Which Cruise Line? Which Ship?

[DaveInTN 3,247]

This is by no means a sure thing, but INC and I are batting around the idea of a cruise for our 20th anniversary in spring 2015.  We loved the DCL cruise we took last year, but are considering other cruise lines for several reasons, not the least of which is that we're afraid on a Disney cruise we would be thinking about the girls too much.  We NEVER get away from them, so if this works out we want to get AWAY.  

 

So...for all of you with experience on different cruise lines, which ones would you recommend?  My main criteria are:

 

1.  I want a ship large enough so we just blend in.  So we are not really interested in the small harbor cruise type ships.  

2.  We can only realistically do 4 nights max.  

3.  We can't fly too far to board....ideally Florida or New Orleans...or somewhere else in the southeast.  

4.  A casino would be cool.  

5.  We were spoiled by the entertainment on the Dream, so good stage productions or good entertainment would be nice.  

6.  Nightclubs are not important.  

7.  We've never been to any Caribbean islands (I don't count the Bahamas), so a couple of great ports would be good.  

8.  Being me....great restaurant experiences would be appreciated.  

 

Any ideas?

[momof3kids-Yvonne 594]

We really liked the Royal Caribbean Jewel of the Seas ship. It was large enough, but not overwhelming.

[momof3kids-Yvonne 594]

Caribbean ports...our favorite was Cozumel. We rented a car and drove around the island. Stopped along the way to do and see the things we wanted to.

[GaDawgFan.....Kelly 799]

I will be sailing on the Royal Caribbean Freedom of the seas at the end of March. Trip report will follow shortly after. That said, look at the one that sails from Tampa. Looks like less stuff for kids and more boutique restaurants.

[DaveInTN 3,247]

Thank you Yvonne and Kelly!  Please keep it coming....

[doodlebug....Cherie 461]

Let's see. I have sailed Royal Caribbean, Carnival, Disney and Celebrity. If I can't be on a Disney ship then hands down I would choose Royal Caribbean. I have also sailed out of Port Canaveral, Tampa, Miami and Bayonne, New Jersey.

 

Tampa is not a bad port (sailed from there 3 times) but the Gulf can be rough seas. Miami was wonderful to sail out of but if driving past a lot and I do mean a lot of homeless people bothers you then this is not the port for you. Miami security was bit more intense. 

 

I like a 4 or 5 day cruise the best too. Tampa has a great itinerary. We did the Key West, Grand Cayman and Cozumel itinerary. 

My all time favorite though was the Carnival trip out of Miami. Not really crazy about Carnival but in 5 days we went to Grand Turks, Half Moon Cay. the Bahamas and Ocho Rios, Jamaica.

[Cortezcapt (Derek) 156]

We prefer Royal Caribbean, nice ships, a good mix of activities for all ages, good food, and have enjoyed all the ports in both eastern and western Caribbean with the exception of Grand Cayman. If you go on Royal Caribbean I would suggest one of the Freedom class ships, not to small but not so big you get lost ( plus with the 2 newer and larger ships freedom you can get better deals on freedom class ships ).

Having not been on a DCL cruise I can't compare the two, but I would choose Royal Caribbean over Carnival. I have also heard very good things about Celebrity cruise line ( owned by the same company as Royal Caribbean) from friends, I think they may be a step above Royal Caribbean.

[DaveInTN 3,247]

Wow, RC seems to be an overwhelming favorite.  I was looking at Celebrity's website tonight...definitely seems to be a step up.  At this point, I don't care if we just get a cabin in the woods as long as we can get away.  The last time we've been away from kids was Russia 3 years ago...and that wasn't much of a break from kids as we spent every day at an orphanage.   :rofl3:

[tim5055 120]

Royal Caribbean (RCCL in cruise forum lingo) is a very popular line. First class all the way. We did a 14 day Alaska cruise/tour this year on RCCL and loved it. If 4 days is your limit, you almost limit yourself to Florida cruises. Miami, Tampa and Port Canaveral are the spots. New Orleans has an extremely limited number of 4 day cruises. On most 4 day itineraries you probably limit yourself to the Bahamas.

All RCCL ships are big enough to blend in on. Figure 2000 passengers on the average ship, the new one carry around 5500 (Oasis of the Seas).

