Most cruises are trash especially large cruise ships..
Go do a river cruise in Europe. Viking or Ama Waterways
Go do a river cruise in Europe. Viking or Ama Waterways
Vacation Cruises | Update: Now Excursions.
- Thread starter alaskanseminole
- Start date
Avoid the cruise?
Why not do all inclusive to Riviera Maya? Lots of great family friendly resorts and you can visit off site attractions at your leisure.
Full disclosure- The thought of herding in to a tin can with 5K other slobs does not appeal to me.
Personally, my wife and I are big cruise fans. When you have kids, its nice to have all kinds of choices on food without having to go to 3 different places. In my family usually one child doesn't want the restaurant we are going to on land-based trips.
We have been on Celebrity, NCL, Princess and Carnival. In that order preference wise
Some of the newer NCL and RC ships have a ton of stuff for kids to do. Pool, water slides, mini golf, rope courses, climbing walls, go cart racetracks.
There is also lots for the adults to do. Are usual eve plan is a drink in the room, a drink in a bar before dinner, dinner and then catch the show or a comedian or a casino or something after dinner. Then usually head out to the deck at night and watch the water go by then head to bed. The wife also tends to like some of the extracurriculars also more often on a cruise. So there's that!
Anyway, we like them a lot but do find that this topic seems a bit polarized for some reason. They aren't for everyone, but neither is a hot RV and a cooler full of barely cold food and having to deal with wastewater etc. which obviously isn't my thing.
We have been on Celebrity, NCL, Princess and Carnival. In that order preference wise
Some of the newer NCL and RC ships have a ton of stuff for kids to do. Pool, water slides, mini golf, rope courses, climbing walls, go cart racetracks.
There is also lots for the adults to do. Are usual eve plan is a drink in the room, a drink in a bar before dinner, dinner and then catch the show or a comedian or a casino or something after dinner. Then usually head out to the deck at night and watch the water go by then head to bed. The wife also tends to like some of the extracurriculars also more often on a cruise. So there's that!
Anyway, we like them a lot but do find that this topic seems a bit polarized for some reason. They aren't for everyone, but neither is a hot RV and a cooler full of barely cold food and having to deal with wastewater etc. which obviously isn't my thing.
Dude is too cool for a cruise ship. They suck donkey balls.
Yes, the length of the cruise and the destination(s) make a big difference, especially on Carnival. The time of the year also makes a difference. We don't go during the summer because of the kids.
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Thanks for the up, but I’m a cruise fan of any line other than Carnival, Margaritaville and MCS. They’re a cheap way to get to several destination ports and I enjoy the live music, comedians and theater on most lines and the great things to do on board the large Royal Caribbean ships like fully themed escape rooms, ice skating rinks (for you and shows), robot bars, zip lines, wall climbs, theme park quality water slides etc…
As a former musician myself, I especially enjoy the number and different times of bands and individual piano and guitarist performers aboard the largest ships. When I was onboard the Wonder of the Seas I enjoyed several sessions with a jazz ensemble, blues band, reggae band, multiple single guitarists (one a singer as well the other entirely instrumental, but a fantastic classical musician), dueling pianos and the ships orchestra as well as individual concerts of a Prince cover band, a rock band out of Singapore, a three piece country band from Nashville and a classical pianist.
I have only did one cruise and it was Norwegian. Everything was perfect. Cruises were not something I ever wanted to do, but my favorite band was playing so we went. My wife loved it.
I would recommend Disney. We went 5 or 6 times with kids in that age category. I like the bigger of the two ships. There are plenty of shows, movies, games, etc. They play Disney cartoons on a big screen while out at the pool. About 1/3 is zoned to be kids free. The adult only areas have a pool, spa, bars, great dinner etc. They have kids club where you drop them off and the kids hang out to play. We would have to pry them out at 11 when it's closed. Wife and I had date night every night because they have so many activities to entertain the kids. Some thing they all do:
1. Disney has a private island in the Bahamas you stop for a day if going Caribbean.
2. They do a themed pirate night with fireworks and a big party.
I didn't think the Star Wars themed ship was as good. More expensive and not enough star wars for my liking but that was several years back when it was released.
Carnival was a drunk fest. Went when wife and I got married. It was fine but wouldn't go back.
1. Disney has a private island in the Bahamas you stop for a day if going Caribbean.
2. They do a themed pirate night with fireworks and a big party.
I didn't think the Star Wars themed ship was as good. More expensive and not enough star wars for my liking but that was several years back when it was released.
Carnival was a drunk fest. Went when wife and I got married. It was fine but wouldn't go back.
We cruise a lot and will add another vote for Royal Caribbean and the Oasis class ships. (since you are cruising with kids) The Harmony is one of the best of that class. (sailed on it a couple times) Galveston is a decent departure port, but normally the cruises out of that location are Western Caribbean. Not the best ports of call in my opinion.
