Cruise - Questions for you "experts"
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Cruise - Questions for you "experts"
DH and I (and kids!) want to go on our first cruise next year after he gets home from deployment. I've checked out a few cruise line to see what they offer but it seems so overwhelming! All I know for certain is that we want to do a 7 day Eastern Caribbean cruise. What should my best bet be- going through a travel agent? Searching for deals online myself? Going on base to ITT (Information, Tickets, and Tours) and booking through them? (I will talk to them regardless too see what military discounts are worth using.)
Which cruise line will offer fun for DH and I (while the kids are in one of their drop in facilities) and fun for kids as well? I would LOVE a Disney cruise but if I could save a lot more by choosing another cruise line, I would.
I will say that Disney and Carnival will take kids as young as 2. Well I know DIsney cruiselines take babies(I think). Carnival takes them as young as 2 and they dont have to be potty trained. I know Royal Carribean takes them as young as 3 and they have to be potty trained.
We have been on Carnival and Royal Carribean, we had fun on both, but prefer RC.. I would love to go on a Disney cruise one day..so expensive though./
Buycruises.com has always gotten me the cheapest rates. I even received a refund once because they noticed a hot deal on my cruise and gave me back the difference.
I prefer Royal Caribbean over Carnival. My kids do too.
We book through cruisedealsforless, through a local travel agent. I prefer Celebrity, but only because we are older. Our first cruise was on Carnival, and they have a good kids' program, as does Disney, but Disney cruises are more expensive. Since I've never taken young kids on a cruise, I don't have any first-hand experience with the kids' programs. Madison's other grandmother took her and Jules on a western Caribbean cruise on Carnival in May, and she absolutely loved Camp Carnival - Jules said she didn't want to leave when she went to pick her up. LOL But it afforded Jules an opportunity to do things onboard that a child wouldn't enjoy/couldn't do, and Madison had a ball, and of course, they spent their port days doing stuff together.
You said you wanted to do a 7-day Eastern Caribbean - check out THESE ports with Carnival. Also check out the WESTERN Caribbean ports.
We have cruised eastern, western and southern Caribbean, and people say once you've seen one Caribbean port, you've seen them all. And I suppose that is true, if you only consider the water activities/beaches, but really, each island has something different to offer, so I'd suggest taking a look at some of the ports of call, the excursions that are available at each port, and then decide on your cruise. Some ports have more to offer than others, and also some ports have very little to offer for small kids.
Also, keep in mind, there are advantages and disadvantages to booking excursions through the cruise line. Often you can find better/cheaper deals booking on your own.
If I were you, I'd also join one of the cruise messageboards, like Cruise Critic. There are others, but I happen to like this one. You can browse threads by cruise line, specific ships, destinations, excursions, etc. We've gotten loads of great tips and info there.
I have sailed both Carnival and Disney cruise lines. We did not travel them with our daughter so I can't comment on their childcare options. Disney is obviously more family oriented. The shows are exceptional and are something that even young children can enjoy. Carnival shows are entertaining but I doubt my 4 year old would have been kept interested throughout the whole show. The food is fantastic on Disney. They have the characters on the boat so the kids can get their pictures taken etc... As for adult things Carnival is more fun for adults. We kind of felt like the Disney ship shut down around 10 pm. There were a few lounges open until later but they were often empty and tailored towards an older crowd. Carnival had more variety for night entertainment. Disney does not have an onboard casino. Carnival does.
I sailed both Eastern and Western Carribean with Carnival and the ports of call were all excellent. We only did a 4 day cruise with Disney which went to Nassau (which I wasn't impressed with) and to their private island. The snorkeling on their private island was good and the BBQ there was FANTASTIC.
I enjoyed both cruise lines but after sailing Disney I felt like the service and food quality were lacking on Carnival. If just my DH and I go again we'll probably try Royal Carribean but when we take our daughter we're planning to do Disney.
