Need help from (other than Disney) cruise experts

[kpgclark]

My DH and I want to celebrate our anniversary by cruising without the kids. I've heard January is a good time to cruise because it is very reasonable and we don't have to worry about the kid's school schedule. We've done the Disney Western and we're doing the Eastern in April. Anyone have any good ideas on itinerary or cruise line? I was considering Holland America's Zuiderdam which does the 7 day Eastern because it is EXTREMELY well priced but it only has three ports and one is the same as Disney's Eastern. I could really use advice. The only cruise other than Disney that we've taken is an Alaska cruise with RCCL which was a MUCH MUCH older crowd. HELP!

(sorry if OT)

 

[Lloyd Dobler]

Alaska cruises tend to have an older crowd. RCCL in the Caribbean is a comparable crowd to DCL, in my opinion. I like their Voyager-class ships quite a bit. I don't like them quite as much as Disney, but almost, and their prices are very competitive with DCL. You can usually get a balcony cabin for what you'd pay for an oceanview on Disney.

HAL is probably my favorite non-Disney line. Their ships are very elegant, much the Magic and Wonder. I haven't been on the Zuiderdam, and I think it's a bit larger than Zaandam, which I've sailed and liked a lot. I do think that HAL crowd is a bit older than the RCCL crowd, so that might be a consideration. I've heard good things about Royal Caribbean's kids and teen programs, but haven't heard any first-hand accounts. Princess also sails in the Caribbean in January. I've been on two of their "Grand" class ships (Golden and Star Princess). I also liked these ships a lot, but would say that their crowds were a bit older than Royal Caribbean, but maybe slightly younger than HAL.

I don't know much about Carnival, but would think that their crowds would be more toward the younger end of the spectrum, and they have several new ships in the area.

 

[geffric]

We went on a Carnival Cruise on our honeymoon. Yes the ages were younger, but the food, cabins, ship was less than DCL. We won't take a Carnival Cruise again. We have friends that went on the one ship, I don't know the name, with the climbing wall and they said that was great.

 

[ashking]

Celebrity has some really nice ships and the Grand Princess has a lot to offer. I wouldn't discount Carnival because they have so many brand new ships...the Glory out of Port Canaveral should be great. I haven't heard many good things about the Zuiderdam. Many Holland American devotee were somewhat let down . I think it is what you make of it and if you are looking to have some alone time without the kids , you could be on a cargo ship and it wouldn't matter. Just enjoy being without the kids!!!

 

[Bev J]

If you don't want RCCL again then I would go with Celebrity also. Go with one of the newer ships. We did the Century loved the ship and the service, the food was very good. But we were rather bored with the activities offered. We are heading back to RCCL in October, as this is our cruise line of choice. We are sailing on the Rhapsody of the Seas, 3.5 days at sea, Key West, Cozumel and Grand Cayman, sailes out of Galveston, TX and had outstanding prices, we paid $860pp for a suite. Princess was nice also but cabins were small compared to DCL and RCCL and the staff were rather snooty. We have decided that a cruise is what we make of it since we travel with a group of friends it does not matter what the make up of the other passangers is although we do enjoy meeting new people from other countries. If you want a site with lots of information on message boards try www.cruisecritic.com.

 

[hilltopfamily]

BevJ:

hello again, my fellow Lincolnite. Who do you work with (if I may ask) for booking the best prices with RCCL? I ask because if we like our cruise in 2 weeks on DCL, then I'm very interested in booking a Voyager-class ship w/RCCL for next summer. Really thinking about hard about the new Mariner of the Seas out of Port Canaveral. And I find their website very poor indeed. DU doesn't book non-DCL cruises any longer.

Your pricing for A SUITE sounds amazing!!!! Having cruised w/DCL, you know how high our price for 5 is (and we even have 2 connecting inside rooms, no sunlight---yuck!). Though from advice of everyone here, I'm sure we'll be extremely happy with our cruise and are VERY excited about it. thanks for your info.

 

[Euphscott]

A bit of persepctive on the Zuiderdam..

While Ihave not sailed her, I've done lots of research as the itinerary is rather attractive.

One poster above indicated HAL devotees did not like it. From what I've gathered Zuiderdam (and her sister Oosterdam, soon to arrive) were designed and built for Caribbean cruising and for attracting younger passengers and families. So, the older HAL set that has become accustomed to certain style has been put off by the younger leaning ship. From what I have learned, the Zuiderdam is going to be a similar experience to say Disney or Celebrity or Royal Caribean.

Just a thought... Do your homework and enjoy cruising without the children!!

 

[kshabare]

My two cents worth:
Celebrity to Bermuda. Beauty is in the eye of the beholder. Because everything is expensive - eat on the ship. Enjoy their beautiful island. Go to the perfumerie and snorkel.

Although I have to admit - I'd myself have to stick to DCL. Can't get it out of my system - with or without kids.

Kim

 

[wdw1972]

I'm a devoted HAL cruiser, even though I'm only 44 years old. We cruised the Zuiderdam's eastern itinerary last month - by the way, it vists both of the same ports as Disney, and only substitutes it's own private island (which is nicer than Disney's).

Compared to my other HAL cruises I was slightly disappointed, but not in the ship. The other passengers are younger than "normal" for HAL, and don't always respect the more formal atmosphere HAL has been known for. However, the ship is GORGEOUS, with many wonderful features. Service was first-rate, and the food is way superior to what's found on the Disney ships (DCL is good, HAL is great). I personally think the original poster will love the Zuiderdam!

 

[PiperG]

Originally posted by kpgclark
The only cruise other than Disney that we've taken is an Alaska cruise with RCCL which was a MUCH MUCH older crowd. HELP!

kpgclark,

We are cruising to Alaska on the Radiance (RCCL) next Aug. We are traveling with our DS who will be 7, and another couple with a DD who will be 9.

Do you have any observations to make about the kids programming? I know it won't be anything like DCL, but the timing is right for this trip and I don't want to let the opportunity go by.

I appreciate anything you can share. Several other Dissers have weighed in, but I appreciate any other thougths. Its my only area of concern relative to the trip.

Thanks!