Need advice on choosing a cruise line!

[geopat19]

Hi everyone! I'm new to cruisecritic.com and love all the fabulous information everyone posts! So I'm hoping you can help my husband and I choose which cruise line to sail on for my 40th birthday celebration this November. I've previously been on one Carnival cruise, a 3 day to the Bahamas back when I was in my 20's, and my hubby is a cruise "virgin". :) He is 7 years older than I am so we are growing out of the party scene. We want to go away to have fun, but relax as well. We are non-smokers and dont want to be around a lot of cigarette smoke. We'd also like to be able to do excursions like: swimming with the dolphins, snorkeling, water sports and sailing. We know we want to go to the Caribbean. We originally were going to sail on Carnival but have read alot of reviews that it's too smoky and too much of a party scene for us. Now we are thinking Princess.....but don't want to be bored! I'd love to hear opinions from everyone!

[navychica]

I was on Princess when I was 18 and found there was plenty to do for everyone. My parents aren't partiers but they were always busy. I'm really sensitive to smoke, but I was fine the whole time.

[runner15km]

Look at the new ships of Celebrity Cruise Line. They offer beautiful ships, service and well presented meals.

[paul929207]

We have been sailing Princess since our early forties and love it.

[lady_cruiser]

Royal Caribbean caters more to the older crowd and most of their ships have plenty to keep you and your husband busy; miniature golf, rock climbing, etc.

 

You also have to realize we all have our favorite cruise lines so you will probably get plenty of different advice.

 

WELCOME to Cruise Critic.

[DonnaK]

I would recommend Royal Caribbean for someone in your demographics. It's our favorite cruiseline because of all the amenities and things to do/see onboard. We love Princess too, but they are a bit blander and subdued, with less activity, particularly in the evenings.

[cruzeluver]

Celebrity has the most restrictive smoking policy of the major lines, so you may wan to consider them as well.

[geoherb]

It depends on when you take your cruise. The early weeks of November will be primarily older people. Thanksgiving week attracts more younger passengers (including families with children).

 

We like Celebrity and Princess and HAL. Princess has more activities in the evening--several different things going on at the same time.

[GORDONCHICK]

There are several layers of answers to your questions. Since you are looking to sail for your birthday, but you didn't say ON your birthday, this is your first limiting parameter. Early, mid or late November?

 

Second, you didn't say how long of a cruise you were looking into. The shorter the cruise, the more of a partying cruise it could be. Even more so if it is over Thanksgiving.

 

Personally, I don't think your actual ages tell as much about the line/ship you would like as some think. What you really want to get out of your cruise (not the excursion part) would be a better guide. For example, I was right under 40 when I cruised Princess. I've never been a partier or drinker, but I did find it a bit dull. I like a lot of variety in activities on the ship. I was a year older on Carnival and thought it more to my liking than Princess (but keep in mind, that involved only one ship from each fleet and that's not a really accurate way to form an opinion of the whole line). Also, on Princess we had Anytime Dining and had traditional on Carnival. I really enjoy both Celebrity and NCL, but for very different reasons. Celebrity is much more sedate than NCL but we enjoy the great food and traditional dining. On NCL, we ate whenever and where ever we wanted, and we've already made great friends with many NCL officers. We've done two cruises on each Celebrity and NCL and wouldn't hesitate to go with either again.

 

Celebrity does have the most restrictive smoking policy of the mass-marketed lines. I'm very sensitive to cigarette smoke, and the only places I've really had an issue with it on any line were the casinos.

 

As far as being bored on a ship - that's completely up to you! Some ships/lines seem to "shut down" earlier than others (HAL And Celebrity come to mind), but there are usually tons of activities. It will depend on what you want to do (or not do) on your sea days. Many ships have rock climbing, surf-riders, tennis courts, basketball courts, driving area, mini-golf, and ice skating available. Some also have card or game rooms and all of them have the spas. It really is your choice.

 

My advice would be to look at your Caribbean options in November. Narrow those down by ports that have swimming with dolphins (I know Coumel is one but can't remember others) and great snorkeling (Belize would be awesome for this). You can also narrow your choices if you have ports that are less expensive for you to get to than others. Happy cruise hunting!

[cb at sea]

The excursions will be virtually the same for every line, so don't base your selection on that!

I would look at RCI or Carnival.....there's alot to do, but you don't have to "party hardy" if you don't want to! (Longer cruises have fewer "wild ones" onboard!)

We've never been bothered by smokers on a cruise...most indoor areas are smoke-free, and outside, the smoke dispurses quickly, and it's only allowed in certain areas...you can easily avoid it.

All of the lines now offer some form of "anytime" dining...so you don't have to do NCL to get that option anymore!

[STARFISH*4]

go to a local TA and get all the info on the different lines, talk to someone who specializes in CRUISING...if you want a RELAXED, NO-STRESS, DRESS-UP or NOT cruise look into NCL:)

[montgomeryfamily]

I suggest Princess for celebrating an adult birthday. We have sailed on most of the mainstream cruise lines and that is the cruise line we now choose for celebrating an adult birthday. Princess decorates the door with balloons and gives a complimentary birthday cake/song in the dining room. RCI and Celebrity charge for stateroom decorations and for a birthday cake (you can get a candle in a the evening dessert and song without charge, but you pay if you want a cake).

 

Princess has a lot of adult activities in the evening. There are many lounges with bands/music, entertainment in the theatre and at least one lounge, theme parties, karoke, and Movies under the Stars, to name some of the activities. After 11:30 to midnight or so, the only action is in the nightclub, but that is true of RCI and Celebrity too.

 

Princess can also be cheaper for onboard costs than RCI--they let you bring wine and champagne onboard and they have some other less expensive purchase options for various onboard amenties. They also offer the balcony dinner and chef's table--nice options for celebrating a special birthday or other occasion. I would be glad to answer any questions if you want to email me at kacruiser@sbcglobal.net

[geopat19]

WOW!!! Thank you all for the great advice!!! It seems that we can't go wrong no matter what we pick !! I know we'll have a great time and I will certainly post again after our choice is made.