Are you going on vacation this year?

[Forrestandjen07]

Originally Posted by Blu Atlas

Here you go... 8 night Bermuda/eastern Caribbean +$100 onboard credit, starting at $549. I see you are a fellow New Englander, and this leaves from NYC, so no airfare needed.

http://res.cruisecheap.com/travel/cr...eraryID=108799

is that a reliable sight?

when spending big bucks like that, I would think booking directly from the cruiseline itself would be best?

[Dexter Morgan]

Originally Posted by QwikSand

Oh that's right, everything is usually included except alcohol right? Food, entertainment, lodging, etc....

Alcohol, shopping, and other stuff like shore excursions are not included.

Not that it's any sort of "deciding factor" or anything, but don't overlook the food! I have been on a few cruises and have had some of my best meals on them, and the food is unlimited. I remember the first meal of my first cruise was filet mignon. I ate three of the suckers and skipped the sides.

[jsteinhauer]

Originally Posted by Forrestandjen07

is that a reliable sight?

when spending big bucks like that, I would think booking directly from the cruiseline itself would be best?

The internet killed the travel agent. It used to be that you could not get a good deal on a cruise without a good agent. If you had a good agent you were loyal to, you would get some nice upgrades, too.

Haven't been on a cruise since pre-9/11 and pre-nickle-and-dime-by-crappy-airline-companies. We used to fly to South Florida (the other Southland) the day before. We would check an extra empty suitcase on the plane. We would then fill it up with our beverage needs, before boarding the ship. We were on a budget then, and you could not get good beer on a cruise ship.

[Dexter Morgan]

Originally Posted by RustyK94

Did you buy it recently?

Must of got a good deal considering the way the property market is over there if your a first time buyer.

We are coming up on two years this April. My house was built in 1962, so things just seem to break/not work anymore on a somewhat frequent basis, and not always the cheapest of things either.

[QwikSand]

Originally Posted by Blu Atlas

Alcohol, shopping, and other stuff like shore excursions are not included.

Not that it's any sort of "deciding factor" or anything, but don't overlook the food! I have been on a few cruises and have had some of my best meals on them, and the food is unlimited. I remember the first meal of my first cruise was filet mignon. I ate three of the suckers and skipped the sides.

Filet mignon is awesome. I just got some from Omaha Steaks and it's great, and that's just we me grilling it. I can imagine with a nice full dinner.

Have you used that site before? I can't find anything under 7 days. Maybe I need to look for smaller ships?

[Dexter Morgan]

Originally Posted by Forrestandjen07

is that a reliable sight?

when spending big bucks like that, I would think booking directly from the cruiseline itself would be best?

Well I mainly wanted that link to be an eye opener about the misconception of cruises being too expensive. I have not booked with them, so I can't say whether or not they're reputable.

I can say though, that none of my cruises were booked directly through the cruise line, and I have had no issues whatsoever.

[QwikSand]

Now that I looked closer, choosing criteria on the right will find smaller cruises. 3 days to the Bahamas for about $240 -$280. Even if not booking through it, it's a good base for information.

[Dexter Morgan]

Originally Posted by QwikSand

Filet mignon is awesome. I just got some from Omaha Steaks and it's great, and that's just we me grilling it. I can imagine with a nice full dinner.

Have you used that site before? I can't find anything under 7 days. Maybe I need to look for smaller ships?

We just had some of the Top Sirloin Omaha Steaks last night - delicious.

If you don't mind flying, here is a 3-nighter from Port Canaveral, FL for $199 - http://res.cruisecheap.com/travel/cr...neraryID=94639

One thing to note is that cruises from Florida tend to be some of the cheapest.

[QwikSand]

Originally Posted by Blu Atlas

We just had some of the Top Sirloin Omaha Steaks last night - delicious.

If you don't mind flying, here is a 3-nighter from Port Canaveral, FL for $199 - http://res.cruisecheap.com/travel/cr...neraryID=94639

One thing to note is that cruises from Florida tend to be some of the cheapest.

Omaha Steaks is great. Being single I get the package deals they have and freeze a lot of it. Good quality food that lasts me a long time.

That's fine with me. I love flying so that would be fine. I have a feeling I will be spending a lot of time on that site. Like you said, there are misconceptions about price and I had thought they were at least $1000 just to start with. This is a very pleasant surprise.

[Uniquely]

My wife is going to Hawaii in March with some friends. I'll be staying home. Since we work together in somewhat parallel positions...... It's very difficult for us to take more than a long weekend off together.

