I can't decide, please help!

[NitaO]

Finally got my workaholic DH to take a cruise, now which one. I have been only once on Carnival Destiny.( girls trip) Now I am hooked, now if I can just get my family on one. DD (13) DS(9). Dec.or Feb? Kids school breaks. I thought about a 4 day to Bahamas, but they are all smaller older ships. I liked the size of Destiny or maybe bigger. DH is not a beach person. But thats about all there is on a 3-4 day cruise. Worried about DH getting sick, he has been on small little boats and got very sick. So I kinda wanted a bigger ship. Do you guys recommend Port Canavial or Tampa or Miami, due to the seas being smoother? Plus any thoughts to a cruiseline, Royal or Carnival? I don't think I would like freestlye dinning,so no to NCL. I know this is alot, I just need some ideas.

[paul929207]

I would not worry about your husband being sick. There is a huge difference between a little boat and a big cruise ship.

[jmf123]

My suggestion is Royal Caribbean's 'Navigator of the Seas' 4 night cruise from Miami. A day in Cozumel and two days at sea to enjoy this great ship. She's not old (built in 2002) and she is big, with lots of innovative activities such as an ice skating rink, rock-climbing wall, Royal Promenade (four decks high and the length of two football fields), plus Adventure Ocean kids program.

 

There is a December 10th departure and two dates in February on the 4th and 18th next year if those work for the kid's school breaks.

[NitaO]

I want to talk him into a 7 day , just for the better ships. I want him to say WOW and want to go on another one. Can he get that from a 70,000ton ship?

[Fredr]

Hello,

 

I would look at a 7 day cruise and do not hesitate to take your kids out of school for a week. And consider Princess and Royal Caribbean's newer ships such as the Emerald Princess.

[NitaO]

My suggestion is Royal Caribbean's 'Navigator of the Seas' 4 night cruise from Miami. A day in Cozumel and two days at sea to enjoy this great ship. She's not old (built in 2002) and she is big, with lots of innovative activities such as an ice skating rink, rock-climbing wall, Royal Promenade (four decks high and the length of two football fields), plus Adventure Ocean kids program.

 

There is a December 10th departure and two dates in February on the 4th and 18th next year if those work for the kid's school breaks.

 

I have been to Cozumel and don't think DH would like it. but what other stops does it make? I will have to check that out. From some of the boards I have been reading RCL have had alot of cutbacks, is this true? The kids breaks are over Christmas and Feb.15-19

[printingchick]

Royal's Freedom or Liberty of the Seas are big WOW ships. Having been on Destiny myself, I can tell you that any Royal ship from the Voyager Class on up will provide a huge WOW factor!

 

I used to be a die-hard CCL cruiser. I'm not one of those "never-again" sorts, but I have to say that I really prefer Royal Caribbean. Food is a toss-up, but service, activities and decor are higher quality on RCL in my opinion.

[NitaO]

Hello,

 

I wouldook at a 7 day cruise and do not hesitate to take your kids out of school for a week.

 

 

My 13 yr.old will be 14 shortly and starting high school in Aug.09 I know its gets harder to get them out then. I picked these dates, cause its closer to my Aniversary and their school breaks.

[jmf123]

For a seven night cruise during the February school break, Royal Caribbean's 'Freedom of the Seas' from Port Canaveral leaves February 14th to CocoCay (RC's private island), St. Thomas, and St. Maarten. Bigger than the Voyager class (the 'Navigator' that I mentioned earlier), the 'Freedom' offers even more activites such as Flowrider (surf simulator), boxing ring, cantilevered whirlpools, and H2O Zone (water park).

 

Even larger (and more $) is the brand new 'Oasis of the Seas'...departing Ft. Lauderdale on February 13th.

 

Bonus: Valentine's Day with your hubby on board! ;)

[NitaO]

For a seven night cruise during the February school break, Royal Caribbean's 'Freedom of the Seas' from Port Canaveral leaves February 14th to CocoCay (RC's private island), St. Thomas, and St. Maarten. Bigger than the Voyager class (the 'Navigator' that I mentioned earlier), the 'Freedom' offers even more activites such as Flowrider (surf simulator), boxing ring, cantilevered whirlpools, and H2O Zone (water park).

 

Even larger (and more $) is the brand new 'Oasis of the Seas'...departing Ft. Lauderdale on February 13th.

 

Bonus: Valentine's Day with your hubby on board! ;)

 

Thanks for all the info, now if I can just get him to take a 7 day. I have heard good and bad about RCL. Would love to try it.

[NitaO]

For a seven night cruise during the February school break, Royal Caribbean's 'Freedom of the Seas' from Port Canaveral leaves February 14th to CocoCay (RC's private island), St. Thomas, and St. Maarten. Bigger than the Voyager class (the 'Navigator' that I mentioned earlier), the 'Freedom' offers even more activites such as Flowrider (surf simulator), boxing ring, cantilevered whirlpools, and H2O Zone (water park).

 

Even larger (and more $) is the brand new 'Oasis of the Seas'...departing Ft. Lauderdale on February 13th.

