Caribbean Cruise vs. All-inclusive

[crusinmama06]

Hi,

 

stumbled across this thread..

 

we as a family (one 4 yr old) haven't set foot in the caribbean yet and intrigued by doing so via a cruise, I hadn't been looking to do so, and had found this website accidently when looking for recommended kids clubs...

 

Michele (crusinmama06) gave a compelling view of the caribbean cruise, and I'm tempted. Michele if you're reading this you said "My favorite is Eastern" - which company / itineray was that?

 

It sounds like the food / activities / fun can be pretty good on these cruises. But I guess it must very much depend on which company / boat you go with.. I'd like recommendations please!

 

The main appeal for me, would be see a few of the caribbean islands - I'll have to fly out from Europe and could fly to one of the islands as a starting point, my main goal would be to see a few of the most well known islands.

 

There's one BIG problem with a cruise for me (not rest of family) - I have been known to be a little sea sick on ferries before - but if these modern boats are pretty stable and ... what about the caribbean seas themselves, generally calm?

And also, when does the cruise liner do most of it's travelling, at night? That would suit me best.. we'd like to explore the islands as much as possible, so would hope to take advange of all the stops.

 

All advice welcome!!

 

Welcome! first of all let me address the sea sickness. How you felt on a ferry will NOT be the same as a cruise ship. I get soooo sick on small ships...ferries, glass bottom boat tours...BLECH! When I go on a cruise, I can BARELY feel the movement. The one last week I got sick on the PLANE. Not the ship....lol...how embarrassing is that? I take bonine the first day of the cruise and I have NO problems whatsoever.

 

For that age (your child is 4) I like the Eastern itineraries MUCH better. The Eastern is just a more family friendly itinerary. On the Western itineraries, there is alot of swimming with stingrays (great for older kids, my kids ages 3 and 7 wanted nothing to do with it), climbing the falls (great for older kids, older than 8), jungle canopy tours (ages 12 +).

 

Also on the Western itinierary (Jamaica) the venders are notoriously pushy...to the extreme. They WILL grab you or your child and try to make you look at their product.

 

So, after all of that...on the Eastern Itinerary I like St.Martin, St.Thomas and the Bahamas...or the private Islands that the cruiselines go to in the Bahamas.

 

What cruiseline...it doesn't matter if it's RCCL, Disney or Carnival. All of the programs are good for THAT age. Carnival is more ACTIVITY oriented. Alot of moving/dancing/etc. Royal Carribean TRIES to be more educational which means MORE SITTING (my 3 year old did NOT handle that well). On RCCL they have theatre/science/crayola art programs built into the kids club. My 7 year old LOVED it. My 3 year old, not so much...lol. She liked the hustle and bustle of Carnival better.

 

Disney is character centered...and you PAY much more for Disney. But it's a nice once in a lifetime cruise.

 

Here are some pictures from our cruise on RCCL Freedom of the Seas

 

THIS ship was over the top. The BEST as far as service/ammentities that we've ever been on. YOu can see the AULT only solarium pool AND the kid friendly H2O Zone. It had the best of both worlds....no doubt.

 

[serene56]

All advice welcome!!

 

 

We are cruising in August 26th from Fort Lauderdale on Carnival Liberty.

Like the above poster stated my kids preferred carnival for their activities.

 

Check my prices in the link below. I have no more inside cabins but do have a few oceanview (cabins with windows) and some balconies left.

[marmite0]

Michele, thanks for all the info and good pics!

 

And I'm feeling more confident about my sea legs after your reassurances too - especially when I see itineries mean they sail mostly at night.

 

Tell me, what is and isn't included on these cruises, having never done one before and having spent last couple of hours mainly looking at Carnival options, I'm still not sure - e.g. are meals / kids clubs included .. ?

Do there tend to be lots of kids on board? I'm hoping there will be a fair few my daughters age..

The excusions look really good, without them though, do the ships tend to dock somewhere, where you can go on a DIY trip of your own?

 

Sorry for all questions!

 

 

I have always been looking to go to St. Lucia and/or Antigua, so Southern Caribbean cruise is my focus at mo'

[marmite0]

We are cruising in August 26th from Fort Lauderdale on Carnival Liberty.

Like the above poster stated my kids preferred carnival for their activities.

 

Check my prices in the link below. I have no more inside cabins but do have a few oceanview (cabins with windows) and some balconies left.

