AJWatson3 Posted August 1, 2007 Share Posted August 1, 2007 Ok Team Extreme... this is a biggie. I am gonna be proposing to my girlfriend in the near future. Probably could have done it already, but I really want to have some things out of the way financially and educationally. And I want to do it right. I am thinking of taking her on a cuise for a week or so. It will be around Valentines Day, roughly 2 years of dating completed. I really want to take a cruise that stays in a port for a couple of days so we can spend a good chunk of time in one tropical, foreign location. Not as interested in spending a couple of hours in multiple ports. I really want to research the area, find some great things to do while we are there, and then make an incredible, romantic proposal.... I'll take care of all that myself. My question is: 1) Any suggestions on cuise lines? Who to avoid, what to look for etc? 2) Where to go? I speak some Spanish, can get by at least... Mexico? Carribean? Will have to depart anywhere from Philly to New Orleans... East Coast or Gulf Coast. Any and all help would be appreciated! Thanks. AJW3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TMK9973 Posted August 1, 2007 Share Posted August 1, 2007 Not many curises stay in port overnight. They have to pay HUGE fees. Often they go in the morning and ship out at night. While it's fun to get off and go someplace -I always thought the best part of the crusie was the crusie. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AJWatson3 Posted August 1, 2007 Author Share Posted August 1, 2007 Good point. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AJWatson3 Posted August 1, 2007 Author Share Posted August 1, 2007 Don't most people spend the cruise eating and gambling though? Tons of stuff to do on the ship that don't require actually "being out on a boat". I guess that's the main draw: something for everyone. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PeterMP Posted August 1, 2007 Share Posted August 1, 2007 Don't most people spend the cruise eating and gambling though? Tons of stuff to do on the ship that don't require actually "being out on a boat". I guess that's the main draw: something for everyone. I've only been on a cruise once, and I didn't gamble at all. I don't think the casino was open during days we were in port though. I think the assumption was that you'd go to shore and do something. Lot's of eating. Both entrees at dinner look good, no problem, they bring you both of them. Samething w/ dessert. I've never heard of cruise that stays overnight at a location. Maybe you should look into one of those all exclusive resort packages on in the Carribean. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AJWatson3 Posted August 1, 2007 Author Share Posted August 1, 2007 Will do. I really want to go towards the Western Carribean, and Cozumel, Mexico. Ideally I would like to spend a day seeing ancient ruins and learn a lot of local history. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AJWatson3 Posted August 1, 2007 Author Share Posted August 1, 2007 I have heard good and bad things about different cruise lines... I think location would be an easy thing to decide-- they are all tropical and all places I haven't been... I am more worried about having a great overall experience. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HokieJ Posted August 1, 2007 Share Posted August 1, 2007 I've been on 2 cruises. What you want to do does not match up with cruises, that sounds more like going to an all inclusive resorts. Cruises typically stay in port 6-10 or 12 hours and then off you go to the next stop. Western Caribbean is nice. Cozumel definitely hit Tulum (Mayan ruins). Grand Cayman is also very nice. Not a big fan of Jamaica. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DeanCollins Posted August 1, 2007 Share Posted August 1, 2007 http://www.cruise.com/CS/forms/SailingsResultsPage.aspx?LSID=1572&LIID=3102693&LVID=568&LSNO=3&DF=10/1/2007&DT=10/31/2007%2011:59:59%20PM&AG=1&LSN=false&LMT=false&LZP1=&LZP2=&LPC=&PIN=&Phone=&Home=&LID=&EO=false&CD=13&CL=0%7C0&CV=-1&CSP=-1&CST=10&CP=-1&SN=on&MT=on&EO=false go to Bermuda, the cruise ship generally docks at the south end for a couple days and then the north end for a couple more. It's very nice and exclusive. Tourists are not allowed to rent cars so most rent scooters to cruise around on but be careful they drive on the wrong side there, be careful crossing the street as well (look right first not left). Elbow beach is incredible, pink sand good snorkling Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AJWatson3 Posted August 1, 2007 Author Share Posted August 1, 2007 This is kinda what I'm looking at. It's a bit of both. It's 4 days of sailing and 3 days of in-country. It's going to St. George's, Bermuda... http://cruises.hotwire.com/b/c/sc.asp?d=4/1/2008&d2=4/30/2008&i=856234&c=34&v=137 Yo, Hokie J, do you call into "Hardly Workin'"? