First cruise single dad with 20 year old daughter, where do I start?

Looking for help to take my 20 year old daughter on her first cruise this coming Christmas. We live in Vancouver BC Canada, her 1request is somewhere warm & my request is good food was th good service please. 5 to 7 days in length, any date after 19th Dec will work. Thank you in advance for any suggestions. Cheers!

A reputable travel agent can give you options according to your daughter’s request.

Sent from my iPhone using Forums

You may want to consult with a reputable travel agent that specializes in cruises. They can discuss your priorities and give you some personalized options.

I also wanted to welcome you to Cruise Critic and wish you a wonderful cruise!

Thank you for the welcome & suggestion.

Thank you for the welcome & suggestion.

You're very welcome.

Try one of the lines that cater to a younger crowd such as Norwegian, Carnival or Royal Caribbean. Search their website for your preferred dates. Most have good offerings from Miami or Fort Lauderdale.

Buy the upgraded dining package and you've get the better dining options.

For better service upgrade to a suite.

You can really get a wide range of pricing for the rooms.

Our first cruise we did an inside room, the kids loved it. Next outside, now we've moved them to balconies.

It depends on your personality as to which cruise line would be best for you.

Sent from my SM-G950U using Forums mobile app

Go for the bigger newer ships that have climbing walls, etc to keep your daughter occupied. She's too old for the teen zone but not quite old enough for the nightclub and casino. The larger ships also have varied entertainment and deck parties.

Your 20 year old will NOT care about the balcony...she will be out and about...not sitting in the cabin or on the balcony...guaranteed! A balcony cabin is nice, but if you don't need it, you can save a bundle. Just so you know!

BTW, 18 year olds ARE allowed to gamble in the casino on Caribbean cruises....budget accordingly!

Thank you everyone for some great ideas, any suggestions as to which Travel Agency maybe better on cruise here in Vancouver?

20th Dec is too close to Christmas to get a good price.

So look for after Christmas & the New Year & far enough into the New Year (about 10th Jan?) to miss the expensive post-Christmas flights.

Vancouver's a bit chilly in January / February :eek:

I reckon the Caribbean will do the trick.

And if it's worth the flight, it's worth at least a week-long cruise.

It's probably the nearest bit of warm weather at that time of year, a great time to cruise the Caribbean, and stax of ships and itineraries to choose from.

And the Caribbean is made for cruising. Lots of islands & ports well worth a day's visit, but very very few worth a week or two.

Choose a port-intensive itinerary - if you find that cruising's not for you, you have the ports to look forward to. If you just love being on the ship, stay aboard in one or two ports and enjoy a pretty empty ship. Port-intensive tends to mean flying to a ship based in a Caribbean port like San Juan or Barbados or Dom Rep rather than cruising out of Florida or other US mainland ports.

Islands are pretty inexpensive and US dollars accepted virtually everywhere, makes life oh-so-simple and oh-so-relaxing.

Best for food amongst the mass-market lines is probably Celebrity.

But RCI or Princess aren't far behind - and if daughter is a typical 20-yr-old she might prefer RCI, which is more "fun" than Celeb or Princess.

We've not sailed NCL, so this is just hearsay but their included food is apparently not so great in recent years because they major on premium pay restaurants. But those pay restaurants have excellent reputations if you're prepared for the extra cost.

All just MHO as always

JB :)

Go for the bigger newer ships that have climbing walls, etc to keep your daughter occupied. She's too old for the teen zone but not quite old enough for the nightclub and casino. The larger ships also have varied entertainment and deck parties.

I agree with this. We prefer the bigger ships.

The last comment about NCL not having good food, I have to disagree. We have sailed NCL and loved everything about it. We found good food in the included restaurants. I've also sailed Royal once, we didn't really have any complaints except the ship wasn't the right fit for us, the food and service was good. We are booked on NCL again next summer.

Sent from my iPhone using Forums

Thank you so much for the info, will for sure check it out.