All ships have casinos which open after you are 3 miles out and close when you get into port.

We have been on two cruises, one in 1997 that we got married on (no, the Captain can't marry you) and the Alaska cruise this year. I enjoy cruises, but they come in third to our camper and Sandals resorts. Both our camper and Sandals have unlimited alcohol policies. RCCL is expensive for drinks and they will only allow you to bring two bottles of wine on board at the beginning of the cruise. Anything you buy in the ship,store or in port is held for you until the end of the trip.

Now all their new ships and many older ships have been upgraded to having multiple specialty restaurants (think additional cost). I'm not sure how a short trip works, but on longer (7 or 10 days) on day 1 of the trip they offer special packages for the specialty spots. On our Alaska trip I think it was $65 or so per person for 3 specialty spots (Italian, American steakhouse and Brazilian steakhouse). Other specialty spots on RCCL include Mexican, Johnny Rockets, sushi and a chefs table in the kitchen.

They make their money on the ad ons. Except at dinner a coke will,set you back $1.50. Coffee, water (not bottles), ice tea and lemon aid are free all day. Drink packages are available.

Cruise Critic is the web board for all things cruising. Funny, I'm tim5055 there too.

[h2odivers...Ray 952]

My 2 cents.

We've sailed.. In order of preference

Disney

Princess

Royal Caribbean

Carnival

Norwegian

I would really look into the Princess line. Excellent food, superior service, and great entertainment.

Royal Caribbean is a close second. If RCCL is less money I wouldn't hesitate to sail with them.

Norwegian and carnival are about the same to me. As far as the food, entertainment and service is concerned. Food is still really good and plentiful. For the money I'd choose carnival over Norwegian.

Only sailed out of New Orleans once and it is pretty cool because you have to sail down the Mississippi River for several hours.

Carnival has a really inexpensive cruise that goes from New Orleans to Cozumel and Progresso, Mexico. 5 night cruise.

Cozumel is a great little island. It's arguably the second best place in the world to scuba dive or snorkel, second to the Great Barrier Reef. It also has great restaurants and the usual bars, Margaritaville, Carlos n Charles, etc. if you go to Cozumel let me know before you go and I can hook you up with some of my friends on the island. I used to teach scuba diving, hence my name, and I've been there more times than I've been to Disneyland and Disneyworld combined.

Progresso is the complete opposite. Go sit on the beach and have a waiter bring buckets of cold beer to you as you do nothing but wait for INC to finish your massage. A lot of people don't like it because there's not much to do or see but that's the reason I love it.

Don't let the reputation that carnival is a party boat scare you off. Just don't go when kids are not in school. Besides it cheaper at those times.

[CCIntrigue...aka Gwen 547]

I'm a big fan of Royal Caribbean.  Have sailed with them 10+ times.

 

Fort Lauderdale is a great place to sail from.  The airport is small and easy to maneuver.  Close to the port.  

 

I've never been to an island I didn't like.  We do our research and get local tours.  Never do ship tours.  Once you settle on an itinerary, I'll be happy to give some suggestions on things to see and do.  I've been to all the major islands as far east as St. Martin and south to Aruba and Curacao.

[DaveInTN 3,247]

Thanks everyone!

 

Tim, you mentioned Sandals.  I wonder if one of those all-inclusive resorts is something I should look into?  

 

Will check out the options for 4 and 5 night cruises on RCCL and Princess.  It makes sense that for a cruise that length we wouldn't be getting to any of the Caribbean islands beyond the Bahamas, Key West or Cozumel.  That doesn't matter though.  

 

My dream cruise would be to do a week long Alaska on DCL....but there's no way we can get away that long, including the flights to Vancouver and back.  Some day.....

[h2odivers...Ray 952]

All inclusives are great. No worries. Many years ago did the Sunspree in Jamacia. It was really nice. But we've never done a Sandals but we done several smaller independent ones. The best all-inclusive we did was with Iberostar in Cozumel Mexico and visited the one in Playa Del Carman Mexico. They've got several properties all over. I would highly recommend them

[Tri-Circle-D 2,059]

Here's my $.02 Dave-

 

Mrs. TCD and I have gone on several cruises without the kids, but it's been a long time.

 

We always liked RCCL- but the bigger ships definitely are more family/kid oriented these days.

