Cruises from Florida

[greenclan67]

Hi there, we just returned from a wonderful 2 week vacation in Orlando. This being our 5th year in a row we have done it for March Break!
My hubby and I were talking on the way home, and if we can find the right price for next year, (I know we can't afford a Disney cruise) I have looked. We would love to try a 3 or 4 night cruise from maybe Port Canaveral or similar area. Eithier before or after a weeks stay at the resort. We have never cruised before, and although I am sure I will like it, my hubby doesn't think he will, so that is why I would like the shorter version. Our March Break starts March 8th here next year, so I would like to do the days before the MB or the days following, as we are staying at the resort from March 8th or 9th til the 15th or 16th. We can alter by a few days, as long as I am there for the most part of that week, because we have lots of my kids friends tagging along to the resort next year, and they want to be there at the same time!
So any suggestions on what I can expect to pay, and where would be the best place for me to look?
Thanks for any and all help.

 

[My 2 princesses]

I have not been either, but I do hear the earlier you book the better the prices. My friends just went for March Break on Carnival and paid about 500 bucks for each for a 7 night cruise. They loved it. We are holding out for a Disney Cruise and I have not seen a Kids Free in a long time. Hopefully they have an offer out soon.

 

[Sue M]

I've done a couple of cruises with Princess, and we booked thru a travel agent.
One was the Alaska Cruise, 7 day, and the other was out of Ft. Lauderdale- Panama Cruise. There are lots of short Caribbean or Bahama Cruises out of Florida, but I'd stick with the major Cruise Lines- Princess, Carnival, etc.
If you're a Costco member, you can check on the Costco Travel Site too.

 

[fan1080]

There are a number of inexpensive cruises available leaving from ports in Florida.

My wife and I did a 7 night cruise out of Tampa a couples years back for $675 per person. It was our first cruise and we absolutely loved it. We were scheduled for 4 port stops (Grand Cayman, Cozumel, Roatan, Belize). Didn't make it into Grand Cayman though, the weather was bad, but we did make all the other stops. It's really nice to have some time to explore multiple ports.

One word of advice on the shorter cruises. Make sure to do some research on www.cruisecritic.com, there are a number of shorter cruises that are known as booze-cruises, and from what I've read, some of them can be an "experience". Not what I would want in a vacation outing.

You can check www.carnival.com for current prices. There are some really good deals for the shorter duration cruises.

Have fun researching.

 

[rjan67]

We cruised out of Port Canaveral with Carnival. My dh was also reluctant but we enjoyed it very much. We went with a large group, so I know that was part of the fun. If you book a year out, you get some pretty good savings. But, if you can hold out til closer - you sometimes can get a pretty good deal as you get closer to sailing and they try to fill the ship. I was looking at the Carnival Breeze (a new ship) out of Miami for next March. It was running in the 500's per person at this time for an interior room. Some of the older and smaller ships are cheaper as well. Also depends if you would like the large ship experience or a smaller ship. Try CruiseCritic for info once you narrow it down. Very helpful.

 

[Gigi22]

Agreed about Cruise Critic. If you compare DCL with other mainstream cruise lines, their per diem rate is much higher, so you don't have to do Disney cruise. Do your research carefully and find out which cruise line is the best fit for you and your family. Cruising is a blast--the only trouble is that it is absolutely addictive--your first cruise will not be your last!

 

[greenclan67]

Agreed about Cruise Critic. If you compare DCL with other mainstream cruise lines, their per diem rate is much higher, so you don't have to do Disney cruise. Do your research carefully and find out which cruise line is the best fit for you and your family. Cruising is a blast--the only trouble is that it is absolutely addictive--your first cruise will not be your last!

OH Oh, I am surprised I have gotten my hubby to Florida 5 years in a row, especially when I almost had to beg him to go the first time as he was very reluctant to go at all.
We are both on board to try a cruise, just he wants it to be a shorter one to start with a weeks stay in Florida before or after. I have heard of these so called "booze" cruises, and don't want that for my kids. I really would like to do the Bahamas but any other suggestions would be appreciated.
I was hoping to get something that would fit my budget of between $300 to $400 per person. My kids are both girls and will be 11 & 13 at the time, so it is important that they would enjoy themselves as well, and not glue themselves to me. Cause they do that in new situations!!! I will keep looking and if the right thing comes along, it was meant to be, and if it doesn't, we will try again next time. Thanks for everyone's help so far!

 

[Kat&Dom]

I was looking at adding a cruise onto our Disney trip in August. I checked the Disney cruises and it was $688 each for a 3 day cruise so I looked at Carnival and it was $329 for a 4 day cruise but then I found a 7 day cruise out of Tampa for $499 per person. It was too good of a deal to pass up so we are doing a week of Disneyworld then a week of cruising. We are hitting 4 different ports as PP mentioned (Cozumel, Belize, Roatan, Grand Cayman) with sea days on first and last full days.

My son was particularly excited to be going on a cruise when he saw the Carnival cruise on The Chipmunks:Chipwrecked movie.

