Help pick cruise for 21 year old and friend

[S.S.Oceanlover]

Thanks everyone for all the responses. // DS and his friend enjoy socializing with other people and meeting with other people, but aren't overly concerned about this on a cruise or vacation. // I think chilling out, taking a break from work and regular routine, and enjoying some ocean breezes with other fun activity built in are the main appeal for DS at least.

 

I originally didn't have NCL on the table because DS has always enjoyed dressing up for dinner on cruises and the routine of eating in the main dining room at the same time each night. It sounds like with the freestyle dining concept on NCL all that is eliminated, not part of the cruise experience?? Maybe that's true with Carnival these days too on the newer ships?? Truth be told, I really don't know how NCL operates these days?? DH and I did one of their cruises once back in the early 90s before DS was even born and liked it a lot, but it was the traditional dining concept back then.

 

Thanks too to all the posters who commented about considering NCL and putting them back on the table too. That's very encouraging to me, especially with these two new developments. (1) DS said he love it if DH and I would go on the cruise too and would love his grandparents (my parents) who do quite a bit of cruising too to go also. // (2) I mentioned this to DH (didn't think either of us would be keen to go - already had some other travel tentatively planned for next year), but DH said What about NCL? DH it turns out has a freebie offer for a basic balcony double occupancy for any of their cruises - just the retail cruise part, not taxes, tips, excursions, etc. but that's a pretty decent incentive (discount) that we could share with the guys. (We'd take the freebie and share the wealth by paying for some of the guy's cruise). And for our travel next year, a summer Colorado trip is still on the plate (DS is coming on that too.), but DH and I decided that neither or us is really all that keen on big trip number 2, a fall new England organized tour we were thinking about. We are thinking we could use the monies and vacation time allocated for that for a cruise instead. DS is good at talking us into things, and he is really a lot of fun to travel with. lol :)

 

On NCL they have dress up or not nights. On Carnival the dress is the same as NCL except they have 2 elegant nights where a lot of people just wear khakis and a collared shirt.

 

Some still wear suits, some wear shirt and tie, and you will still see an occasional tux.

 

The balcony's on the newer NCL ships are tiny in the regular balcony cabins. We had an aft balcony which is much bigger.

 

The pool area on the NCL ships are very small too for ships with 4000 pax.

 

Also the entertainment is much better than Carnivals.

 

All that being said we had a great time on NCL.

 

No matter which line you pick I am sure you'll have an outstanding time.

 

Bill

[kathy884]

Thanks for all the information, so helpful. DS looked at NCL and with DH's discount (spitting that four ways) and see's that they could afford to do the seven night on the Escape. He loved the Carnival Vista too. Anyway, I told him we could come too then if he wants to go for the Escape, not get a cabin right by them or anything, but in the same area of the ship and have his grandparents come also if he does the Escape, so that's what he is going with. If the guys really enjoy cruising, who knows maybe they'll do the Vista next year.

 

For me and DH, as much as we like Carnival and think of it as a good value, that's the line we've gone on, on our last three cruises, so we are more inclined to mix it up and give RCL a try. Not that we cruise for the entertainment, but some better entertainment does sound appealing. I'll have to see how we do with the cabin size, as I don't want to do the upgrade to a bigger one (just doing midship balcony). My parent, though, when looking at cabin size decided to go with a suite. Anyway now we have a multigenerational trip.

 

Thanks so much for all your help.

[Crusin Hogs]

(f) Carnival shall refuse boarding to any Guest under the age of twenty-one unless: (1) the Guest is traveling in the same stateroom with an individual twenty-five years or older; (2) traveling in the same stateroom with their spouse; or (3) traveling with a parent or guardian in an accompanying stateroom. Adult guests agree to be responsible at all times for the safety and behavior of their minor guests. Proof of age and/or proof of marriage are required. Carnival shall not be liable to make any refunds or for any damages with respect to any Guest’s failure to provide proper proof of age or marriage or otherwise comply with this provision.

 

Read the red bolder part . That is directly from the Carnival Ticket Contract that everyone has to agree to.

 

 

This is not hard to understand , Someone HAS to be 25 in the same cabin , UNLESS the 2 under 25 are MARRIED to each other . So a 21 and 23 year old would not be able to go , UNLESS they were married .. If not they need someone 25 in the cabin with them .

[Swampbabe]

This is not hard to understand , Someone HAS to be 25 in the same cabin , UNLESS the 2 under 25 are MARRIED to each other . So a 21 and 23 year old would not be able to go , UNLESS they were married .. If not they need someone 25 in the cabin with them .

 

 

 

Evidently, this is hard for YOU to understand. If someone is under the age of 21, then you must have someone over the age of 25 in the cabin. If all are 21 or over then it's all good.

 

Last year my daughter and her college roommates booked a spring break cruise. All over 21, no one over 25. Carnival Victory out of port canaveral.

