tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7171307653508307040.post6093648736032835395..comments2024-03-28T01:19:35.439-04:00Comments on Travel with Kevin and Ruth: Have you been on a cruise?Kevin Readhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05795747155781311686noreply@blogger.comBlogger38125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7171307653508307040.post-46428253253462873162013-07-17T10:38:38.812-04:002013-07-17T10:38:38.812-04:00Sounds like you are the go to person if we have qu...Sounds like you are the go to person if we have questions about cruises. Kevin has found a numbr of websites that he looks at for specials on cruises and also as you mentioned the on board credits which can help to make a crusie even cheaper. For now we are only looking for the 4 days from Halifax to NYC but if it works out well we may possibly look at further cruises. We would love to do one of the repositioning cruises from Europe to the USA or Carribean.Kevin Readhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05795747155781311686noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7171307653508307040.post-82172086920590337902013-07-11T10:13:04.720-04:002013-07-11T10:13:04.720-04:00We've done too many cruises to remember exactl...We've done too many cruises to remember exactly how many ... some were adventure/expedition cruises; others the more run-of-the-mill cruises. Our first cruise was NYC to Halifax R/T on Carnival just to see if we would enjoy cruising. We did; and we also determined the Carnival style wasn't us ... so we knew to look for "more staid" cruiselines for future voyages. Caribbean cruises have always been for chilling and relaxing ... although we always explored the islands when we were in port and never just stayed on board. Cruises to other destinations were to explore and get a taste of some of the countries/cities -- a taster's plate if you will that helped us to decide where we might want to return to do more in-depth exploring.<br /><br />Now a days, independent travel agents have to price most cruises the same as the cruiseline pricing, but they usually offer incentives from their commissions that they pay out in the form of on board credits that you can apply towards tips, drinks, etc. (Example: I transferred one reservation from the cruiseline to the travel agency and got $500 in spending money for a two-week cruise.) The larger cruise travel agents usually have group pricing available as well that can give you a break on the price. (Not traveling with a group; just taking advantage of their bulk buying power.) Celebrity/Royal Caribbean have a Tuesday special bulletin that usually has good discounts for new bookings. Prices may go up and down after you purchase, but you can usually call in and get the lower price, as long as it is not for new bookings only. (Example: I've already taken advantage of two price drops for our two upcoming cruises, saving $900 on the last drop.) If you don't care about your cabin location, you can sometimes get last minute deals, too ... but sometimes on popular or limited itineraries (such as the one you're looking at) that may not work as well.<br /><br />Have fun finding the cruise you want ;-)Erinhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08333995679958103393noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7171307653508307040.post-27666848133861612922013-07-10T11:30:56.663-04:002013-07-10T11:30:56.663-04:00That sure would have been a beautiful sight. I can...That sure would have been a beautiful sight. I can see the convenience of being on a ship and being able to travel around without having to worry about lugging baggage everywhere but we also like just being able to stop whenever we please an getting out and going for a walk. If you are able to get off the ship each day it wouldn't be too bad but having to have several days at sea, we would find that hard.Kevin Readhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05795747155781311686noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7171307653508307040.post-17033548843334653852013-07-10T11:26:02.264-04:002013-07-10T11:26:02.264-04:00Yep, all the extras add up quickly on a cruise shi...Yep, all the extras add up quickly on a cruise ship.Kevin Readhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05795747155781311686noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7171307653508307040.post-25825110542778448482013-07-10T11:25:00.696-04:002013-07-10T11:25:00.696-04:00We have heard that NCL are one of the very best co...We have heard that NCL are one of the very best companies for cruises. I don't think we heard anything negative about them. I agree a small ship around the Galopago Islands would be fabulous and I too have heard to buy the ticket in Ecuador or even go to one of the main islands and wheel and deal with the boat operators and just do day trips to different islands.Kevin Readhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05795747155781311686noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7171307653508307040.post-40069646451395238282013-07-10T11:21:12.030-04:002013-07-10T11:21:12.030-04:00That transatlantic cruise you took sounds wonderfu...That transatlantic cruise you took sounds