OT-best cruise for Mother-Daughter trip

[familyfirsttimer]

I know this is OT here but this is where I really spend my time!


I was looking for a recommendation for a Mother-Daughter (she'll be turning 16) cruise. IT's the cruise line I am really looking for as I have not cruised in almost 20 years. I am not sure if Carnival is too party, is Royal Caribbean too stuffy, etc......I do not want to do the Disney cruise line (ok, she does not want to LOL)

I appreciate any feedback.

 

[havaneselover]

I've only done disney. I'll probably switch over to royal Caribbean soon. Their new ships look amazing. I do prefer the family friendly entertainer and no casinos on Disney. I wouldn't do carnival.

 

[goingtowdwwithkiddos]

I have cruised royal and carnival and would choose royal over carnival always. My kids are fine with either and as they are younger we never found royal to stuffy but instead very family friendly. Carnival on 7 days is not to party but IMO not as nice. I have heard their weekend cruises are more partyish but I have not been on one to say.

 

[Gigi22]

I prefer Holland America. It has a good quality product geared for adults at a reasonable price. But, OP, this is about your preferences, and your mother's. I suggest you visit the Cruise Critic website (can't remember the URL right now) and decide what line you would prefer, then the itinerary and ship.

 

[JandJ]

RCI is definitely not "too stuffy" by any means. If you can go on one of their bigger ships, Oasis or Allure, you will not run out of on-board activities or dining options. DH and I have been on 5 cruises (between RCI and HAL - we are far from the HAL demographic by about 25 years but they're very nice, small, quiet ships). Our favorite so far has been RCI Oasis. You would have a great time on that ship

Haven't done Carnival because everyone I know who has ever gone on Carnival said it was a party ship and that's not my thing. Haven't done Disney yet.

Like a PP said, go on the cruise critic dot com forums and you'll get more than you ever wanted to know as far as information on cruise lines! Just don't ask about formal night - they will argue for 12 pages about formal night

 

[familyfirsttimer]

Thank you all so much and thanks for the heads up for the cruise critic forums!!!! I am off to plan away

 

[MomToOne]

My DD really enjoyed a cruise we took on Norwegian Cruise Lines, even though it was an older ship. The staff really made the cruise for us on that one - they were outstanding.

 

[mjkacmom]

We cruise NCL out of NYC (love driving to the port). Right now the Gem and megaship Breakaway sail either to the Bahamas or Bermuda, depending upon the time of year. The Breakaway has amazing water slides, a ropes course (including a plank above sea), tons of restaurants, and great entertainment (the Broadway production of Rock of Ages is one of the shows). We like NCL because we don't like assigned dining times or dining with others. We also like the large amount of specialty restaurants (extra cost, but reasonable - average $15 pp).

 

[4shinystars]

My sister is taking my DD on the Bermuda cruise out of NYC on the Breakaway on NCL for her graduation present. They're going in July, wanted to wait until DD is 18 (late June) so they can do more on ship. (no, not drinking,lol). Sister has cruised quite a few times, says she like NCL best.

 

[christineann]

My kids and I went on Royal Caribbean cruises when each graduated high school (not a school trip, just us). The cruises are not stuffy at all but aren't booze cruises either. They had a great time, and my son and his bride went on a Royal Caribbean cruise for their honeymoon.

 

[tinkgirl1984]

Another vote for NCL here I've sailed on Disney, RCI, Carnival and Princess. I'd never do Carnival again, and actually, Princess isn't reLly my cup of tea either. I think you'd be happy with RCI, but I looooove NCL. I never say never, but my last 5 cruises have been with them, and I can't see myself changing to another line anytime soon. I've never been on any of their ships and experienced anything less than amazing staff and service. Plus, (especially the newer ships) have a TON to do, and I love the freestyle dining.

 

[bumbershoot]

Royal isn't stuffy at all. I think it would be great. And if your daughter (you did indicate she was 16, yes?) wants to spend some time with peers, from how much fun our tablemate's 16 year old son was having with his brand new group of friends is any indication, they have a great teen program, at least on Freedom.