We've only cruised once, and we went with Carnival. My kids loved it, and so did we! There was not one thing we could complain about, or even suggest any improvement. We're cruising with them again in Feb, and have a huge group going with us. Can't wait!
We've only cruised Royal Caribbean but have done it twice with DS. The first time when he was just over four and the second at five. The second time we did a 9 day Eastern Caribbean and loved it.
The kid's club was fabulous the first time and okay the second time. We did two different ships and it was two completely different staff. DS loved the program both times. The second time, the staff got on my nerves. DS got in trouble first for touching his friends but they couldn't give me an example. The second time, he got in trouble for hugging his friends and not listening the first time they called him. HELLO, he's five, on vacation, and exploring. I wouldn't listen either. After that we used it sparingly and had alot more fun with family time.
I've never been concerned about leaving the kids in the program though. They group them by age (3-5, 6-8, and then 9-12). We had a beeper so that we could be reached if there was an emergency. Also, they were very structured as far as taking the kids anywhere and letting you know where they were going. Sometimes, they would get pizza for lunch or go for an afternoon snack of ice cream. It was sort of funny so see the kids all walking together in a line heading off all over the ship.
If nothing else, DS was always tired at the end of the day.
Cruising is so much fun, even for the kids. Last yr we went on Carnival. Faith was just newly 2 when we cruised. The first night she loved the kids program, I mean it was new, big and lots of toys. From there on, they would call us(they gave us a cell phone)about an hour later that Faith was crying.Honestly Faith was not use to being left like that. She is not in daycare, and we dont do babysitters. So she couldnt understand what was going on. We always went and got her, and she just hung with us at night. She went to every show with us, and enjoyed it. Now she is was only two. But, the lights and music of the shows really kept her entertained.
We will cruise again Aug 2008 and she will be 4 by then. I am sure she will enjoy the kids program much more then.
Melissa, my boss and his wife, and his daughter (my co-worker) and her husband and kids just went on a combination Disney cruise/Disney land vacation in May. Obviously they spent a ton of money doing both; they were gone for 2 weeks, they did Disney land both before and after the cruise. This is the 2nd time his daughter has done the Disney cruise with her kids, though she always does the 5-day cruise rather than a 7-day cruise, because they always do Disney land along with it.
They book cheaper cabins than *I* personally would book, so they save a considerable amount of money right there by booking inside cabins, and booking on lower decks. I think if you can swing the Disney cruise, your kids will get a lot more out of it. DH and I want to take Jules and Madison on a Disney cruise; we *might* do that next year.
Check into the cost of Disney vs other cruises, be sure and check out the different cabin classes on each cruise line.
As for ports, Disney has a private island, and from what I've heard, the port days on those are TOTALLY fun for everyone.
Another thing, even though it was 8 years ago when I sailed on Carnival, I found it to be *the* cruise line for 20'somethings to 30'somethings - they don't call them *the fun ships* for nothing! LOL We just found there were a lot of hard partying young adults onboard, and that's fine. Although Jules did say everything was fine when she and Mads went, there were a lot of kids onboard on her cruise. But that is why DH and I prefer Celebrity - we are old fogies now, and there are less younger cruisers on Celebrity, so not as rowdy. To be fair, some of Carnival's activities (particularly around the pool) can get raunchy. But again, Jules said there was plenty to do to avoid that, and with Madison in Camp Carnival, it wasn't a problem. Not trying to push you either way, just laying out the facts here. On Disney cruises, it is totally geared towards family, so it's a safe bet.
Why don't you talk with a T.A. and tell them what you want out of a cruise, emphasizing the kids' program, and the cost, and see what they can work out for you?
Thanks for the advice so far!
I'm really leaning towards a Disney cruise. I'm just not sure which room we would need. Size is my main concern. We would be in there at the least for naps around lunch time which are generally 2 hours long and at 8:30 for bedtime, which means DH and I will be stuck in the room thereafter since there won't be anyone to watch the kids while they sleep.
