Any deals on Non Disney cruises out there?

[mommylovesdisneymore]

We havedone Disney cruise twice and want to try something new but everything is so overwhelming any advise or opions you are willing to share would be great we have 2 kids 14 & 7

 

[williamson_ja]

It depends on when you want to go. I found a 7 night cruise on the Carnival Dream to Eastern Caribbean ports today for $1300 for 3 people in the room (that's the total price with taxes and fees). I should clarify that this was for a Dec 2011 cruise and a porthole room. I thought that was a pretty killer deal. This is a brand new ship with great reviews. We've only sailed Disney in the past. For this price, we're going to give it a try.

 

[missycj96]

Depending on where you live, sailing from a port you can drive to saves airfare plus a pre-cruise hotel stay or transfers to port etc. For 4 people the savings could be huge.

 

[jlima]

Find the Cruise Critic website; and sign up for their emails.

And, find a travel agent who specializes in cruises.

And, as the pp said, try to drive to your cruise. The Cruise Critic website has a cruise finder tool that is really cool; put in the city you want to sail from and it tells you what's out there.

 

[Ericandjenng]

I keep putting off the Disney cruise because of price. But I have been on 10 (I think, maybe more, I've lost count) cruises. Mostly Carnival but also 1 on Royal and 1 on Holland America. I would recommend Carnival in almost all circumstances. Royal if you could get a good deal. Holland America, never again. Which really surprised me.

You can almost always find a good deal on a cruise. But some of that also depends on flexibility--willing to take an older ship, use a less popular route, use a less popular port to start. I've also seen some really great deals on Norwegian but haven't tried them yet.

As for your kids--we've not utilized the kid's program on Carnival but my DM took my DNeice & DNephew quite a few years ago and he was about 6-8 age-wise and loved the kid's program. She was 4 years older and was a bit shy, enjoyed herself but didn't get too involved in the tween things onboard. For Royal, we signed our DS up but it was such a short trip that he never wound up participating. The one outstanding thing about Holland America was the kid's program. My DS absolutely LOVED!!! it.

I think your best bet may to simply pick a cruise line and just search their specials to see what fits your budget and vacation needs/wants.

Good Luck!!

 

[sherry7]

Depending on where you are in VA, you might have an easy drive to Baltimore. Royal Caribbean Enchantment of the Seas sails out of Baltimore, and the prices have been very low recently. Keep in mind that if you plan on a winter cruise, it will be sort of cold for the first and last day, since you're sailing up the Eastern seaboard. There's plenty to do inside though during those days, and there's an indoor solarium (pool) area as well. We just got back from a Christmas cruise on this ship, and really enjoyed ourselves.

 

[KKB]

BestPriceCruises.com; we have gotten 7 day Caribbean cruises on them & expedia on Princess for around $500pp., often w/ perks (bottle of wine, free photo, on board credit, coupon books)