 

Thanks - good prices, we're tied into not being able to go before 6th July unfortuntely and as I say I'm keen to go to some of southern caribbean islands. I'll have to spend some time hunting!

[serene56]

Your best bet for a cheaper cruise is to book now ofr summer of 2008.

 

I got my prices for Liberty last November. If you look at the prices today onthe Liberty for the same week==you will see inside cabins selling for well over what i have balcony cabins for.

[marmite0]

Yes, in typical style I've left everything last minute. Will be same next year - I can't commit that far in advance! Oh well.

 

Anyone, care to comment on how dreadful or how not-so-bad an interior cabin is?

[crusinmama06]

Ok so what's "included"...it depends on the cruiseline. Here's the 3 that I can do off the top of my head.

 

RCCL

INCLUDED - all of the onboard activities (including rock climbing/ice skating/surfing)

--MOST food (pizza at Sorrentos, desserts and sandwiches at the cafe) dining rooms and Windjammer

--milk and juice at breakfast

--ice tea and milk at lunch/dinner

 

NOT included - $3.95 cover fee for Johnny Rockets but the rest of the food THERE is included, except milkshakes

--Ben & Jerry's not included...small charge

--pictures (taken everywhere all of the time...lol) range from $6.99-$19.99

--soda (approx $7.99/day) and alcohol

--specialty dining restaurants ($20 pp)

--specialty coffees at Seattles Best

--excursions

--casino

--onboard shopping

 

CARNIVAL

INCLUDED - all of the onboard activities

--MOST food (24 hour pizza & ice cream)

--milk & juice/coffee tea at breakfast

--ice tea and milk/coffee/lemonade/fruit punch/tea/specialty coffees at dinner

 

NOT included -

--pictures (taken everywhere all of the time...lol) range from $6.99-$19.99

--soda (can get a soda card) and alcohol

--specialty coffees/desserts at the coffee bar

--excursions

--casino

--onboard shopping

 

 

 

DISNEY

INCLUDED - all of the onboard activities

--Most food

--MOST beverages including soda (not alcohol)

 

NOT included -

--pictures/character pictures

--alcohol

--excursions

--onboard shopping

--specialty dining

[packercruising]

Yes, in typical style I've left everything last minute. Will be same next year - I can't commit that far in advance! Oh well.

 

Anyone, care to comment on how dreadful or how not-so-bad an interior cabin is?

 

Inside cabins are small but fine. You don't spend loads of time in them anyway. If you can't afford or don't want a balcony don't worry about getting an inside. You still have loads of fun!:) The exception, IMO would be any trip to Alaska

[crusinmama06]

And how bad is an inside cabin? If that's the ONLY way you can cruise...then take it! It's better than being at home. ;)

 

Some insides are better than others. Some are larger. Some are newer. It just depends on the ship/cruiseline. I had 4 people in an Ocean View on Carnival which is basically an inside with a window and it wasn't that bad to me. And we were used to doing suites with balconies. So if I can do it, you can do it. :D

[serene56]

Inside cabins are small but fine. You don't spend loads of time in them anyway. If you can't afford or don't want a balcony don't worry about getting an inside. You still have loads of fun!:) The exception, IMO would be any trip to Alaska

 

 

on carnival those inside cabins are the same size as oceanview cabins without the window

[marmite0]

Well I would prefer to pay for room with a window and/or balcony, but after much calling and surfing today, the Carnival cruise from the Barbados is very booked up and only has a few internal cabins left - so if I want to go there I've no choice.

My fault for planning this hol. so late - no excuse this time.

 

Carnival Internal cabin is relative cheap though, and apart from that the cruise iternary and port of departure (Barbados) is ideal - 'cos I have airmiles to Barbados !

 

On the subject of not spending much time in the cabin.. and children..

do the liners have babysitters? Or do they have room listening devices/services etc.?

 

Btw, Michele, Serene, packercruising - thanks for all the tips - so useful - what would we do without the internet huh?

[crusinmama06]

Well I would prefer to pay for room with a window and/or balcony, but after much calling and surfing today, the Carnival cruise from the Barbados is very booked up and only has a few internal cabins left - so if I want to go there I've no choice.

My fault for planning this hol. so late - no excuse this time.

 

Carnival Internal cabin is relative cheap though, and apart from that the cruise iternary and port of departure (Barbados) is ideal - 'cos I have airmiles to Barbados !

