Cruise help

[ArielRae]

DH wants to do a cruise that is not with Disney.
I was hoping you all could help.

Here is some info:

I have done a Disney cruise DH and DS have not.
We have never done a non disney cruise.
We want to do a cruise no longer then 5 days.
We live in NJ and want to leave from a port near us so we don't have to fly.
Looking for a cruise good for a 1yr old.


Please tell me your thoughts so we can figure out what cruise would be good for us and when. Thanks!

 

[Darcy03231]

I'm a frequent cruiser and with the information you posted I would look into Royal Carribean. Its a very family friendly cruise line, although your baby will be too young for the kids program (I believe it starts at either 2 or 3).

Check out www.cruisecritic.com or www.cruisemates.com. Both are like the DIS but for cruisers. Lots of great information on those boards.

Have a great time!

 

[buzz2400]

I always travel with my son. Our first cruise was disney and we loved it. Because of financial issues we can't do another disney. We have done two carnivals and three royal caribbean. We hate royal caribbean and have decided never to go on another again. We feel that there is not enough things to do. We just came back from a RC, DS is 19 and I am in my 40's. fortunately it was a short cruise. Anyway, we love Carnival and feel that is more family orientated. We did go on a carnival out of new york and loved it last year. I would also suggest checking out cruisecritic.com.

 

[winesis]

We typically cruise once a year. If you are looking at a short cruise (less than 7 days,) chances are you will be on an older ship.

You need to look on cruise critic to see what line fits your expectations. We LOVE Royal Caribbean and Disney!!! So does our DD7 and DD3. They are the only lines that have baby pools where you can use swim diapers. On RCL only the Freedom and Oasis class of ships allow swim diapers in the baby pool. When my DD was 1 we couldn't walk anywhere near the pool without her wanting to go in. I can't imagine being on a ship where she couldn't play in the water!

Just back from Norwegian Epic. There were kids with swim diapers in the kids pool despite signs that stated no swim diapers. No one seemed to mind. However our we have decided NCL Freestyle is not a good fit for our family.

 

[CoP Luv]

I would check cruises.com just to check out cruises that fit your criteria. Then I would go to Cruise Critic and find out other information about what lines you are thinking of and different ports of call!

Good luck! We love cruising!

 

[SmileMom]

Our family was bit by the cruising bug several years ago. We have sailed Disney and Royal Caribbean and LOVE BOTH! We sailed on the Explorer of the Seas this summer, and it was another great cruise! The Explorer sails out of Bayonne, NJ, so no flying. DDs were not as young as your child, but they loved the kids program. You'll find LOTs of info on cruisecritic.com.

 

[mjkacmom]

Just back from Norwegian Epic. There were kids with swim diapers in the kids pool despite signs that stated no swim diapers. No one seemed to mind. However our we have decided NCL Freestyle is not a good fit for our family.

We're just back from the Jewel, and I agree, no one enforced the diaper thing, which is unfortunate. However, we prefer NCL to DCL, because we love freestyle - eat when we're hungry, not dress up, and lots of dining options. I didn't like having to eat dinner at a certain time on DCL.

OP, leaving out of NYC is a breeze. It's great to start your vacation 20 minutes after leaving your home.

 

[Marionnette]

DH wants to do a cruise that is not with Disney.
I was hoping you all could help.

Here is some info:

I have done a Disney cruise DH and DS have not.
We have never done a non disney cruise.
We want to do a cruise no longer then 5 days.
We live in NJ and want to leave from a port near us so we don't have to fly.
Looking for a cruise good for a 1yr old.


Please tell me your thoughts so we can figure out what cruise would be good for us and when. Thanks!

We just got back from a five night trip on the royal caribbean explorer of the seas. Sailed from cape liberty (bayonne, nj) to kings warf, bermuda. Beautiful ship. Good but not great food. Excellent service. There's something for every age group and the adults only pool area is strictly enforced. I dont think your son will be old enough for the kids club but you will probably find things to keep him happy. Im afraid that it might not be a relaxing trip for you. You will be on level five mommy alert at all times. Without the benefit of a kids club you wont get any relief from it.