 

[eangel12]

We have gone on Princess cruises...3 actually...and loved them!! My friends have gone on RC and loved that too.

 

[Darcy03231]

I've cruised Carnival (7), Royal Caribbean (3), Celebrity (1) and Princess (2). I don't know where all the partiers were when I was on Carnival, but it certainly wasn't on those ships. I found them to be very family friendly. Carnival and RCCL were pretty interchangeable for me. Carnival has a more Las Vegasy décor, while RCCL is a bit more elegant. Room size was a bit bigger on the Carnival ships, while food and service were about the same.

Celebrity was very nice, but it was definitely more of an adult crowd. Princess was also very nice and seemed to have more younger people aboard. I honestly thought the food and service were about the same as they were on Carnival and RCCL.

We have friends that cruise Norwegian frequently and highly recommend that line as well. We plan to try it eventually, but so far it's been pricier than what we've been able to book on other lines.

Holland America (which a previous poster mentioned) caters to an older demographic. My parents (who are in their 70's) love it. According to them there are very few children, teens or young adults on their cruises. Average age group seems to be 50's and up.

I would pick an itinerary that you're interested in and go from there. FWIW we've cruised a lot with our children starting when the youngest was 9. Last year he was 19. Overall, my children really like the Western Caribbean itinerary.

 

[LynnTH]

I agree with Darcy. I have been on quite a few cruises. Taking another one in June. It will be DS15 and DD12's 4th cruise. First 2 cruises with them were on Carnival then last year we went on RCCL's Allure of the Seas and now we are back to Carnival - kids thought the Allure was too big and preferred the Carnival Ships. There has not been anymore partying on Carnival then there was on RCCL. They are both family friendly. I don't think you can go wrong with either RCCL, Carnival or NCL.

You need to also decide if you are cruising more for the ship or the ports. Sometimes the smaller and a bit older ships go to the better ports.

Definitely go over to Cruise Critic and and also check out each Lines webpage. Their you can pull up each ship and see what is offered on each one and their itineraries and then start to narrow it down.

 

[dpswift]

On both RCI and Carnival the longer (6 nights and up) the cruises are fun and family friendly. My daughter liked the teen club on both. The food on Carnival had the edge on Royal Carribean.

Be sure to research the ports of call on whatever cruise you pick. Some of the destinations are really not for a mother daughter duo. On those days I would enjoy what the ship has to offer.

 

[sherry7]

I've been on 7 Royal Caribbean cruises, and they aren't stuffy at all. The cruiselines that typically get the stuffy reputation are Holland America, Princess, and Cunard. (I've not been on any of those 3, but that's just what I've read on the cruisecritic.com message boards.)

I see you're in PA. Royal Caribbean is putting the new Quantum of the Seas ship in NJ (just outside NYC), so that would be easily drivable for you, and save the money for airfare. I'm not sure of the timeframe of when it actually starts sailing, but I know it's sometime this year.

 

[rdevine10]

we have sailed disney carnival and royal. I too thought carnival and royal are pretty interchangeable- more alike than different. And for what its worth there was a lot more partying going on the Disney Dream than any royal or carnival ships we were on

We getting ready to sail carnival again in a little over a week. Cant wait! the bigger royal ships have a ton to do, but we like something just a bit smaller- less crowded! go over to cruise critic, they have a wealth of info!

 

[familyfirsttimer]

OP here, thanks so much for all of the input, I really appreciate it and I have started the research phase on cruise critic...Thanks again DIS rocks

 

[disneymotherof4]

Our family has cruised many times. I wouldn't do Carnival if it is just a short cruise. We have done longer cruises and have not had any problems. I like the size of the rooms on Carnival vs Royal Caribbean.

My kids have fun on all cruises that they have done, Royal Caribbean, Carnival, and Disney.