petshopgirl

Booked last night! Going on the Carnival Dream in March 2018 in a desired room! super excited! Thank you so much for your advice.

Definitely have something to think about.

I don't think we would be cruising for the ship itself and I don't care about all the bells and whistles - just relaxation and itinerary, plus a bit of fun.

Disney is out purely because my husband would refuse to go.

Looking at Norwegian Getaway because it has an itinerary (West Caribbean) that appeals to me as does the Carnival Dream, RCI Liberty, and Carnival Glory. When I checked, many of the rooms are sold out already. Do you recommend that I book quickly? Or is it OK to wait a few weeks for a March date?

Thanks for that - actually looked at the Liberty of the seas - looks like it might be a good fit!

I will let you all now what I do end up deciding!:D

We're a small family with a 10 yr old. My spouse and I have sailed before with Cunard, and I with Viking around the Baltic as a kid, but never as parents. Our 10 year old is outgoing and adventurous..so I am less worried about her.

I am trying to select a cruise that fits our need for family bonding time and relaxation. That is all we really need. Neither of us have ever been on a huge ship and we both hate crowds (like Disney type crowds where we went last year in FL)...I don't mind the idea of a big ship, but I have no sense of how crowded they really feel.

We are considering an early Spring cruise in 2018 with either Carnival, Norwegian or Royal Caribbean because these ships appear to have water slides and all kinds of fun for kids.I seem to have read that Royal Caribbean can feel crowded on some ships while Norwegian is the same unless the Haven is selected? I would so appreciate help in navigating this...

For these cruises, too. Do you need to line up dinner options and excursions before the cruise sets off in order to actually be able to eat and do what you want to do? I ask because we tend to be more go with the flow kind of people than big planners. Any advice? I really don't know how to choose the best option for us.

I appeal to folks on this board as the more knowledgeable cruise goers. Many thanks in advance!!