I originally thought that it would be better to do a 3 or 4 day cruise to see if my son liked it but now that I have booked, I am very happy to be doing a 7 day cruise and visiting 4 different places.

Good luck with finding the perfect fit for your family. There are so many options out there but I really like how you have your food and accomodation included in one low price. I think that the excursions will run around the $350 total for the 2 of us (my son and I) - we are planning on doing the swim with the dolphins, snorkeling the barrier reef in Belize and doing a resort day in Cozumel with lots of water toys (trampolines, climbing structures, slides, etc in the ocean).

 

[minnie56]

There are all kinds of decent prices out there to be had ..IMO you get more bang for your buck with a longer duration sailing. Most cruiselines use the older/smaller ships for the shorties and they do appeal certainly to those getting away for some intense partying in particular Carnival.

I would say Royal Caribbean might be your best bet...

Cruise Critic is an awesome resource as well!

 

[Tower]

I have heard of these so called "booze" cruises, and don't want that for my kids. I really would like to do the Bahamas but any other suggestions would be appreciated.
I was hoping to get something that would fit my budget of between $300 to $400 per person. My kids are both girls and will be 11 & 13 at the time, so it is important that they would enjoy themselves as well, and not glue themselves to me. Cause they do that in new situations!!! I will keep looking and if the right thing comes along, it was meant to be, and if it doesn't, we will try again next time. Thanks for everyone's help so far!

To avoid the 'booze cruises', stay away from Carnival. They're known as the 'fun ships', but to me (others may differ in opinion) there's too many adult things around there that should not be around children as much as they are.
Maybe try Holland America, or Royal Caribbean. RCL we've been on and had nice times on both. Register for their promotional emails and see what deals you can get.
I also agree with others that a 3 or 4 night may not be enough to really relax. Some lines offer 5 night cruises, so you get a happy medium.
If you can sail out of Port Canaveral or Jacksonville, it's a closer drive than to go all the way to Miami or Tampa.
The main thing is to go with an open mind. Keep your plans in sand and your goals in concrete as to what you want to do on your vacation. It's always nice to cruise your first cruise with a friend who is an experienced cruiser. They can guide you around a bit.

 

[fan1080]

Here is some pricing from carnival for next March:

Very affordable, but you'll have to remember to add tips and tax on that too. I worked my way through a booking for you, and for Mar 17, total came to $434 pp, including fees/taxes/tips.

 

[greenclan67]

Here is some pricing from carnival for next March:

Very affordable, but you'll have to remember to add tips and tax on that too. I worked my way through a booking for you, and for Mar 17, total came to $434 pp, including fees/taxes/tips.

This is the one I keep coming to as well! I was afraid that it was one of the so called booze cruises! I may have to do a 5 night then if that is what people suggest! I will keep poking around I have some time on my hands, now that we just got back on Sat!
Thanks for all the help!

 

[minnie56]

Keep in mind the Sensation is an older ship..19yrs to be exact. Though she had a refurb in 2006 she is tired ..and give the lead in pricing, you will definetly attract a younger crowd. Just my 2 cents..

 

[minnie mum]

I strongly suggest that you spend some time on Cruise Critic and evaluate recent reports on some of the cruises that you might be interested in.

I would also strongly suggest that if you have never done this before, get a good TA with Cruise ship experience. They can be invaluable in helping you select a cruise line and an itinerary that will suit you best. They can also help find 'deals' for you.

I think a shorter cruise (4nighter) might be the best choice for first timers. Some people simply do not do well on cruises. Best to know this before signing on for a whole week of misery.

With children, you'll definitely want to avoid the 'party ships', but some of the lines have very good children's programs. They may be no threat to the Disney ships, but they have gotten good reviews.

And finally, I recommend that if you are going to combine this with a stay at WDW that you do the cruise last. We've done this twice, and loved how the cruise allowed us to recuperate from WDW in great comfort.

 

[greenclan67]

I strongly suggest that you spend some time on Cruise Critic and evaluate recent reports on some of the cruises that you might be interested in.

I would also strongly suggest that if you have never done this before, get a good TA with Cruise ship experience. They can be invaluable in helping you select a cruise line and an itinerary that will suit you best. They can also help find 'deals' for you.

I think a shorter cruise (4nighter) might be the best choice for first timers. Some people simply do not do well on cruises. Best to know this before signing on for a whole week of misery.

With children, you'll definitely want to avoid the 'party ships', but some of the lines have very good children's programs. They may be no threat to the Disney ships, but they have gotten good reviews.

And finally, I recommend that if you are going to combine this with a stay at WDW that you do the cruise last. We've done this twice, and loved how the cruise allowed us to recuperate from WDW in great comfort.

Thank you so much, this seems to be along the lines I am thinking. Nothing worse then getting out there and getting sea sickness! SO after would be better then before? I actually have a name of a cruise director for Royal Caribbean my brother brought back from Jamaica last week, they spent some time talking to her. I think I may jot her an email and see where that leads me. Thanks again!