Ship advice

[jfish341]

Hello,

 

Sorry if my limited cruising knowledge shows through here with this question!

My family (wife and three kids under 12) are currently booked on an April cruise on the Dawn. There are three other ships (Escape, Getaway out of Miami and Jade out of Tampa) with the exact same ports of call. One the Jade, I could probably save money by switching to that cruise. Part of me would really enjoy seeing New Orleans (Dawn), but it may be more expensive for us to fly there from Cincinnati.

 

Any advice or thoughts would be appreciated if you think a switch would be worth it.

 

Thanks!

John

[luvtheships]

Getaway and escape are better for the kids over the dawn

 

Just look at what those ships offer versus what the dawn doesn't offer in terms of kids stuff

 

Remember that extra cost to fly to Nola will actually mean hotel and several meals and activities...for 5 people....$2000 extra perhaps and that's conservative

 

 

 

 

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Edited November 28, 2016 by luvtheships

[simplelife]

I'm not sure where you are getting your figures on flight costs - is Cincinnati to NOLA that much more than to Tampa or Miami? I can't see how New Orleans would cost any more than Miami or Tampa would in hotel and activities. In fact,I have travelled to all three places and have found that NOLA and more options for affordable hotels and many activities for families..

 

 

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Edited November 28, 2016 by simplelife

[Blondie008]

Three kids under 12? Without a doubt I would choose one of the bigger ships with more facilities for kids.

I am unsure of the Dawn set up but Jade has very limited kids facilities. Not long off the Jade and although we had a great cruise - even we (no kids) missed the aspects of the big ships.

I'd go with Getaway or Escape if they are an option.

Edited November 28, 2016 by Blondie008

[sanger727]

Agree with switching to getaway or escape over jade if you decide to switch. Not sure if New Orleans or Miami has better airfare but the main advantage Miami has is that Miami and Fort Lauderdale are about 20 minutes apart, so you can easily fly into either airport depending on flight prices.

 

 

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[negn]

Airfare from Albany to NOLA is double what it is to Fort lauderdale

Your best bet would be to fly into Fort Lauderdale and cruise out of Miami. Lots of options for transport to port. I would advise going a day early to avoid any possible glitches. Just got a great price on Jet Blue for $59 for 1 way so look there as well as Southwest Kids would really enjoy the larger ships ,more activities.

[Nola26]

I'm not sure where you are getting your figures on flight costs - is Cincinnati to NOLA that much more than to Tampa or Miami? I can't see how New Orleans would cost any more than Miami or Tampa would in hotel and activities. In fact,I have travelled to all three places and have found that NOLA and more options for affordable hotels and many activities for families.

 

 

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New Orleans is actually an expensive airport for flights. FL flights tend to be much less. My suggestion is to switch to Getaway or Escape (in that order), fly into Ft. Lauderdale (tends to cost less than Miami, but you verify), get a hotel near the airport that provides a free shuttle (Spring Hill Suites works for us) and use a service to take you from the hotel to POM to board the ship (Jiffy Jeff was excellent and had new Mercedes vans).

 

Also we tend to fly SW as the no baggage fees help on trips like this. However, coming from Cincy Delta may be better for you, just be sure to understand the baggage fees as an additional cost for your trip. Just be sure to have a carry-on that includes the kids swimwear, just in case. :-).

 

Hotel if one room is $100-200, suite or double beds with a pullout

Jeff would be $150 Round trip, maybe add $30 in tips

Breakfast is complimentary

Dinner - many chains nearby the hotel, walking distance

Dave & Busters nearby for family fun

 

I have no idea where the $2,000 estimate came from. You could budget $500 - 1,000

Edited November 28, 2016 by Nola26

[bluesea777]

Time for you, OP, to do "cyber" shopping!

 

For each cruise (Getaway, Escape, Jade, Dawn,) list the following:

 

airfare to port

cruise fare

hotel room

how far from airport to hotel - transportation cost

etc etc

 

... and the pros and cons of each ship.

 

Have fun planning!!

[BirdTravels]

I would definitely pick one of the Getaway or Escape. And probably the Escape over the Getaway. The Escape has children programs for babies through teens. And there would be an opportunity for some dad and mom time.

