Which to try First?

[giantsfancruisin]

We are a family of 3 with an 11 year old son. We have done one cruise just to try it out, 3 night Carnival cruise from Long Beach to Ensenada. Didn't enjoy it all that much, too much of a party boat, not the best food, but it was a good introduction to cruising and we want to try a longer cruise to more exotic locales.

 

We are looking at Eastern Carribean over Thanksgiving week, choosing between RC, NCL, Princess, Celebrity, and maybe HAL??

 

I think RC is just too big, don't like the idea of a floating mall. Celebrity is where we are leaning...advice please! Thank you

[Keith1010]

Welcome to Cruise Critic.

 

Yes, short cruises such as the one you were on are like a party boat.

 

Of the lines you mentioned Celebrity is our favorite one.

 

You will find a nice number of children on board Thanksgiving week.

 

I think the kids would like all of the lines you mentioned and they all have clubs for the children.

 

I would recommend reading cruise member review on the ship you are considering to get a feel for what others have to say.

 

Keith

[#1TravelMom]

We are doing Carnival Breeze over Thanksgiving with our 11 year old. She has been on 20+ cruises. She just loves the Breeze. There is so much for "tweens".

[BillOh]

I think RC is just too big, don't like the idea of a floating mall

 

Famous last words of people before they try Royals Oasis class. With an 11 year old, its perfect for him, He may be board on celebrity.

[MNfamilycruiser]

We are a family of 3 with an 11 year old son. We have done one cruise just to try it out, 3 night Carnival cruise from Long Beach to Ensenada. Didn't enjoy it all that much, too much of a party boat, not the best food, but it was a good introduction to cruising and we want to try a longer cruise to more exotic locales.

 

We are looking at Eastern Carribean over Thanksgiving week, choosing between RC, NCL, Princess, Celebrity, and maybe HAL??

 

I think RC is just too big, don't like the idea of a floating mall. Celebrity is where we are leaning...advice please! Thank you

RC does have different sized ships...they aren't all giant malls ;)

 

Thanksgiving week you will find lots of kids on all lines - but in general my impression is that Celebrity and HAL would usually have less families than the others. Slightly older passengers, a little less for kids to do on the ship. I could be wrong - I am not up on all the newest ships for each line.

[Krazy Kruizers]

Welcome to Cruise Critic.

Short cruises are usually nothing but booze cruises.

A seven day cruise will be much different.

I would go with either Celebrity or Princess.

[Bonnie J.]

Celebrity is more formal than the other ships, passengers are usually older and they don't have as many kids as the other ships do. I think of them as more of a country club cruise- more men in a tux on formal night than the other ships.

HAL is know for older passengers.

I would day RCCL- a smaller RCCL- or even Carnival. Both have fantastic programs for kids.

We don't like NCL at all- hate only freestyle dining- once we had had to wait 40 minutes for a table.

[Keith1010]

When we took our Children on Celebrity the age of the guests never bothered us.

 

There were always plenty of children.

 

Keith

[SadieN]

For a first cruise is look at a cruise from the West Coast. Close to home, no flights necessary.

 

Princess and Carnival sail year round from Los Angeles.

 

The Imagination/Inspiration short cruise is very different than the week long cruises. I've done lots of them over the years.

Edited September 10, 2015 by SadieN

[Treven]

Do yourself a favor, don't base cruising on the booze crooze you were on. Base your impression on at least a 7-nite cruise. You'll find there's a ton of differences.