 

Bonus: Valentine's Day with your hubby on board! ;)

 

I see that you like RCL, what do you think of Majesty of the seas, I like the stops and the price of it on Feb.15th , I am worried about the kids having enough to do on this ship

[jerseygirl3]

I see that you like RCL, what do you think of Majesty of the seas, I like the stops and the price of it on Feb.15th , I am worried about the kids having enough to do on this ship

 

If you want to "wow" DH and kids, I wouldn't suggest this ship. It's an older RCI ship. Nothing particularly wrong with it, but won't deliver the wow factor you are looking for. I would suggest, as others have, one of the Freedom class ships (Liberty of the Seas, Freedom of the Seas). Why go through all the bother for a 4 night cruise....if the budget permits, book the 7 day.

[NitaO]

If you want to "wow" DH and kids, I wouldn't suggest this ship. It's an older RCI ship. Nothing particularly wrong with it, but won't deliver the wow factor you are looking for. I would suggest, as others have, one of the Freedom class ships (Liberty of the Seas, Freedom of the Seas). Why go through all the bother for a 4 night cruise....if the budget permits, book the 7 day.

 

Thanks, Not for sure in DH would want to spend the extra$$ I think we would have to book 2 rooms, I hear the rooms are smaller on RCL.

[jmf123]

I see that you like RCL, what do you think of Majesty of the seas, I like the stops and the price of it on Feb.15th , I am worried about the kids having enough to do on this ship

 

I'm sure the kids would find enough to do on and off the ship (and there is always Adventure Ocean). You prefer not 'smaller and older', and the 'Majesty' was built in 1992. Other than stateroom size it appears to be a popular ship, but she's getting on in age. For your family of four (book very early to obtain a quad), Interior cabins are only 119 s.f. and Oceanview are 122 s.f. The SO category (Superior Oceanview) offers 157 s.f., then you get into Suites.

 

The 'Majesty' will just not have the WOW factor of any other RC ships in the Voyager, Radiance, Freedom and Oasis classes.

 

Two other RC choices: 'Navigator of the Seas' February 13th is a 5 night from Miami to Labadee (private island) and Ocho Rios, Jamaica.

 

'Independence of the Seas' February 14th from Ft. Lauderdale is a 6 night to Belize, Costa Maya, and Cozumel.

[NJCruiseGal32]

Finally got my workaholic DH to take a cruise, now which one. I have been only once on Carnival Destiny.( girls trip) Now I am hooked, now if I can just get my family on one. DD (13) DS(9). Dec.or Feb? Kids school breaks. I thought about a 4 day to Bahamas, but they are all smaller older ships. I liked the size of Destiny or maybe bigger. DH is not a beach person. But thats about all there is on a 3-4 day cruise. Worried about DH getting sick, he has been on small little boats and got very sick. So I kinda wanted a bigger ship. Do you guys recommend Port Canavial or Tampa or Miami, due to the seas being smoother? Plus any thoughts to a cruiseline, Royal or Carnival? I don't think I would like freestlye dinning,so no to NCL. I know this is alot, I just need some ideas.

 

Just to advise you, regarding NCL dining, 'freestyle dining' is merely booking a restaurant, as if you were back home. The choices are endless and the food is appetizing. IMO NCL's dining options are beyond what RCCL/CCL could offer. The dining room food on RCCL, has ceartinly changed from day's passed. DH & I sailied aboard the LOS(RCCL) in May '08....I was surprised to find the main dining room's menu reapeated most items on the menu, night after night. RCCL even considered pasta with marinara sauce to be a main entree' (how sad).

DEC and FEB will bring you into premium pricing. I wouldn't recommend leaving from a Northeast port (due to the rough seas around that time).

All in all, consider the RCCL's Oasis of the Seas's or Allure of the Seas...if your trying RCCL. These ships will have lots more to offer. Also, the NCL Epic (sailing July 10 onward) is an amazing ship with lots to offer.

Good luck to you!

[tinykygal]

Don't worry about your kids - they will have a blast!

I begged DH for a cruise w/our DD for yrs - no go...no way..however, wedding was coming up and he realized it was his last chance - we booked a short cruise out of Port Canaveral on RCCL and he loved it so much that we have taken several since - even a 2 wk one!

I am loyal to RCCL; however, we did NCL for the freestyle and loved it!

We work, we dress everyday, nice to be free and not worry about early/late. Any cruise would be great.

First cruise, bowls of the ship and noisey! If you can handle it, stay in 1 room if it has the pull down sleepers. Save you lots of $$$

No cruise is a bad cruise!:)

[tinykygal]

Old school - never take kids out for a cruise.

Too many options besides:D

We had no clue what to expect. When we walked into the terminal, I thought: "kinda cold looking" when we walked onto the ship: :)

My mouth was open! It was so wow!

[TrinaP1204]

What about Disney? They have shorter cruises, I think. If the kids would not be too old, it would have a little something for everyone: beach, kid stuff, etc. Just a thought.

[NitaO]

What about Disney? They have shorter cruises, I think. If the kids would not be too old, it would have a little something for everyone: beach, kid stuff, etc. Just a thought.

 

Big Disney fans, but DH wants to go to the casinos.

[GeckoGirl]

Also might want to consider the new Carnival Dream that will be sailing out of Port Canaveral in February.