Cruise line for family

[Leleluvsdis]

I hope some of you can lead suggestions and help us chose a cruise line.

First let me start with the situation. We will be going on a cruise in Sept. for my mom's 65th birthday. The only problem is DM, is hesitant about Carnival. We were getting ready to book, and she decided to wait and wanted to talk to different people about cruises they had been on, as she's had several people tell her carinval has mostly young "kids" that do nothing but stay drunk. Dh and I went on a cruise for our honeymoon, and didn't notice much of this, but for th most part we were either on our balcony, or we were at the back pool b/c there wasn't ever a lot of people there as they were mostly at the big pool with the slides and TV and all. When we sail it will be DM(65), DDad (69), DH (28), and me(24). We don't care much about drinking, We might had a mixed drink or glass of wine with dinner and when we leave port at nights. We wants a ship that will be relaxing, and offers shows, upscale dining, etc. The only reason we were going with carnival is b/c Dh and I have been on it before. DM wanted to do a disney cruise, but they are only offering 3 and 4 days in september and she really wants to do at least 5 days. We would like to go out of baltimore, norfolk, or charleston, but will go to fl for the right deal (We are trying to cut down on expence by driving, b/c at this point is about 400pp to fly).

Any help would be greatly appreciated!!!

 

[sherry7]

How about Royal Caribbean or Celebrity? While about the same price typically as Carnival, neither is known as a "party cruise". We've cruised on Royal Caribbean several times, and the atmosphere is nice.

I suggest going to the message boards at CruiseCritic.com to do some research as well.

 

[Leleluvsdis]

I know this is a silly question, but do they have the semi/formal nights?

Also, I have heard that RCCL doesn't include food in the cost of the cruise.. I see you've been on RRCL numerous times, what is included in the booking cost and what is not?

Thanks for the help!

 

[MM27]

The shorter cruises tend to attract more of the party crowd.

 

[sherry7]

I know this is a silly question, but do they have the semi/formal nights?

Also, I have heard that RCCL doesn't include food in the cost of the cruise.. I see you've been on RRCL numerous times, what is included in the booking cost and what is not?

Thanks for the help!

Yes, they have both semi and formal nights. On a 7 day cruise, there is usually 2 formals and 1 semi...not sure about the shorter cruises though.

Like another poster said, the shorter the cruise, the more apt it is to be a party crowd.

Yes, the food on RCCL is included in the price of the cruise including the dining room, Windjammer buffet, and room service. Like most cruise lines though, there are some exceptions. Some ships have a fancy steak house called Chops and a Italian restaurant called Portofino. Those are both a $20 or $25 surcharge if you go...but well worth the extra cost, especially for an occasion like you mother's birthday. (Chops is comparable to a Morton's or a Ruth Chris steak house.) Some of the RCCL ships have a Johnny Rockets burger place, which has a surcharge. If you order room service between midnight and 5 AM, there is a $3.95 surcharge...but it's free the rest of the time, although most people tip the person who delivers it.

 

[PrincessSteph]

We took a 7 day Carnival cruise last year with my entire family (my parents, my sister and BIL, and my family of 5). It was a wonderful week. I do not have one bad thing to say about our experience: the children's programming was great, loved the food, service and entertainment.

I too was worried that we would be on a party boat, but no problems. We tended to stay at the pool at the back of the boat (less crowded) and ate in the formal dining hall every night.

Have a wonderful time planning your next vacation!

 

[CastleCreations]

I found a great cruise for you. It's September 5th-12th, 2010. It leaves out of Baltimore, and goes to Port Canaveral, Nassau, and Freeport.
For a balcony room for 4 people is only 1836 and thats for 7 nights!! LOL
There are lots of great deals out there. I hope you have a wonderful vacation with your family.

 

[Leleluvsdis]

Thank you everyone for your responces!!!

We enjoyed our carnival cruise, and I understand Mom's concern most definetly. I think we might just try to convince her about doing the carnival cruise.