Carnival seems like it would be fun for DH and I. I don't like the idea of surrounding my kids with the young, immature crowd. And the fact that Carnival has a casino isn't good! LOL If DH knew that i'd probably be cruising by my lonesome.... ;)
The cost between the "family suite" vs the indoor cabin on Disney for the time I want to go is roughly $1500. Of course, there are cabins in between that range. Has anyone here been in a few of the Disney cabins that can give me a personal view about size?
I have not been on a Disney cruise....too many kids for me
I have been on Carnival & Royal Caribbean. I think Carnival IS more of a party ship. We do not cruise with them for that reason. Both have casinos. We are not into gambling so that has never been a big deal.
I have friends who took the Disney cruise and loved it.
Whatever you decide, I am sure you will have a great time!
When we went on Carnival last Aug, I really didnt notice much of the party scene. We did go towards the end of August, and the ship was FULL of children. Now granted, I dont hang out in the bars LOL...But, just looking around at dinner time, I saw an awful lot of kids. Sure there were some young couples, but not the majority. I am thinking it was the time of year we went. We went late August, before the kids headed back to school. It seemed like a lot of families had the same idea.I guess if somebody was looking for the party/single scene, an end of August cruise on Carnival was NOT where it was at LOL
Do a veranda room with Disney you can sit out there and enjoy some free room service while the kids nap.
I love Disney cruise line!
Melissa, bottom line, cabins onboard ships are SMALL, nowhere near the size of motel/hotel rooms. Even suites are small, there is just not a lot of room in them. DH and I have had a suite, and a suite with a balcony on 2 of our cruises, the difference between the suite and a regular cabin is a few more square feet, maybe a little larger bathroom (bathrooms are TINY - not usually enough room for 2 adults to stand in them), and a small table and maybe a chair or two, or a love seat. However, in some suites, you have a bathtub and shower as opposed to just a shower, which is standard in most cabins.
We went on one of the newer Carnival ships,and my mom was blown away by the difference in the size of the rooms to any other ship she had been on. She and my sister had warned me that you could pretty much sit on the toilet and have a shower, because the washrooms were so small. We had enough room that you could have someone in the shower, someone on the toilet, and still 2 people standing at the sink. I had to take a pic of the look of shock on her face as she looked around the room. LOL We had tons of storage space, a king bed, cot, love seat, and I think a small table. No, it wasn't as big as a motel room, but we had 3 in each room and had no problems feeling overcrowded.
Well, DH thinks a Disney cruise won't leave enough fun for him and he doesn't deny that he wants to be completely selfish about this trip! After all, it will be after his return from Iraq. I won't argue there. lol He wants to look at Carnival because of the casinos. Sigh..... I guess i'll be due for a massage every time he gambles. ;)
It's kinda funny though. I've been the one looking at cruises and learning about everything. When he complained about a Disney cruise I told him he needs to sit down with me and look or I was making the decisions myself. When it lists the prices (ex: $349, $520 etc....) he thought it mean't per person for the whole trip, not by day! LOL I got a kick out of that! Only DH........
Back to the drawing board. I guess i'll hold off on Disney and start looking more at Carnival. They have one heck of a military discount anyhow.
Yes, Carnival does give a good military discount.
"When it lists the prices (ex: $349, $520 etc....) he thought it mean't per person for the whole trip, not by day! LOL I got a kick out of that! Only DH....."
The quoted prices ARE for the whole trip. I will be paying $1200/person, roughly, for the whole trip - including airfare.
If you're seriously going to look at Carnival, please take the time to check out the western ports vs the eastern ports, what the islands on each have to offer in the way of shore excursions, etc., and then make your decision.
May I ask why you chose eastern vs western Caribbean?
Also, if you are going on Carnival, you can probably get *more* cabin for your money than on Disney, if size is a concern for you.