[tgirl25]

My son who is 21 asked if I'd help him and a friend pick out a Caribbean cruise for next April (He knows I love vacation planning and he and I have worked together to plan many of our family vacations). Anyway, I thought I'd get opinions from all you very experienced cruises out there. He'd be looking at something in the April 1st, 2nd, or 3rd timeframe for a departure for about a week or shorter if necessary for budget purposes. He doesn't want to do a Carnival Conquest class ship, as he has only done four cruises in his life an all were on that type of ship (not that he didn't love those, but more that he would like to change things up). He doesn't have a huge preference on ports of call. Again he's covered a lot of them already. He's a big balcony person, so would be interested in that and that costs more, so has a bearing on options due to his budget, meaning a good value line like Carnival would be one of his better choices if he wants to do seven days I'm thinking. If he wants to do Disney or RCCL with balcony, he will need to do a shorter cruise. Also, he really likes going to the main dining room for dinner each night, making me think NCL with the freestyle dining would not be a good choice. Is that a correct assumption? In addition he is not a big drinker, doesn't gamble or want to gamble and would prefer a ship that is not a big booze cruise, making me think a longer not shorter cruise on Carnival -- six or seven night vs. three or four would be a better choice. He would love a steel drum band (so it's kind of sad that Carnival doesn't have that any more -- great choices on cuts by the line for keeping prices down, but that's probably the one thing he wishes they hadn't cut.) He is well aware that there are trade offs in whatever he picks and is used to working within a vacation budget and making compromises. Also, he is NOT a foodie and is one who might even some nights order off of a kids menu. Although getting a great filet one night or some wonderful fettuccini alfredo always works. He's not into gourmet stuff, sauces, ethnic food, and for the most part eats pretty plain stuff. Based on what my dad has told me about Holland American, I'm thinking that based on DS food preferences, maybe we should throw that one out? Do you agree? I know he wouldn't starve on Carnival or other lines that do a lot of catering to kids. Also, his friend is not a big planner and is really leaving the planning to him. I posted this on the Carnival forum, as I am seeing quite a few Carnival choice that might work, and I know many regular Carnival cruises just plain love cruising -- may cruise Carnival most, but enjoy other lines too and can speak to and recommend other line options also.

 

Budget wise we are looking at balcony prices in the $1000 price range or less for double occupancy per person: Here are the six top choices in the running: Any thoughts on these and/or are there other cruise option you think would be worth consideration? I appreciate any and all opinions.

 

(1) Carnival Magic -- solid seven night option Part Canaveral to Cozumel, Belize City, Roatan, and Costa Maya (port with except for Cozumel he hasn't been to). Could also stay overnight with cousin in Orlando before and after cruise saving money on hotel and would probably use saving to hit a theme park.

 

(2) Carnival Breeze -- seven night option from Galveston that looks very similar in terms of ship and itinerary as the Magic with stops in Roatan, Belize City, and Cozumel

 

(3) Carnival Splendor from Miami to some of the same as above -- Cozumel, Belize, and Roatan plus Grand Cayman (place we have been many times before, but that we like)

 

(4) Carnival Vista -- Six night Miami to Ocho Rios, Grand Cayman, and Cozumel (I'm not a big fan of Ocho Rios as a cruise stop), DS is intrigued by this being a new ship in the fleet.

 

(5) RCCL Independence of the Seas (Freedom class ship) -- five night out of Fort Lauderdale to Labadee and Falmouth. I think DS would really get a kick out of their atrium area. I've heard their ship layouts are really stunning. He'd be sacrificing days, though, for this. He's probably get his steel drum band and better entertainment than Carnival.

 

(6) Disney Wonder out of Port Canaveral -- Only four nights and goes to Private Island (Castaway Cay) and Bahamas (Nassau) not Caribbean as due to expense would have to sacrifice length and where ship goes. I'm not overly keen on Nassau. DS is also not sure his friend would be keen on Disney. DS, though, has always wanted to do a Disney cruise, but mom and dad were never willing to pay the price (didn't see it as a good value and given that we don't like to cruise without a balcony seven night options never worked with the family vacation budget.)

LOVED Magic! So much to do! Have been on Liberty of the Seas and that was really a great cruise too. I would take the more days though if they are about the same price.

[pafam4]

This is not hard to understand , Someone HAS to be 25 in the same cabin , UNLESS the 2 under 25 are MARRIED to each other . So a 21 and 23 year old would not be able to go , UNLESS they were married .. If not they need someone 25 in the cabin with them .[/QUOT

 

UNDER 21 are the key words. Since these two young people are over 21, there are no worries

 

If they were 18, 19, 20, THEN they would need the 25 yr old in the cabin

[bigman01]

This is not hard to understand , Someone HAS to be 25 in the same cabin , UNLESS the 2 under 25 are MARRIED to each other . So a 21 and 23 year old would not be able to go , UNLESS they were married .. If not they need someone 25 in the cabin with them .

 

 

Apparently this IS hard for some to understand. As has been shown earlier in this post, both guests are OVER the age of 21 - there is nobody in the cabin UNDER 21, so this part of the contract has nothing to do with this cabin.

 

A 21 and 23 year old can book the cabin with no problems.

[S.S.Oceanlover]

This is not hard to understand , Someone HAS to be 25 in the same cabin , UNLESS the 2 under 25 are MARRIED to each other . So a 21 and 23 year old would not be able to go , UNLESS they were married .. If not they need someone 25 in the cabin with them .

 

thought this was resolved yesterday!:eek:

 

Bill