What other Cruises would you recommend?

[nezy]

A Disney Cruise is My first choice, however I am planning a trip for 20 women-all moms going without kids and hubbies. They were not open to the DCL idea. So, are there any other 3-4 day cruises for this type of crowd that anyone would recommend?
Thanks for the help.

 

[alexandrew]

Unfortunately, many ships on other lines doing the 3-4 day itinerary tend to be "long in the tooth"....The Wonder is by far the nicest ship doing a 3-4 day in the industry.....

 

[disneyrett]

None!!! Once you cruise Disney there is no going back!!!!

 

[DMS_cruisers04]

nezy, that is so the wrong way to word that question on these boards (as your first two responses show).
I, however, can understand if your all mom-no baggage group might want to get away from an excess of kids on your cruise. Anymore, most cruise lines are carrying families, but I would imagine DCL does the bulk of it.
We've done several CCL cruises and enjoyed all of them, though the 5-day we just did in Sept. could have had better service (I think most of the cabin steward and wait-staff were new). But the cruise itself was still great. CCL does several 3 & 4 day cruises, somewhat geared more towards the relaxing/having fun crowd.
My biggest suggest would be to check into booking on one of the newer ships.

 

[DMS_cruisers04]

Not to rush you, but if your group can book before tomorrow night (group ressie is open until 11:00) CCL is offering a free upgrade promo, pay the lowest cabin category, get upgrade to the best available for that category - I recently booked 4 oceanview cabins on riviera deck and the promo got me 4 oceanview on empress deck (highest deck for our cabin category) good on all categories, excluding the spa deck cabins.
Just a suggestion.

 

[bigsky]

We done several Carnivals as well. I have to agree with DMS..book their newer ships. We went on the Pride last September and it was beautiful! We've done the 4 day and mostly the 7. It is much less expensive than Disney.

Since you don't have little ones, and they don't want to do Disney, my vote for value would be Carnival.

Our last one, we got a verandah for less than 1,000 pp. We did get upgraded as well. 1/2 the time we've gotten upgraded. This was for a week. So the 3/4 day would be less.

Any questions, feel free to email or pm me. I feel a little funny talking about another cruise line on Disney line here. But would be happy to answer any ?'s you have.

Laura

 

[nezy]

You are right DMS-re: the way to ask the question. I do think that given that those of us on this board obviously love DCL I would want the recommendation of those with a like mind.

I wasn't sure about Carnival. In the past I heard mixed reviews. We want to party but not look like "grannies" compared to the younger set of CCL. (We are all in mid to late 30's). Newer ships-always a good idea. I was thinking RCL, even though CCL is priced lower.

I have been on DCL with kids and without (my own) and had the greatest time. I really didn't see that many children when I went w/ friends. It was amazing how Disney really coordinates that.
We don't mind kids on the cruise-as long as they are not our own-and I say that with LOVE!!!

Last night I went to a Travel Agent, just to get some feedback. My questions were based on a DCL comparison. She even told me "THERE IS NO COMPARISON". Well we know that.

 

[Chattyaholic]

DH and I took a 4-night Carnival Fantasy cruise last January, the week before our second Disney Magic cruise and we LOVED it!! For only $299 per person we thought it was a very good value. The ship was clean, and I honestly didn't see any signs of "wear and tear" and I DID LOOK for them!! The food was very good (our servers could have been better), the shows were excellent (we went to the regular show each night, then stayed for the "adult" shows too), we had a wonderful bar server we made friends with, had an inside cabin (veranda cabins on both our Disney cruises) and really didn't mind that since it was a shorter cruise (nice for taking afternoon naps, totally dark!). I wouldn't hesitate to take another Fantasy cruise.

 

[DMS_cruisers04]

nezy, don't worry about feeling like "grannies", my DW and I are both 35 and we're probably closer to the low end of the age range, with the exception of the kids of course. And I will say the cruises have toned-down their 'party-all-the-time' image quite a lot. Not the 'frat-party' type ships anymore.
And unless the TA you talked to is someone you've worked with before or someone you know, take it with a grain-of-salt. If she's working on commission, well you get the idea. JMHO
Mike

 

[DisneyGator01]

Nezy,

Where are you looking to sail out from? Port Canaveral? That leaves you the Fantasy or Sov. of the Seas.. been on both, wouldn't want to ever, every go back on Fantasy. and Sov of the Seas was okay, but doesn't compare to DCL. I wouldn't really reccomend either option.

Now if you wanted to sail out of another portand could, you'd have more, and better alternatives to the Wonder. RCCL sailes out of Ft. Lauderdale, and they have 5 night western Carribean cruises. On newer ships then the Sov. of the Seas. Also, get better ports of call then the Bahamas. The Enchantment of the Seas has an alternating itinerary of Costa Maya and Cozumel one week, and then Jamacia and Grand Cayman another week. I haven't been on the Enchantment, but I know that class of ships is newer, has more onboard things to do--

I haven't done that cruise, but would definitely reccommend it if you were looking for a shorter cruise other then DCL. It's a little longer then a 4 day though.

