Non DCL Cruises

[Boardwalk III]

I am a big DCL fan and am planning our 2nd one for February, but I have a relative who is planning a large family reuinion for all ages in 2006 (!). They are interested in a non-DCL cruise. Anyone have any recommendations for good cruise lines? A good kids program would be important, and they are probably looking for something shorter than a week.

Thanks in advance for any info!

 

[travellady]

We found Royal Caribbean to be wonderful for family groups - they cater to all ages. we took the 5 day Voyager of the Seas out of Bayonne NJ to Canada this summer and had the time of our lives. The ports of call weren't great but the ship more than made up for it. If you can swing it, I recommend one of Royal Caribbean's voyager class ship as they have ice skating, inline skating, miniature golf, rock climbing, and entertainment for all ages.

 

[TheWog]

check out Royal Caribbean. They have pretty good kid programs. If you want to do a week cruise they have ships (Voyager class) with ice skating rinks, roller blading etc. All their ships have (or will have soon) rock climbing walls though. They also have good itineraries. I found the Enchantment to be similar in size and capacity to the Magic and had the shorter itinerary we were looking for. So we chose her.

Although I have never personally been on one, I have heard and read that Carnival Cruises less than 7 nights are more of a party atmosphere.

 

[Lisa loves Pooh]

I've been on several carnival cruises, though the last was 6 years ago. The mentality on our honeymoon cruise was much different that earlier cruises--though I wanted to be the social butterfly and hubby did not. Overall as a cruise experience it was okay--but since it was our honeymoon--there were some fluke incidents for which Carnival and our TA apologized profusely and returned some money and discount vouchers towards future cruises.

I would be willing to try them again, though I do want my disney fix. From what I understand on RCCL--the cabins are "small"--that is one of Carnival's marketing mantras--that there cabins are largest than most--though I think DCL is comparable on the size. Not sure if they (RCCL) change this as they add to their fleet. Typically, Carnival is the least expensive to book with. I have family who cruise it regularly and a cousin who is a dancer on one of the ships--and they LOVE it and are HUGE repeat customers. I think it is a good line for the extrovert in all of us, but if you are an introvert--it can be intimidating and come across as a party boat even though the drinking situation is a bit more under control--so it no longer seems like a frat house run amok.

 

[Boardwalk III]

Thanks everyone!

 

[slabeaume]

My daughter (23 years old) and I just went on a Carnival cruise (cheap) and found it to be quite family oriented (in July). They have a kids program. But I was disappointed to see that they don't have an adult only jacuzzi and pool area like Disney does. We were never able to relax in them without kids splashing, diving, and running into us. We didn't get the impression of it being a party boat. We did really enjoy the piano bar and the art auctions, as well as the nightly ship entertainment (after 10:30 they made a point of saying some of the acts/comedians were adult only, but we didn't find them outrageous). The diningroom and our waiters were wonderful. Our room wasn't as large as the Disney rooms, but large enough (no couch, just 2 twin beds set at right angles to each other). We seldom got back to our rooms before 2 am.

Having been on both, I would pay the extra and go on Disney again over Carnival. In fact, I am----in Jan. 2005!
Sue

 

[aeryncrichton]

I've bee two Carnival, two Royal Caribbean, one Princess, and one HAL....


Carnival is cheaper, but try cruise.com they have good prices...

Royal Caribbean is better 'family' orinentated...

Carnival has a lot of 'swingers' and me and my friends, were all under 21, and had this 60-yr old neighbor trying to 'pick us up' during the cruise.

I would suggest Royal more than Carnival.

 

[AspiringCindy]

We love Royal Carribean as well! We didn't care for Carnival at all. but they ARE very affordable and they have a pretty good children's program for ages 7 and under!

 

[CamColt]

Seeing as you are from Melrose(I lived there for a few years), and I just got back from a cruise today I will suggest the Norwegian Majesty, Boston to Bermuda cruise. Being able to be at the ship in under 1/2 hour, with no flying involved was wonderful. We had a really great time on the ship and Bermuda is beautiful. My kids went to the kids programs a few times. They are only open at certain times, and other times for a fee, but it still worked out well. I know my kids wouldnt go all day every day. We all feel we would go back there again.

 

[tvguy]

I've been on NCL, RCCL, HAL DCL and Paquet.
HAL and Disney are at the top of the pack, with RCCL and NCL a close second.
I wouldn't cruise Paquet again......however they may have changed since 1980. They are a French cruise line, and I was in a group of about 35 Americans on the ship...the remaining were from France.....(insert your favorite joke about the french here, they are ALL true)