Florida Carnival Cruises

By: Debbie Stock

As I dove head-first into an adventure that would take me across the country from California to Florida and away from my family during the holiday season, the cruise deal was so appealing that it was hard to say no. I met my travel companion/cabin mate (who did the research and made arrangements) on a Saturday morning at 5 a.m. for our flight to Tampa via Houston. Diane and I were going "cruising" on the Carnival Miracle fun ship with stops in Grand Cayman Island,  Costa Maya,  Cozumel and Belize.

I had never been on a cruise and from what I heard, it didn't really appeal to me. The trip was supposedly about eating obscene amounts of food and dressing up for dinners on the ship, as well as stopping in places for short periods of time and playing tourist.

THE GOOD:

• Much like my trip to China with a Chamber of Commerce deal that "can't be beat," this cruise was in the same price range with 7 days of entertainment, the flight, hotel and food included for around $200 per day.
• The cruise ship was new and very clean, and we had a balcony stateroom so we could open a door and let the fresh breeze in.
• We chose destinations with tropical climate best experienced in America's winter when we went.
• Our seven day cruise ended the day after Christmas, December 26. This meant there were extra festivities and perks such as special holiday concerts, foods and activities on Christmas Day.

THE BAD:

• Once you're "in" for the deal and pay the full amount, there comes a point where you don't get your money back, regardless of life's circumstances and the desire or need to cancel.
• Cruise ships "pack 'em in" typically with 2,000 passengers or more so you'll seldom find quiet spaces. Affordable cruises can assault the senses with kids running down hallways and making ample use of their voices.
• You pay for double occupancy at minimum. It's not an ideal situation for singles, or people traveling together the first time. The cabins are intimate with little space to chill out alone should there be arguments and fights (and there were.)

Is a budget cruise worth it? Definitely! Yes!

Tips:

• Go with someone you know and like a lot.
• Take extra cash for those added excursions & experiences.
• Go on a holiday when there's a festive atmosphere.
• Get a balcony stateroom - it's worth it!
• Prepare for lots of great food. Drinks and the coffee bar aren't usually included.
• If you go on a new cruise ship, it's an added bonus.
• Listen to the ship presentations on what's a deal and what's not on your daytime outings.