Need Souther California Cruise Line Recommendation

[ramled99]

Hi Everyone:

 

I hope I am posting in the correct forum. I am interested in taking a multigenerational family cruise that includes my spouse, my Mom (in her 70s) and my kid (4 years old). I am looking for a cruise that leaves out of any of the southern California ports (LA, Long Beach or San Diego). The key things I am looking for are:

 

1. no longer than 3 or 4 nights

2. a casino

3. family friendly and kid friendly (for a 4-5 year old)

4. good food options

5. decent entertainment and activities for both kids and adults to do, both together and/or separately

 

Any recommendations on which cruise/cruise line would be best? We did the Disney 7 Day Carribean Cruise a couple of years ago, when our kid was 2. Loved it. But we do not expect to duplicate that experience, nor pay that much! LOL. But we would rather not "slum it" either. Any recommendations, dos/donts, success stories, etc., would be much appreciated. We are looking to take the cruise in the spring or early summer.

 

Thanks. Happy Cruising!!

 

RAMLED

Edited January 7, 2015 by ramled99

[Cruisin' Chick]

Unfortunately, there are a limited number of options. You might want to sit down with a "cruise specialist" (a TA who specializes in cruises) for all the options.

 

Carnival is basically the only cruise line that does a Baja cruise all year round. The ship leaves from the Port of Long Beach for three day cruises (Ensenada is the one port) and four day cruises (Ensenada and Catalina Island). My daughter's last cruise on Carnival was the 4-day Baja back in 2002 when she was four and she really enjoyed Camp Carnival.

 

Princess has added some coastal cruises that leave from LA, but limited dates.

 

Both of these cruise lines have casinos on all of the ships and many dining options. And not the heavy duty price tag of Disney. And both lines have their fans and detractors as all of the cruise lines have.

 

For us, we prefer Princess as we want a less chaotic experience (less flashy decor, less crazy pool games, less PA announcements about art auctions and bingo games that we "must" do according to the announcements).

[Jen1000]

When do you want to go? Options vary a bit based on time of year. Carnival should offer 3 and 4 night cruises year round though. I would go for the 4 night cruise over the 3 night because I have been told the 3 night week end cruises are more of a party scene than the 4 night week day cruises. I have been on several Carnival cruises (shortest was 5 nights) and I think they do a great job with multi generational cruisers.

 

 

Hi Everyone:

 

I hope I am posting in the correct forum. I am interested in taking a multigenerational family cruise that includes my spouse, my Mom (in her 70s) and my kid (4 years old). I am looking for a cruise that leaves out of any of the southern California ports (LA, Long Beach or San Diego). The key things I am looking for are:

 

1. no longer than 3 or 4 nights

2. a casino

3. family friendly and kid friendly (for a 4-5 year old)

4. good food options

5. decent entertainment and activities for both kids and adults to do, both together and/or separately

 

Any recommendations on which cruise/cruise line would be best? We did the Disney 7 Day Carribean Cruise a couple of years ago, when our kid was 2. Loved it. But we do not expect to duplicate that experience, nor pay that much! LOL. But we would rather not "slum it" either. Any recommendations, dos/donts, success stories, etc., would be much appreciated. We are looking to take the cruise in the spring or early summer.

 

Thanks. Happy Cruising!!

 

RAMLED

[ramled99]

Thanks for the responses folks. We are looking to go in June.