wonderful, definitely would be interested in something like that. I am sure one day we will do a cruise together.Kevin Readhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05795747155781311686noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7171307653508307040.post-19854169690449143632013-07-10T11:19:20.745-04:002013-07-10T11:19:20.745-04:00I will have to go back and read your posts. We hav...I will have to go back and read your posts. We have had our hands full here with working everyday that we don't have lots of time to read blogs. Glad you had a great time. We would certainly like to do an Alaskan cruise.Kevin Readhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05795747155781311686noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7171307653508307040.post-19027767396216405522013-07-10T11:17:17.083-04:002013-07-10T11:17:17.083-04:00Wow, that is a lot of cruises and a lot of time sp...Wow, that is a lot of cruises and a lot of time spent at sea. I guess if we have any questions you are the ones to go to. We have looked at repositioning cruising and they are definitely the best value for your money, perhaps one day we will do one.Kevin Readhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05795747155781311686noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7171307653508307040.post-88399061316328241782013-07-10T11:13:25.023-04:002013-07-10T11:13:25.023-04:00Those freighter cruises aren't so cheap anymor...Those freighter cruises aren't so cheap anymore. Kevin has looked into them and they are as much as a regular cruise if not more expensive in some cases.Kevin Readhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05795747155781311686noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7171307653508307040.post-73184683317794917282013-07-10T11:11:50.960-04:002013-07-10T11:11:50.960-04:00You are right it is interesting reading the commen...You are right it is interesting reading the comments and getting everyone's opinion. Glad you enjoyed your cruise, you may have eaten to much but I am sure you found ways to work it off. I am not sure what they do with the black water either and I am not sure I want to know!Kevin Readhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05795747155781311686noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7171307653508307040.post-36488893181043811402013-07-10T11:09:15.468-04:002013-07-10T11:09:15.468-04:00They both sound like they would have been great de...They both sound like they would have been great deals, except the QM II you would still have had to get yourself back home. Next time you you see a good deal like that you are just going to have to jump on it and just do it!Kevin Readhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05795747155781311686noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7171307653508307040.post-22516542239428295402013-07-09T23:39:56.426-04:002013-07-09T23:39:56.426-04:00I agree with you, I think that would be the better...I agree with you, I think that would be the better way to cruise.Kevin Readhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05795747155781311686noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7171307653508307040.post-53063566604695503712013-07-09T23:38:54.106-04:002013-07-09T23:38:54.106-04:00I think we would be interested in doing a cruise t...I think we would be interested in doing a cruise to Alaska, Antartica or the Galápagos Islands but I would want it to be on a small ship not one of these huge things. We've looked at the freighter type of trips but now they have become very expensive and it is usually cheaper to just take a regular cruise. <br /><br />I still say that RVing is our favourite mode of transportation.Kevin Readhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05795747155781311686noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7171307653508307040.post-58968267618754733792013-07-09T23:33:47.156-04:002013-07-09T23:33:47.156-04:00I think when you have kids and the cruise is geare...I think when you have kids and the cruise is geared towards them then they work great for the parents. The chidren are happily kept occupied while the parent can relax and do their own thing. Maybe one day we will have to do a Disney cruise with our grandson.Kevin Readhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05795747155781311686noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7171307653508307040.post-40974136269810058962013-07-09T15:34:47.607-04:002013-07-09T15:34:47.607-04:00There are definitely many attractions to cruising ...There are definitely many attractions to cruising but I like RVing more, plus it is rare that I can ever get Kevin onto a dance floor.Kevin Readhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05795747155781311686noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7171307653508307040.post-23069905977926224982013-07-09T15:32:48.555-04:002013-07-09T15:32:48.555-04:00Sounds like you had a great time. I am willing to ...Sounds like you had a great time. I am willing to try one again but I have to admit I prefer traveling by land. You can stop when you want and the scenery always changes.Kevin Readhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05795747155781311686noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7171307653508307040.post-45864655859517515712013-07-09T15:30:10.462-04:002013-07-09T15:30:10.462-04:00I agree with you. The one that I was on was a &quo...I agree with you. The one that I was on was a "party" ship because it was only for 4 days and you get lots of people on it that got super good deals. I wasn't that impressed by it and even though I had a good time and that it was paid for by the company I worked for and other companies that we dealt with in business I would not do that one again. Kevin having never been on one would like to try one out all the same.