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AJWatson3 Posted August 1, 2007 Author Share Posted August 1, 2007 Also, I would save a lot of money leaving from Charlestown, SC. Dean, that cruise you linked to looks great. Perfect mix of ocean and land time. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DeanCollins Posted August 1, 2007 Share Posted August 1, 2007 Also, I would save a lot of money leaving from Charlestown, SC. Dean, that cruise you linked to looks great. Perfect mix of ocean and land time. It's nice there. I didn't do the cruise, we flew there for a week. We had free airline tix to use, the hotels there are $$$$$ a night, but everything else was resonably priced. It was very uncrowded there (maybe because of the price of hotels) which was nice. you'll a have a great time. btw Hamilton is the other city the cruise ship docks at Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nace14 Posted August 1, 2007 Share Posted August 1, 2007 do you really want to propose on a valentine's day cruise? that's sooooo 1987ish. jk man! but i have no helpful information to lend. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AJWatson3 Posted August 1, 2007 Author Share Posted August 1, 2007 i wouldn't propose on the actual cruise, dude... think tropical islands, waterfalls/beaches, sunset.... it's not like i can just e-mail her the question... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Isifhan Posted August 1, 2007 Share Posted August 1, 2007 it's not like i can just e-mail her the question... But you could send her a nice e card. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DeanCollins Posted August 1, 2007 Share Posted August 1, 2007 But you could send her a nice e card. and think of the money you'll save having an e wedding Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Skinsfan1311 Posted August 2, 2007 Share Posted August 2, 2007 Scratch Bermuda if you're cruising on Valentines day. It's in the Atlantic, not too far off the Carolina coast,(I think) and it will be cold. You'll need to go deeper in the Caribbean for the nicer weather in February. In any case, we're headed to Bermuda, on a cruise, in a couple of weeks. Shoot me a PM, after the 25th and I'll try to answer any questions that you may have. The other posters are correct, if you want to soak up culture and get to know a place, a cruise is not the way to go. An "all-inclusive" sounds like it fits the bill. The top-notch inclusives are pricey, but they pamper you and no tipping is allowed, (an annoyance to some, especially in Cancun...where tips are expected for everything!) As an example, a week at the Sandals Grande St. Lucian resort, flying first class on Air Jamaica and staying in a Concierge room, ran ~ $4K per couple. You can do it for less, by flying coach, (we caught a sale on first class, or we would have flown coach), and staying in a lower-tier room. Try Sandals, in St. Lucia. It's very romantic and an interesting, (and a relatively safe), island to visit. If you dive, this is a nice place to visit. You can go to a Sandals in Jamaica, for less, but Jamaica can be dangerous. If you do, I can highly recommend the Sandals in Negril. It was an awesome resort, but we didn't really stray too much, so "soaking up the local culture" was not what we did. I've also heard great things about the Riu and Grand Lido resorts in Negril as well, but I can't vouch for them personally, as we haven't stayed. Hope this helps! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DeanCollins Posted August 2, 2007 Share Posted August 2, 2007 Scratch Bermuda if you're cruising on Valentines day. It's in the Atlantic, not too far off the Carolina coast,(I think) and it will be cold. You'll need to go deeper in the Caribbean for the nicer weather in February. Bermuda Weather Average summer temperature: 80 Average winter temperature: 70 Average water temperature: 70 - 77 The other posters are correct, if you want to soak up culture and get to know a place, a cruise is not the way to go. many Bermuda cruises stay at the island for 4 days or longer It was an awesome resort, but we didn't really stray too much, so "soaking up the local culture" was not what we did. how do you "soak up the culture" when you don't even leave the resort? :laugh: have a good time in Bermuda, you'll find that it's quite different from the carribean islands you've been to most of which have natives constantly pestering you to buy thier junk or drugs, pushy cab drivers...... