Please help me pick the right cruise

[Fun Loving]

I have a group of 10 females (ages 30-45) that want to go on a cruise next March. We all are pretty active and like to have fun. I have narrowed it down to the following ships and would like some input.

1. Celibrity Millenium

2. Holland Westerdam

3. Norwegian Dawn

4. Grand Princess

5. RCCL Adventure of the Seas

6. Costa Fortuna

 

Any advice or input you have about any of these is greatly appreciated. THANKS!

[ssolomon56]

I have a group of 10 females (ages 30-45) that want to go on a cruise next March. We all are pretty active and like to have fun. I have narrowed it down to the following ships and would like some input.

1. Celibrity Millenium

2. Holland Westerdam

3. Norwegian Dawn

4. Grand Princess

5. RCCL Adventure of the Seas

6. Costa Fortuna

 

Any advice or input you have about any of these is greatly appreciated. THANKS!

 

Well....I think alot would have to do with the itinerary. But, if all things were equal I'm probably pick the Grand Princess personally. Funny to hear that on a Celebrity site, but Princess is my favorite cruise line. Celebrity is a VERY close 2nd. Why? IMHO Princess has more to offer that I enjoy - better/more trivia and other games, more karaoke, better buffets, fruit in the rooms... Celebrity is really a great cruiseline...but, the age group that it attracts tends to be a bit older. Another one you might consider is the Holland Westerdam. If you enjoy cooking demo's they have a state-of-the-art cooking/kitchen lounge. Kinda like Emril. It really all depends on what you like. One person's fun isn't another's. Anyway....have a wonderful time!

[geoherb]

I'd rule out Holland America and Norwegian for your group--but that's just my preference. Itinerary would be key to me. I like more days at sea, but then some people prefer more days in port.

 

Princess and Royal Caribbean have the advantage of having more activities going, especially in the evening.

[jerseygirl3]

A couple of things to keep in mind. Doesn't Adventure and Grand leave from ports other than Florida (San Juan? Texas?). Secondly, what is most important to you...a very active nightlife or outstanding service. Royal Caribbean will probably have more venues for you to have fun, but service will be more refined and ships more elegant on Celebrity and Holland America. Maybe if you gave us a little more insight into what your likes/dislikes are, we could help you better. Also, itineraries may play a role here. Can you elaborate on them? Pricing may influence the decision also.

[Drew B]

I haven't sailed most of these lines, but on reputation, I'd either say Grand Princess or RCCL Adventure of the Seas. You ladies would be much younger than the average guest on both HAL and Celebrity, and I think that both tend to be quite couples-oriented. Something like 80% + of people on my Celebrity cruise were travelling with their spouses. As a group of ladies travelling together (I don't know if you are single or not, but you will be travelling as single women), you might have more fun on a cruise with more singles.

[Pontius Navigator]

Something like 80% + of people on my Celebrity cruise were travelling with their spouses.

 

You sure? :D

 

As a group of ladies travelling together (I don't know if you are single or not, but you will be travelling as single women), you might have more fun on a cruise with more singles.

 

There were singles events and special meets but I have no idea if they were 'singles' 'divorce' 'widow' or 'other'.

 

Our snap assessment of age was 45.

 

There were two Canadian women travelling together (UK based) and two South African (SA based).

 

As a group of 10 I would hazard a guess that you would be a self-contained group so that the ages of the rest of the passengers would not really matter.

 

So, itnerary is the most significant factor.

[Drew B]

You sure? :D

 

Definitely NOT sure. It's a guess-timate based on what I saw in the dining room and around the ship.

[Alaskan Traveler]

I have a group of 10 females (ages 30-45) that want to go on a cruise next March. We all are pretty active and like to have fun. I have narrowed it down to the following ships and would like some input.

1. Celibrity Millenium

2. Holland Westerdam

3. Norwegian Dawn

4. Grand Princess

5. RCCL Adventure of the Seas

6. Costa Fortuna

 

Any advice or input you have about any of these is greatly appreciated. THANKS!

 

Hi Fun Loving,

 

I would highly recommend the Grand Princess from the list that you gave. The Grand Princess is a beautiful ship and is well maintained, with a lot to offer. The Westerdam would be my second choice for over all cruise enjoyment.

 

Pontius Navigator, You make a very good point about the age of cruisers. You have to be on many cruises at different times of the year to make any kind of an accurate estimate of the average age of cruisers on a particular cruise. One or two cruises does not give you any kind of an accurate picture.

If you are considering you should be aware of the information in the sticky at the top of this forum before making your decision.

[Spender Nui]

I have a group of 10 females (ages 30-45) that want to go on a cruise next March. We all are pretty active and like to have fun. I have narrowed it down to the following ships and would like some input.

1. Celibrity Millenium

2. Holland Westerdam

3. Norwegian Dawn

4. Grand Princess

5. RCCL Adventure of the Seas

6. Costa Fortuna

 

Any advice or input you have about any of these is greatly appreciated. THANKS!

 

 

We need more input.

 

What is important to the ladies? What do they enjoy? Are ports important? Are shows important? Is food important? Accomodations?

 

I'm also curious why you selected the ships you did.

[Donnaluv2cruise]

I would probably steer clean of the RCCL cruise. That time of year there's bound to be a lot of kids. Also I don't think I would take the Norweigen because of the free-style dining. I think it would be too hard for a party of that size to agree on a time and a place for dinner each evening. You would be better off having a set time and place for dinner. I think you guys would have a great time on The Millenium. Good Luck, and have a great time!

