My first-ever cruise was in 2018 on Carnival. We had a really good time. (I was skeptical I would like cruises. lol) We did Carnival a 2nd time to take my mother-in-law and we again had fun and really enjoyed it. We'd like to cruise again in 2025 but am overwhelmed about which cruise line to try next. We'd like to try something other than Carnival. We'd likely sail out of Miami or Ft. Lauderdale and looking at something 7 day to the Caribbean. We're flexible on the places it stops, to a point.
We are considering Royal Caribbean, Norwegian, Celebrity, or Oceania but like I said, it's overwhelming. Don't know where to begin and I don't want emails and sales phone calls from 5 different cruise lines. lol Folks on our Carnival ship were advocating we should try Norwegian next...
We'd book a balcony room on an upper deck. We also want to book a drinks/alcohol package and access to a spa with steam rooms, etc.
Good food is important to us, but we're not picky. The food on Carnival was good, but maybe not mind blowing good...? We also don't want to be seated at dinner with total strangers if we don't have to be.
We're not cheapskates, but I looked at prices for Virgin cruises and it was way above what we want to spend on a cruise. For that, I'll fly first class to Europe! lol
Advice and suggestions from cruise experts welcomed!! Thank you!!!!