My oldest were 19and 20 on our last NCL cruise, they were able to purchase beer and wine with a signed parent waiver. They didn’t drink a lot (they were responsible for the cost), but they did enjoy the bar scene.

Royal Caribbean, somewhere out of Florida, and I recommend Harmony, Oasis, or Allure. I recommend waiting until after the holidays unless price is not a concern. I love to cruise in January and February. Make sure to fly to port at least a day in advance. Definitely do at least a 7 day cruise. We have always enjoyed the food in both main dining rooms and buffet to be fine, but there are lots of other options both free and with an upcharge. These ships are huge. If you think they are too large, go with the Freedom class. I love Royal (have also sailed Norwegian and 1 Carnival).

Thank you everyone for some great ideas, any suggestions as to which Travel Agency maybe better on cruise here in Vancouver?

Recommending, or ever mentioning, a specific Travel Agent here is not allowed.

If you decide to head to the Caribbean February or later in the spring, note that, for better or for worst, there is a “Spring Break” period which involves masses of young people leaving college for a week and heading south to party. This phenomenon is said to raise prices on shorter cruises, increase the alcohol intake and noise level, amplify the party atmosphere, and in general to change the “vibe” on cruises. Could be fun, could be a real pain. Longer cruises are said to be less susceptible to this seasonal regional phenomenon. This website may help to chart the times to be aware of... https://www.tripsmarter.com/panama-city-beach/events/spring-break-college-university-dates

Sent from my iPad using Forums

Wait until students are back in school and rates are low.

There are cruises out of LA which is a shorter flight for you.

Does your daughter drink? Gamble? Dance? Like live music?

Do you plan any shore excursions?

My daughter (34) and I did a Father / Daughter cruise in February. We had a great time. MSC Divina out of Miami. We both enjoy a drink (drinks?), live music, dining together, quiet time alone reading. MSC was GREAT. Elegant but not stuffy. Few small kids or teens.

Party boats are Carnival. Kid / teen boats are Carnival, NCL. MSC, Celebrity more adult oriented. Princess, Holland America are more upscale. RCL is upscale with a real variety. Pricey too.

Determine what you and your daughter like to do and research a ship that offers you both what you want based on my questions above.

If you decide to head to the Caribbean February or later in the spring, note that, for better or for worst, there is a “Spring Break” period which involves masses of young people leaving college for a week and heading south to party. This phenomenon is said to raise prices on shorter cruises, increase the alcohol intake and noise level, amplify the party atmosphere, and in general to change the “vibe” on cruises. Could be fun, could be a real pain. Longer cruises are said to be less susceptible to this seasonal regional phenomenon. This website may help to chart the times to be aware of... https://www.tripsmarter.com/panama-city-beach/events/spring-break-college-university-dates

 

 

Sent from my iPad using Forums

20 yr old daughter might LIKE those cruises. :)

Mexico 7 day! Look at Princess or Carnival, they leave out of San Pedro or Long Beach Ca.. Weather is warm, food is great and the price is good!

Hello fellow Vancouverite! I suggest you go with Carnival as it's the cheapest, has the largest fleet so the most variety of sailings available and then just sit down with your daughter and look at their site

if its your first cruise, and hers, maybe look for an itinerary with a mix of sea and port days. it should give you an idea of what you like and don't like. Our first was a 5 day with 3 ports and 1 sea day. Now we tend to do seven day, 4 ports and 2 sea days.

I would recommend carnival, as they have the most options for southern cal and Caribbean cruises. If you want amazing beach days, you cannot go wrong with Half Moon Cay and Grand Turk on any itinerary. :)

Go into it with an open mind and some flexibility...before you know it, you will probably be hooked like most of us!

Maybe consider NCL Pride of America Hawaiian cruise. Weather will be great and lots to do. Bahamas are still chilly in January and Feb. To get really warm water and weather, you will need to do Southern Caribbean. Also, not sure what condition those islands are in due to latest hurricane season.