Anyone been on a cruise? Kinda curious about the experience for our next vacation...

[KMG]

In the past few years I have been on two and both went down through the Bahamas and/or Mexico.

The first was out of Miami on Royal Caribbean. The boat was nice but we chose a inner room on a lower deck. Once you put your bag down it was full. The bathroom was beyond tiny and you kinda had to stand in the shower to use the sink or in the toilet to use the sink, the bathroom was a joke. I did like the inner lower room because it was dead quiet and blacked out. I slept great.

I don't get sea sick but my wife will occasionally. We didn't have a problem but the seas were calm for our trip. The lower in the boat you are and the closer to the center line the less you will feel the rocking.

The shows were ok but not something we did every night. They had many different options for food but we found my picky wife didn't like the main dining room menu on most nights so we would try the other places around the ship. We were never hungry and really had no complaints about the food. What sucks is the drinks. Drink pricing was crazy and if you are looking to really party it is going to add up real quick but you don't find out until the last day when you pay for everything from that week.

The stops were good and each stop had plenty to choose from for off boat excursions. There was something for everybody. The boat also had a casino but it was very small but had all the games and though Im not a big gambler it never seemed to crowded.

Im a gym rat and still love to workout on vacation. The gym while Im sure it is good for most was lacking for me. The dumbbells only went to 40lbs and the number of stack weight machines was few. They did have plenty of cardio equip.

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The second was out of Galveston on Carnival. This boat seemed larger but was thinner and we could feel the rocking more and we had some rougher waters on this trip. She felt a little sick at times but the over the counter stuff worked fine for her.

On this trip we went with a suite and were glad we did. It was an upper room with a balcony. We had a queen size bed, couch with two chairs and table, flat screen, plenty of storage for clothes, mini fridge, vanity room with closet, plus a large bathroom with two sinks. Did I mention the granite counters. It was super nice. We felt it was really worth the extra. I enjoyed the balcony and watching fish and sometimes dolphins jumping along side the boat. Listening to the water at night was also nice.

The food on this trip was better and we ate in the main dining room every night. They had an actual menu and you can order as much as you want. We left stuffed every night. Again though the drinks add up. There was also a steak house but it was not included in the price. It was more elegant and was a nice special night with a candle lit diner.

I also thought the shows were a bit better. We really enjoyed the comedy club and went every night. They changed out comedians so the show was always fresh. They also had two shows each night. The first was more family friendly and then the next was adults only. Each night we watched both shows and enjoyed a few drinks before turning in.

The casino on this boat seemed to take up a whole floor but I didn't gamble at all but it was much nicer than the first trip we took. This boat also had a few night clubs but we didn't really find them our thing and usually just found our own little spot to hang out.

On this trip the boat had a pretty good gym and had plenty of cardio equip and dumbbells up to 60lbs. It was a great workout in the rougher waters, really got the stabilizers. Just remember to hold on to the bar while on the cardio equip as I saw more than one person get shot off. They also had a total gym which turned out to give a good workout and was very easy to use on the ship. The gym was on an upper level on the front with windows all the way around. It was a great view while working out. We also had a running track on the very top deck so we could get in an actual run and some sun. They also had a really nice spa area and beauty shop, not that I used either but they gave us a tour and the women seemed to like it. Other activities were b-ball, put-put, and a rock wall.

This boat was just like the first in the offering of excursions, plenty and something for everyone. Just remember that these like your drinks are paid for on the last day so plan out your budget and try to keep track so your not shocked on the last day.

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We had fun on both trips but found going with another couple to be more enjoyable. This way we had people we liked and could do things together or apart if we liked. Usually in the main dining room the seats are assigned and you can be with some strange folk so having some familiar faces was nice.

Both boats had nice pool area but we didn't use them much. We had an excursion each day and watched some shows here and there not to mention a little nap before dinner. I work nights so my world gets flipped and can be hard on me.

Be aware that if you buy duty free alcohol or cigs they store them below until you leave. You can not drink it while on the boat. Many people sneak alcohol on but know that most everything is check visually and x-rayed coming on the boat. Actually each time you get back on the boat from a port your bags are scanned and checked and you walk through a metal detector. I found both boats allowed certain size knives but you should check the regs before you leave.

I really cant say that either of your trips had many kids but we usually travel after school starts back up to limit the number that are there.

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Not a cruise but last year we went to Costa Rica and I really enjoyed it. It was very clean and the people there really seemed to take pride in their home. Everybody seemed to move with a purpose to school or work and not once did I feel like I was around a undesirable. Also while on the beach the peddlers were very friendly and understood English well and were always willing to tell you the best activities to try there.

The first day there we went to the beach and I saw Cubans...cigars that is. I talked to the guy but not having money on me I told him I would catch him tomorrow, he told me to take the cigars and just pay him later. I was shocked, how trusting! I refused and walked down to the water. To my surprise his lil helper runs up and gives me a lit cigar and says "a gift for you." Again shocked! I ended up buying a good amount of cigars from two different guys and were given gift cigars from both. They also really haggled on the price and I got a stellar deal.

We also did a snorkel trip just around a point from the resort and saw plenty of fish, ells, SEA SNAKES, all kinds of stuff. Oh, and a humpback whale breaching. Now that was cool.

Even though we had a earthquake on wed(7.2), saw a tornado on thurs, and a northern volcano was spitting ash fri when we were leaving I would love to go back. It was the rainy season so each afternoon it would have a little shower but the rest of the time even the day of the earthquake was great.