topic Re: Cruises in Travel

Cruises

hovis — Fri, 01 Sep 2017 22:03:21 GMT

My DH and I took all our kids on a cruise 15 years ago. We are thinking of doing it again. We took a Mexican cruise back then and now we would like to do the Caribbean. There would be about 16 of us and I would like your recommendations on which cruise line woulld be the best for all of us. And which ports would be nice to see and do things on. We wouldn't be going until 2018; Probably Nov. after the hurricane season. Thanks.

Re: Cruises

BMPerry — Fri, 01 Sep 2017 22:18:28 GMT

we used to cruise twice a year but have since decided to do resorts... I would ck out the different cruislines and look at what they have to offer, they are all pretty good these days...see what each has to offer for entertainment and dining options and wether there is upcharges for certain things because they have started that. We flet like we were getting nickel and dimed to death and we really had visited about all the places we wanted to visit more than once ...

Re: Cruises

I am still oxox — Fri, 01 Sep 2017 22:26:07 GMT

We have been on several cruises we loved Celebrity, mildly disliked NCL and hated Carnival

Re: Cruises

Bookbabe — Fri, 01 Sep 2017 22:26:12 GMT

I went on my first cruise last Christmas and I am 73. My kids took me and we went to the Caribbean on Oasis of the Sea. It was amazing and so big that you couldn't do everything. Great programs for the children and we even saw Cats and a very funny commedian. Have fun what a nice trip to all take.

Bookbabe

Re: Cruises

kaydee50 — Fri, 01 Sep 2017 22:29:54 GMT

We have taken many cruises and it all depends on what you're looking for. If you're more interested in onboard activites, choose one of the megaships that Royal Caribbean offers. If you're more interested in the ports of call, choose a smaller ship like Holland America or Celebrity. It all depends on the ages of the children since some cruise lines are better at children's activities then others. Determine priorities, do the research, check out cruisecritic.com and bon voyage!

Re: Cruises

Alter Ego — Fri, 01 Sep 2017 22:40:36 GMT

I agree with some of the posters above - really need to know what the age range is. What did you like about your Mexican cruise? A LOT has changed in the last 15 years.

What kind of vacations have you been taking otherwise? Do you like luxury vacations or more adventurous activities?

Re: Cruises

Kachina624 — Fri, 01 Sep 2017 22:59:56 GMT

@Alter Ego Will there be young children going?

I went on a cruise of the Western Caribbean where we hit 5 or 6 islands. I couldn't tell you which was which as they all looked pretty much alike.

Re: Cruises

kaydee50 — Fri, 01 Sep 2017 23:11:00 GMT

@Kachina624 wrote:
@Alter Ego Will there be young children going?

I went on a cruise of the Western Caribbean where we hit 5 or 6 islands. I couldn't tell you which was which as they all looked pretty much alike.

I agree. IMO you've seen one island, you've pretty much seen them all. DH and I are not beach people so we found Puerto Rico the most interesting. The language may change and the level of poverty but otherwise pretty much the same.

Re: Cruises

Kachina624 — Sat, 02 Sep 2017 00:10:34 GMT

@castlenv wrote:
@Kachina624 wrote:
@Alter Ego Will there be young children going?

I went on a cruise of the Western Caribbean where we hit 5 or 6 islands. I couldn't tell you which was which as they all looked pretty much alike.
I agree. IMO you've seen one island, you've pretty much seen them all. DH and I are not beach people so we found Puerto Rico the most interesting. The language may change and the level of poverty but otherwise pretty much the same.

We went a day early so we could see San Juan. Glad we did because it was very interesting. We hired the cab driver who drove us from the airport to come back the next day and give us a tour. He was personable and very knowledgable. He even took us to the restaurant where the Pina Colada was invented so we could try one. We regretted that we hadn't allowed time to visit the rain forest.

Re: Cruises

FranandZoe — Sat, 02 Sep 2017 13:56:32 GMT

My husband and I did two cruises on Royal Carribbean over 15 years ago. Bahamas first time. Flew to Puerto Rico second time and cruised Virgin Islands from there. Last fall we cruised with Carnival just because the trip appealed to us. We stayed in Miami for two nights then cruised to Key West and Cozumel where we had never been. We were kind of apprehensive about Carnival but it was wonderful. The cabin was much bigger with more space and more storage space that RC. Same type of outside cabin. You can do cruises that include Cuba now which would be interesting. If there are young kids/grandkids the Disney Cruises are nice - cruise combined with Disney World.

Re: Cruises

SANNA — Sat, 02 Sep 2017 13:56:05 GMT

We had done a few cuises,but I am personally is not a fan. The industry lost its caché in my opinion.

