cask2393 Posted November 6, 2013 #1 Share Posted November 6, 2013 Hi all! I am in the process of planning a December 2014 cruise as a family Christmas present. My mother(48) has been on 3 cruises with her bf and this will be mine(20), and my 3 brothers(18, 14, and 13) first cruise. We are looking at possibly doing a Carnival cruise. I personally would love to do a Christmas cruise, but from what I have seen, the prices double at Christmas time and it makes it less of a possibility for our family of 5. We are looking at a 4-5 day cruise. Is it possible to do an affordable Christmas cruise without spending a fortune. Also is a Christmas cruise even worth it? Thanks :) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kcwingwalker Posted November 6, 2013 #2 Share Posted November 6, 2013 (edited) I've done a family Christmas cruise and it was great fun. Fares for holidays are higher and fill up quickly. Many people book holiday cruises several months in advance. The earlier you book the cheaper the fare will be and you'll be getting the cruise you want. At this point all you can do is watch the fares and hopefully you will find something that fits your budget. Good Luck and Welcome to Cruise Critic! Edited November 6, 2013 by kcwingwalker Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cruzeluver Posted November 6, 2013 #3 Share Posted November 6, 2013 Christmas cruises are pricey, but a cruise of less than a week on Carnival is probably going to be about as inexpensive as it gets. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
spookwife Posted November 6, 2013 #4 Share Posted November 6, 2013 the week before will be much less expensive. we did a cruise( Royal) over Xmas and I will never do one again.. just way too many people, especially kids. great of you want a multigenerational get together, not so great if you want to relax. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cask2393 Posted November 6, 2013 Author #5 Share Posted November 6, 2013 Thanks for the input guys :) I have been looking at one of the cruises that is the week before and we like the price and date. Which cruise lines do you all recommend? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
panoramaofthepast Posted November 6, 2013 #6 Share Posted November 6, 2013 the week before will be much less expensive. we did a cruise( Royal) over Xmas and I will never do one again.. just way too many people, especially kids. great of you want a multigenerational get together, not so great if you want to relax. If you can go after the first of the year [Jan. 2 or 3rd] prices should drop $200-300 a person. Wrap up the tickets and give them to her for Christmas - and go after the first of the year! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cask2393 Posted November 6, 2013 Author #7 Share Posted November 6, 2013 If you can go after the first of the year [Jan. 2 or 3rd] prices should drop $200-300 a person. Wrap up the tickets and give them to her for Christmas - and go after the first of the year! Thanks! We thought of going in January, but we are not sure if we can work that with the younger boys school schedule, as they normally go back a day or two after New Years and they don't want to miss school. I will definitely look at it though. Thanks! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sauer-kraut Posted November 7, 2013 #8 Share Posted November 7, 2013 Carnival and Norwegian are very family oriented. The newer ships on both lines have water slides and other fun things on board. The younger of your siblings will probably enjoy the kids club offerings as well. First decide on price and destination, then worry about which ship. Have a great first cruise and have fun with all the planning! :D Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
iheartbda Posted November 7, 2013 #9 Share Posted November 7, 2013 Just got an email from one of the online booking sites that's advertising kids sail free on NCL, 7 day to the Bahamas out of New York, Dec. 15. You should be able to find the same deal on the NCL website. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JimAOk1945 Posted November 7, 2013 #10 Share Posted November 7, 2013 (edited) We have sailed over Christmas week on Carnival and Royal Caribbean. We find the experience is very enjoyable on both with RC being a better choice for us. The price is lower if you book a cruise the week before Christmas. Happy cruising! Edited November 7, 2013 by JimAOk1945 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wallie5446 Posted November 7, 2013 #11 Share Posted November 7, 2013 (edited) RCCL would be 1st choice for a first cruise, but! Princess has returned to the port of Houston for the winter and has some very good pricing right now. We have sailed during Thanksgiving and the week before Christmas and both were very good cruises. Edited November 7, 2013 by wallie5446 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cruiserking Posted November 7, 2013 #12 Share Posted November 7, 2013 The week before Christmas as you have discovered features some great discounts plus you will still experience of the trimmings, trees, wreaths, lights and holiday splendor. I would look at Princess, Royal Caribbean Line and Celebrity especially the newer Solstice Class Celebrity ships. Also, try and book a 7-day cruise the short cruise go much to quickly and often attract a different crowd than the longer cruises. Jonathan Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zoncom Posted November 