Just booked a cruise from Tampa - Join Us [Archive]

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Smokin Gator

01-10-2009, 12:26 PM

I just booked a 5 day cruise on the Carnival Inspiration departing April 6. It goes to Cozumel and Grand Cayman. My wife and I did the same one last year and really enjoyed it.

If any of you can join us we would love the company...

DrDubzz

01-10-2009, 12:43 PM

Cozumel and Grand Caymen are a lot of fun, skip the excursions and enjoy the sites, and the LCDH in GC

I would love to go, but it'll be next year before I get a vacation

Partagaspete

01-10-2009, 01:32 PM

Smokin Gator

01-10-2009, 01:33 PM

Cozumel and Grand Caymen are a lot of fun, skip the excursions and enjoy the sites, and the LCDH in GC

I would love to go, but it'll be next year before I get a vacation

Yep... I am long past doing the excursions!!! Some cruises we never leave the ship.

Last year the ship had a mechanical problem and we didn't get to go to Grand Cayman. I am definitely looking forward to visiting the LCDH this time;)

Cigary

01-10-2009, 02:27 PM

Rockestone

01-10-2009, 02:32 PM

I've been on that same cruise. Had a great time. While in Tampa head down to Ybor City and check out their cigars.

Darrell

01-10-2009, 02:33 PM

Departure Date Inside Outside Suite
cruise infoApril 6 649 USD 749 USD 1199 USD

This is thru BestPriceCruises.com,,,,I use this site quite a bit for my cruising. Have been on this ship and cruise before,,you will enjoy it.

Do those prices include food?

Smokin Gator

01-10-2009, 02:34 PM

G G

01-10-2009, 06:48 PM

Do those prices include food?

Haven't been on a cruise in a long time, but usually lots and lots of food.

Cigary

01-10-2009, 07:47 PM

Do those prices include food?

Lol,,,you bet it does,,all you can eat 24 hours a day and trust me, when it came to dinner time and the menu they give you,,if it had 4 entrees,,,I ordered every friggin one! Now, what you don't get for free is your drinks,,,like colas, mixed drinks but you do get tea and coffee, juices. BYOB when you get into the ports,,smuggle it on anyway you can.
PM me for any other questions,,,I have been cruising for 20 years and have cruised them all.

fissure

01-10-2009, 08:43 PM

Would love to come, but I'm a little tapped from booking our trip to Punta Cana in the middle of march:ss

Sailchaser

01-10-2009, 08:51 PM

I've been on that same cruise. Had a great time. While in Tampa head down to Ybor City and check out their cigars.

Great spot to stop lot of great BOTL to herf with you down in that area

icehog3

01-10-2009, 08:52 PM

Texan in Mexico

01-10-2009, 09:35 PM

Give me a shout when you are closer to your cruising date. I live in Cancun but am in both Cozumel and Cayman quite a bit for work. I second the remark about the LCDH in Cayman, it has got to be the nicest one around.

Cigary

01-10-2009, 11:36 PM

Do those prices include airfare? I would assume not, but never been on a cruise so I don't know.

Usually you might be better off doing your own airfare and if you belong to any of the airlines clubs you get points. My wife and I travel quite a bit which means airline points add up and we get free airfare. Everyone must play this game, if your credit card doesn't give you points for purchases, get another card. Everytime we use ours for anything, we get points and sometimes multiples depending if we rent cars, stay at hotels we might even get double and triple. Sometimes the cruise lines or Cruise sites will discount the A/F for your cruise you want to go on. There is a way to play this game and get the best price for the cruise you want,,,it pays to have the right info or else you might end up paying twice the amount somebody else did. We have cruised about 20-25 times and people always compare their rates,,,not once have I been beat when it comes to a cruise except for the first 3 times and I was pissed. Our last cruise: 17night Transatlantic cruise from Italy to the US,,,in a suite ( amazing room,,400 sq. feet with its own seperate master and living and balcony,,we flew from San Diego to Rome all for $5200,,,for both of us including taxes. I defy anyone to beat that!

Aside from that, cruising is probably the best type of vacation you can take for the money. Where else can you get a decent room that is cleaned 2-3 times a day,,,eat 24 hours a day,,,all for about $50 a day if you travel with another person,,bring your G/F, wife, mistress,,,buddy. Pick a ship that lets you smoke your cigars,,,amazing jazz bands on some boats while you have your cigars. When you stop at the ports take your time and visit the port on your own. You can rent a two seater mini car, or scooter for like $45 and see what YOU want to, not some crappy bus that only stops at places that suck. They have liquor stores in the Carribean that charge $7-$12 for the best liquor you can buy in the states that cost anywhere from $30 up to $50.

