I want to talk mom on first cruise. Can't decide?

[canary1974]

I am 34 and have been on 2 cruises both carnival, and both very fun.... I want to take my mom who is 55 on her first cruise. I am actually trying to book something within the next 2 weeks.. OH BOY:rolleyes:

Anyway, I can't decide if I want to take mom on carnival or royal carrib.

Can someone please help me figure which is better, oh and my two daughters who are 11, and 14 are going as well..

Also, does anyone know if maybe less than two weeks away if I will see a significant price drop for either cruise line. Maybe they want to fill up those empty rooms..

 

Thanks for listening,

Carey

[IslandCruiser87]

I am 34 and have been on 2 cruises both carnival, and both very fun.... I want to take my mom who is 55 on her first cruise. I am actually trying to book something within the next 2 weeks.. OH BOY:rolleyes:

Anyway, I can't decide if I want to take mom on carnival or royal carrib.

Can someone please help me figure which is better, oh and my two daughters who are 11, and 14 are going as well..

Also, does anyone know if maybe less than two weeks away if I will see a significant price drop for either cruise line. Maybe they want to fill up those empty rooms..

 

Thanks for listening,

Carey

 

My mom is 53 and loves Carnival. What kinda activities is your mother into will help determine what cruise line will better suit her. We havent been on Royal Carib. yet so cant comment on that.

[KC_fn]

We sailed Carnival when our daughter was 13, and Royal Caribbean when she was 15. While Carnival seemed to be well set-up for younger children, their teen program was dreary and very sparsely attended, with the result that DD and her friends spent alot of time just roaming the ship.

 

Royal Caribbean has a much much better teen program, and a relatively large area set up just for them. There's no contest in my teen's opinion -- Royal Caribbean all the way.

 

I'm almost your mom's age, and I think she'd also like RC better. It's just more sophisticated IMO.

[firefly333]

To me it depends on how long of a cruise you are taking. I love RCL's 7 day ships, but not the older ships with tiny cabins, then I think Id do Carnival, just to get a larger cabin.

 

Most cruiselines drop prices a couple of months out. My Jan 24th cruise was way down a month ago, but now the price is going up since it must be almost booked up. Some will cancel around final payment, after that few cancellations since people will lose at least their deposits. You might get a lower price within the last 4/5 days before a cruise leaves, I got it last Easter for a cruise price that dropped and booked 4 days before the cruise left.

[cb at sea]

For a 1st timer, really any cruise will suffice---they have nothing to compare it to! And since mom will be with her family....all's good!

I am your mom's age--and any ship will suit!

[Bruin Steve]

Royal Caribbean, hands down, no question...

Especially a Voyager class or larger ship...

 

Better for the kids, better for mom...Actually better for you--you just don't know it yet...

 

Carnival is poorly run, overcrowded, bad service...You just didn't have anything to compare it to...and you probably were having fun...Sure...it's a cruise...it's better than being home and going to work...food is good, cabins are large and there is lots of stuff going on...

 

I am never cruising Carnival again...Sure, if it were Carnival or nothing...or if someone wanted to take me on a cruise for free, I'm not turning down the Carnival cruise...But, when I've got a choice, it's no choice...RCCL is just a better product all the way round...I am about your mom's age...RCCL is my choice...My children are now in their early 20s, but they cruised with us from the ages of 3 and 5 right up to recently...they;'ve been on a few Carnival cruises and a few RCCL cruises...and RCCL is their choice...by a mile...

 

Take a cruise on Liberty of the Seas or Freedom of the Seas if you can...your kids will never want to leave...

[rjm1cc]

I am a little past 55 but I think your mother will like any cruise that you and your kids like.

[LuckyStar]

We just took my mom on her first cruise and she had a blast! She confided that she wasn't really excited until we were about to leave but it was the trip of a lifetime. We settled on a five day for our first and I'm glad we did. She was glad as well.

[canary1974]

Thanks for all the advice everybody.. I was trying to decide between Monarch of the Seas, or carnival Sensation.

Monarch it is just finished booking two rooms minutes ago.. December 19th cruise. So, I am so excited and so it my mom and my girls..

1. Does anyone have like a capers or daily activities schedule for this trip.

2. How much does Ben&Jerry's icecream cost.. I can't believe it's not included..

3. The RC guy sent me an email conf. and just told me to print it out and show up. He wasn't to friendly with me and my questions. O well,

Don't I need to register online or something, Does Royal Carribean have fun passes. Don't laugh, I am just asking a whole spill of questions..

 

" Let my excitement begin":):):)

Thanks,

Carey

[suezyq50]

How many days are you going? I have a Monarch Compass from Nov. 14th, three day, and will try to answer any questions.