I want Eastern mainly because i've ALWAYS wanted to see St. Maarten and St. Thomas in person. No real reason other than the scenery and beauty and of course... it's the Virgin Islands! lol
Marcia- Are you serious?? It's for the whole vacation? I thought it was quoted by day. Boy don't I feel smart now. I'll just leave that out of the conversation I have with DH.
I prefer Norwegian because of the open seating and times for meals. I've heard from several families that their Kid's Club is great. I usually book our cruises through Cruise Value or Dargal online. They offer some of the best rates I can find. They both will match or beat any cheaper pricing. I check out prices online and call to book with a REAL person. That way you can check if they are offering any military discounts on the cruise you pick.
Okay..........I've been to both of those places. They both have beautiful waters and beaches, but honestly, St. Maarten is quite a nasty place. We were on the French side AND the Dutch side. There is a LOT of poverty there - in fact, the island is very impoverished - it's NOT a pretty sight. The people on the French side are incredibly rude and nasty to tourists. However, we did book an excursion that ended with a lunch at a private beach on the Dutch side, and it was, hands down, the most beautiful beach and blue/green waters I've ever seen in my life. So, just want to say, don't believe everything you see and here about the islands....
On the links I posted above, for eastern Caribbean cruises on Carnival, just for grins, I punched in 7 days on the Carnival Liberty out of Miami, for 4 people, and the most expensive oceanview stateroom would cost you $2007 for your family of four, EXCLUDING your airfare or any shore excursions. If you wanted an upper deck suite, it would cost you $3267.
People have mixed feelings/choices about what type of stateroom to book. My boss and his family always book the cheapest, inside staterooms they can because their reasoning is that they don't spend much time in there. Trust me, these people get up with the sun and hit the deck (no pun intented! LOL) ready to go, they plan their days out like it's a race, and they go, go, go until late night. I don't vacation at that pace. I prefer a better cabin, because we like to relax. We've had a balcony once and LOVED it! We had room service bring breakfast every morning and enjoyed a leisurely breakfast on our balcony looking out at the blue skies and waters. It was heavenly. Even without a balcony, the *cheapest* cabin we've ever booked was an oceanview (with a window), because I feel claustrophobic without being able to look out. We've had a suite before and that was nice, having the tub in the bathroom and the extra room
You just need to decide what will work best for your family. I can see how you'd need more room with 2 young children. So it basically depends on how much you want to spend.
Karen,we book a cruise like your boss, the cheapest inside room LOL..
In Aug 2008 we will be going on RCCL Grandeur and we have 2 inside connecting cabins on deck 2. This is a 9 night cruise and more money then Carnival. We honestly dont spend much time in the room either. Although I am sure we will head back there for nap time for Faith. Actually with 2 cabins, I am looking forward to more room/space and an extra bathroom.
Jackie, it's all a matter of personal preference. I really would go nuts in an inside cabin, with no window, the thought of it makes me feel all panicky inside.
DH and I tend to spend maybe more time in the cabin than some people might - we aren't *really* late night people anymore, so after the shows, we go back to our cabin and have coffee and relax. We really enjoyed having the balcony on our last cruise. We booked an aft cabin, so the balcony was about as big as the room. It had 2 chairs, 2 lounge chairs and a small table. Having breakfast delivered to the balcony each morning was such a treat!!!
We are cruising to the Galapagos Islands in December. We booked a suite with a balcony. The ship only holds 98 passengers, and it's totally different from other cruises - all of your gratuities, bar items, shore trips, etc. are included in the cost. Naturalists are onboard and we will visit 2 islands daily. You access the islands by Zodiac with your Naturalist escort for the hikes/excursions. There are no formal nights; this is a totally casual cruise. There are a couple of restaurants and a couple of lounges, no pool, no shows, none of the glitz you find on other cruises, this is an *educational* and exploration type cruise. There are 2 or 3 excursions offered daily that vary in physical intensity, and many days snorkeling is offered.
