My wife just asked if I could help her plan a cruise for her mom and aunt. Her aunt is visiting from Pittsburg sometime this Summer. They possibly want to go on a cruise but want information. I have never been on a cruise so I don't have any clue on what is good.

Should I go through a travel agency or are there good websites to book through? Suggestions on which cruise ships to go on.

-62 and 66 year old women
-leave out of Galveston
-4 or 5 day trip


I will also try to look through old post but any new info is appreciated. Thanks

Once you nail down what ship/date, then go create an account on cruisecompete.com

We have only cruised on Carnival (once out of Miami and once out of Galveston) so I can't comment on which cruise line would be best. I've used CruiseCompete twice now and seems to be the best place for pricing. You enter in your ship and the date, and travels agents will submit their best price.

You can also book thru the cruise line. Pay and print your ticket & bag tags on line. Wife & I have cruised many times. If momma-in-law is coming to Texas, cruising out of Galveston is most the logical. Parking lots are near the cruise ships along with shuttles to the ship.

I prefer Royal Caribbean. Book a suite with a balcony

If it's 4 or 5 day out of Galveston then carnival is your only option

I'd suggest researching on cruisecritic.com

Cruise compete also works for pricing

I second the Cruise Critic recommendation. You'll find tons more info there than you will on these boards. I've been on 3 and all on Royal but I absolutely love them. Keep in mind when looking at prices that they are quoted based on double occupancy. The price quoted will be per person.

If a 4 or 5 day out of Galveston, looks like they are doing Carnival.

Have them book the "early saver" rate through Carnival directly, that way they are eligible for rate adjustments if the price drops after they book.

then go to the "Roll Calls" section on cruise critic (must register to do this) and join the roll call for their cruise. Most will have already set up a separate Facebook book page and they should join this as well.

I did this on our last cruise and was able to know when price drops occurred because it would show up in my FB feed. I would then check the fare viewer on Carnival.com (take a screen shot), fill out the early saver form, and email it all in. We ended up getting about $600 on on board credit for our last cruise by doing this, if you still have a balance on your account when they issue your credit they will pay that and then issue the OBC. If you do not use all of your OBC while on board, they will issue a check for the remaining balance on the last morning of the cruise. We didn't spend all of ours and brought a couple hundred bucks home with us.

Thank you for the replies. Very helpful!