abbysam

11 minutes ago, shof515 said:

yes, it is best if you do not book using early saver 

 How do I get the rates without the early saver rates?

I may be booking a cruise on Carnival for next July or August for myself, husband, daughter, son and one of son's friends

Is it easy to remove the friend if for some reason he is not able to go?

Thank you for all your input. So many options to choose from, glad I have a while to decide :)

13 minutes ago, BrezQ said:

great ship, great ports!! So many things to consider!! Level of activity, ability, etc!! we Enjoy the port area in grand cayman, there's plenty to do at little cost, pool, beach etc!! If you go off to the right of the port, on the beach, there a place to rent Jet skis, our son and nephew did this, they had a blast!! If you walk up the beach area to the right of the beach, head up to Jacks'Shack, great food and fun!!  Margaritaville is right there, and you can use their pool or head right to the beach! Roatan is great shopping, and fantasic beach area! Never did any excursions there. Cozumel we've only done a little exploring, a short guide tour and then shopping, cocktails!!  Belize has some fantastic sights, I would book a carnival tour there, as it's Honduras (my opinion only) lol   So many people we've cruised with have had so much fun in Belize, on excursions, rain forest tours and many others! 

 

We've been on the legend twice, had a blast both times, for sure an older ship, but we love the size! 

 

if you go to the port area of this site, there's a ton of threads on what to do, it depends on what you're looking for!!

 

Have a blast!!!

Thank you so much. I will definitely check out the port area

Hi, I just booked yesterday for dh and I sailing March 2021. 2 at sea days and stopping in Cozumel, Grand Cayman, Belize and Roatan. Any good excursions to consider? Never been to any of these ports. Any info would be greatly appreciated

So glad to read these good reviews. Just booked the Legend for March 2021

Thank you very much. This is such a hard decision. I am going between Carnival Magic and RCCL Freedom of the Seas, Allure or Oasis. Want the kids to have a blast

August -- not a lot of ships in the Caribbean at that time of the year.

Most are in Europe, Alaska, Canada/New England.

Check out RCI's Oasis or the Allure.

Is that because of hurricane season?

Do you live near a port? I would look at RCCL Freedom Of The Seas. It is a great ship. ;)

We are near Boston MA but I don't want to do the Boston to Bermuda cruise

Aside from the Disney characters, you won't notice that much difference....Carnival or RCI would be perfect for kids...pick one of the larger ships, for more "bells and whistles".

 

ALL lines charge for drinks (alcohol and soda) and most offer "packages" so that you know upfront what you're paying. All of the other lines will be cheaper fare-wise than Disney...on Disney, you're paying for the name!

 

Carnival's standard cabins are bigger than RCI's. The ports will be the same, no matter which ship takes you there!

Thank you

What time of year are you considering cruising and to where?

Looking at August 2016 to the Caribbean, doesn't matter what ports

With the ages of your kids I would suggest you consider:

 

Carnival Breeze, Magic or Dream

Carnival's newest ships with water parks, a nice spa for adults, 2 or more specialty restaurants, good buffet, these are a nice experience. Keep in mind these are the least expensive - not a luxury line. However, you could choose to eat in the MDR every night for free. I will say the steakhouse is really good and we really thought the chef's table was wonderful and our table mates got to eat at the Italian restaurant - they said it was great! For the buffet, we liked the deli and soft service ice cream.

 

Getting more upscale and elaborate:

NCL: Getaway or Epic

These ships remind me of casino resort hotels in Las Vegas. They have high end suites in The Haven (you could get a 2 bedroom suite, if you wanted) They have the BEST spa at sea hands down (highly recommend you get a spa cabin or suite or buy a spa pass for yourself and your husband) They have 3 to 5 major water slides and tons of stuff for the kids to do. These ships are all about the specialty restaurants and you can get the specialty dining included with your cabin or if you get a suite, all the perks such as specialty dining, unlimited drinks, prepaid WIFI and shore excursions. If you got to a online travel agency, you may be able to get some onboard credit in addition to all the other perks. However, NCL's prices are low for what you get - super nice cabin, super nice bathroom, if you are in a suite, they really pamper you, so I consider any extras I pay for as just a normal part of the price of cruising. These ships also have the largest buffets I've ever seen at sea. Your kids will love being able to get their own food when they want including hand scooped ice cream - all included.

 

More expensive, but really awesome:

RCCL: Quantum, Oasis, Freedom or Voyager class The Quantum and Oasis class will be the most expensive whereas Freedom and Voyager classes will be less expensive. Oasis class is all about spectacular shows and lots of physical activity during the day. To me, the downside of RCCL is that the buffet is just so-so and the spa is just so-so. But I still enjoy cruising on these ships and going to the great shows at night. We also stick to specialty dining on these ships and just consider the nominal fee a part of the cost of the cruise.