I could go on and on but you get the idea,,PM if you have questions for shortcuts, websites for great deals, etc.

icehog3

01-11-2009, 01:48 AM

I could go on and on but you get the idea,,PM if you have questions for shortcuts, websites for great deals, etc.

Thanks for all the info. My biggest drawback is that I am not much for being on a boat and not being able to see land in any direction. Kinda freaks me out. :r

SmoknTaz

01-11-2009, 02:09 AM

Thanks for all the info. My biggest drawback is that I am not much for being on a boat and not being able to see land in any direction. Kinds freaks me out. :r

Yes to everything Gary said and take something for motion sickness especially if you've never been on a cruise. Next to Norwalk motion sickness is the $hits. Oh and pack loose fitting pants, you'll need it. :D

Don Fernando

01-11-2009, 04:03 AM

Thanks for all the info. My biggest drawback is that I am not much for being on a boat and not being able to see land in any direction. Kinda freaks me out. :r

Unless it's on the northpole and you are surrounded by ice?

Smokin Gator

01-11-2009, 07:06 AM

Now, what you don't get for free is your drinks,,,like colas, mixed drinks but you do get tea and coffee, juices. BYOB when you get into the ports,,smuggle it on anyway you can.

We finally figured out and easy way last year to get our liquor on board... They will let you take bottled water on board. So, we bought a couple of 8 packs, I think, of bottle water, poured the water out, filled them with vodka, put the caps back on, and carried them right on board. Easy peasey!!!

Starchild

01-11-2009, 07:58 AM

I took that same cruise for spring break one year. Actually, we left from Miami and went to Cancun rather than Cozumel. Good times. You guys will enjoy yourselves.

icehog3

01-11-2009, 10:24 AM

Unless it's on the northpole and you are surrounded by ice?

Cruise to somewhere cold?

Pass. :r

Tio Gato

01-11-2009, 01:48 PM

A cruise sounds like a great way to celebrate the Gators National Championship!!:ss Hope you have a good time.

Smokin Gator

01-11-2009, 02:18 PM

A cruise sounds like a great way to celebrate the Gators National Championship!!:ss Hope you have a good time.

You know... now that you mention it;)

I figure I should do my part to keep an eye on all of those college girls around the pool on Spring Break as well. Just being a good citizen you know!!!:usa

Cigary

01-11-2009, 04:05 PM

Thanks for all the info. My biggest drawback is that I am not much for being on a boat and not being able to see land in any direction. Kinda freaks me out. :r
These boats are like huge,,,half the time you forget you are even on a boat and you settle in with all of the stuff there is to do plus the fact you will be in ports most of the time. If you don't like looking at water, just get an inside room in the middle of the boat as they have stabilizers on each side to make it even more smoother, if that is possible. Seriously, they have exercise rooms that rival any gym you have ever been too since I know you work out,,,seen your photos and you are HUGE,,scary huge, and like I said before there are some great cigar bars on them. C'mon,,,try one out and choose a ship that is at least 80,000 ton and you will hardly feel any motion.

Yes to everything Gary said and take something for motion sickness especially if you've never been on a cruise. Next to Norwalk motion sickness is the $hits. Oh and pack loose fitting pants, you'll need it. :D

Funny, cuz it is soooo true. My first cruise I put on an extra 10 pounds and could hardly fit into my clothes so now I always bring the sweats for breakfast and lunch.

We finally figured out and easy way last year to get our liquor on board... They will let you take bottled water on board. So, we bought a couple of 8 packs, I think, of bottle water, poured the water out, filled them with vodka, put the caps back on, and carried them right on board. Easy peasey!!!
Yahtzee! Exactly the thing to do and you walk aboard like you own the place and no problems,,,been doing this for years and if you want to keep the bottle, you fill it with water and then they will give you the bottle at the last day of your cruise. If you buy your booze on the ship you still get some good deals and they always have a day for you to sample different brands. Here's a tip also, always always befriend your cabin steward. Make this person your best friend as he will do "special" things for you. This is what we do on every cruise and on the first day we talk with this steward and ask them what they would like for dinner,,,they will look at you funny because nobody ever asks them this,,we know that the crew does not ever eat the same things that the rest of the boat eats, they are not allowed. So, we ask them what they would like and order extra for room service and then call them in to eat,,,trust me, these guys will break their necks for you the rest of the week because you are feeding them what they never get,,,,steaks, lobsters, prime rib, etc etc. They will always make time to get to your cabin to visit and talk and they will eat the dinner you ordered for them so nobody else from the crew can see them,,,they aren't allowed but it's ok if we order it for ourselves and instead give it to them. This Steward would then buy us anything we want with their 2040% discount they have,,,we'd get jewelry, booze, anything that was for sale. It's great!!

