OT - any CRUISE'rs out there? Help!

G'morning gals and guys ~ This is MAJOR off-topic, as already noted. My hubby and I decided that after he got back from deployment we'd be taking a 10 day vacation to Hawaii, to see my family and to relax and explore the islands. I've never really "explored" my own back yard, can ya' believe that? Excessive weight has always limited me when the activity required movement. I would have loved to been able to actually EXPLORE my home for a change but its not gonna happen in January. Long story short - we can't cash in our "free tickets" for the dates we want and I refuse to SPEND money for a ticket we can get free. Yep, Iz cheap. So, on to Plan B -- A CRUISE!!! My husband is unaware of Plan B and I can't communicate with him, at all, until his sub surfaces again in November. Unfortunately, I don't think I can wait that long to put this plan in motion. I need to start booking the stuff NOW if I want a slot in January. This is where I need your help (please). I want to go on a cruise. Hubby and I have talked about going on one for years now and have never acted on it. We even put $3,000 into a CD 3 years ago, specifically for our cruise fund, and have yet to do anything with it. Well, I'z ready to act on it..... I don't know ANYTHING about cruises. How to shop around to get a good price (is there such a thing?). Should I try to leave from the Norfolk Port here in VA? I want to do something TROPICAL, as long as the waters are BLUE blue blue and the temps are warm, I don't care where we end up. Most of those cruises seem to leave from FL. Will this be impossible right now with all the hurricane damage in Florida? What should I be looking for when I look at the websites? LOL, seriously, I have no clue. I assume all of 'em feed you meals and include entertainment. Is that a fair assumption? Do they include package land excursions in them? Okay - enough of my questions - as you can see, "I know not'ting!", so any help is much appreciated. Hugs - Lei

I know not'ting either, cept I know when you put this all together you are going to have a ball, and remember that new bathing suit, your going to look great!!!!!!!!!! Love ya bunches...

Good morning Lei! I've never been on one, but a lady I work with just got back from one and she goes on one every year, so I will ask her and get back to you if you'd like. Have a great day! Hugs, Kelly

G'morning Kelly ~ Yes - yes - yes, I would like!! Any info she might pass on Im ALL ears!! I want to get this planned and reservations made by the end of the week, with a little bit of luck, and info from my friends, that'll be very doable. I appreciate you taking the time!! Enjoy your day.... Hugs, Lei Pssst... and I keep forgetting to answer this question from previous replies of yours. No, I haven't seen Garfield yet. (can you believe it?) ....lately, all the movies Ive seen (over the last 3 months) have been with a big group of women from this AMOS board. We meet on Saturdays and Sundays for a movie and an early dinner. Now, what do you think my odds are of convincing ALL of these women to go and see Garfield? LOL, slim to none, huh? I'll be watching it for SURE when it hits video, with my hubby, he loves Garfield too.

Good morning Lei! I've only been on one cruise but Lisa and I will be going again in June (for our 25th anniversary), so I hardly qualify as an expert. However, I can tell you that my one and only cruise was fabulous! All the on-board food and entertainment (other than the casino...duh) was included. I was able to purchase a "soft drink" card for $20 which let me have all the soda, iced tea, etc. that I wanted. All the on-land excursions were NOT included in the price. We left out of Ft. Lauderdale and I doubt that by January you'll have to worry about any flood damage. I went on "Princess Cruise" line and everything was perfect. I'll be travelling with them again. Don't know if they go to Hawaii but their site is princesscruise.com (add www.) Have fun! Tony G

Good morning. I just got back from a 7 day cruise (well, "just" is subjective - early September). I went on the Carnival Elation out of Galveston, Tx. We cruised to the Western Carribean - Progresso, Mx., Cozumel (OMG what a BLAST), and Belize. It was WAY too much fun. The food is all included, but sodas and liquor isn't. That's extra. Jus****ch out for those "special" drinks they have - they'll knock a WLS Patient on their patooteys! (Experience talking here......) There are pictures on my little www button down there. The beaches in Cozumel and Progresso were beautiful. I've heard that the cruise that goes to the Virgin Islands and Jamaica is wonderful. You can leave out of New Orleans on that one. (I highly recommend New Orleans if you've never been there.) Oh, and all the entertainment is free unless you want to play bingo or go into the casino. And the shopping..... OMG. Take lots of extra cash for shopping in the Duty Free! Look at Royal Carribean and Carnival Cruise line websites. Holler if you have any questions and go check out my pictures! YAY! Cruises are FUN! Cheryl

There are Hawaii cruises, call your travel agent. I just booked a 9 day Hawaiian vacation, not a cruise. It was spendy($4600) but its for my sons graduation and a trip for 4 on two islands. I think your husband will love what ever you plan.

Lei! I went on a cruise that was sponsored by my dad's company about...four or five years ago. We went to Bermuda, and it was AMAZING. You'd love it there--everything is super laid back, everyone's really friendly, and the place is just gorgeous. We wound up leaving from New York, which was cool, because I had never been there before either. I don't know how our cruise was booked, but places like expedia.com, priceline.com, travelocity.com, orbitz.com, cruiseweb.com...they're all places to get discount tickets and trips. If nothing else, just Google "Bermuda Cruise" (or whatever destination you want) and see what turns up. Good luck!! Mel PS...I emailed you, and I know it didn't go through the first time, but I re-sent again yesterday...any luck, or is AOL still being crazy?

Hello you gorgeous thang you!! (is it any wonder your momma felt so much emotion this weekend?!?!?) As you can see, I did get your email. The 2nd email, that is, never got the first try. Your reference line cracked me up.... "AOL SUCKS!!" ...all I could think of, after I stopped agreeing and laughing was ... "my, my, isn't she just a ray of sunshine!" LOL, I recognise the symptoms, Im such a freakn ray myself when it comes to AOL. I'll write back to you later today - in the mean time, I'll suck up to AOL and get back in their good graces. Maybe you'll actually recieve my mail for a change? Hugs and love ~ Lei

Oh good, I was about to be really annoyed that AOL ate another email. I ought to send you a newer picture of me, taken last Saturday when I went out to a party (a BIG step for me). In fact, I think I'll do that. Okay, I'm off to work, then class all day. Have a good one, Much love, Mel