Cruising Newbie - Which cruise/port?

[lovewdwfun]

I am narrowing down what we'd like for our cruise (Fall or Winter 2018) so we can be ready once the schedules are released.

For a cruising newbie, should I be concerned about which port we are departing from? We will be flying the day before the cruise with 4 little ones. Is one port significantly less convenient? It looks like Galveston is much less expensive. We could also fly into San Juan, but not sure the cruise prices will be worth the extra airfare cost.

How much is Castaway Cay worth, in your opinion? Looking at this year's prices, it would be an $800 up charge to do the Port Canaveral cruise with CC vs the Galveston Cruise without CC. Kids really want it, but I am not sure it is worth it.

Any advice for the best cruises/destinations for kids? We are leaning towards a Western Caribbean cruise, since my son wants to go to Mexico. I will have a baby and child with a disability, so our excursion choices will be limited. We could also do the Disney Magic cruise from NY to the Bahamas - I am just concerned that may have too many days without excursions for first-time cruisers.

Thanks in advance for any help/insight you can give!

 

[PrincessShmoo]

I am narrowing down what we'd like for our cruise (Fall or Winter 2018) so we can be ready once the schedules are released.

For a cruising newbie, should I be concerned about which port we are departing from? We will be flying the day before the cruise with 4 little ones. Is one port significantly less convenient? It looks like Galveston is much less expensive. We could also fly into San Juan, but not sure the cruise prices will be worth the extra airfare cost.

How much is Castaway Cay worth, in your opinion? Looking at this year's prices, it would be an $800 up charge to do the Port Canaveral cruise with CC vs the Galveston Cruise without CC. Kids really want it, but I am not sure it is worth it.

Any advice for the best cruises/destinations for kids? We are leaning towards a Western Caribbean cruise, since my son wants to go to Mexico. I will have a baby and child with a disability, so our excursion choices will be limited. We could also do the Disney Magic cruise from NY to the Bahamas - I am just concerned that may have too many days without excursions for first-time cruisers.

Thanks in advance for any help/insight you can give!

Generally, once at the port, any embarkation port is good. But, actually getting to the port - that can vary. Galveston is over an hour away from the airport you'd probably be using. So, keep that in mind. I've not been to San Juan (yet) so can't address that port. I like San Pedro (DCL no longer uses that), San Diego, Port Canaveral. They're all pretty well set up and easily accessible.

If you are set on the Galveston cruise, I don't know that Castaway Cay is worth $800 more just to add it as a port of call. Are the other ports the same? The difference in price may not just be the addition of CC, if the other ports are different on each cruise. Different ports have different costs charged for porting there.

Be aware, if your cruise goes to Grand Cayman, that's a tender port. You must get into a smaller boat and be transported from the ship to land.