[roger001]

With kids, I'd take Getaway (haven't been on the Escape yet). For just the two of you, then I'd take the Jade over the Dawn. We like the Spinnaker Lounge and Great Outdoors that the Jade has and the Dawn doesn't. Here's a huge number of pics I took of the Getaway a couple of years ago. They show some of the "fun" kid's stuff.

 

http://s241.photobucket.com/user/roganderson60/media/Getaway1/DSCN5596_zps8f68ea0b.jpg.html?sort=2&o=0

[SuiteTraveler]

I would definitely recommend Getaway or Escape over Jade and Dawn due to your children. But even for you and your wife, these larger ships offer more of everything: more entertainment, more specialty restaurants, a bigger and more elaborate spa, a bigger and more elaborate casino, more things to do onboard, a larger and more comprehensive buffet.

[tatt2ed]

Chicago to NOLA vs Chicago to Orlando, Miami or Ft Lauderdale can be twice the price sometimes more. Then multiply that by 5 people. Ouch ! Ive always driven to NOLA just for that reason.

[philip_eunice1]

Whatever ship u choose the kids club are usually great

 

 

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[djmess]

Lots of great advice.

 

My first choice would be Getaway the Escape.

 

But if you have a child under the age of 3 - go with the ESCAPE. They have a for fee program where they will watch your under 3 y/o kids a couple hours. The 3 and over kids could go to the kids clubs and the Parents could enjoy a nice meal or show.

 

I've cruised with my now 13 y/o son since he was 2. We've done all the ships you have mentioned.

 

Good Luck and keep asking questions. We are all here to help and support!

[luvtheships]

New Orleans is actually an expensive airport for flights. FL flights tend to be much less. My suggestion is to switch to Getaway or Escape (in that order), fly into Ft. Lauderdale (tends to cost less than Miami, but you verify), get a hotel near the airport that provides a free shuttle (Spring Hill Suites works for us) and use a service to take you from the hotel to POM to board the ship (Jiffy Jeff was excellent and had new Mercedes vans).

 

Also we tend to fly SW as the no baggage fees help on trips like this. However, coming from Cincy Delta may be better for you, just be sure to understand the baggage fees as an additional cost for your trip. Just be sure to have a carry-on that includes the kids swimwear, just in case. :-).

 

Hotel if one room is $100-200, suite or double beds with a pullout

Jeff would be $150 Round trip, maybe add $30 in tips

Breakfast is complimentary

Dinner - many chains nearby the hotel, walking distance

Dave & Busters nearby for family fun

 

I have no idea where the $2,000 estimate came from. You could budget $500 - 1,000

 

 

I said $2000 AS AN ESTIMATE considering the following...

 

1. The op said its more expensive for flights x5

 

2. He said Nola because he wanted to see the city first. To me that means minimum 2 nights hotel for 5 ( which means large accommodations) in a decent place with amenities for kids plus meals for lunch and dinner and of course some entertainment

 

3. He didn't say he wanted to spend extra time in fll or Mia did he? He said Nola which is not cheap

 

 

4. Just an FYI not everyone travels as just 2 adults or 2 adults and 2 kids...so when traveling with 3 or more kids things change...

 

Taxi comes to mind which others dont think of

 

It's not easy to hail a cab for 5 with luggage so a private driver may well need to be pre arranged...airport to hotel...hotel to port...heck it costs me $400 alone for home to airport and back again a week later for my crew

 

That may not be an issue if flying to Florida on day of departure.

 

Also while some people look to go on the cheap...it's not always wise or even possible to do that with 3 kids. Staying in the wrong area of Nola is not wise nor is staying in a fleabag motel lol

 

Too many on these boards just don't consider that

 

 

 

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Edited November 28, 2016 by luvtheships

[jfish341]

Thanks for all the advice. We ended up switching to the Getaway. I agree that it would be that much better with the kids. I think Miami gives us more options with flights which will save a few bucks. Thanks again!

[mygreyhound66]

Hi, we were on the Getaway and loved it (kids will love it), so many fun things! as far as flights and hotels, do look at Ft. Lauderdale - it is a nice place with many decently priced hotels etc. You could also just rent a car and drive down to Miami the next day (most likely much cheaper than car services). The two car rentals are Avis and Hertz, you drop off at the designated office (downtown) and then they shuttle you over to the pier (no extra cost).

 

Just be very sure which drop off location you are using! We did this in September and it worked out great.....