Your Favorite Cruise Line?

Hi, my family and I haven't been on the cruise yet and there are so many to chose from: Carnival, Royal, Disney, and more. Which cruise line is your favorite and least favorite? I would love to hear your inputs. Thanks!

 

Princess and Celebrity. Royal Carribean and Norwegian were good as well, and tend to be a better price, but the food and general service is better on the first two. Any cruise is a great trip - Bon Voyage!

 

I forgot to add one more thing: which cruise does offer a great kids program? Of course I know Disney do have one, but any others???

 

I think Carnival has the best kids program! My DS LOVED it!! Especially the late night pajama party~
We love Carnival but we have heard that other lines are more ritzy. We think Carnival is good enough and are trying to reach VIP status! Only 4 more to go!!!

 

If it's not Carnival, we don't sail. Period, paragraph. Cruised RCI, Disney, Norwegian...and we've always come back to Carnival. Family friendly, with an outstanding kids program.

We took DD on her first cruise this past let Dec-New Years. We signed her up for the Camp Carnival, which features kid friendly counselors, tons of stuff to do to keep kids occupied and entertained, and secure. As it was her first cruise, for the first few hours, we couldn't get her away with a pry bar. As we allowed her to sign herself out, she went and called us and told us she;d see us later. She made so many new friends, and had a blast. It was a 7 day cruise, and it got to the point where we had to make an appointment with her for dinner with us..she'd wolf down her food, and be ready to haul buggy back to the fun.

I should mention that she has celiac disease, and requires a gluten free diet. We advised Carnival ahead of time. They were fantastic about her dinners and foods, bringing us the next night's dinner menu so we could choose her foods for her. They even baked fresh gluten free bread for her daily...she doesn't get that service at home..LOL

It's been romantic for C6 and me, a great family environment, and one great way to spend a week and soak up fun and first class service. We're a Carnival family, and proud of it.

Right now, Carnival Valor, our fave is booking 7 night cruises for 579 pp for the first two, about half that for the 3rd and 4th in the cabin. Figure for four of you, that's 1800 for 4 people for a 7 night cruise, with all food and entertainment and Camp Carnival included. That'd get you 4 nights at Disney and admission to the world's most overpriced entertainment venue.

Check the web site: Vacationstogo.com for thier great rates. Carnival even discounts for military, veterans, firefighters, etc.

 

We took the girls on a cruise during Spring Break. Carnival-lots of kids programs, putt putt, water slides, etc. onboard. I've discovered, cruising just ain't my cup of tea.

 

Why is that SB?! DH has offered to take me but I won't be boarding a plane until my *** sprouts feathers.

 

My favorites in order:


1) Celebrity - laid back, very few kids, excellent food and service, more expensive
2) Princess - Laid back, few kids, very good food and service, good prices
3) Royal Caribbean - more kids, very good food, high prices
4) Norweigan - many kids, ok food (free style dining) good prices
5) Carnival -- Lots of Neon. Lots and lots of kids (both young and old) lots of partying, ok food, cheap prices

Really, almost any cruise is a good cruise if you are just looking for a little R&R and not too picky about food, if you are, I would suggest you stay away from Norweigan and Carnival. If I had kids I would probably do RC or maybe Carnival... maybe. I swore last time I was on there I would NEVER do another cruise with them, but if I had kids, I might reconsider.

check out http://boards.cruisecritic.com/ they have a forum that is extremely active and can answer all your questions!

 

:iagree:

I CANT fly!!!! I almost need medication OR 9 thousand Miller Lites. :lol:

I'm a terrible back seat driver as well, I need to drive-just in case! :?


OP have fun on your cruise :cheers:

 

Cruises do occasionally go out of Norfolk or Charleston.

Our last cruise, we drove to miami and back. piece of cake.

 

Wow, thanks guys, for your inputs. We're thinking of using a port at Port Canaveral, FL since it's closer to where my mother lives close by. I'll check the other two ports you mentioned. You are exactly right Disney do cost more than other cruise line - unbelievable.

 

If you like the larger ships, Royal Caribbean just started sailing Freedom of the Seas out of Port Canaveral. Great ship, lots to do, and even a water park for the kids. Prices do tend to be on the high side though.

Hatteras6 mentioned Carnival's military rates. Royal Caribbean also has them.

How old are the kids? That may have an effect on any recommendations, as well (I'm a TA -- we're moving to Clayton this weekend, and once we've got everything set up I expect will be placing a listing on 4042.com, but in the meantime, I can give you a little free advice :mrgreen.

 

we have been talking about doing one for a couple years now and thinking next spring since last ds will be graduated college and married and will just be me and DH:hurray: What cruise line is best for those that do not want to be around kids (no offense, i pulled my time:lol and like to party too but not singles cruise?

 

I'd probably go with Princess or Celebrity to get away from the kids, but those lines tend to be a little less party. If you can do a longer cruise, there tend not to be as many kids on cruises 10+ days. Even the 7-night cruises won't have as many kids depending on the time of year (spring/summer are probably not the right timeframe though).

 

We went on a Carnival cruise a few years ago around Thanksgiving time, and there weren't that many kids on that due to school schedules and what not. Was enjoyable.

Though I think Carnival has smaller ships than some of the other lines, but they have so many more of them, that you really arent crowded in.

One of the best deals going is relocation cruises.

Craig

 

I do have VIP status with Carnival, so yes I am very bias toward them. Once you've been on a few, the discounts are unbelievable. As for food quality, if it is any better than what is in the main dining room, I really probably shouldn't go near it. Gain weight every cruise, and have fun doing it!!

I've found the best prices at cruisecompete.com Within an hour after putting where you want to go out of, you have 4 or 5 bids from travel agents.

Port Canaveral, FL is my favorite port to go out of. Very well organized and easy drive to get there. Of course when you're a VIP, you don't have to wait!!!

 

Maybe we ought to rethink the timeline and shoot for around our birthdays in Sept, kids should be in school then. Where did you guys go and how long?

 

Kaci, September is a great time to go price-wise, and kid-wise. The only caveat for September is that it is hurricane season, and itineraries do get changed if necessary. If you have your heart set on a certain island, I wouldn't recommend it...if not, go for it!

 

I agree with you. We would love to go this September due to low prices, but unfortunately, my son has school and he cannot miss classes (we learned our lesson a hard way in the past). I just printed Johnston County school calendar for the year 2009-10. His school has the traditional calendar, so January would be our best bet since Disney is offering $399 per person for 4 days cruise, and requires deposit $100 per person to reserve.

shadowrider - i will check out the link cruisecompete.com. thanks!

 

Ditto for cruise compete as a competitive place for cruise. So many agencies book X number of rooms per category, or else buy up so many cabins from cruise lines that haven't sold within a 90 day booking window and turn around and sell them. By buying up so many in bulk, they get a reduced rate, which they then offer.