 

On the subject of not spending much time in the cabin.. and children..

do the liners have babysitters? Or do they have room listening devices/services etc.?

 

Btw, Michele, Serene, packercruising - thanks for all the tips - so useful - what would we do without the internet huh?

 

Like I said if it meant NO cruise at all, then TAKE THE INSIDE. :D

 

Your child is 4 right? NO charge for Camp Carnival. You won't need a "babysitter". Just send the child to Camp. Then if you want him/her to stay AFTER 10pm for the After Hours Slumber Party (goes till 1am) then you can pay $6/hour.

 

I couldn't drag my kids out of Camp Carnival.

[suzan99]

We just went on our first cruise last month on Disney. All our other vacations (6 or 7 total) have been to all-inclusive resorts in Mexico.

 

We loved the cruise but found the all-inclusive much cheaper (a 5* resort) than the cruise. For example we stayed at the Iberostar Lindo 2 years ago for $3500 for the 3 of us (2 adults and a 3 year old). That included everything, airfare, hotel, all meals, drinks, non motorized sports, shows, etc. The only extra money we spent was about $75 on tips.

 

In contrast our cruise was $5200, plus $450 airfare to Florida, $1000 onboard for drinks, pictures and Disney stuff for our 4 year old. Plus $300-400 cash for taxis on the islands. We didn't do any organized excursions. Plus we stayed in Disney for 3 nights before the cruise and probably spent $1500 there. So although we loved the vacation, we could of gone to Mexico almost 3 times for what we spent.

 

There are pros and cons to each. The all inclusive was more relaxing because there is less to do. The ship has better food and better service and more activities and entertainment. The pools are much, much better at the all inclusive and the beach is right there, no need to get off the ship, spend $60 to get to a beach. If you enjoy mostly hanging out at a pool and beach I would say go to an all inclusive, but if you like a lot of other indoor type activities go on a cruise.

[rhascall]

Michelle,

We're going on an Eastern Caribbean on RCCL. Where did you get to swim with the dolphins? My daughter and I did that in Orlando in January and had a blast. We would love to go again. Any recommendations of other excursions? She's 10.

Thanks,

[rhascall]

Michelle,

We're going on an Eastern Caribbean on RCCL. Where did you get to swim with the dolphins? My daughter and I did that in Orlando in January and had a blast. We would love to go again. Any recommendations of other excursions? She's 10.

Thanks,

[Illiad]

I've never ever understood the idea of flying to the Caribbean just to stay in an all-inclusive.

 

If you're looking for sun, surf, and fun, just go to a Miami resort. Everyone there speaks English. I can't wrap my head around flying to Cuba, the Dominican Republic or wherever just to stay locked in a resort.

 

The resorts in many of these countries do all they can to keep you in. They put up barbed wire around the property and post guards with shotguns at the entrance gates, hinting that it's "dangerous" outside the resort. The truth couldn't be further away. As long as you stay in the resort, you'll spend your money there. US$15 for a pair of sandals doesn't sound so bad, until you go two blocks down the street to the mercado to find the exact same pair for US$1.

[lagbunch8]

DH and I were just looking into an AI. I was glad to see this post.

 

Has anyone stayed at the Beaches Turks & Caicos? We are looking into trying the AI family vacation. We took the kids on their first cruise this year. Prices are very similar. The kids clubs are nice but, not a big factor to us. We spend most of our time together. We are not big drinkers but, I might enjoy 1 or 2 if it's free :) Is there entertainment at all? Other than bars--that's not our thing. We really enjoy hanging out at the beach. I am thinking a land based AI might be nice. For a family of 8 all those little extras can add up! Thanks for any info.

[lagbunch8]

I've never ever understood the idea of flying to the Caribbean just to stay in an all-inclusive.

 

If you're looking for sun, surf, and fun, just go to a Miami resort. Everyone there speaks English. I can't wrap my head around flying to Cuba, the Dominican Republic or wherever just to stay locked in a resort.

 

The resorts in many of these countries do all they can to keep you in. They put up barbed wire around the property and post guards with shotguns at the entrance gates, hinting that it's "dangerous" outside the resort. The truth couldn't be further away. As long as you stay in the resort, you'll spend your money there. US$15 for a pair of sandals doesn't sound so bad, until you go two blocks down the street to the mercado to find the exact same pair for US$1.

