Long Term Carnival Guest ready for something new.

[mfs2k]

My wife and I have been on 10 Carnival Cruises.  My first was in the mid 1980's when I was in my 20's.  We've never been on another cruise line except for one disappointing Norwegian cruise experience 10 years ago. 

 

(We're now in our late 50's) 

We're ready to try something new for our 20th wedding anniversary in March.  We live in NY but we can fly to a debarkation port.  We don't travel with kids so we really don't want to be surrounded by kids. 

 

We like to cruise in a fun environment, but it doesn't have to be crazy, Spring Break style fun.  We don't want to be too bored either.  We used to like the spring break crowd, but it's getting too much for us now.  

 

Good food, drinks, service, music, casino, nice accommodations, and entertainment are important to us, as are the ports. 

 

What cruise line would you guys recommend other than Carnival?

[bryanbusch12]

Try out celebrity

[xDisconnections]

Princess is a nice option for those who outgrow Carnival.

Edited January 7, 2019 by xDisconnections

[Jerseygirl1416]

Give one of the Royal Caribbean Oasis class ships a try. My husband and I went on the Oasis and loved it. It’s such a unique experience. 

[dcgrumpy]

Maybe a  Royal Caribbean Freedom or Oasis class ship, while school is in session.

[leaveitallbehind]

Celebrity would be my suggestion. By comparison as RCI was mentioned, RCI will be more family oriented with activities geared towards that while Celebrity will be more adult oriented with more of a pure cruise environment. Having cruised extensively with both, IMO, the food and personal service is better with Celebrity as well

[Aquahound]

Pretty much any line is good when it comes to getting away from the sameness of always having cruised the same line.  

 

That said, if your primary focus is keeping that fun environment but just want to see something different, try RCI.  Oasis Class ships are truly amazing and all seasoned cruisers should try it once.  The entertainment is second to none.  

 

If your focus is more on the less kids, I recommend Celebrity.  I haven't tried Edge yet but I think Solstice Class ships are the most beautiful at sea. It's more of a South Beach feel with the evening hot spot being the martini bar. The ships are very modern.   

[paul929207]

A benefit of Princess is if you carnival corp stock from your cruises on Carnival, you get the same OBC on Princess and the other CCL lines. 

 

Are you looking to stay in the Caribbean or go other places like Alaska or Europe? If Alaska, be sure to get a cruise that goes to Glacier Bay.

 

In Europe there are a wide variety of places to see.

[thinfool]

A great trip for that time of year is a full transit Panama Canal voyage.  Usually they are 14 days which greatly minimizes spring break and children.

Princess, HAL, Celebrity all have offerings here.  The fares are a little higher but mostly because the ship will pay upwards of $400,000. to transit the canal.  You will need passports for this itinerary, no birth certificate/drivers license will work.

[champagne123]

Celebrity 

[mfs2k]

thanks for the suggestions! 

[SantaFeFan]

Another vote for Celebrity first, Princess second. Celebrity will pamper you more and feel more luxurious, while Princess will give you plenty to do on board and have a good selection of itineraries. Food is also better on Celebrity, but that is based on our own likes and dislikes. We sail these two the most. We're in our 60s for age reference and have been cruising for over two decades. 

Edited January 7, 2019 by SantaFeFan

[mfs2k]

We booked Celebrity Equinox March 23.  You guys were very helpful. 

[Aquahound]

1 hour ago, mfs2k said:

We booked Celebrity Equinox March 23.  You guys were very helpful. 

 

Great choice.  You're going to love that ship.