Did you get senior rate due to your mom's age?

Maybe the rep was tired, long day. No excuse though. I hope you enjoy it. You can see we are going again in January. Can't beat the rates.

[canary1974]

Yep, just a 3 day cruise.. We got a good rate on both rooms, I don't know if it was because of mom's age or home state..

Either way I was happy, Thanks so much for trying to entertain all my questions.

 

1. How much is ben and jerrys icecream, and why isn't it free.

2. We got a room on 9th deck with 50% obstructed view. How bad is it, and what is blocking our view.

3. On the carnival we could eat dinner at either the lido deck or go to the nicer dinning rooms.. How does that work here, Do all the nicer food places cost money, can we get lobster.

4. Do you know if the weather will be warm enough to use the pools or too chilly.

5. When does the casino open up.

6. When can we get in our rooms once boarding.

 

Geez, sorry for all the questions, just think I may be asking alot but my mom who has never, ever cruised is asking me a zillion. LOL

Thanks again,

Carey

[LizaMM]

I sent my parents on their first cruise a year and a half ago...Carnival Imagination.....they loved it! They are both "sea" people as they own a 45 ft motor boat which they keep here on the Long Island Sound. They have traveled extensively on land vacays including some very upscale resorts.

 

In April I will be taking just my mom (she is 65) and my 2 younger kids who are 11 & 12 on Carnival Liberty.

 

I have never sailed RCCL so I am in no way trying to compare or offer opinions on that....I just wanted to let you know that my folks were thrilled with their Carnival experience and my mom is totally excited about the upcoming cruise.

[sayaguru]

I took my mum on a cruise last year (she's 72) on Pacific Sun. I was worried that she'd be disapointed (It's only 3 star) but she loved it.

 

I can't wait to see her reaction when we get on Rhapsody of the Seas in 2 weeks.

[Grannycb]

 

1. How much is ben and jerrys icecream, and why isn't it free.

2. We got a room on 9th deck with 50% obstructed view. How bad is it, and what is blocking our view.

3. On the carnival we could eat dinner at either the lido deck or go to the nicer dinning rooms.. How does that work here, Do all the nicer food places cost money, can we get lobster.

4. Do you know if the weather will be warm enough to use the pools or too chilly.

5. When does the casino open up.

6. When can we get in our rooms once boarding.

 

 

Geez, sorry for all the questions, just think I may be asking alot but my mom who has never, ever cruised is asking me a zillion. LOL

Thanks again,

Carey

 

1. There is free soft serve ice cream near the pool.

2. I can't say about the view, but you are in the larger cabins. Lower decks have tiny cabins.

3. Sorry, no lobster on three night cruises (as far as I know). You will be assigned to your dining room. We've been happier with food in the main dining room than in the costly specialty restaurants.

4. RC website has the average high temp at 77 for Nassau and the low at 62.

5. Others can correct me if I'm wrong here. I believe the casino opens as soon as your ship is in international water. Look for coffee and juice in the mornings at the casino. I think they had pastries too.

6. The usual time is 1 PM.

 

You will need to fill out pre-boarding information on the Royal Caribbean website. Log in, click on My Cruises and then click on Check-in online. I think the only paper you need to print out is the one with your credit card info.

 

 

Enjoy your cruise!

[MDSue]

I think you made a good choice with Royal Caribbean. While I enjoy both lines, my mom loved RCI and I don't think Carnival would have been the best fit for her. Everyone has different taste, but RCI is very nice.

[Peregrina651]

 

Geez, sorry for all the questions, just think I may be asking alot but my mom who has never, ever cruised is asking me a zillion. LOL

Thanks again,

Carey

 

Questions are good but you will do much better asking them in the RCCL forum--more RCCL experts there.

 

And don't forget to sign up for the Cruise Critic Meet and Mingle Party (have to do it before you sail) and to check out the Roll Call for your sail date and get to know some of the folks--you might even find some buddies for your kids and mom.

 

Oh, and Mom should get her own CC account and start reading--never to soon to get started here

 

Have a great time.

[GeckoGirl]

I think you made a good choice too, while I have never been on the Monarch, I have been on her sister ship the Sovereign, and it was very nice. The rooms were small because the ships are smaller and older but it was still great.

 

My friend works at Carnival and she told me not to go on the Sensation, she said they get alot of complaints about it. She herself went on the Sovereign too (not sure if Carnival knew about that, LOL)

[canary1974]

Thanks so much everyone, oh and the person that suggested my mother get her on cruisecritic site.. She is one busy lady and doesn't have the time to spend on the computer alot.. But, I do try to fill her in alot on what information I learn.

C.