Royal has a great deluxe drink package - if you can get it for less than $70 a day, jump on it. The days of $40 deluxe beverage plans are in the past.
Also note that they have been cruising at over %100 capacity lately. This can lead to some crowding, but on the big girls of the Oasis class, it's not too noticeable in most areas.
If this is a one time cruise, I'd recommend booking an ocean view balcony for you, and put the kids directly across the hall in an interior. The balcony can be pricey. Or better yet, go with a suite.
As someone already noted, the Harmony has a ton of stuff to do. From the Boardwalk, ice skating/show, aqua show, Grease (some say it's too risque for kids lol) rising tide bar, kids club, flowrider, zipline, Ultimate Abyss, etc. The first time we were on an Oasis class ship we didn't even make it to the aft (Boardwalk) for 3 days as there was so much else to do elsewhere on the ship.
We always book direct with RCL, but many cruisers swear by using a Travel Agent. A TA can be a big help if prices change and can sometimes get you a better deal or some extra perks (OBC).
Be aware of what is above and below your cabin. Review deck plans before booking. You don't want to be under the pool deck or a dining room as there can be a boat load (ha) of noises coming from those areas at night while they clean and move stuff around.
I suggest you check out the forums on CruiseCritic.com You can get a lot of information there to help with your decision.
But be careful... you may get hooked on cruising! ;-)
Royal has a great deluxe drink package - if you can get it for less than $70 a day, jump on it. The days of $40 deluxe beverage plans are in the past.
Also note that they have been cruising at over %100 capacity lately. This can lead to some crowding, but on the big girls of the Oasis class, it's not too noticeable in most areas.
If this is a one time cruise, I'd recommend booking an ocean view balcony for you, and put the kids directly across the hall in an interior. The balcony can be pricey. Or better yet, go with a suite.
As someone already noted, the Harmony has a ton of stuff to do. From the Boardwalk, ice skating/show, aqua show, Grease (some say it's too risque for kids lol) rising tide bar, kids club, flowrider, zipline, Ultimate Abyss, etc. The first time we were on an Oasis class ship we didn't even make it to the aft (Boardwalk) for 3 days as there was so much else to do elsewhere on the ship.
We always book direct with RCL, but many cruisers swear by using a Travel Agent. A TA can be a big help if prices change and can sometimes get you a better deal or some extra perks (OBC).
Be aware of what is above and below your cabin. Review deck plans before booking. You don't want to be under the pool deck or a dining room as there can be a boat load (ha) of noises coming from those areas at night while they clean and move stuff around.
I suggest you check out the forums on CruiseCritic.com You can get a lot of information there to help with your decision.
But be careful... you may get hooked on cruising! ;-)
Most of the cruise lines have a private island. I liked Holland Americas the most.
60’sHolland America? How old are you 75?
We haven't cruised much, but did take the Norwegian Pride of America around Hawaii and it was incredible.
Easily the best way to see the islands as the ship stops at each one, and you get an incredible view of the Na Pali coast that you can only see from the ocean.
Easily the best way to see the islands as the ship stops at each one, and you get an incredible view of the Na Pali coast that you can only see from the ocean.
Now the question is, who do you book with? A travel agent? The cruise line itself? What about USAA? So far, everything I see shows non-refundable deposits with the exception of booking through USAA.
@FSUTribe76
@FSUTribe76
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We have used a travel agent/on-line cruise companies and have also booked directly with the cruise line. I don't think there is that much difference anymore. This being your first cruise, it might be best to use an agent. They can be very helpful in determining what is best for you and your family and answer all of your questions.
I’ve found that the best deals are usually found booking directly through the cruise line. I’ve checked with many of the major travel agent companies and they’re always more. But I will say that it requires legwork on your own so IF you’re someone who doesn’t want to do the research on their own and just wants to tell someone “Find me the best cruise to Bermuda” and then toss money at them, THEN it would be worthwhile to get a travel agent.
Before we leave the subject, I will say that there was almost a calamity on my upcoming Thanksgiving cruise because of a travel agent. I bought tickets for myself, my wife and my parents, but my inlaws decided to join a few months later and bought some tickets through a travel agent. They only paid the min deposit expecting the travel agent to let them know when the rest was due, but she never did tell them. It was only because I had synced all of us together on the Royal Caribbean app that I saw it was two days before the final pay date and they still owed some money. So I warned them, not the travel agent. If I hadn’t Warned them then not only would they have missed the cruise but they would be without the $1,000 deposit.