Castlecreation- That is a great deal, but unfortunatly we will be booking 2 rooms. The cruise we are looking at goes out of charleston to the bahamas and carribean.

Thanks again everyone for you help!

 

[mfulk]

We really did not like Carnival. Bad food, long lines, tiny very very strong smelling pools, not a whole lot to do if you're not gambling or going to the clubs (we had a 4 year old, 2 year old & 9 month old with us).

 

[tricia]

I too would recommend RCCL. We have cruised on them a few times. Friends of mine cruised Carnival last Christmas, and found it too much of a party atmosphere for them. I think the length of the cruise makes a difference too. 7 days or more tends to be more families, and less partiers. You should really check out cruisecritic.com, and you can read reviews of people who have been on that ship, and that itinerary and sometimes you can get an idea of what the atmosphere has been like.

 

[thepeach80]

We're doing Carnival in May. I know my parents have done Carnival before and enjoyed it (none of us drink so lots of drinking would've definitely been noticed). They've also done Norwegian and had a good time, but I think that one was more formal, set places at dinner etc.

 

[Leleluvsdis]

We really did not like Carnival. Bad food, long lines, tiny very very strong smelling pools, not a whole lot to do if you're not gambling or going to the clubs (we had a 4 year old, 2 year old & 9 month old with us).

We noticed the part about the pools as well... Ugh... it was HORRIBLE!!! We didn't care about the pools to much though.. We'd just assume lay on the top deck and get our tan on lol... DH and I have a competition as to who can get the darkest... lol I know it doesn't take much to entertain us lol
We didn't have a bad time with the food however there were constantly lines for the grill which became agrevating, but we ate alot in the dining room.

I too would recommend RCCL. We have cruised on them a few times. Friends of mine cruised Carnival last Christmas, and found it too much of a party atmosphere for them. I think the length of the cruise makes a difference too. 7 days or more tends to be more families, and less partiers. You should really check out cruisecritic.com, and you can read reviews of people who have been on that ship, and that itinerary and sometimes you can get an idea of what the atmosphere has been like.

We have looked into RCCL, but we would have to go Miami which would add about $2000 for the 4 of us, and we are conserving on this trip so go all out when we go to disney in 2011 for Christmas... We are shooting for MONORAIL RESORT!!!!! I did visit cruisecritic, but I have too admit it was a little overwhelming so I haven't searched too much. Our cruise was a 7 day that we took for our honeymoon, and we didn't notice too much drinking, although we really stayed at the back of the ship away from the main pool where they had all the contest at.
The cruise we are looking at is a 6 day so I wouldn't think it would attract alot different crowd then the 7 day (fingers crossed)

We're doing Carnival in May. I know my parents have done Carnival before and enjoyed it (none of us drink so lots of drinking would've definitely been noticed). They've also done Norwegian and had a good time, but I think that one was more formal, set places at dinner etc.

Where are ya'll sailing from?
We looked at celebrity and princess and they seemed formal as well. We like formal, but to up tight. I know I've talked to several people that have done Norweign and they said it was more fancy around the clock. We aren't so into that. We like to get dressed up for dinner, but be able to relax throughout the day and not have to be all "dolled up" KWIM.

The cruise we are looking at goes out of Charleston and goes to key west nassau and freeport. Has anyone been to these places? We're thinking of going to atlantis in Nassau, but I'm not sure of what else in key west and freeport.
Since the cruise comes back on Friday we are thinking of staying in Charleston friday night and Saturday night and visiting around Charleston. Mom and Dad have been on a day trip and have been wanting to go back, but DH and I have never been and have been wanting to take a weekend trip, so we figure its the best of both world to do both! If anyone has any suggestions feel free to give them!!!

 

[DisneyAndRedSox]

Our family is a big fan of Royal Caribbean! A year ago we did 4 generations on the Independence of the Seas... DD was 3 and my Nana 83! It was perfect for all ages!

We did pay for Portofino and Chops, I had gotten an on-board credit from my TA and more $$ from my RCCL credit card so I didn't pay out of pocket.