I know it's just my opinion, but looking back, I really didn't think the Carnival cruise was nice at all. Drunks everywhere, all there was to do was drink or gamble. Food was bad, service not that great. Sure it was cheap, but sometimes cheap still isn't worth it.

The Sov. of the Seas, she's an old ship and shows it. Also, not a lot to do on board except gamble, and the food was just okay. Rooms were VERY small as well. I'd still reccomend it over CCL though.

Your TA is right, as far as short cruises, nothing else compares to DCL. In my opintion no other line does really, I am going on my first 7 day in a month, so I will see a little how it compares to other lines.

I would look into the Enchantment though. Newer ship, cheaper then DCL, probably easier to "sell" it to your non-disney pals, and you would get A LOT better ports of call then the Bahamas!

 

[LisaGoeke]

Since they're not open to DCL, I say go with RCCL (Royal Caribbean Cruise Lines). I've been on 15+ cruises with that line and enjoyed them all.

Have fun. Time away with just the ladies and no husbands or kids is just what I need. Can I join you?

 

[nezy]

Lisa-Come along!!

We are not concerned with the port of departure as we are flying from NY, so any Fla. port is fine. I think because of the mixed reviews of CCL it makes me a little apprehensive about booking with them. I think I will try RCCL. i am not sure if we can get away with going for 5 nights- we are leaving the family behind-kids and DH's. I think a 4 night max is our best bet. I would like to do a Western Carribean.

So all of this planning a cruise has given me the bug-again!!
I have never done a 7-day DCL and I think its about time we did!

 

[KimDisFan]

The Enchantment does a 4 and 5 day out of Ft. Lauderdale, also the Splendour does and 4 and 5 day out of Galvaston Tx. Both Western interaries.

I sailed RCCL on the Navigator of the Seas (though a different class ship then those above) in June, it was a really nice ship and have been thinking about trying the Enchantment next year for fall break.

 

[WIcruizer]

I am planning a trip for 20 women-all moms going without kids and hubbies.

PLEASE let me know what you decide...I just may have to book that same cruise!

P.S. Don't tell my DW

 

[goodstarr]

I did a group of 10 women cruise to nowhere last October out of NY. It was only 2 days, but as you said, with husbands and children at home, it was hard to get away for too long. Please don't bash me for liking cruises-to-nowhere. It's great for the girlies-we eat, gamble, eat, party, eat, get spa treatments, eat and have great pow-wows. I get my island fix with my longer cruises and get my girly fix with the CTN. There was a great 3 night one in Sept. 2004 leaving from Baltimore, but Carnival said someone chartered the entire ship (I wish I knew who it was, I would book with them). Instead, I'm planning my family reunion on a CTN leaving from Norfolk. The CTN are great because they are usually on very new ships. Hope you find something.

 

[Dreamer04]

nezy, the Norweigan Dawn sails out of NY-but its a seven day trip.

Just my opinion, but I would suggest that all us moms need relaxation more than partying.

Maybe a cruise line geared toward pampering, such as NCL or RCCL or even Celebrity (more $).

Saving the air fare to FL might open up other options!

Good luck-wish I were going with you!

 

[nezy]

I just found out one of my girlfriends sister's is a rep for Carnival. She may be able to get us a good rate.

I always thought that a CTN was the older ships. If it is a newer ship, that would be great. A 2 or 3 day out of NY would be great for all of us moms. That is one of the reasons some of my friends nixed going on DCL-they said they would feel guilty going on DCL without kids!!

I have been looking at the Norwegian Dawn-just because it sooo convenient for us. Not for all the girls(too long of a trip) but for the family. It won't work for us because we are a family of 5-we need 2 cabins. Also. I keep comparing it to DCl. For the kids and entertainment DCL cannot be beat. We(DH and I) do not gamble, so the entertainment is great for us.

Thanks for all of the great advice.

P.S.-WIcruizer-Now be a good Hubby and send your wife with us. I am sure she will appreciate it greatly and you would reap the benefits of her appreciation.

 

[goodstarr]

Nezy,
Lately, the CTN have been on the newest ships (before they go to their permanent ports). Carnival's Miracle (to start sailing in 2004) has a CTN in October, 2004 leaving out of Baltimore. Carnival's Legend (built in 2002) also has one in October 2004 leaving from NY. Carnival's Victory (2000) has several in June and October 2004 leaving from NY and Norfolk. I find these to be perfect (living in NJ) because we don't have to fly-we get our big, strapping hubbies to drive us.

 

[Rippington'sFan]

DCL is great if you are bringing kids along BUT if I were to Cruise without the kids I would go with Royal Caribbean. You will get a much better deal.