Advice Needed on Going on a Cruise in August

HealthHazard on 26/04/2023 - 22:10
Last edited 27/04/2023 - 10:34 by 1 other user

Hey Everybody

I've never been on a cruise before and was thinking of going on an 8 day South Pacific cruise on the Carnival Splendour with my wife and parents in August this year :)

Basically, my parents are visiting us from overseas and we all figured this would be a fun thing to do.

I am not sure what the weather is life during that time and was wondering if anyone here had done a cruise in that time period. Mainly concerned about the voyage being stormy / choppy.

We're thinking of getting two balcony rooms so that we're all more comfortable.

Questions:

  1. Is August a good time to go on a cruise or is the weather to rainy / choppy / cold to actually enjoy the amenities on board?

  2. Should I just book directly with carnival or can we get a better deal through the travel agents?

  3. Should we just book now or are we likely to get a better deal closer to the date?

  4. Any advise on what deck to get the rooms on for the smoothest cruise experience?

Would also appreciate getting any advise / tips and tricks from all you experienced cruisers out there!

Thanks in advance.

Travel Cruise

Comments

  • Stewardo on 26/04/2023 - 22:28
    +2

    So you want advice/se on a region specific weather forecast based on historical average weather data?

  • [Deactivated] on 26/04/2023 - 22:32
    +1

    lol

    &

    FFS

    • jjjaar on 26/04/2023 - 22:43
      +3

      & enjoy covid and gastro!

      • Muzeeb on 26/04/2023 - 23:31
        +1

        Don't forget all the drunk people with drink packages and all the heavy set people taking advantage of the buffets.

        Sounds awesome.

        • [Deactivated] on 26/04/2023 - 23:36

          Mega awesomeness is married folks cruising with their parents/in-laws!

          • HealthHazard on 27/04/2023 - 10:49
            +1

            @[Deactivated]: My family is overseas so we treasure any time we get to spend with them :)

            • [Deactivated] on 27/04/2023 - 11:00

              @HealthHazard: So, your parents travelled from overseas to visit you & you all go on a cruise overseas ??

              OK!

              • HealthHazard on 27/04/2023 - 11:07

                @[Deactivated]: @kajke Uhmmmm - yes. Get rooms close by and do the activities together. Doesn't sound that complicated.

                Also, it's not my parents first visit to Oz so they've seen the sights. This way we get to spend some quality time together and don't worry about logistics.

        • JumperC on 27/04/2023 - 02:16
          +1

          I’m pretty sure most cruises abandoned buffets years before Covid (due to the frequent norovirus). They’re also pretty deadly serious about RSA these days (one person jumping overboard drunk is way way too much paperwork), especially given they already have your money for the drinks whether you get served or not.

          • jjjaar on 27/04/2023 - 08:28
            +1

            @JumperC: Wow, you’re not wrong.

            one person … overboard … is way way too much paperwork

            Todays news: https://ab.co/43XY4gC

            • JumperC on 27/04/2023 - 11:30

              @jjjaar: Did not predict that would be so immediately relevant….

          • HealthHazard on 27/04/2023 - 10:48

            @JumperC: So its a no on the drinks package then :)

            • JumperC on 27/04/2023 - 11:32

              @HealthHazard: Not sure what the costs are these days, but I always figured most people who got it had it thrown in 'for free' or overestimated their drinking. Unless you're on the ship when in port and keep a pretty consistent pace most people probably better off buying drinks as needed. Especially if the packages don't include all drinks.

      • HealthHazard on 27/04/2023 - 10:48
        -1

        @jjjaar Will do! Might bring some back to share with my friends.

  • randomusername2017 on 26/04/2023 - 23:11
    +1

    Username checks out…

    Guaranteed to have an outbreak of something in one or several sections.

    Too late for presale deals..too early for last minute fire sale.

    Did a 10 day cruise to Noumea about 12 years ago around August. Weather was fine if that helps… although you really won't notice below deck.

    • HealthHazard on 27/04/2023 - 10:51

      Thanks - will make sure we carry some strong meds with us :)

      Did a 10 day cruise to Noumea about 12 years ago around August. Weather was fine if that helps… although you really won't notice below deck

      That really does help!

  • rambutann on 27/04/2023 - 09:06

    I've done a south pacific cruise with P&O. And a few other cruises..

    I did it in Feb and it still wasn't smooth sailing..

    And yes there was a gastro outbreak, but that didn't really dampen the trip at all.

    Key thing i'd recommend is location on the boat, you need to be in the back 1/3rd of the boat. Deck is less important, but try and be higher. Just think about the dynamics of how boats move as they go over waves. The front has the most significant lateral movement, whereas about 2/3 of the way down the boat has the least.

    You will enjoy it regardless of what the weather is like.

    In my experience i've only ever seen cheap cruises out of Australia in March/April.

    • HealthHazard on 27/04/2023 - 10:54

      Thanks for your advice (noticed i'd been using it wrong) about cabin positioning. Was thinking of going mid - ship but the cabin offered was on one of the highest decks. Think I may need to visit a travel agent to get a more suitable cabin.

