johno1234

Looks like Epic is going trans-Atlantic in April...

Ok thanks for the feedback - looks like I need to research Orlando and a cruise out of Port Canaveral...

No NCL from there? So I am into unchartered territory. Have been on NCL and not had to pay (much) for food and drink on board. Only Royal Caribbean, Carnival and Disney from PC. Disney are *expensive*!

I can't see what it costs to be eating and drinking on the other two - do they have packages or do you have to bleed cash as you go?

I hear what you are saying, Sotomarler,

It's a balance of: cheaper shorter nonstop flight to LAX vs pricier longer flight to MCO with a stop, against general benefits of cruising/visiting out of Orlando/Port Canaveral/Caribbean.

My head is going to explode.

Hi Roger, that is a good question...

No much point in doing a NZ cruise as it is already all so accessible to us.

Could do an Australia cruise but a lot of the appeal is visiting new places - and as Australia is quite close we've already been there a few times.

I think the kids would really like to go to either Disneyland or Disney World before or after the cruise.

Hawaii is a really good option - the flight is shorter but... there's only one show in town for cruising and the NCL Pride of America is not as good for kids as the other ships - no water park, in fact no slides of any sort.

But maybe I am being pig-headed as I have really got it in my mind that we're going USA... I should take another look at Pacific cruise options...

Ha, might see you on it!

Hmm, interesting point re lack of competition on the Mex cruises.

Last Nov we went on the NCL around Hawaii cruise. Booked it a little late in September but got what I thought was a very good price of $1k pp all up for guaranteed balcony that turned out to be one of the 'better' balconies. Those cruises currently seem to be going for $2k pp! :eek: no competition at all.

I like the water parks on the new FL based ships, they look great for the kids on sea days. None of the LA based ships seem to have the same level of thing.

Thanks. I like the sound of the Caribbean but coming from New Zealand, Los Angeles is so much easier for us being a mere 14 hour tiddler of a flight! Cheaper too.

The NCL itineraries seem to be Cabo, Mazatlan and Puerto Vallarta.

Cheers!

Hi all, am considering taking the family to one of these ... right now the prices look ok, but nothing like as cheap as the last minute deals I see in December!

As I'm new to this, I don't know what the prices typically do in Mid April so wonder what opinions people have on: should I buy now or wait until March and get a late deal?

The complication is we will be flying up from New Zealand. It is our school vacation time so the flights will be premium. I'll need to book them so there's the risk of having flights and no cruise! :confused:

Thanks

J