<br /><br />Like you, I would love to try something smaller like on of those sailing yachts such as Windjammer.Kevin Readhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05795747155781311686noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7171307653508307040.post-36536170100665253102013-07-09T15:24:02.405-04:002013-07-09T15:24:02.405-04:00I am sure that life would have been very interesti...I am sure that life would have been very interesting working on a Coast Guard ship.<br /><br />Hope the planets will align for you some day soon.Kevin Readhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05795747155781311686noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7171307653508307040.post-79793409163818458852013-07-09T11:00:47.186-04:002013-07-09T11:00:47.186-04:00Glad you hav been able to get some great deals and...Glad you hav been able to get some great deals and also arrange your driving itinerary to coincide with the cruise. Have fun on this next one in January.Kevin Readhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05795747155781311686noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7171307653508307040.post-6366048127044261812013-07-09T10:57:31.684-04:002013-07-09T10:57:31.684-04:00That's good to know because once you are on th...That's good to know because once you are on the ship the drinks are expensive and as you say so are the land tours. It's best if you can make your own plans once on land.Kevin Readhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05795747155781311686noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7171307653508307040.post-41355351138688531722013-07-08T09:26:42.100-04:002013-07-08T09:26:42.100-04:00My wife and I did a two week Caribbean cruise, lea...My wife and I did a two week Caribbean cruise, leaving from New York City. Biggest thrill was sailing past the Statue of Liberty lit up at night, awesome site. The good part about cruising was seeing so many different ports of call. You could see which places you might like to return to. No luggage, accommodations or meals to worry about at the end of the day. Lots of things I did not like as well. Personally after two weeks I couldn't wait to get off of that TUG!! Felt like a rat in a maze. <br />I would love to read about Kevin on a cruise, it would be hilarious.<br />Cheersjohn bhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05491423429997404339noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7171307653508307040.post-74194988550318484012013-07-07T23:40:31.451-04:002013-07-07T23:40:31.451-04:00I went on Carribean cruise when I was single and J...I went on Carribean cruise when I was single and John and I went on one to Alaska. It is fun but if you are not careful it can be very pricey, but we did have fun. Alaska just made us want to go there in our RV some day.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17263191567454481794noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7171307653508307040.post-9740172717723952982013-07-07T22:34:41.466-04:002013-07-07T22:34:41.466-04:00We love NCL! We did their Hawaiian itinerary twice...We love NCL! We did their Hawaiian itinerary twice because it was so wonderful. Then for Christmas last year we went on their Western Caribbean cruise, very nice.<br /><br />Our most romantic cruise was around the Galapagos Islands!! Small ship, great food, the most amazing scenery. Not to be missed!!! Don't buy your ticket on line...buy your ticket in Ecuador half the (USA) price! Great photo Ruth :)Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7171307653508307040.post-68547605361222134242013-07-07T22:34:11.297-04:002013-07-07T22:34:11.297-04:00I've been on MANY cruises. To be honest, I tr...I've been on MANY cruises. To be honest, I truly love cruising! Shortest one was 4 days. Longest one was 16 nights, transatlantic; ports were in the Caribbean, Canary Islands, Morocco, Spain, Italy. Adorable! And, good value. I hope you'll consider a cruise, but I'm not sure about the one you've mentioned. Maybe it will be good; I have no idea. Blessings, LynnLife with Lynniehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00175693054967703744noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7171307653508307040.post-74849926365881558252013-07-07T21:39:09.211-04:002013-07-07T21:39:09.211-04:00Just completed a two week land and sea tour with P...Just completed a two week land and sea tour with Princess cruise lines in Alaska-really fun. It makes for a number of good blog posts:)Chuck and Anneke's RV travelshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01929384797592263167noreply@blogger.com