      • JumperC on 28/04/2023 - 19:18

        Midship are often more expensive because they do move less (closer to centre of gravity) and more convenient to most things. Higher levels are often ‘better’ cabins depending on the ship, but they do move around more than lower levels.

  • darvian22 on 27/04/2023 - 09:09
    +1

    Questions:

    Is August a good time to go on a cruise or is the weather to rainy / choppy / cold to actually enjoy the amenities on board?
    Splendor has plenty of things to do onboard; table tennis, mini golf, pools, kids club for ages upto 18, bingo, trivia, casinos, etc I have been on the ship that missed ports and we had a good time. Weather should be relatively fine around that time of year, Splendor can actually close the roof to the public deck when in port, so if it is looking to be a bad time, they can close up the deck (rarely done) The ship is large enough to cope with chop so that shouldn't be too much of an issue.

    Should I just book directly with carnival or can we get a better deal through the travel agents?
    Customer choice. If the travel agent wants to charge you more, just go direct, however most agencies are paid commission so will only charge what the cruise line charges and earn their keep from the cruise line. The benefits they can offer can be advice on cabin location, fare that you select, linking all your family together so you can eat at the main resturatrant at the same table etc. They also should know more about the experience and give you guidance. Some agents are better than others, read through the sell and ask them what they can offer you.

    Should we just book now or are we likely to get a better deal closer to the date?
    If the ship doesn't sell out it will likely get cheaper later, however you do also run the risk of not getting a cabin where you want it located and picking up whatever is left. We got a great deal on our last cruise that we booked over a year out, pricing gradually went up and then a week before it was set to sail the pricing went down to what we paid for it. So we didn't mind.

    Any advise on what deck to get the rooms on for the smoothest cruise experience?
    Personal choice. I recommend to my clients all the time if they are first time cruisers a mid ship- middle deck cabin is well suited. These are typically the most expensive cabins in their respective categories. If you want lead in pricing you will be at the front or aft of the ship. Also you know your people you are travelling with better than others, so interior, oceanview or balcony may suit your style more. You will often here people say "but you won't spend that much time in your cabin" however you may decide that is the place you wish to spend more time, so listen to yourself on this.

    • HealthHazard on 27/04/2023 - 10:58
      +1

      @Darvian22 - Thank you so much - really appreciate the comprehensive reply to all of my questions. This has actually given me a great deal of confidence in going ahead with our holiday. Sounds like the next step is to visit a travel agent :)

      Hope you have a great day!

      • darvian22 on 27/04/2023 - 11:50
        +1

        Make sure you ask the agent before you continue how long they have worked in the industry. What they know about the brand, etc.

        Make sure you also don't pay additinoal fee, if they want to charge you more just to book you, move on to the next

  • Darayus on 27/04/2023 - 09:44
    +1

    Are you going on holiday for yourselves or to show off your in-laws?
    If the ship sails mean it's floating, no one forecast storm and choppy weather.
    The best position to reduce rocking is as close to the sea, but then you don't get a balcony.
    Is there any reason why carnivals, are cheap and overloaded with young crowd, drunk and your in-laws will be out of place?
    How long are you planning to go if it is for 3 days just go and come back, if you are planning to travel to other countries then check do you & others need visa.
    For price all will be the same but check who gives you more add on and free upgrades.

    • HealthHazard on 27/04/2023 - 11:04

      @Darayus - Nyah man, my folks are fairly well traveled it's just that none of us has done an ocean cruise before so want to do it for the experience. Also, the idea of having meals, entertainment, and activities included in the upfront cost is appealing.

      Thanks for your advice and taking the time to write this. This info will be helpful in selecting our location on the boat :)

      P.S - Just checked the New Caledonia travel website and no visa is needed for any cruise travelers (irrespective of country of passport) where the departure port is in ANZ

  • cupcake on 27/04/2023 - 11:02
    +1

    Some Australian just fell overboard and hasn't been seen in the last 8 hours.
    I wouldn't go for the reason of seasickness alone.

    Good luck!

    • darvian22 on 27/04/2023 - 11:47
      +1

      Their partner died hours earlier due to medical complications; as tragic as it sounds, looks like suicide

      • lostgoat on 27/04/2023 - 11:49
        +1

        Hmmmm . I thought with the time 11PM it was just another drunk going overboard.

      • cupcake on 28/04/2023 - 13:27
        +1

        Reports say the two were unknown to each other.

        Sad news either way.

    • JumperC on 27/04/2023 - 16:16

      Railings are usually just about chest height, no one 'falls' fortunately or unfortunately.

  • diarlin on 29/04/2023 - 18:45
    +1

    The balance of one's booking gets paid 90 days out. Prices drop if there are extra rooms leftover after the balance is paid but if you leave it until then you might be unable to get a balcony room that's connected if that's something you desire. Depending on your budget and your food/entertainment preferences I would recommend going with Royal Caribbean or Princess over Carnival. Generally they are more expensive (prices are in USD on board) but the quality is better.

    I don't see the need to book through a travel agent unless they can offer perks. You can select rooms directly on the website or even call in.

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