 

Honestly, all 3 of these cruise lines have much to offer. It is just a matter of finding your own groove on each line. I've never been attached to one line over the other, so I've sailed almost every major cruise line there is. They are overall more similar than different. Of the 3 above, I really prefer NCL because of the complete lack of formal nights, the great spa - where I usually spend most of my time during the day and their The Haven Suite Life which is head and shoulders over the suite guest experience on any other line. However, that has certainly not stopped me from trying the other ships and I have always found something to enjoy. On RCCL, I love watching people try the flow riders and I like the shows - especially on Oasis class ships - they are FANTASTIC and the Rising Tide Bar is a lot of fun! I'm going on Carnival Breeze next having last been on Carnival Magic. Magic was a fun, but fairly simple ship, so I spent a lot of time in the spa and also decided to see if I could win a cruise in the casino - and I did, so we're going on Carnival Breeze at that end of October. I'm sure we will have a great time. I now know we'll love the steak house, the chef's table, the Italian restaurant and they also have a sushi restaurant I'm sure we'll try. After that, we'll be on the NCL Breakaway. I'm hoping to also do either a river cruise or be on the RCCL Anthem of the Seas as well next year. I've also cruised on Princess, Celebrity, HAL and Uniworld - all great cruises in their own ways. See, every cruise line and every ship has its pros and cons, but if you do things to play to their strengths you can't help but have a good time no matter what line you are on.

 

My main advice is stick to the newer ships as they have more options, more things to do, a crew that is more excited about their jobs, better entertainment. I find that the newer the ship, the more interesting and enjoyable. But don't be afraid to try different cruise lines. That's like being afraid to try different grocery stores. All the basics will be there for most mass market lines. I wouldn't recommend you try HAL with kids - the age on those ships skews a lot older. But NCL, RCCL, and even Carnival are all nice cruise lines and, especially on the newer ships, you can make the most of your cruise, whatever ship you are on.

Wow thank you very much. The suites on NCCL sound really nice. I would have to consider how much drinks and so forth would cost then it might be worth it to do the suite

Hi All, I have been on one cruise which was only 3 days on Disney. I would love to do a Caribbean cruise for 5-7 days but Disney prices are just outrageous for our family of 4, 2 adults, 10 year boy and 7 year old girl

I am so scared to try another cruise line because the Disney one was just so much fun but still so expensive for only 3 days

Can any help and let me know it will be ok and that we won't go broke on all drinks that aren't included and which cruise line would be best for us. Don't want to pay a fortune though

Thank you

Michele

Sorry for the lack of info. will be 2 adults and 2 kids 10, 7 at time of sailing. Looking to do a Caribbean cruise but can't decide which one. Was looking at the Western and will go out of one of the FL ports

Don't want to go to expensive but want the most for our $

Depends on what you are looking for...what your family dynamics are, etc. What ships have you found the pricing for?

I have looked at the 4 night on Enchantment of the Seas (I believe that is what is was). Want the kids to have fun, they will be 10 and 7 but want to visit different ports also

We recently sailed on a 3 night Disney Cruise at the end of August. Looking to go on another cruise next August but Disney prices are outrageous. I have been researching RC and can do a 7 night on RC for more than 1/2 the price of Disney. Which ship would you all recommend?

Thanks in advance

Hi, My husband and I will be staying at the Wyndham Nassau Resort for 5 days. Is it possible for us to eat for under $1000.00 for the 5 days? I hear food is very expensive.

Thanks

Great thanks, sounds like a good pick :)

Hi, sailing on the Dream category 4e room 5546, any have reviews/pictures of this room?

Thanks:)

If you are in a splurging mood, I REALLY recommend playing with the sea lions! Its different and SOOO funny and so much fun. And if you aren't booking thru DCL (since you are doing a land trip), the rates are even better for the animal encounters. Super fun! Don't forget to order the Conch Fritters.

That sounds fun..will check it out. Thanks

Our favorite in Nassau. Going back in May.

 

www.bahamasbluelagoon.com

Dh and I are going to the Bahamas in May (not on cruise) and I just booked this for one day. It looks like fun and something different.

We are doing the Disney Dream cruise in August and if we like it might take kids

Oh my goodness, I absolutely love the pictures. Just this week I booked our first ever cruise on the Disney Dream for August and can not wait especially seeing all these pictures.

Great job.