What cruise line is right for us?

[La professora]

I would like advice from experienced cruisers. We took a 5 day Carnival Cruise a few years ago during Spring Break. We were naive and thought a cruise is a cruise. It was more like a floating Frat house that week, and we didn't enjoy anything but the excursions. (No offense if you love Carnival, but that was OUR experience THAT week, and I don't want to repeat it. ) So, I am trying to do my research this time before swearing off cruises. We have two college aged and one high school student, and my husband and I are in our 40s. We don't need Disney Magic or, on the other end of the spectrum, we don't want on another frat party ship. We enjoy being active and trying gourmet foods, and our kiddos like anything sporty. Carnival during Spring Break was not a good match for us. What cruise line would you research if you were wanting a happy medium? Again, if you love Carnival, this thread is not intended to start an argument or insult anyone. I am just looking for advice from people who have more experience than I. :)

[cruisead]

You didn't say when you're wanting to cruise again. If it's going to be during spring break season, which runs from Feb through April, stay away from the cruises shorter than 7 days. Choosing a 5 day cruise, regardless of when that cruise is, will usually get you the party till you barf crowd as they try and shove 7 days of partying into 4 or 5 nights.

 

Take a look at Royal Caribbean, Princess or Celebrity. Now, with Celebrity you won't find all the fancy bells and whistles that the younger set wants, and the average age of the cruisers will be higher, but you won't find the party till you barf crowd. But honestly, take a look at Royal Caribbean, and see if the Oasis or Allure of the Seas looks good to you.

[OCruisers]

Princess or Celebrity might be a good fit for you! :)

LuLu

[LHT28]

I would agree that if you are going during spring break you will probably find the same crowd

 

Princess or Celebrity might work for you but your children may be bored

 

The ships with the best things to do for teens are RCL, NCL & Carnival

Edited March 5, 2015 by LHT28

[La professora]

Thank you, both! We like being active, but we aren't into the "party til you barf" atmosphere. LOL (Our college aged kids might be, but as a mom, I want to stay naive and think they wouldn't enjoy that either. ha ha!) I was thinking of late May early June timeframe.

[Aquahound]

We enjoy being active and trying gourmet foods, and our kiddos like anything sporty.

 

For that particular mix, the gourmet food is something you'll have to pay for in specialty restaurants. If your'e ok with that, I recommend you take a look at RCI Oasis Class.

[OCruisers]

Agree, if you're OK with going to the $pecialty Restaurants, RCCL's Oasis or Allure could be a good choice.

Princess and Celebrity are our two teen grandchildren's favorite cruise lines but neither line does sailings in May or June to the Caribbean.

LuLu

[Grannycb]

Have another go with Carnival on a week long cruise. The make up of the passengers is very different than what you find on the 3, 4 & 5 day cruises. Our first time on Carnival was on a 5 night cruise. I hated it! We tried another Carnival out of Baltimore for a week and then another week long cruise out of Tampa and loved both. The passengers were mostly middle age professionals and good number of kids (these were during Spring Break and Thanksgiving).

 

If you have ruled out Carnival, try RCCL. The kids would probably enjoy RCCL more than Princess or Celebrity.

[FlyerTalker]

I'm going to break with the trend and suggest you look to something like Windstar. Definitely not a party-hearty line, with upscale dining and luxury touches. Depending on the itinerary, you could be very water-intensive or port intensive. Itineraries run from the Caribbean to Europe to Tahiti.

 

Now, they are smaller ships, so you won't have all of the entertainment and onboard activities (nor all of the nickel-diming that goes with it). The age mix should work, as it's not a line for the partiers nor for the 70+ sedentary demographic. Is it right for you? Maybe, maybe not. There are a LOT more questions you need to ask yourself beyond what you posted already. Do you want to cruise with, as I say, 5000 of your "newest friends" or would you rather have time with a smaller group of like-minded travelers? Lots to consider, so do your research.

[Flatbush Flyer]

With a screen name like "la professora," you should consider Oceania.

Also, think about crewed yacht charter. Google a charter yacht brokerage like "Ed Hamilton" for details of what that would entail (not as expensive for a family as you may think).

[MCC retired]

Short Cruises , especially during any school vacation , may have the Party Cruise types onboard.

Just book 7 nights or more and stay away from Spring Break.

[janetz]

Oasis, Allure or not as big, RCCL Freedom of The Seas. These ships will have something for everyone. As far as nickel and diming you, you make the choice what to spend you money on. ;)

Edited March 5, 2015 by janetz

[GUT2407]

Royal Caribbean might be a good compromise.

 

Some of that sporty stuff for the kids, with climbing walls, ice skating flow riders and the such, but better food options for the two of you.

 

Just the two of you Celebrity with Princess 2nd.

 

Try for something 7 days and over, shorter one's have a much heavier drinkng culture.

 

 

By giving us so much info it helps, I am certain that it's important to find the right ship for you.

 

 

For the two of us Princess.

