Advice? Taking sons & SOs on a cruise

[Cour10ay]

We've never sailed with Carnival before (RCI and Celebrity only, so far) but I'd love to treat my 3 sons (all over 21) and their SOs to a cruise in 2005. Of course, DH and I will sail with them - no one in my fam is cruisin' without me!!

 

So, I'm looking at the Caribbean either September 2005 or Holidays 2005, either a Christmas sailing or New Years. Does Carnival have a "private island" type thing? Is it worth the extra $$ for the holiday sailings? (We would be paying for 4 staterooms so cost does count a bit.)

 

Any advice on a specific cruise or at least a great ship that can satisfy a Karaoke/theater nut, a minister, AND a true party animal? (wow, same gene pool, really different results!) DH and I will just be happy to be with the family so we don't really mind about the ship or itinerary as long as the bars are open.....;)

 

Thanks!

[PINEVIEW01]

September would be much cheaper than the Holidays. After school starts the school age cruisers decline. All cruises with the family are great. I never would pay the extra for the Holidays. More children and I'm cheap and want to use the extra money for another cruise or a Balcony:)

[cpayne]

Keep in mind that Aug/Sep are the busiest months of hurricane season. There is no way to predict this, but something you should definitely consider.

[sea_u_onboard]

No private island type thing. And the other poster is correct about hurricane season - it looks like you will be coming from overseas - it would be a shame to get here and not be able to sail.

[Cour10ay]

Timing is a problem when we try to get together. I may be able to get them all off work and school at Thanksgiving, and between Christmas and over New Year's. On the other hand, by September DH & I will need another cruise (summers over here are generally not sunny and 75 is an average for summer daytime temps.)

 

I know first-hand about hurricanes. I grew up on the south Atlantic coast. But if a hurricane forces the complete cancellation of a paid-in-full cruise (which is rare, I think), aren't passengers compensated in any way, like with a coupon for another sailing or something? I am aware of last minute itinerary changes and that's not a problem. A cruise to nowhere for 7 days would even be fantastic. :)

 

I guess my question is more about Carnival in general. Having never sailed them before I would love some input on favorite ships, and favorite routes. We could leave from any of the southeast ports - even from Louisiana, Texas, or Alabama. Thinking 7 days, but would consider something shorter.

Cour10ay

[Cour10ay]

Which of these is your favorite? Would any one of them be better than the others for 4 couples (my 3 sons and their wives/girlfriend early 20s, and my DH and me in our mid 40s)? We are active, like nightlife, and those boys like good food.

 

Think we have found a way to cruise either the 29 or 30 of Oct 2005. End of hurricane season, but hey, not much I can do about that. Besides, I sort of like rolling seas.

 

Thanks for the suggestions!

 

Cour10ay

[BrendaB1]

Come join our group on the Valor, sailing Oct 30. Large CC group with various ages included and lower rates. Check out Group Cruises on this board for more pricing info, etc.

[Cour10ay]

Thanks, Brenda I will check the group cruise on the Valor. We'd be booking 4 staterooms - wow, I already have half a group myself!

 

I see that you are a fan of Carnival - what makes them so special? Having never cruised them, I would love some comments from those who love the Fun Ships. I think I am a bit leery of cruising them because of the reputation it had in the past of being N. O. Mardi Gras on the seas - only wilder. But I also read a lot of reviews and it seems that's not the case so much any more especially on 7 day cruises during the school terms.

 

Any insight is appreciated!

 

Cour10ay