So now if we go to tropics( usually once a year) we pick a resort with great beach ( lots of shade is a must, no rocks, no little kids running screaming) and plenty of restaurants and entertainment. We are active adults,55and 61, love long walks, dancing, swimming, tennis.

And when it comes to Europe, we go there directly,stay in cities or towns or villages to explore their life, culture,food, etcI plan everything myself, no travel agents, so much infinite is available these days. And we are always happy. Not a single regret!!!

But to each is own, keep travelling!!!!!!!

Re: Cruises

FranandZoe — Sat, 02 Sep 2017 14:03:52 GMT

You might check out AAA.com too - lot of nice cruises.

Re: Cruises

KathyPet — Sat, 02 Sep 2017 17:27:45 GMT

this is almost a impossible question to answer without knowing more about who,is traveling. CHildren? WHat ages? SEnior citizens? how long a cruise do you want?

Do you have a specific departure port in mind?

Re: Cruises

Kachina624 — Sun, 03 Sep 2017 02:39:53 GMT

I guess the OP wasn't too interested in information after all.

Re: Cruises

Alter Ego — Sun, 03 Sep 2017 14:04:05 GMT

@Kachina624 wrote:
I guess the OP wasn't too interested in information after all.

That's what I was thinking. Maybe she didn't want to provide any personal information (which I don't think anyone was asking for, but some people are overly concerned about.)

If the OP does come back to read, I would recommend going to a travel agent who specializes in cruises. Particularly for a group your size. Be sure to get one that doesn't charge extra for cancellations or other changes. I personally don't use one as I like having full control over my reservation, but will be much easier for you to coordinate so many people. A good travel agent should be able to go over the different ships/cruise lines for you and make suggestions that will suit your family. I think there are a lot of new builds coming in 2018 for most, if not all, mainstream cruise lines.

I hope the OP stops back.

Re: Cruises

SuzieQue — Sun, 03 Sep 2017 14:07:00 GMT

Love Celebrity!! Leaving for Alaska on a Celebrity cruise this week!!

Re: Cruises

World Traveler — Sun, 03 Sep 2017 19:26:12 GMT

@SuzieQue When my sister and I took our wheel-bound father on an Alaskan cruise, we used Celebrity also. They were so wonderful to him, and to us! The minute they saw us wheeling him into the buffet area, they dashed over to us and took over. We didn't have to do a thing. One guy would take charge of the wheelchair and another held the plate while our father chose what he wanted from the buffet. And when we used their regular, non-buffet restaurants, they were right there to take over, find our table, and store his wheelchair, bring it back and ready to wheel him out when we were finished with our meal.

The room for someone with a wheelchair was awesome on Celebrity (probably the same with other lines too). Really wide doors and the bathroom was huge. He could roll right into the shower if he wanted to!

Although my sister and I took turns on what activities we joined in (one day she would be with dad; another day I would be with him), we found that if you asked the ship's crew, they were willing to keep an eye on him so we could do activities together. But on those infrequent times when we did something together, he preferred to just sit out on his balcony and watch while the people walked by when we in port.

We gave Celebrity top marks for their care and attention to our father! It was as though he were a celebrity!

Re: Cruises

SuzieQue — Fri, 29 Sep 2017 14:00:02 GMT

Celebrity, IMO, is the absolute best for the over a certain age, disabled or just those who want a quieter ship, very few children on our cruise to Alaska last week.

What a fabulous time we had! This trip was 2nd only to Hawaii.

Need to start planning for our next vacation....any suggestion??? :^)

Re: Cruises

ScrapHappy — Sat, 30 Sep 2017 20:46:30 GMT

I have done many cruises. When I was in my 20's and cruised with my friends, it was more on a Carnival cruise. I think Carnival is geared toward more of the younger crowd and not families. Fast forward, married with a young daughter, we went on our first Disney Line Cruise. I will admit, it's not for everyone but there is plenty to do whatever your age is. I will say DCL is the nicest and most clean ship I've ever been on and the service was great. But that comes at a price. DCL is notoriously know to be more expensive. I know the mega ship, Oasis of the Seas, and others similar are very popular. As another person posted, I'd check out a travel agent that specializes in cruises. Most times with them you can get some perks than booking on your own. Also check out disboards.com. There is a discussion forum about DCL and Royal Carribean. You can find a lot of information there. I'd stay away from Mexico, that's just my opinion. And I find most of the Carribean Islands pretty much the same. I've been to most of them.

Re: Cruises

Stray — Mon, 02 Oct 2017 11:01:24 GMT

I'm not a fan of cruises....more fly and go....but some places the best acces is via the coast....so I took a cruise through Tauck for NZ and my family and extended like family gatherings by cruise and ill only go with Crystal Cruises