 

We have also sailed on Princess and Carnival.

 

We have friends whose kids are all in college like us, and they take a cruise every January- they seem to always go for Princess.  They seem to like the 4 night cruised that sail from Ft. Lauderdale.  The husband in that couple is a master at getting good deals, and he thinks Princess is the best deal-especially in January.

 

TCD

[B-BallCoach3 0]

Before we ever went on a Disney Cruise we went on the Carnival Destiny (which is now known as the Sunshine after a multi-million dollare facelift).  I know Carnival gets a bad rap for some things, but they have really done a nice job with overhauling all of their ships.  First off, the food compares nicely on both cruise lines so I would give that a wash.  As far as the shows go, in my opinion, that isn't even close as DCL blows the competition away with their shows.  I think the ports of call are obviously a wash as well because you can pretty much go to the same places, with the exception of the private islands.  As for the Casino, you can game at Atlantis if you go to one that stops at Nassau. 

 

I realize you pay more for a Disney Cruise, but for me a lot of the little things make it worth it.  As with everything Disney, they think of every last detail.  Just little things like putting "magic portholes" in the inside staterooms so people don't feel confined.  In addition the little aspect of not having to mess with getting a "soda pass" because DCL includes soda/soft drinks free.  Another thing that I love (which I've posted about before) is their alcohol policy.  The fact that you can bring your own alcohol on the cruise is a super benefit.  Depending on how much people enjoy drinking while on vacation, that aspect can help offset the higher cost of the cruise. 

 

In the end, I really don't think you can go wrong with any cruise line because in my opinion there is nothing more relaxing that being on a cruise ship.  Good luck with your decision making process!!!

[GaDawgFan.....Kelly 799]

Here's my problem with Disney though.... For our spring break, it was DOUBLE the cost of Royal Caribbean. I REALLY want to do a Disney cruise, but it will have to be a shorter one and maybe at the last minute. Jason and I are getting the premium drink package on our cruise that includes sodas, mixed drinks, beer, and wine under $12 a glass. Even after adding that, our RCCL is $3000 cheaper than the Disney cruise at the same time. That's a lot of money.

[tim5055 120]

Thanks everyone!

 

Tim, you mentioned Sandals.  I wonder if one of those all-inclusive resorts is something I should look into?  

As far as we are concerned it is the way to go.  It is expensive at Sandals (there are other companies), but Sandals is first class all the way.  I like arriving at the resort and putting my wallet away.  There are add ons you can buy at the resort it is really not "in your face" (OK, except the girls trying to convince you to get a massage or spa treatment).

 

If kids are on the trip "Beaches" is Sandals family resorts

[DaveInTN 3,247]

If kids are on the trip "Beaches" is Sandals family resorts

 

Bite your tongue.  If kids were going, I'd stay home.  I take them to Disney....isn't that enough?   :rofl3:

[tim5055 120]

Bite your tongue.  If kids were going, I'd stay home.  I take them to Disney....isn't that enough?   :rofl3:

Well now, take them out of the equation - Sandals it is.  Great food and all you can drink.  Lay on the beach, swim in the pool even SCUBA diving is included (not lessons if you are not certified). 

 

I would be willing to bet that if you took the recipe you can get a kungaloosh...  http://www.wikihow.com/Make-a-Kungaloosh

[Beckers 1,136]

Good for you and inc for planning a get away! Brian and I go away for 1 night a year. We really enjoy it.

[DaveInTN 3,247]

Good for you and inc for planning a get away! Brian and I go away for 1 night a year. We really enjoy it.

 

I hope it works out.  I'd say the odds of success at this point are 20%.  But we shall see.  

[MicknMin...Holly 54]

I will be sailing on the Royal Caribbean Freedom of the seas at the end of March. Trip report will follow shortly after. That said, look at the one that sails from Tampa. Looks like less stuff for kids and more boutique restaurants.

Kelly, you will love the Freedom. We sailed on her when she first set sail, and then a few years later sailed in her sister ship, the Liberty! Great ships with so much to do on board. And I know people won't believe this, but we had better service on RCCL than we did on the Wonder. It was probably just a fluke, but we didn't have a very good room steward on the Wonder...never saw him/her the entire time and it wasn't because he/she was so efficient.