WOW! Prices are up for 2006! Suggestions for another cruiseline??

[3redheads]

We're going on a cruise in March 2005, and I thought I'd check the prices for 2006 (in case we rebook on the ship). They are so high!!!

As another option, I thought of checking into prices for another cruise line. It would be me and DH and two kids, DD will be 13 and DS will be 8. I've heard Royal Caribbean is good.

Any suggestions? Also, which cruise line has the ice skating and rock climbing? I'm looking for kid friendly.

Thanks!

 

[BLBCB]

We were orginally booked for a 7 week in Jan 2005. I booked this in March of 2004. My husband got transferred, and we had to buy a house, so trip was cancelled. We rescheduled for April of 2006. April is usually more expensive than Jan, but we are now actually booked in for $400 less (2 adults, 3 children in 2 connecting cat 10).

 

[TheWog]

I have found prices to be fairly close to our cruise this past January. But if you want to leave from the same port on RCI, try the Mariner of the Seas. Much larger ship with great facilities, less money, same embarkation port and comparable itineraries.

 

[SeaSpray]

Originally posted by 3redheads
Also, which cruise line has the ice skating and rock climbing? I'm looking for kid friendly.

Thanks!

Royal Caribbean's ships have the rock climbing wall, ice skating rink, and mini golf. I am not sure if every single one of their ships have all of these, so be sure to check the ships stats if you are interested in them. I know that all of the Voyager-class ships have them.

 

[DrCavin]

I just priced Mar 2005 & Mar 2006. The 2006 rates are CHEAPER than the 2005 rates.

Cat 11 Mar 5 2005 $4133
Cat 11 Mar 4 2006 $3013
Cat 6 Mar 5, 2005 $5853
Cat 6 Mar 4 2006 $4633

Cat 11 Mar 12 2005 $5253
Cat 11 Mar 11 2006 $4373
Cat 6 Mar 12 2005 $7353
Cat 6 Mar 11 2006 $6153

Cat 11 Mar 19 2005 $5293
Cat 11 Mar 18 2006 $3453
Cat 6 Mar 19 2005 $7693
Cat 6 Mar 18 2006 $5193

Cat 11 Mar 26 2005 $5313
Cat 11 Mar 25 2006 $3473
Cat 6 Mar 26 2005 $7713
Cat 6 Mar 25 2006 $5213

Guess booking in advance is a big savings!!!

 

[3redheads]

I booked early, so I saved some. Maybe that's the key. Not even sure hubby would agree to ANOTHER cruise

So RCI is the one to ck into? Now all I have to do is convince hubby?

Thanks so much!!!

 

[staylor]

RCCL is the one with the rock climbing wall and skating rinks. Not every ship has the rinks though. You might try cruisecritic.com message boards to get some info.
Staci

 

[clh2]

Just keep in mind that in 2005, Easter is much earlier than it has been the last several years. That is why Disney is $$$$ in MArch 2005.

 

[tecdavidt]

It is the Easter holiday driving the '05 prices sky high. That is why we opted to cruise over New Year's. Even though it is a holiday it is still cheaper than our Spring Break week which touches the Easter Holiday weekends. March '06 is a lot cheaper and we might rebook while on board for '06 although my wonderful husband is suggesting Hawaii instead. Hmm, sounds good to me. Kathy

 

[Dreamer04]

I thought the prices were cheaper, too. But, like somone else mentioned, booking this far out, the prices tend to be lower.

Not like the west coast cruises. When those dates were released last May, they were jumped on so fast, the prices sky-rocketed in days.

I would like to do a four day in 8/05 and a 7 day in 2/06. President's week is the only week DD and DS both have off.

As for your question, I have heard good things about the Voyager class ships of RCCL.

However, the shows on RCCL are not family oriented, IMHO. Entertainment is less wholesome. Again, IMHO. Very Vegas type shows. Also, RCCL ships have casinos. Some like this and some don't. I think it adds to the not so kid-friendly atmosphere.

 

[lookingforward]

I can recommend both RCCL and Celebrity 100%. I sailed on the Voyager which is similar to the Mariner. It was VERY kid friendly and had so, so much to do for them. My kids went ice skating, rock climbing, inline skating, played mini golf, etc. They actually enjoyed the kids clubs more on RCCL (although they went for 7 days on RCCL and 3 on DCL so the comparison might not be fair). They do have casinos on the RCCL ships but its not that intrusive and if you don't want to be there then you don't have to. The passangers were very similar on all three lines. RCCL also has fun things like Johnny Rockets and an alternative restaurant.

Celebrity is really my favorite. They service and food on this line is outstanding. While you sit by the pool they serve you sorbet, they toast your voyage when you board with champagne, they serve tidbits in the casino, they have a social hostess that tries to make everyone happy, etc.e tc.
Both lines also have adults only areas. The kids club on celebrity is less jazzy and high tech than DCL but they generally have less kids sailing and the counselors get to know your kids well (again I am comparing a 7 night to a DCL 3 night so factor that in).

As far as price, a previous poster stated that a Cat 11 (inside) during march is about $5000. I am not sure if that is for four people but I am assuming it is. We sailed in a concierge stateroom with extra ammenities during March with three people for about $2600 (balcony room). This April we sail on Celebrity in a sky suite with a 145 square foot balcony and suite perks (butler, embarkation, in room dining) for two people at a price of $2500.

 

[Dreamer04]

Wow! That is a huge difference, lookingforward. Financially speaking, it is getting harder to justify a DCL cruise versus most other lines. I haven't been on Celebrity yet, but I've heard great things about it.

I have sailed on RCCL, NCL and Costa-all before DCL- and I have preferred DCL to them all. But, they were all cheaper.

It is hard to imagine my kids on another cruise line, though. LOL

 

[DisneyBill]

For further information and discussions, you may want to visit www.cruisecritic.com there are tons of cruiseline and ship-specific discussion threads on this site. I think you'll still be alot of DCL bias and positive feedback.

 

[Redmic]

Here in Maine school vacation is always the third week of April. We are going on the 7 night this April for about $3400 for 4 of us in a catagory 9. Since Easter falls during that week in 2006, the exact same cruise is $5700! So I feel your pain and am also considering RCCL (or another date!).

 

[3redheads]

Thank you all for your responses! I was trying to do another cruise during the kids' spring break, but that may not be possible.

lookingforward, what a great price for the sky suite!

You know, if I hit the lottery, this would all be a moot point

Thanks again! Decisions, decisions...now I have some more options to present to hubby

Kim

 

[lookingforward]

The Florida lottery is 40 million tonight. I am keeping my fingers crossed!!!