Conference abbott::cruise_travel

<The "girls" 4 of us, are thinking about going on a 3 day cruise on NCL in
<August.  Has anyone done this??  Is a three day cruise worth it.  I have been
<quoted $611.50 pp (flying out of Boston) including everything.  It is on a

    What's the "airfare" part of the trip (i.e. what would you pay if you made
your own airline arrangements?)"  Now you know what you're paying for your
"3" day cruise.

   Right now roundtrip Boston to Miami is about $250 I think so you'd be 
spending about $360 for your cruise.  I haven't been on any 3 day cruises,
but the 7 day ones are set up so that the first day starts in the afternoon and
is mostly checking in, getting settled and the last day ends before noon and
is mostly packing and checking out. On a 3 day trip that would leave you only
the middle day to completely relax and enjoy life.  The first day at least you 
have the evening activities, but the last day is anything but fun.  You really
are paying the $360 for a "full day and a half of fun and frolic."  Only you
can tell whether it's worth it or not, it seems pretty steep to me.

   Now lets say you flew down to Miami and had a hotel on the beach. You have
basically the same itinerary, but your room (2 nights) would only cost you about
$100/pp (less if you all share a room like you would on a boat), meals would
run $150/pp if you ate top shelf like you would on the boat. So you'd have
$110/pp left over for entertainment or souveniers.  You've got to pay for your
booze no matter which way you go AND think of all the money you'll save by not
living in the casino. 

   If your goal is to experience a cruise, then go for it. If you're looking for
a relaxing long weekend, then you can do that for less money IMHO.

Al

	That's a pretty good price. You could do maybe $50 better if you
shopped around more but it's just not worth it. My wife and I have been 
on 2 weekend cruises with Carnival and had an EXCELLENT time ! We are 
leaving the 26th on the Sensation for a week.

	Have fun,
	-Steve-

Hi,

We booked on the Nordic Empress w/RCCL   It goes from Miami to Nassau then
Cococay.

Has anyone cruised on the Empress???

Thanks,
Diane

    About 3 years ago my husband I went on the RCCL Nordic Empress.  We
    chose the 3 night, 4 day cruise package that leaves Miami on Friday,
    returning on Monday.  We had a wonderful time, and it was just long
    enough, since we have small children at home.  What the island lacked,
    the Nordic Empress made up for.  The entertainment and meals were
    excellent. The people we met were all very nice.  We looked forward to
    hearing about everyones day during dinner.
    
    We're booked on the May 5 departure.  Although we didn't really enjoy
    Nassau, other folks have told us that there are nice beaches on the
    other side of the island.  This time we're going exploring...
    
    Cococay is nice for snorkeling and R&R.  If you walk the beach a ways
    you will find the hammocks.  I didn't care much for the
    barbeque.  You're better off returning to the ship for lunch. 
    
    You'll have a great time....

    Hi,
    
    Well, our cruise is just a week away..  
    
    Does anyone know the "Good" places on Nassau?  Good beaches, etc.  What
    I have read about Nassau and Coco Cay has not been very positive.  Do
    they offer parasailing on either island?  
    
    Has anyone taken the Nassau Sailing and Snorkelilng Tour?
    
    Any info would be appreciated!
    
    Thanks,
    Diane
    mkots4::robbins
    

    We have been to Nassau several times and our favorite way to pass time 
    is to take the party boat over to Paradise Island.  It has beautiful 
    beaches and wave runners and banana boats are available.
    
    Have a great trip!
    
    -jer

We really enjoyed Peanut Taylor's native dinner show in Nassau.  Coral World
was also very nice.  

Laura