Need to find a last minute cruise . . .HELP!!

[krystalleigh1]

I am so lost when it comes to planning a cruise! I have no idea where to start! HELP!!!

So we want to go on a cruise. The second week of Feb. Flight out of Omaha, NE. We'd like a 5ish day cruise. Somewhere warm.

Family of 4-2 kids ages 2 and 6.

So suggestions? Anyone want to point me in the direction of a budget friendly cruise this time of year?

 

[catgirl]

Look at Royal Caribbean's Hot Deals, there web site is easy to use. Good luck!

 

[disney4us2002]

I would try vacationstogo dot com. If you register there (free) you can look at their 90-day tickers for the best prices. I'm not sure what type of cruise you can get for 5 days. I've seen many 3 and 4s and lots of 7s but I don't recall many 5s. Good luck!

 

[HLAuburn]

Try searching a website like cruise.com. They have an advanced search option that will allow you to pick your dates, # of nights, departure point etc.

Once you've narrowed down a particular ship/intinerary, you can search other cruise travel agents for the best price. I've found that most have rates that are about the same, although some may offer cabin upgrades or shipboard credits if you book with them.

With young kids, I'd highly recommend Disney Cruise Line. They tend to be more expensive than other lines, but definitely worth it. You can check out *************.com for great rates. The other benefit of DCL is that the 2 year old only pays port charges, while other lines charge 3rd and 4th passengers the same rate, regardless of the child's age.

Good luck...and happy sailing!

 

[mrsklamc]

I would try vacationstogo dot com. If you register there (free) you can look at their 90-day tickers for the best prices. I'm not sure what type of cruise you can get for 5 days. I've seen many 3 and 4s and lots of 7s but I don't recall many 5s. Good luck!

There's a 5 day out of South Carolina and a 5 day out of Miami both leaving the 7th, for cheap- both on Carnival. Depends on what your budget is. There's a 4 day on the Disney Dream leaving 2/6 but that's going to run you quite a bit more.

 

[DisneyMomma81]

With young kids, I'd highly recommend Disney Cruise Line. They tend to be more expensive than other lines, but definitely worth it.

Good luck...and happy sailing!

While I'd love to cruise with Disney we have cruised Royal Caribbean and Carnival ~ my kids had a blast both time, DS loved the RC kids club when he was 3 and DD loved the Carnival kids club when she was 6.

 

[leight]

I've used 1cheapcruise.com- great customer service. I've booked Carnival, Royal Caribbean and Disney through them.

 

[Vijoge]

I'd go with vacationstogo 90 day ticker for last minute deals. The problem is probably going to be finding last minute airfare at a decent price. MSC (Mediterranean Shipping Cruises) lets kids sail free, so that might be a good option for your family. We took our granddaughters to the Caribbean last March and had a great time.

Looks like MSC Poesia is sold out for the week of Feb 6.

I found this, though: http://www.vacationstogo.com/fastdeal.cfm?deal=27363

 

[dzorn]

lastminutetravel.com

 

[disneymagicgirl]

Just keep in mind the other cruise lines (besides DCL) do not offer any sort of childcare for the 2 year old, only 3 and up.
DCL will have Flounders nursery available.

 

[StayCool]

Try cruisecompete.com. It will let you put in your info and you can see who gives you the best deal. Good Luck!

 

[mrsklamc]

Just keep in mind the other cruise lines (besides DCL) do not offer any sort of childcare for the 2 year old, only 3 and up.
DCL will have Flounders nursery available.

Nope. Carnival does offer Camp carnival to 2 year olds.

 

[DisneyMomma81]

Just keep in mind the other cruise lines (besides DCL) do not offer any sort of childcare for the 2 year old, only 3 and up.
DCL will have Flounders nursery available.

Wrong ~ Carnival kids club starts at 2 *Carnival*

 

[DisneyMomma81]

Nope. Carnival does offer Camp carnival to 2 year olds.

1 minute apart

 

[Seahunt]

I always like to check the last minute section at bestpricecruises and legendaryjourneys

For a 5 night cruise, jmo but I think the Carnival Destiny has a nice itinerary (mainly because I love the Turks & Caicos )

Monday, February 7, 2011 Miami, Florida -- 04:00 PM
Tuesday, February 8, 2011 Fun Day At Sea -- --
Wednesday, February 9, 2011 Grand Turk, Turks And Caicos 07:00 AM 02:30 PM
Thursday, February 10, 2011 Half Moon Cay, Bahamas 09:30 AM 06:00 PM Friday, February 11, 2011 Nassau, Bahamas 07:00 AM 05:00 PM
Saturday, February 12, 2011 Miami, Florida 08:00 AM --

Example of pricing
Passenger Fare Taxes/Fees Air Total (inside GTY cabin)
Passenger #1) $319.00 cruise $130.24 taxes $309.00 roundtrip Omaha Air (includes transfers to/from ship) = $758.24 USD
Passenger #2) $319.00 cruise $130.24 taxes $309.00 Omaha air = $758.24 USD
Passenger #3) $169.00 cruise $130.24 taxes $309.00 Omaha air = $608.24 USD
Passenger #4) $169.00 cruise $130.24 taxes $309.00 Omaha air = $608.24 USD
Subtotal: $976.00 cruise $520.96 taxes $1,236.00 roundtrip air
= $2,732.96 USD Grand Total

http://lastminutecruisedeals.bestpricecruises.com/caribbean/last-minute-caribbean-cruises.php

http://www.legendaryjourneys.com/vacations.cfm?special=y

Have fun cruise shopping

 

[mrsklamc]

OP just wondered what you ended up doing?

 

[krystalleigh1]

Well, we didn't think we could get passports for all 4 of us in time. So no cruise . . . . yet.

 

[tinatark]

You don't have to get passports to cruise! If you leave and return from the same U.S. port, you only need original birth certificates and state issued i.d.!

 

[krystalleigh1]

Yeah I've heard that. I have just heard horror stories of people missing the boat, or having a medical emergency and then not getting home for 2 weeks because they have to get a passport from the US embassy. If it were just DH and I, I wouldn't worry so much but I can't imagine being in another country, stranded, for up to 2 weeks with 2 kids. Maybe I'm being overly paranoid. I'm sure it is rare but knowing us, we would probably be one of those rare instances.

Also, right after I posted this airfare from Oma-Miami (and anywhere else) doubled. So it was no longer so affordable.

 

[skmommy]

Try Cruise Critic for your research---like the Dis only for cruising.