ML,
Those sound great. A week on the beach in January would be
wonderful. You will have a great time. Do you leave right after New
Year's? How fun and without the crowds.

> I enjoy tours too, we've done them with so many different companies,
> here and abroad.
> There are limitations to going the tour route, but it is so nice to
> have someone else plan all the stops, get all the tix, etc. :)
> As to All inclusives, in January I'll be going to one of those for
> the twelfth time. Basically a week at the beach, which is what this
> one group of friends and I enjoy. I used to book a week for
> immediately after school let out, so I could just go and RELAX....
> Now we go in January and escape the cold weather for a week.
> We've always booked via Applevacations for the all inclusives.
> Since they have several locations with direct charter flights from
> PIT, it's very convenient.
> Went to the Bahamas to such a resort once, but was not impressed
> with that one. It had three meals a day, and one little bar window
> open most of the time, just as promised, but nothing more.
> Four times to Punta Cana, Dominican Republic; and five times to
> Cancun, and this year will be my second trip to the Riviera Maya,
> this time to Akumal, Mexico.
> Prices range about the same as for a cruise with airfare, but you
> get a really nice room (mostly jr. suites and suites) and all the
> meals, tips, and all beverages are included, plus some activities
> and a show each night.
>
>
>
>
>
>
> On 11/06/09, Jeannie, 1st wrote:
>> Thanks, ML,
>> I also added the title to my name that you used. Actually, I
>> was going to do that and forgot.
>>
>> You mentioned all inclusive vacations. Those sound great too.
>> Where have you gone on those and what companies were they? We
>> have taken about four Tauck tours and loved them. They are a
>> little more expensive than some of the other tour lines but they
>> are will worth the extra money.
>>
>> We had considered Tauck for the British Isles but we would have
>> to take two tours in order to see the places we wanted. They
>> didn't have the right combination for us. However, Princess
>> does so we are considering going that route.
>>
>> I would love to hear about your inclusive vacations. I know
>> some who have done Club Med and enjoyed it a lot.
>> Jeannie
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>> Hi Jeannie, 1st. :)
>>>
>>> I used to really enjoy cruises, not so much anymore.
>>> Of course they are still a great vacation for many people,
>>> don't get me wrong.
>>> Reasons I don't cruise anymore:
>>> Ships too big for my taste. I used to choose ships with
>>> 800-1000 passengers, those are not what's out in the mass
>>> market nowadays.
>>> Less classy and special: Personally now I prefer a
>>> casual dress vacation, so I go to all inclusive resorts. But
>>> when I did cruise once or twice every year from the 80s on to
>>> the millenium, I enjoyed the dressing up for dinner every
>>> night, and being with others who were appropriately dresssed,
>>> and dressing nicely for a true 'tea time'...also it was
>>> special to have your own table and your own waiter every night
>>> at your appointed dining time.
>>> Now it's mostly all open seating and dress codes are
>>> nonexistent or ignored.
>>> Less inclusive product now it's pay extra for an ice
>>> cream, for a coffee "with", for a darn bottle of water.
>>> Pay extra to get to eat dinner in a 'better' restaurant.
>>> more inclusive? many lines now 'include' prepaid tips
>>> because they are dealing with passengers who are so low class
>>> that they'd stiff all the people who served them all week.
>>>
>>> NOw, that said, IN THE PAST I had wonderful cruises on HAL,
>>> Princess, and many other cruise lines.
>>> More recently, I traveled by ship with the Semester at Sea
>>> program, much more to my liking now; and I took a one week
>>> cruise with Royal Caribbean to give those huge mega monster
>>> ships just one more chance to win me over. Result? Had a great
>>> week despite the aspects of the ship which I personally don't
>>> care for. :)
>>>
>>> I may book a European river cruise one of these days, have not
>>> done that particular type of cruise, and would like to give it
>>> a try.
>>> As to your recommendation for which line, sorry I can't help
>>> much. I think you'll get pretty much the same kind of product
>>> with just a few details differing whether you choose Holland
>>> America (HAL), Princess, or Royal Caribbean. In fact, since
>>> the destination is "European", even Carnival has pretty much
>>> the same product.
>>> A European cruise is more port intensive and less time at sea,
>>> unless you do an ocean crossing. So the details on the ship
>>> are not quite as important as with a Caribbean type cruise.
>>> A lot has to do with luck, too, such as who happens to be on
>>> the ship with you, nice traveling/dining companions add a lot
>>> to a cruise.
>>> I'd select by itinerary and price if it was up to choosing
>>> between those major players.
>>> Worst cruise ever (of about 25)? Cunard.
>>> One of the best? also with Cunard.
>>> Often has little to do with the cruise line chosen. :)
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> On 11/05/09, Jeannie wrote:
>>>> Hubby and I are thinking of doing a cruise in the future of
>>>> the British Isles. We are considering Princess because we
>>>> like the schedule. We have had good luck with Royal
>>>> Caribbean. Holland was a huge disappointment. Carnival
>>>> had just taken it over and it didn't offer what I know was
>>>> provided before the take over. Yet Princess is owned by
>>>> Carnival too. I did a sister's cruise with my sister and a
>>>> girlfriend's and her sister. That was a short mini cruise
>>>> via Carnival and it was great.
>>>>
>>>> Our experience with Carnival-Holland is that we paid a
>>>> premium price for a low rent cruise. It was a huge
>>>> disappointment.
>>>>
>>>> If you have had good luck with Princess I would love to
>>>> hear. If you haven't send your comments too.
>>>>
>>>> Thanks,
>>>> Jeannie

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