Selecting a cruise line

I'm just back from my very first ever cruise! Loved it, hooked - and now I would like to go with my folks.

However, I know that at least my mom's first one will need to be a short one, to see if she would get seasick. I was on the NCL Pearl to Alaska, and the water conditions were ideal. However, I know that I typically have better "sea legs" than she does.

Ideally, there are some cruises from Seattle to Vancouver, BC. They are just one night. BUT, they aren't Norwegian. I know they would like the freestyle, no need to dress up for a formal night (that is so not us!) These ones are Holland America, whose website isn't as good as NCL in telling you what is on board. Obviously if we're on board for one evening, I want it to be fun - a show, or piano bar, restaurants or nice balconys to watch teh scenery go by.

I can't seem to even find it on here - a list of the typical type of cruise each line offers. NCL is freestyle, but are there others where you could avoid a formal night? Ones geared towards "older families" like mine? My folks are in their 70s, but I'm only 46. I'll hang with older peeps, but I want a little nightlife (fun bar, karaoke, piano bar, casino, etc.) But don't want totally drunken asshats all over either.

What other cruise lines are similar to the NCL experience? Princess? Carnival?

Seems like the short cruises on Princess fits your needs. It has different types of bar, karaoke, casino and trivia suited to your age group.

I don't think carnival is what you're looking for

Sent from my iPhone using Forums

Any short cruise isn't the best representation of a cruise, you will find that many will be booze cruises or bachelor/ette parties.

I haven't experienced any sea sickness on a cruise ship like I have on the ferry going to Newfounland. I would just jump in with both feet, go to a doctor and see if the patch would be something she can use, otherwise just dose up with Meclizine starting a couple days prior to sailing and one every evening during the cruise.

Agree with the concerns expressed regarding short cruises. As to other lines to consider I would suggest looking at RCI and Celebrity. Defining the cruise experience is very subjective, but IMO, RCI would be on par or perhaps somewhat above NCL, and Celebrity would be above both and each is relaxed in term of dress and dining.

I agree with taking a look at Royal Caribbean. And I would urge you not to discount a 7 night cruise. There are plenty of things to use in case of seasickness, like patches. I feel like it takes a few days to relax into a cruise, explore the ship, figure out what you like to do, etc. Unless money is really an issue, I absolutely suggest doing the standard 7 might cruise.

OP - your thinking just isn't logical. You could take a one day cruise (total waste, IMO) and have very rough seas. You could have a week cruise with very calm waters.

I'd choose Princess. It offers better food than NCL, enough of free style, nice ambiance for all ages etc. I like NCL, but love Princess.

Endothelial nice choice is Celebrity.

Royal.

You cannot predict weather. However if you are concerned, try to pick a ship with inside pool at least.

I agree with the recommendations for Princess. As to formal nights, even if the sailing has one, it's easy to skip for people who don't want to dress up by going with an alternative dining option - which there are many of. Also I would actually recommend avoiding short cruises for first timers. Embarkation and debarkation are so hectic - if I had to do both within a few days' time on my first cruise I would have been completely turned off from cruising. Frankly I don't think all that hassle is worth it for less than a 5 day cruise, especially for a first time cruiser who isn't used to it.

I wouldn't base my choice on whether there is a "formal night" or not as most, if not all of the mainstream cruise lines have pretty much made them "smart casual" nights - collared shirt and slacks/khakis being the acceptable minimum. And even if you do not wish to eat in the MDR, all of them will have alternative dining options as well.

If someone likes formal nights and more formal dress code overall I'd recommend Cunard.

We just sailed with them and on formal nights all pax was very formal - majority wore tuxedos, the rest had formal suits.

On informal nights everybody who attended mdr (men of course) had at least a jacket, but many still had suits or tuxes.

After 6 pm shorts were not acceptable in common areas.

And this was a short 5 night Independence Day cruise out of NY!

QM2 had many bars and clubs with great music. Service was very nice.

Food... we found buffet to be great with nice choices of fish and cold cuts for all meals and other interesting food. Mdr other hand was ok, but nothing very interesting.

Aside from Cunard, dress requirements are really a thing of the past. If you are interested in a more "mature" passenger mix, you might think Celebrity or HAL. If you want "wow factor" and a big ship experience, you might think Royal Caribbean. Of course, if you are traveling as a group, you are your own "environment" , so destination, rather than ship, might be the major factor.

Where do you want to go, then ask how do you want to get there.

I'd choose Princess. It offers better food than NCL, enough of free style, nice ambiance for all ages etc. ...... .....

Agree, Princess is certainly worth your consideration! :D