This is a cruise where we'll wear shorts all week and I don't have to worry about makeup, hair, dressing, etc. LOL
LOADED with photo ops, and I'm really looking forward to it.
Thanks girls! I really appreciate the advice/personal experiences!
I think DH and I decided last night that we want to cruise the Carnival Conquest out of Galveston, TX to the Western Caribbean. They don't offer the Eastern but i'm sure the differences aren't huge, except I won't see the Virgin Islands. Maybe in the future? We'll also go with a balcony cabin. Mainly so DH and I can enjoy the time were confined to the room while the kids nap/sleep. His deployment is currently 7-10 months so he will be home between April-July time frame. That doesn't help with planning but i'm hoping to cruise during the September-November time frame anyhow. I just wish we knew ahead of time that he would 100% get the time off and he won't have training to do. In our case, i'm very glad for vacation insurance.
Thank you all for everything. Now if you have any port activity "musts" for the Western Caribbean, let me know!
Celebrity offers military discounts to active, reserve and retired members of the U.S. military and the Canadian Forces. Qualifying military personnel must present a photocopy of current military ID at the time of booking. Click here for a list of Celebrity's cruises with special military rates.
Holland America offers military discounts to active members of the U.S. military and the Canadian Forces. Qualifying military personnel must present a photocopy of current military ID and a driver's license, at the time of booking. Click here for a list of Holland America cruises with special military rates.
MSC Cruises offers military discounts to active and retired members of the U.S. military and the Canadian Forces. Qualifying military personnel must present a photocopy of current military ID and a driver's license, at the time of booking. Click here for a list of MSC's cruises with special military rates.
Norwegian offers military discounts to active and retired members of the U.S. military and the Canadian Forces. Qualifying military personnel must present a photocopy of current military ID and a driver's license, at the time of booking. Click here for a list of Norwegian's cruises with special military rates.
Princess offers military discounts to members of the U.S. military who are active, reserve, or have served for 20+ years. Qualifying military personnel must present a photocopy of current military ID at the time of booking. Click here for a list of Princess military discounts.
Royal Caribbean offers military discounts to active, reserve and retired members of the U.S. military and the Canadian Forces. Qualifying military personnel must present a photocopy of current military ID at the time of booking. Click here for a list of Royal Caribbean's cruises with special military rates.
If you go to Cancun, don't miss Chichen Itza Tulum and Xel-Ha.
More Kid Friendly is X-caret park. It is a theme park, and yet the theme is ecology and archeology. You will be able to climb the pyramids and explore over a dozen structures that are scattered throughout the area.
Experience floating and snorkeling through the crystal clear water of the underground river. At the start, you will receive a life jacket and you will float for 20 to 30 minutes through this underground cavern which begins at a sacred cenote.
You will discover the multitude of tropical fish at the caleta (a small bay) where beginners will feel comfortable learning and viewing the prolific life underwater.
An immense butterfly enclosure offers exhibits which explain the life and varieties of the enormous amount of butterflies indigenous to the area.
You may also visit:
The world of insects; a free flight aviary; a turtle pond; a bat cave; beehives; a botanical garden; a coral reef aquarium; Jaguar island; and an orchid farm. Get the idea?
Or just sit on the beautiful beach and soak up the sun.
Horseback riding, SCUBA, SNUBA and Swimming with the Dolphins are extra-cost options. I swam with the dolphins there. It was FANTASTIC!!!!
Melissa, not to be the voice of gloom and doom, but be aware that September is part of peak hurricane season in the Gulf of Mexico, so if there is any way you can book October or November, then I'd recommend that. We have always cruised in November/December and the weather is PLENTY warm then, as are the waters. DO purchase the cruise insurance, *just in case*.......
Bea has tons of info for western ports.....all we've ever done is snorkel, we really need to branch out.....LOL
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