Cruise to somewhere cold?

Pass. :r

I thought the same thing,,,just like you did. We went on a cruise to Alaska and it was the most beautiful cruise I have ever been on,,,the majesty of that region will blow you away. I spent literally hours just on the decks (inside and out) looking at the views and I was literally blown away,,,one of the best cruises ever and this is coming from someone who has cruise across the oceans, Mediterranean, N. Europe, Mexico and other places to numerous to mention. Don't let the idea of cold deter you as it did me,,,amazing cruises to Alaska.

Cigary

01-11-2009, 04:14 PM

You know... now that you mention it;)

I figure I should do my part to keep an eye on all of those college girls around the pool on Spring Break as well. Just being a good citizen you know!!!:usa

Lol,,,,let me know if you need help! I am current on my CPR,,regardless if they need it or not,,,just here to help!

icehog3

01-11-2009, 04:55 PM

These boats are like huge,,,half the time you forget you are even on a boat and you settle in with all of the stuff there is to do plus the fact you will be in ports most of the time. If you don't like looking at water, just get an inside room in the middle of the boat as they have stabilizers on each side to make it even more smoother, if that is possible.

Oh, it isn't motion sickness that deters me, I am fine on boats even in rough water. It is just the idea of being out in the middle of the ocean, with no land in sight, and all those sharks between me and solid ground! :r

Cigary

01-11-2009, 05:40 PM

Oh, it isn't motion sickness that deters me, I am fine on boats even in rough water. It is just the idea of being out in the middle of the ocean, with no land in sight, and all those sharks between me and solid ground! :r

:r:r You kill me,,,in the 100 plus years of cruising I have never heard or seen any issues with sharks on a cruise. If you take the Carribean or Mexican cruises you will always be able to see land. You go to bed and you are in port the next day. You sail away and it gets dark and you eat like a pig and smoke a few cigars and you go to bed and wake up in port. It's like Groundhog Day except you are in a different place every day. I'll take you with us as a third person cruiser will only cost you $125 for a week,,,:al:pn

Smokin Gator

01-11-2009, 05:50 PM

I'll take you with us as a third person cruiser will only cost you $125 for a week,,,:al:pn

Man... I love my brother and all... but I am NOT doing that!!! Those rooms are small enough and Tom ain't no small boy!!!!!:confused::confused:

icehog3

01-11-2009, 08:21 PM

:r You kill me,,,in the 100 plus years of cruising I have never heard or seen any issues with sharks on a cruise. If you take the Carribean or Mexican cruises you will always be able to see land. You go to bed and you are in port the next day. You sail away and it gets dark and you eat like a pig and smoke a few cigars and you go to bed and wake up in port. It's like Groundhog Day except you are in a different place every day. I'll take you with us as a third person cruiser will only cost you $125 for a week,,,:al

The day wore on and the sharks were around, hundreds of them. You’d hear guys scream, especially late in the afternoon. Seemed like the sharks were the worst late in the afternoon than they were during the day. Then they fed at night too. Everything would be quiet and then you’d hear somebody scream and you knew a shark had got him.

The Titanic....nice cruise ship. ;) :r
http://i196.photobucket.com/albums/aa73/icehog3/titanic3.jpg

Cigary

01-11-2009, 09:00 PM

Man... I love my brother and all... but I am NOT doing that!!! Those rooms are small enough and Tom ain't no small boy!!!!!:confused::confused:

Not to worry as we only bookd suites on our cruises and Tom would have his own bedroom. Ha Ha Ha,,,any more excuses?

Cigary

01-11-2009, 09:01 PM

[QUOTE=icehog3;163346].

The Titanic....nice cruise ship.
I saw and read this and almost pissed myself,,,C'mon Tom,,,it's only water and you're only going to be 12 floors up anyway so the sharks will never touch you,,,we'll even rent spear guns and bring fins and snorkel gear! :r:r

icehog3

01-11-2009, 09:05 PM