[Warm Breezes]

I think your biggest issue may not have been the cruiseline but when, where and how long you sailed. To avoid the frat party do not cruise in March or early April on a shorter than 7 day cruise. Other than that find a ship that will appeal to your teens, don't worry about the line. Get them involved and let them help choose.

[Lerin]

I'm going to break with the trend and suggest you look to something like Windstar. Definitely not a party-hearty line, with upscale dining and luxury touches. Depending on the itinerary, you could be very water-intensive or port intensive. Itineraries run from the Caribbean to Europe to Tahiti.

 

Windstar does not even allow young children on board so the OPs kids could very well be the youngest passengers. Probably not a good option for a family vacation.

 

Since the OP will be cruising in late May/ early June I'd suggest any 7 day cruise on Carnival, NCL, or RC. Other mass market or upscale lines will sway an older age group during that time period that may not vibe with her teen and young adult children. If she decides to change the trip a month earlier or later I'd suggest Princess or Celebrity.

[Markanddonna]

Welcome to cruising. What an introduction you had! I think Royal Caribbean or NCL sound like a good match. If you are going less than a week, you may have a repeat on the cheaper cruises ANY time of year because locals sometimes get huge groups together and you see 30-60 year olds acting poorly. It is a cheap 3 or 4 day trip for them because locals often get really great deals.

 

I don't know what you have in mind, but your family might really enjoy Alaska. You have adventure, lots of sports and the weather in summer will surprise you- in a good way. I've been to Alaska three times and absolutely love it. I had little desire to go there but got hooked after that first trip.

 

Don't eliminate other cruise lines because of their reputations. Some people think of Holland (HAL) as skewing older but in Alaska, there was a nice cross section of all ages groups and they have a roof that can close in the pool if the weather is chilly. Carnival can be a little tricky to figure out because you can get a great bargain and they can attract their loyalists who spend lots of time in the casino and really enjoy their great deal. To be honest, Carnival was my least favorite cruise line, but my preconceived notions were wrong. The food, service and crew were just fine. I found the entertainment on Carnival to be the least "fun" of any ship I have ever been on as were many of the other passengers. A DJ or guitarist was about all the pool area ever saw and it was often very quiet...

 

I guess it depends where you want to go. I'm not a big fan of the Caribbean (the islands all start to look alike) but many others here can give you good advice if you really want just beaches and palm trees. If you can swing it, consider taking a Mediterranean cruise with your kids and expose them to some of the wonderful cultures and history there. I much prefer an active vacation.

 

Start looking into the years when ALL of your kids are out of the house and you can go during the cheapest and best times of the year where you will encounter very few under age 21. Celebrity and Princess might be a great match if you go without kids. I think your Disney days are over, like you said.

[shealea]

We've enjoyed NCL, but our cruises have been to Alaska. So, that probably gets a bit different makeup of crowd than the warm-weather cruises.

 

NCL gets a pretty good mix of all ages, I think. I never noticed anyone overly drunk and out of control. Except one gal that got escorted out of the show because she kept interrupting it by yellowing out things.

 

Dh and I are in our mid 50's, but we like to let loose and dance to rock music. They have parties in the Spinnaker that are fun and lively with really good music. There are fun activities throughout the day, for all ages.

 

We've been on the Pearl and Jewel, not any of the mega ships. The mega ships have a ton of activities to really keep a person busy.

 

I think you would enjoy NCL. Check them out!

[Cruzaholic41]

I would like advice from experienced cruisers. We took a 5 day Carnival Cruise a few years ago during Spring Break. We were naive and thought a cruise is a cruise. It was more like a floating Frat house that week, and we didn't enjoy anything but the excursions. (No offense if you love Carnival, but that was OUR experience THAT week, and I don't want to repeat it. ) So, I am trying to do my research this time before swearing off cruises. We have two college aged and one high school student, and my husband and I are in our 40s. We don't need Disney Magic or, on the other end of the spectrum, we don't want on another frat party ship. We enjoy being active and trying gourmet foods, and our kiddos like anything sporty. Carnival during Spring Break was not a good match for us. What cruise line would you research if you were wanting a happy medium? Again, if you love Carnival, this thread is not intended to start an argument or insult anyone. I am just looking for advice from people who have more experience than I. :)

 

Look at Royal Caribbean if cruising with the whole family. Look at Celebrity if cruising as a couple.

[thinfool]

I don't see any 4-6 night cruise at Spring Break on RCL, NCL, Carnival, et al, being a good fit for the OP.

 

In the May-June time frame, 7 nights or longer, will yield a radically different group of passengers on any of the popular cruise lines, including but not limited to Carnival.

[FlyerTalker]

Windstar does not even allow young children on board so the OPs kids could very well be the youngest passengers. Probably not a good option for a family vacation.

Actually, with the children of college and high school age, this would be a great opportunity to introduce them to the world of being....gasp....an adult.

 

Hate to say it but in my business career, I found too many college grads who still wanted to be kids rather than adults. It never hurts to integrate them upwards.

 

So, to the OP: Are your kids young adults or older kids? No need to answer to us, but probably should to yourself.