[adegner]

OK! I have some experience with this! As you can see by my signature, I LOVE Celebrity. When my husband and I cruise - we always choose X because of the quiet elegance, service and great food. We do NOT choose X for the crazy fun, great entertainment and lively atmosphere.

 

When I cruise with my girlfriends (15 to 30 women ages 25 to 60), we cruise to let off some steam - and have some FUN! We have been extremely happy with Royal Caribbean. The atmosphere is great for girls trying to have a week away from it all. They have great entertainment, a lively casino, lots of shopping and the "party" goes on late into the night.

 

I have also been on the Grand Princess and would also recommend it.

 

If you ladies are not so much into kicking off your shoes and getting "out there" as Royal Caribbean puts it, Celebrity Millenium would be fine too. But think of it as a more "relaxing" low key atmosphere cruise. There is nothing wrong with the European pampering.

 

Only you know your "girls" ;)

[Gypsea]

By now you've probably picked one and booked but if not I would say NCL Dawn or Adventure of the Seas. Both are going to offer more activities at night and possibly even in the daytime. NCL's freestyle dining could be a big plus to your group. Then you are not rushing to get ready for dinner, you can choose one of 11 dining rooms and get there when YOU want. I love the freedom. I have booked 20 women on a two night NCL Gem sailing for a birthday in December. We are trying not to think of it as a short cruise (so depressing) but rather a long birthday party!! Since many of us have sailed NCL in the past this was a no-brainer.

 

RC has a great disco and nightlife on most cruises plus the climbing wall and various activities as do all ships. I do like the interior promenade on the Voyager class and so I would make this the second choice. Pricing will probably be higher.

 

Celeb, HAL and Princess will offer you a more elegant, traditional cruise experience but I am getting the impression that that is not what you are after. Fun is not the first thing that pops into mind with those lines, it would be more like quality food and service but that doesn't mean you will go without on NCL or RC (though some will think differently I'm sure).

 

NCL seems to have more fun listings in the daily than the other lines and just keeps you busier if you like to be. JMHO. Good luck and have FUN!

[psychboss]

I have a group of 10 females (ages 30-45) that want to go on a cruise next March. We all are pretty active and like to have fun. I have narrowed it down to the following ships and would like some input.

1. Celibrity Millenium

2. Holland Westerdam

3. Norwegian Dawn

4. Grand Princess

5. RCCL Adventure of the Seas

6. Costa Fortuna

 

Any advice or input you have about any of these is greatly appreciated. THANKS!

 

I would have to ask you how long you want to be gone and what activities you like to do? The activities that you prefer would also determine which part of the caribbean I would recommend.

 

wgpmap@hotmail.com

[Fun Loving]

A couple of things to keep in mind. Doesn't Adventure and Grand leave from ports other than Florida (San Juan? Texas?). Secondly, what is most important to you...a very active nightlife or outstanding service. Royal Caribbean will probably have more venues for you to have fun, but service will be more refined and ships more elegant on Celebrity and Holland America. Maybe if you gave us a little more insight into what your likes/dislikes are, we could help you better. Also, itineraries may play a role here. Can you elaborate on them? Pricing may influence the decision also.

 

We would like good service, good nightlife, without a lot of kids (would like to actually enjoy the pool too). These are the ships we chose based on itenerary and price. Thanks for your help.

[Fun Loving]

We need more input.

 

What is important to the ladies? What do they enjoy? Are ports important? Are shows important? Is food important? Accomodations?

 

I'm also curious why you selected the ships you did.

 

We chose these ships based on itenerary and price. What is most important to us would be good activities and nightlife with not a lot of kids. Thanks for your help.

[wrp96]

I would probably steer clean of the RCCL cruise.

 

While this would normally be the case, the Adventure sails out of San Juan. It doesn't get as many kids as sailings out of Florida as the airfare cost is prohibitive. In March I would recommend sailing out of San Juan over any sailing out of Florida if you want the least amount of kids onboard.

[Fun Loving]

While this would normally be the case, the Adventure sails out of San Juan. It doesn't get as many kids as sailings out of Florida as the airfare cost is prohibitive. In March I would recommend sailing out of San Juan over any sailing out of Florida if you want the least amount of kids onboard.

 

I have heard this to be true, but I've also heard that a lot of the locals are offered great rates to fill the ship and English ends ups being the second language of the ship. Any truth to this?

[JSR]

No truth to English being a second language... we cruised the Adventure and loved it. Thinking of doing it again March 08. The people were great!! I would vote for any RCL cruise but as you can see my signature I have only been on RCL with our first X cruise this Dec.

[Lois R]

Hi,:) I think you have some nice choices but to be honest with you

during Spring Break there are usually many more kids than

other times of the year (while school is in)..other than the

summer of course.

I have been on Summit and Millennium only and had wonderful

times on both. But neither was during Spring Break. I recommend

both ships:)

 

From everything I have read on these boards, I am guessing

the Royal and Carnival ships will probably have the most kids.

 

And I am not saying anything negative about any of them;)

Just saying from reading on here.....Spring Break always has

a younger demographic...no matter what cruiseline.

 

Good luck with your decision!:)

[azzy]

It is true out of San Juan English is a second language but you are closer to the islands.

Costa is a beautiful ship and lots to do.

Took Celebrity, RCCL and Costa this year and enjoyed Costa the most.

[azzy]

It is true out of San Juan English is a second language but you are closer to the islands.

Costa is a beautiful ship and lots to do.

Took Celebrity, RCCL and Costa this year and enjoyed Costa the most.