NON DVC CRuise Advice

[Boardwalk III]

Hi all,

I'm a DVC member who has done the 7-day Eastern Carribean Cruise and loved it. However, I am taking a 4-5 day cruise with family at the end of 2005 ( Key West/Carribean ports, Christmas/New Year's time frame) and it will most likely be a non-Disney Cruise out of Florida. The two cruises I am leaning most towards are 4-day cruises on the Royal Carribean (Enchantment and Majesty of Seas)and Carnival Imagination. RC is a bit more expensive but I think my two teen boys would like it more as I heard they have rock climbing walls etc. I am also looking at 5-day cruises on Carnival (Fascination, Sensation, Celebration) and Celebrity (Zenith). If any of you experienced cruisers could give me input/advice on those line in general along with any specific ship info you have I'd appreciate it! I know I have high standards due to my Disney experience but I have to take into consideration the budgets of other family members

Thanks so much!

 

[disneygatorfan]

I'd go for RCCL or Celebrity over Carnival...

 

[disneygatorfan]

FYI, two RCCL cruises you mentioned do not have the rockclimbing and rollerblading. Just the larger RCCL ships have the climbing walls, and they usually sail the longer cruises.

 

[Lloyd Dobler]

RCCL has been refitting some of its older ships and adding some of the amenities they introduced with their Voyager-class ships. I know that the the two ships they have out here (in LA) Vision and Monarch, both have rock-climbing walls. The RCCL website says that both Enchantment and Majesty have them, but I haven't actually seen them, so I don't know for sure. I don't know about the roller-blading, but these ships aren't nearly as big as the Voyager class, so I don't know if they'd have room for the roller blading course.

 

[Boardwalk III]

What the downside to Carnival? I had heard it had more of a "frathouse" atmosphere - is that the main issue, or are there others such as quality of ship, service levels etc??

 

[PlaneJoy]

I have been on 3 carnival cruises and have never experienced the "frat house" atmosphere that people refer to. I will say that the ships you are looking at are the older ones that have been in the fleet for quite a while. I have heard nothing good lately about the Majesty of the Seas from RCCL - it is evidently the ship that is used as the "first experience" for most of its workers, though I don't know that for sure.

The larger ships that are 6-8 day sailings are the really nice ones that could be comparable with Disney (minus Mickey and friends). Otherwise, just know the ones you are looking at are much smaller and much older.

Check out the boards at cruise critic for some good information over there. I have been on the Imagination (was married on that ship) and recently returned back from the Fascination about a month ago. I have been on the Fantasy as well. Our family hasn't traveled RCCL but will do so in the future.

Good luck!

 

[Boardwalk III]

Thanks everyone for the great info. Just FYI, I did find out that RC's Enchantment of the Seas is scheduled to be expanded in length (?!) along with a major overhaul next year, so if I go on that one hopefully it won't be too outdated.

If any others have additional infromation, please feel free to weigh in - thanks again!