What's the best way to go on a cruise?

Question

Which is the best cruise line and why? How do I find the least expensive rates? Is it better to go with or without kids? Are there cruise lines that provide child care on the cruise? Does this add a lot of expense? And where would you suggest cruising to? (leaving from somewhere in mid-southern Florida)

Answer 1

I like Carnival, or if your in mid Florida near Orlando try the Disney cruises which can be fun with or without the kids.....and Carribean or Mexico are some good spots to see...

Answer 2

I've been on three cruises, all with different cruise-lines. My first was with Norwegain (NCL), then Royal Carribean, then Princess. All were tons of fun, but each was different. Norwegian is a lot more casual, but the ship was the best.

Suggestion #1: Look for a new Ship...something that's been in the water less than a year. It was awesome having that new, fresh smell to everything. The service on Royal Carribean was excellent. It was a bit more formal, but still very cool. Our last cruise was on the Grand Princess. It was nice, but my least favorite. I missed being treated like a king. We took our kids and they had a blast. They did have a "Kids Club", but my kids didn't go to it much...they were a little too old for it. While I loved having my kids with me, I wasn't able to relax as I had on previous cruises. Even though I felt the ship was pretty safe, I still didn't let them get too far out of sight. I think for the kids we paid an additional $200, plus their airfare, spending money, and etc per child.

Most cruises will stop at a couple of "premium" stops and another couple of "not-so-premium". Grand Cayman is awesome, Costa Maya not so awesome.

Answer 3

This a a good question and not an easy answer. First you have to decide what kind of cruise experience you are looking for. By experience, Carnival is the "drinking type crowd." If you are looking for more of a relaxed and less rowdy guests, try some of the other cruise lines like Norwegian. I would not recommend Carnival for kids. If you want to take the kids do the Disney. It will be fun for all.

Answer 4

I have been on 11 cruises emcompassing most of the major lines. I am sailing again this August.

I can tell you for my money Carnival is the best bet. You get a larger room, more activites, more fun, and free child "care" at camp Carnival.

If you want your best price do this.

1. shop around the travel sites and the cruise sites to find the ship and the date that you want to sail.

2. visit cruisecompete.com and request a quote for the ship and date you want

3. take the best offer you get there and go to beatmycruiseprice.com

Good luck

Answer 5

Check out www.vacationstogo.com

You can search for cruising that depart from ports closest to your home. (note: avoid hurricane season, July-Nov. If you do have to go in the summer, Mexico gets rain late Aug/Sept.)

We have taken Disney, Royal Caribbean and Carnival.

We like Carnival since it gives us a good value and our kids can enjoy the experience without being too restricted.

We introduced our daughters to cruising at ages 5 and 7. They love cruising and enjoy meeting new friends in the kids camps.

We did take our toddler niece and nephew last year but it is very hard to manage/entertain children of that age.

Costs other than your cabin
* port fees and taxes - be sure to ask booking agent about these fees up front.
* tips - $10 per day/per person. Carnival automatically adds these fees to your on-board account the day to step onto the ship.
* shore excursions - from $40 to $200 per person. Also a bit hard to manage with very small children.
* casino
* bar drinks - $4-12 each
* soda - by the can @ $1.75 each or a soda fountain card for about $5-7. per day.
* bingo cards $5-10 each
* spa - $40 to $200 per service

If you are traveling with children, consider getting a pair of the 2-way radios so you can keep in touch on the ship.

Answer 6

Carnival and Royal Caribbean are my favorite. Bring the kids, it will be the time of your life, and theirs. The kids club is free, and they will make alot of friends. Certain Cabins hold four, its cheaper to get one of them. If you have more then 2 kids get them there own room. Tampa is the best for longer cruises in Mid Florida. Orlando is good for smaller ones. If you want to go to Miami or Fort Lauderdale then they are good for everything. In tampa, i reccomend this cruise. 7 nights, on the Carnival Legend. Goes to Grand Cayman, Cozumel, Belize, and Costa Maya. The Legend is B-E-A-utiful. Been on it once, going again, on that cruise. SO much fun. If you want to bring the kids on a short getaway try Disney out of Orlando. Nice prices, characters on board, and some time for you to chill without them. Good luck, have fun, hope I helped. Email me when you chose your cruise.

Answer 7

There are so many things to do, place to go, it's a beatiful thing. Personally, i like the caribbean it can be either eastern or western. We use Royal Caribbean and just love it. I'll recommend you work with a travel agent or directly with the cruise line. They do have daily activities for kids (it's like a camp) and they have it for all age range. So yes you can bring your kids but its up to you. I didn't bring my kids on my last but will on my next and they are looking forward. Use cruise critic to find out more info, its a great website.

Answer 8

carnival is the best try a 3 day first then get a longer one if you liked it
a 3 day is way cheap and if you dont like cruising its not a 10 day nightmare.
everything is provided except boose BYOB! or buy theirs 5 dollars for a beer aint my idea of having fun
kids can come too. they have pools and stuff

Answer 9

There r some cruise ships that hv rooms for 3 ppl. I f u fill one it is less expensive.

Answer 10

I like carnival..not too stuffy lots of fun ..and leave the kids home..pamper yourself