Help with picking a cruise line

[AK Dreaming]

I have only cruised once but I am taking my mother for her 60th birthday for her first cruise. We are leaving from Miami are our choices are Carnival Imagination, RC Majesty of the Seas or NCL Sky. We may have up to 5 others joining us. My mom likes to gamble and may enjoy some shows. We are not crazy kids but do enjoy dancing. I would love to hear opinions on any or all of the above including hidden cost, service, entertainment and food.

 

Thank you.

[WeBeGone]

We've been on all these ships. I'm 63 and my favorite is the NCL Sky - anytime dining (Carnival and RCCL has fixed), plenty of dancing venues, and a nice size casino. There are no "hidden" costs but you must budget for the purchase of alcohol, soda, and bottles water as well as personal purchases, casino, and whatever you do off the ship. Whatever you choose, enjoy!

[Bonnie J.]

Get free catalogues from any travle agancy. Go thru them and decide which ship. We don't like anytime dining but aside from NCL other lines now have that including Carnival. (They have just started this.) We have gotten so we really like Carnival, a nice mix of ages and passengers, very good food, good shows and good music in lounges.

[PattyG12]

Royal Caribbean offers My Time Dining as well if that's an issue.

[silentbob007]

On short cruises with those ships you are more likely to have a more of a party crowd. Sky is the newest ship, I believe, and NCL does Freestyle if that sounds good to you (you might look up the description on NCL's site). Majesty will have TINY standard cabins though is a very nice ship.

[navybankerteacher]

You could widen selection significantly by considering sailing from Fort Lauderdale. Your Mother might like HAL --which offers As-you-wish dining.

[AK Dreaming]

Thank you for the information. We are greatly limited due to the time restrictions. We originally only wanted a 2 night cruise but 3 nights was the shortest we could find out of Fort Lauderdale or Miami.