 

What if you live in Miami? ;)

[Ellanora]

I have not stayed at Beaches Turks and Caicos, although my son and I very much want to. We stayed at Beaches Negril in Sept 2005 and loved it; from the reviews and research I have done, I think Turks and Caicos is just a bigger (and possibly a little better) version of Negril. More pools, more room choices, more restaurants.

 

The resorts in many of these countries do all they can to keep you in. They put up barbed wire around the property and post guards with shotguns at the entrance gates, hinting that it's "dangerous" outside the resort. The truth couldn't be further away. As long as you stay in the resort, you'll spend your money there. US$15 for a pair of sandals doesn't sound so bad, until you go two blocks down the street to the mercado to find the exact same pair for US$1.

 

LOL. Jamaica is often reputed to be dangerous, but your description is nothing at all close to Beaches Negril. No barbed wire, no shotguns, and you could leave the property whenever you wanted. The experience was wonderful, and nothing like any resort in Florida.

[flaca]

We stayed in Beaches Turks and Caicos about 4 years ago. It was one of the best vacations, we have ever taken. My daughter was 8 months at the time. I thought the daycare was great. We used it every night for dinner and an after breakfast coffee. I took walks to check out the older kids activites which really nice. It would definately somewhere to go back to. We didn't drop one penny at anything in the resort. We tried all the resturants, which were great. All the staff was very helpful. The only downside was hogging of pool chairs. The only reason we stayed closer to the pool then the beach was better access to the bar and the food bars. If you didn't get a chair early then there would be a problem trying to get one later in the day. Overall worth every penny... The only reason we haven't gone back is I like to try different types of trips every year.

 

****Thinking of going back for 4 days in november as a surprise trip for my husband

[crusinmama06]

We stayed in Beaches Turks and Caicos about 4 years ago. It was one of the best vacations, we have ever taken. My daughter was 8 months at the time. I thought the daycare was great. We used it every night for dinner and an after breakfast coffee. I took walks to check out the older kids activites which really nice. It would definately somewhere to go back to. We didn't drop one penny at anything in the resort. We tried all the resturants, which were great. All the staff was very helpful. The only downside was hogging of pool chairs. The only reason we stayed closer to the pool then the beach was better access to the bar and the food bars. If you didn't get a chair early then there would be a problem trying to get one later in the day. Overall worth every penny... The only reason we haven't gone back is I like to try different types of trips every year.

 

****Thinking of going back for 4 days in november as a surprise trip for my husband

 

My TA has been begging me to take this trip instead of another cruise. I just want to find a cruise to go to Turks & Caicos. She says I would LOVE this trip.

 

So, can you please talk a little about the security of the kids' club. I am worried that unlike a cruise club where the kids are pretty much locked in one room...what is it like at the resort. Do they take the kids around the area? I don't know if I would be able to relax knowing my kids are off without me. :eek:

 

So please calm my fears :)

[flaca]

I can really only comment on the security for the younger kids. There are two clubhouses. The infants and up to 5 years old were in the same house. Parents wold sign them in and out. It wasn't crowded, so my daughter had the same caretaker the whole trip. I never found her just sitting in the crib being ignored. I made several surprise visits to check. The staff was really helpful. You can also come and go whenever you want. I wold drop her off for a 15 minutes sometimes just to sit calmly for a cup of coffee or for a 2 hours for dinner. The room across from infants was for older kids to what age I couldn't say but they looked about 5. They would go on trips within the resort. They have a giant stroller for all the kids to sit in. They would take strolls around the resort. They also had a private pool behind the clubhouse for their use only. I had a shaded enclosed area for sun protection. I used a private babysitter one night. It was expensive and not really that necessary alot of the activites for adults ended by the time you had to pick up the kids anyway. If you went off to the club med for more of a night life scene then you would have to pay the taxi ride home for the sitter, which is a $20 not matter where and the per hour rate. The older kids were at the other side of the resort. There was an arcade, clubhouse and a very cool pool. I didn't see any of the older kids roaming the resort. I am really not sure of their activities. I had no fear of using the kids club. It is a great place to try for a really nice all inclusive resort.

[lagbunch8]

Thank you for your replies. I will have to look into the AI more and talk to my TA. I love cruising but, it might be nice to try the AI even if just once.

 

Mary