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AJWatson3 Posted August 2, 2007 Author Share Posted August 2, 2007 Thanks for the info guys. I am hoping for the combo trip, if not to Bermuda then farther west... Funny, I just looked at a map and never realized where Bermuda actually was. It really is out there in the Atlantic. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
portisizzle Posted August 2, 2007 Share Posted August 2, 2007 Makes for a sucky boat ride if she says no...... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AJWatson3 Posted August 2, 2007 Author Share Posted August 2, 2007 Makes for a sucky boat ride if she says no...... She already said yes. I just haven't asked her yet. Here's me an my lady at last years Skins-Cowboys game.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DeanCollins Posted August 2, 2007 Share Posted August 2, 2007 good job, except is she a boys fan? you'll need a contractual agreement that stipulates the kids will be raised as Skins fans Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AJWatson3 Posted August 2, 2007 Author Share Posted August 2, 2007 Yeah, she's a 'Boys fan... her whole family is which is a lot of fun during the football season. I was watching the playoffs with them last year and had to hold in the biggest laugh when Romo sits to pee botched the snap.... you should have seen the grin on my face for the rest of the day! Funny thing is that her real Dad is a huge Skins fan, and her Mom used to be... until they got divorced, Dallas got Aikman, the Cowboys started playing well, and she married a Cowboys fan... My girl is developing a soft spot for the Skins... hell I took her to all the home games last year and we've got season tickets again. She really likes Campbell, thinks he's gonna be great. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Skinsfan1311 Posted August 2, 2007 Share Posted August 2, 2007 Bermuda WeatherAverage summer temperature: 80 Average winter temperature: 70 Average water temperature: 70 - 77 many Bermuda cruises stay at the island for 4 days or longer how do you "soak up the culture" when you don't even leave the resort? :laugh: have a good time in Bermuda, you'll find that it's quite different from the carribean islands you've been to most of which have natives constantly pestering you to buy thier junk or drugs, pushy cab drivers...... LOL! With all due respect to our neighbors to the North, I stand by my earlier statement...70 ain't beach weather...and 70 degree water temps ain't swimmin' weather! I have no desire to "soak up culture", but many at the resort(s) chose to. I agree 100% with your call on the Caribbean islands. The exception, (and our favorite), is Grand Cayman. It's probably the safest of all of the Caribbean islands, as unemployment is practically non-existent. We've never been pestered to buy local natives crap, or drug there. We stay on the East End of the island, which is somewhat remote and very beautiful.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DeanCollins Posted August 2, 2007 Share Posted August 2, 2007 LOL! With all due respect to our neighbors to the North, I stand by my earlier statement...70 ain't beach weather...and 70 degree water temps ain't swimmin' weather! [/Quote]stand by this then :laugh: CLIMATE: The Cayman Islands has a tropical maritime climate with warm rainy summers from May to October and cool relatively dry winters from November to April. Average annual precipitation is 1,420 mm (56 inches) while the hurricane season is from July to November. Average temperature ranges are from 24 to 32 degrees Celsius (75 to 90 degrees Fahrenheit) in May through to October and from 16 to 24 degrees Celsius (61 to 75 degrees Fahrenheit) during the rest of the year. We stay on the East End of the island, which is somewhat remote and very beautiful.... The Caymans are amongst many peoples favorite dive locations, not on par with the Med, Red Sea, Maldives, GBR, or micronesia but not bad for a place I can fly to in about 2 hours. Trouble with most places in the carribean is coral bleaching and I'm more of a wreck diver anyway, going back to Truk next year. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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