[Dexter Morgan]

Originally Posted by QwikSand

Omaha Steaks is great. Being single I get the package deals they have and freeze a lot of it. Good quality food that lasts me a long time.

That's fine with me. I love flying so that would be fine. I have a feeling I will be spending a lot of time on that site. Like you said, there are misconceptions about price and I had thought they were at least $1000 just to start with. This is a very pleasant surprise.

We got ours as a gift from the American Diabetes Association, for raising a crapload of money. It was my first time having them, and was really happy with the product. My only gripe is how the heck do I get rid of that giant UFO that they shipped them in?!

Definitely price shop on the cruises though. One more thing I can add is that if you have a set-in-stone time period that you want to go, it might be worth your while to book at the last minute. They basically want to fill the boat if it hasn't sold out, so you'll HUGE last minute cruise deals.

[QwikSand]

I didn't have a time set but now I will certainly look into it more. Knowing the prices are much lower than I thought it may now actually be possible.Makes sense about the last minute bookings, just like flights.

[My_Two_Cents]

Originally Posted by QwikSand

Now that I looked closer, choosing criteria on the right will find smaller cruises. 3 days to the Bahamas for about $240 -$280. Even if not booking through it, it's a good base for information.

Those are some great prices. A customer of mine is taking his wife on a 4 day/3 night Caribbean cruise over Valentine's Day for ~$299/person. It kind of makes me sick realizing I spent close to $4500 taking the family (5) on a 4/3 Disney cruise to the Bahamas. Don't get me wrong, it was a great time (though too short), but we could do a 6/7 cruise these days for less than half that.

[Dexter Morgan]

Originally Posted by Ricshoe

Those are some great prices. A customer of mine is taking his wife on a 4 day/3 night Caribbean cruise over Valentine's Day for ~$299/person. It kind of makes me sick realizing I spent close to $4500 taking the family (5) on a 4/3 Disney cruise to the Bahamas. Don't get me wrong, it was a great time (though too short), but we could do a 6/7 cruise these days for less than half that.

Don't feel so bad. I dragged my wife on the inaugural (and only) Dale Earnhardt Jr. cruise in 2003. It was a similar 4/3 to the Bahamas, and it cost us $1,299 PP. I looked up the same cruise without all the NASCAR hullabaloo, during the same time in the season, and it was like $400 PP.

[davidxiphoid]

Originally Posted by mikejet

Even though the economy is horrible my wife and I are still working so we are planning on going back to Maui again this Summer. Probably only a week and stay in Kaanapali again. I miss Maui.

Anyone else planning a vacation?

absolutely, just one week from our usual two, but just put a deposit down on a beachfront house in the Outer Banks in North Carolina in the Nags Head area in August.

$4000 for the week, but has 5 bedrooms, split between 4 other confirmed friends and their wives G/f and it adds up to about $750 per couple for a really nice, big beachfront place should be good times

[QwikSand]

My friends have a rental home in Nags Head. They say it's gorgeous. I am considering going there as well. I'm sure you'll enjoy it based on what everyone who has gone there says.

[pacificvibes]

For my birthday my family is taking me to Florida. We are going to Disneyworld and the surrounding parks. Im 19 and I still love that place.

[SellmeyourDVD]

I was actually looking at disney world very hard today, but it wont happen untill my daughter is at least 4 years older.

I went to orlando last year with the gf and it was an awsome time. Parents let me use their condo in kissimmee, free of charge .

I miss orlando , it's always so nice there year around (i like 120 degree high humidity).

[Dexter Morgan]

Originally Posted by pacificvibes

For my birthday my family is taking me to Florida. We are going to Disneyworld and the surrounding parks. Im 19 and I still love that place.

I can't wait until I can take my kids to the Disney parks. Everyone says they are such a blast.

[davidxiphoid]

Originally Posted by QwikSand

My friends have a rental home in Nags Head. They say it's gorgeous. I am considering going there as well. I'm sure you'll enjoy it based on what everyone who has gone there says.

I highly recommend it! I used to spend all my time (somewhat locally anyway) in either VA Beach, Ocean City, MD or Dewey beach in Delaware, but once i went to OBX I totally fell in love with it and haven't been back to any other beach since then and that was about 6 years ago. A lot less crowded, cleaner and more easy going than any VA, Md or Delaware) beach I have been to other than the Bahamas that is.