.