Ever been on a cruise?

Some friends and I always go on vacation for a week every summer.  Next summer we are thinking about either going to Las Vegas to celebrate all of us being 21 or going on a cruise to the Caribbean.

I think we\'re leaning towards the cruise as I think most cruise liners offer gambling among a host of other activities.  

I\'m always put in charge of gathering the info, setting the dates, and knowing what there will be to do and having a good estimate as to costs.  Granted, it\'s a year away so I have plenty of time to set it all up but I was wondering if any of you have some insight as to costs and the general amount of time needed to enjoy all there is to do.  We are talking about scuba diving, hiking/biking, clubs, etc.

So far I\'ve seen that they offer anywhere from 4-7 days cruises leaving from Galveston, Tx. (It\'s the closest port)

I believe the 5+ day cruises stop in various locations and allow for a whole day of being in that area...then on to the next.  The cruise itself ranges between 400-600$...

Here\'s what I\'m wondering about...how much would it be for scuba diving, renting bikes, are the shows on the boat extra, how expensive are the restaurants?

Could we do this all in 5 days as opposed to 7, or is it better to space out the activities?  How much in advanced should I book this?  

Any help is appreciated...

[Cerberus]

No.

I went on the biggest cruise liner in the world!!! w007!!!!  I forgot the name of the ship, but its a Royal Carribean ship .  Uh, bring LOTS AND LOTS of money, cause you\'re gonna need it!!!  the food on the ship is already payed for with what you paid to get on the ship.  sooooo, eat as much as you possibly can to get your moneys worth .  Everything including scuba diving and stuff it really expensive.  Try between $60-150 a person for some of these things.  I cant really remember, so sorry i couldnt help that much.

The food is free?!? w00t!

I think I\'m going to tell everyone to set 1000$ aside from the cruise ship price...

Is scuba diving a whole day activity?  I\'ve never been...is there any kind of training involved?  Does it costs extra?

Cruises are awesome!!!!

You can save money by NOT buying the scuba diving, horseback riding trips on the boat.  Wait untill you get off the boat, then go to the activity and pay there.  The cruise company charges you extra on excursions so they make more money.

Like this:

They buy tickets to go scuba diving for $20.... charge you $40 = 20 bucks for them.

Just wait till you get off the boat and THEN pay the people who take you scuba diving.

Nice tip, so I take it you don\'t have to reserve scuba diving times or anything?

Do you know anything as far as equipment and instructor rental are?

How long do they give you for time off the boat...I\'m hoping it docks early in the morning and departs late evening...

you are correct, it does dock early in the morning and leave in the evening for the most part.  they give you plenty of time off the boat to do what you want, and they wont leave anyone behind  Just dont get the rest of the 1000\'s of passengers pissed at you for being late.

How much in advanced do you book the whole trip?

Equipment??? Scuba instructor????

When you\'re in some 3rd world country you don\'t need this stuff.  You just use two goats\' bladders and breath through a hardened chicken\'s neck.

No, really... the locals will have all the info you need when you step onto shore.  They depend on your money to survive so they are sure to help you with all your needs.

They also are atracted to bright lights and will give you "favors" for shiney things.

[videoholic]

Dang Jaye, you know you don\'t have to reply in every single post....


Cruises..   Hmmmm.  I\'m interested in going on one, but the problem I see is that there is nothing to do on the ship other than gamble, drink, and lay out by the pool.  Well I like in FL so I can lay out every day if I want.  So that leaves drinking and gambling.

I think the drinks are supposedly very expensive on the ship so be sure to sneak some stuff on board.  

As far as booking the trip, my Aunt gets sick deals on the internet from some of the auction sites.

I personally love Vegas.  Been there numerous times and there is a lot to do other than gambling.  But I think if I was 21 and just going to party with buddies, I think I would choose the cruise as well.

Not true Vid!!!!!

The cruise ship I went on had:

- Movie theater
- Water slide
- Video Arcade
- Mini-Golf Course
- Virtual Golf
- Gambling
- Shows (free)
- Gym (basket Ball, Tennis, Volley ball, & more!!)
- Bowling alley
- Spa
- LOTS OF FOOD

The awesome thing about cruises is that you can drink and do anything without having to drive anywhere!!!!

I went to Vegas a few years ago with my family...I was 18 at the time, nothing to do.  It looked like alot of fun (my parents would come in around 7 a.m., sleep for 5 hours then get up and hit the casino again)

I really like the idea of a cruise, I\'m just wondering in all my friends will be able to afford it.  I want to try and stay below 1500$...

[videoholic]

Cruise it is.  Like I said, I\'ve never been on one.

Well that\'s a lie.  I was on the Carnival Cruise line that cought on fire after it came to port.  But I was just walking around getting interviews.  Not quite the same thing.

[Cerberus]

Originally posted by Videoholic
Dang Jaye, you know you don\'t have to reply in every single post....

I\'m not replying to every single post.

[Bobs_Hardware]

Heres a tip.  If someone asks if you know anything about.. say.. umm.. a Cruise ship (purely hypothetical), they dont honestly care if you do or not.  They want info.

You posting "No." was one of, if not the most stupid thing in the history of human kind.