7, 2013 #13 Share Posted November 7, 2013 (edited) Ships are decorated for Holidays after Thanksgiving.A Christmas week cruise can be crowded and rather hectic. Look up pricing on discount cruise only agencies on line. Looks like Dec 15 is cutoff for DEALS. All the following are Inside cabins 5 nighters from Ft Lauderdale. Dec 9/CCL Freedom $192. Dec 14 Liberty Seas$280. Celebrity Constellation $272. CCL Victory$219. Those first 10-14 days of Dec. are lowest priced of year, with good weather too, not crowded. Check out the ships on Member Reviews on this site.There will be service charges and taxes added to these prices.Too cold to cruise out of NY.It will be snowing. Edited November 7, 2013 by zoncom Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gunner22aa Posted November 7, 2013 #14 Share Posted November 7, 2013 While you will actually miss Christmas Day and New Years I strongly recommend a week or two prior to Christmas or the same after New Years. The holiday period is a zoo and the ship will be filled to overflowing with famalies. Before or after the holidays will be much quieter and a lot cheaper. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
iheartbda Posted November 7, 2013 #15 Share Posted November 7, 2013 (edited) While you will actually miss Christmas Day and New Years I strongly recommend a week or two prior to Christmas or the same after New Years. The holiday period is a zoo and the ship will be filled to overflowing with famalies. Before or after the holidays will be much quieter and a lot cheaper. Great advice since I went on the Crown Princess two weeks before Christmas and it was dirt cheap. Ended up getting upgraded to a balcony and we paid only $486.88 pp.! Even with air fare, and pre/post hotels, it was still a bargain. However, the OP has children and not everyone is willing to take them out of school, especially when they will be off later for the holidays. Edited November 7, 2013 by iheartbda Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cask2393 Posted November 7, 2013 Author #16 Share Posted November 7, 2013 Thanks everyone! We are trying to avoid taking the boys out of school because they would prefer not to miss classes. All of this input is great though :) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wallie5446 Posted November 7, 2013 #17 Share Posted November 7, 2013 It would help a tad if we knew which port you are thinking about departing from, in making helpful comments.:) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cask2393 Posted November 8, 2013 Author #18 Share Posted November 8, 2013 It would help a tad if we knew which port you are thinking about departing from, in making helpful comments.:) We are thinking New Orleans or Galveston, as we do not want to fly. I am also trying to suggest Houston, we are from Missouri. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare mitsugirly Posted November 9, 2013 #19 Share Posted November 9, 2013 We have sailed twice the week before Christmas, and will be doing it again next month. We have found the prices to be excellent at the time we booked them and very affordable!! (You can look for specials that the cruise lines run, like NCL has a "Kids Sail Free" special every so often and we have used it every time for our cruise). :) It's beautiful sailing at Christmas. They will have all the decorations up and trees everywhere (even in some ports if you are in the Caribbean) :D Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JimAOk1945 Posted November 9, 2013 #20 Share Posted November 9, 2013 We have taken Christmas cruises out of Galveston. It is a nice port. The parking is good and their is a shuttle that takes you back and forth from the parking lot to the terminal and back to your car when you return from your cruise. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sublarry Posted November 13, 2013 #21 Share Posted November 13, 2013 I have been looking for one of these too. My wife's work is closed the week of 4th of July and the week of Christmas. I have found these are probably the two most expensive times to cruise. I keep hoping to see some cheap deals for 2014 but so far no luck. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tiggertastic Posted November 15, 2013 #22 Share Posted November 15, 2013 We cruise at christmas and find the prices really fly up but for some reason next year our 12 night med is more expensive than our christmas and new year 14 night on the same class and cruise line I you can go the week before it would be much beter Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bluehenfan01 Posted November 20, 2013 #23 Share Posted November 20, 2013 Thanks for the input guys :) I have been looking at one of the cruises that is the week before and we like the price and date. Which cruise lines do you all recommend? I'm a Carnival guy! Have never had an issue with them. I also did 1 cruise with Princess. I took my dad on that for his first time and he loved it! Remember, a cruise is what you make of it. Have a great time! :) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare Rogueperson Posted November 20, 2013 #24 Share Posted November 20, 2013 We are thinking New Orleans or Galveston, as we do not want to fly. I am also trying to suggest Houston, we are from Missouri. I'm looking for a holiday cruise for a family of 4 next year too. Airfare is insane during those times. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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