If not Disney then what cruise line?

[Skybaby]

We have a Disney cruise for May 2004 booked and we have been on Disney cruises before and love them. But Disney has made us addicted and I need a cruise fix before May 2004! Disney is so expensive so I was hoping to find another cruise line that is not as expensive BUT one that is nice. I need help on what other cruise lines to check out. Any suggestions?

 

[MelissaE1]

I think it depends on what you are looking for, your price range and your cruising attitude (what you expect in order to have a good time). If you are taking kids, Royal Caribbean is a wonderful line, especially the mega-ships, but other lines also have good kids programs. If it is just grownups, most of the well known lines are fine.

I am going on a cheapie 4-night Royal Caribbean cruise at the end of March with my best friend of 30 years. It's an older ship and it's not going to be Disney, but we'll be out on the water on a ship for 4 days and it's only costing us $350 each, so how bad could it be?

A good place to find info based on what you are looking for is the cruise critic boards. Watch out though, most people are friendly but it's a little rowdier of a mix than we have here on our wonderful DIS boards.

 

[Señor Ferrari]

I've cruised Royal Caribbean, although not with kids, but they do seem to have a lot for kids to do. I like this line a lot. I think this is a good choice with or without kids. On their Voyager-class ships (the monstrous ones with the ice rink and rock wall), the balcony cabins go for about what a category 8 or 9 costs on DCL for a 7-night Caribbean cruise.

For adults-only, I think HAL or Celebrity is also a good choice. While they lack the kind of younger buzz that's on Dinsey's ships, they're both a very nice cruise experience.

 

[shelly3girls]

Just a thought, but it seems that DCL is offering great prices for Sept cruises. I know this is the beginning of hurricane season, but I heard that Sept can still be very nice. If my DD wasn't starting a new school, we would be taking one.

 

[Skybaby]

Our DD will be going. She's 8. Don't want to do a cruise in Sept because we are going to Disney World then! I was hoping to do a cruise next month because we are soooooo sick of this snow!!

 

[my3kids]

I'm trying to decide right now whether to keep the DCL reservation or try another line. I'm leaning toward Celebrity even with the children.

 

[Skybaby]

I hear RCC is good if you go on one of the new ships. However, those ships go on the longer cruises. I am looking for around 4 nts. Any alternatives to Disney for a short cruise?

 

[MelissaE1]

Unfortunately (but understandably) most lines who do 3 or 4 night cruises use their older ships for those itineraries. I know there are some people who say even though old, Sovereign of the Seas has a great staff and a wonderful kids program. Certainly the price recommends it for a short getaway. I can report back after my March 30th cruise, but don't know if that will be in time. I have heard that RCCL is a better choice than Carnival for a short cruise, but there are people who have the opposite opinion, too.

 

[floridaminnie]

I know that I have read horror stories in local paper about the older Carnival cruiseline boats. Dealing with the sewage and being broken down at sea. That is the one that departs out of Tampa. I would stay clear of at least that boat!

 

[BCMG]

MellisaEI, I was just wondering, how did you book your Royal Carribean cruise? The web site for this is not user friendly! That sounds like a great deal, I , too am trying to book a cruise soon before our Disney cruise in Feb. Thanks!

 

[sln88]

Could you do me a favor when you are on your cruise on the SOS? I am trying to get a copy of the kids/teens program schedules to decide if there will be enough for the kids to do. I can give you a fax number and you could fax it or scan it to me.
Thanks

 

[MelissaE1]

BCMG: I booked it through vacationstogo.com. They were very nice and very accessible. I agree, Royal Caribbean's site is horrible to navigate, but if you call them directly (as I have done several times) they are very friendly and helpful. For instance, we were on deck 7 originally, but when I called RCCL for something else the lady I spoke with told me I would be much better off on deck 5 because my "ocean view" on deck 7 would be right out onto the promenade, and people could see in my window! Good to know. She rebooked me into the better location.

sln88: I would be happy to get you a copy of them. I don't have a fax anymore (cable modem) but I could either take a digital picture of them or just mail them to you. You can email me the info at MelissaE1@aol.com.

 

[mac_tlc]

I would definitely recommend RCCL. We just returned from the Navigator of the Seas and have also done the Explorer of the Seas. Even though these ships are new and big, you can get some great prices depending on time of year, and they tend to be cheaper than DCL. Plenty to do for all... I have all of the Compass activity sheets from both cruises if anyone is interested.

It's a real toss-up between these ships and DCL. More adult stuff on RCCL, no characters though.

More dining options on RCCL, especially with the 24hr Cafe Promennade, no large movie theater though...

No Castaway Cay on RCCL, but Labadee is a pretty close second....


mac_tlc

 

[nicurnc]

Sailed on Princess last October, absolutely top notch....for adults. We didin't notice that there would be alot for the kids to do on this line.
But the quality was up there with Disney, for lots less $$.
But, no Disney magic either

Loretta

 

[PiperG]

We are hoping to book an Alaskan cruise on RCCL. It sounds like they have pretty good kids programming. Does anyone know where I can find personnal navigators (or something similar) with details on the kids activities?

Maybe there is a "Dave from Marrietta" or "Barb and Tony" type of site that I can go to.

Thanks

 

[dvcmommy]

A good 3 day cruise that is not normally offered is on the Carnival Spirit 04/17/03. It is a 3 day out of San Diego, and it's on a new ship! I saw you are from WV, though, and a cruise out of California may not be convenient.

This cruise goes to Mexico. Rates start at 290 p/p inside, 160 for 3rd/4th passengers. Of course, this does not include port charges.

Just thought I would let you know because it is rare to find a 3 day cruise on a newer boat!

Kim

 

[mac_tlc]

PiperG,

I have all of the Compass activity sheets from our Explorer of the Seas cruise in August '02 and our Navigator of the Seas cruise on 2/15/03. The Radiance of the Seas and Legend of the Seas go to Alaska, the mega-ships are too large and cannot fit through the Panama Canal.

Our son is 8, so Ii have the "Explorer" age group , 6-8 ..
Also have some 15-17 age group info, although our DD (15)infrequently partakes of that opportunity....

Send me a PM with an address or fax number and I can send you them .. Soon will have "scan-capability" ...

mac_tlc

 

[buzz&woody'smom]

I assume you are referring to the Carnival Sensation out of Tampa. I have heard that it is a older ship and it does 4 or 5 days that include Grand Cayman and Cozumel on the 5 day but even though it is older and smaller I have heard it is a good bang for the buck??? What info do you know that differs because I was actually considering doing this cruise in May or June with my DH for an inexpensive adults only trip???

For the rest of you what cruise lines and ships do you recommend out of Florida? I am doing the 3 day RCCL SOS with my best friend for a Mommy's trip in August but was looking for something else for May or June?

Thanks-
Tiff

 

[Bev J]

You will be very happy with Royal Caribbean. We have sailed with them 4 times and will go again this October with our kids. I have found very good prices for this time $850 or so for a balcony cabin down to 599 for inside. 3,4 pass are under 300 each. So this is way cheaper than disney. This was for 7 days on Exployer of the Seas or Voyager of the Seas.

 

[buzz&woody'smom]

Hi Bev J-

What is the difference between the RCCL Explorer and RCCL Voyager they seem to have the same ports?

Thanks-
Tiff