One major advantage to booking through the cruise line directly is (at least with Royal Caribbean) that you can rebook the cruise for free if the price ever drops (and it frequently does). I bought our tickets for a 8 day Thanksgiving cruise onboard the ship during my previous trip on the Wonder of the Seas (the biggest and best ship of any fleet until RC’s Icon of the Seas comes out later this Year or early next year). The 8 days including Thanksgiving aboard the Oasis of the Seas (before the Oasis Plus class Wonder came out, she was the best) were bought through the cruise line for $878 per person for a standard interior room. I kept my eye out and about a month and a half later it had fallen to $735 per person so I rebooked and saved almost $600 for the four of us. The price currently has gone up all the way to $1,773 as there’s only 3 interior rooms left. So I saved over $1,042 per person (so a savings of $4k) by buying about 6 months ahead, and checking the price almost daily.
I have not tried booking through USAA. I have a Navy Federal Credit Union and a First Florida Credit Union account instead. Thanks to my Dad’s service in the Air Force designing, rebuilding and repairing Titan ICBM missiles, I can get a USAA account. But I’ve found the Navy Federal Credit Union to have far better rates.
My sister and her husband and 2 kids (no pics) just went on a Disney Cruise and they liked it.
I'd definitely recommend a cruise line for kids @alaskanseminole
Many others are rowdy.
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Okay, I booked through USAA and saved $1K. Now let's talk excursions. Book through the cruise line or a third party? How far out (Cruise is June 2024).
Book them fast, the best ones will sell out. We always go with the ship one because they will hold the cruise ship if one of their affiliated excursions has an issue. Your third party excursion has a bad logistics issue like a bus breaks down, your ass will be left behind.
Anyone else think it would be pretty cool to tag along on a cargo ship for a few weeks? Or am I the odd one?
I think about if I’d have enjoyed that, if my life had gone differently. I’ve watched several videos about it…lots of sanding and painting to pass the days.
Check out some videos of ships going through the Panama Canal, pretty cool.
I think avoiding The Canal nowadays might be a better idea. Just watched a news blurb the other day about how lack of rain has backed up traffic thru the Canal and it’s a real mess. Problems with fresh water and salt water mixing, environmental inbalances resulting from the weather/ climate changes in that part of the world. Anyway, ships are stacking up waiting to pass thru the Canal Zone... bring an extra book or two.
We did a dolphin swim in Roatan that my wife really enjoyed.
Costa Maya - We toured Inca ruins, which was pretty cool.
Cozumel - We did a cooking class at a resort that was lots of fun with free booze (my wife got sloshed). You then get use of the resort facilities (pool, snorkeling, watersports, etc.) the rest of the day.
My FIL tells stories how he’s jump on ships leaving Galveston when he was young. Saw a lot of Florida, Central and S. America.
I worked with a guy who was the smartest PE and structural engineer I ever meant.
He was with a west coast company that had it’s own overseas transport ships. When he retired he did nothing but ride the boats to/from asia reading books and hanging out for about 3 years.
Looking at these through Cruise Line:
Roatan - Maya Key Private Island Retreat or Semi-Sub Glass Bottom Boat
Costa Maya - Lost Mayan Kingdom Adventure Park
Cozumel - All-Inclusive VIP Dolphin Swim
I will say the the dolphin swim we had was awesome and terrible. Awesome because it was an amazing experience to have a dolphin nose under each foot pushing you through the water where you are standing out of it like the statue over looking rio. Terrible because after paying for it, if you want the video, it was like another $500. And that was 10 years ago so who knows what it is now.
Holy Crap! ...our neighbors got their family photos done on the cruise (amazing photos). $1K !!! I'm like, WHAT!?
We did a similar cruise although ours also stopped at Belize.
Ziplining at Roatan.
Chacchoben Mayan ruins at Costa Maya.
Island beach excursion at Cozumel.
The belize excursion was the worst of the four excursions that we did. It was an island with a private beach but the beach was terrible and there was nothing there to do. Just some beach chairs on a crappy beach. The boat ride out to the Belize island was gorgeous though.
The cozumel island beach excursion was great. Beautiful beach, never ending flow of drinks that were included in the price, and they had a lunch buffet that was also included. The service would bring the drinks to you on the beach without having to ask. He would see my beer was almost empty and just replace it with a new one every time.
The ziplining was fun although not for the faint of heart. Bus ride up some sketchy mountain roads where you could easily imagine the bus tumbling off of the road and down the mountain. The ziplines were really high up too. You would start up in the trees and zipline over the valley and trees below so you were 100+ feet above the ground. Beautiful views though.
The mayan ruins excursion was my favorite.
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Looking at this company too:
www.shoreexcursionsgroup.com
Worry Free Travel
www.shoreexcursionsgroup.com
Guaranteed Return to Ship
We have never had a customer miss their ship. Our team possesses over 80 years of combined cruise line experience and we are not aware of a single case in which a customer on an independent tour missed a ship. In the extremely unlikely event that you miss your ship due to the late arrival of one of our tours, we will arrange and pay for your accommodations, meals, and transportation to the next port of call, and we will pay you an additional $1,000 USD per customer for the inconvenience.
I have always just booked on my own. The benefits of booking through the cruise line are 1) if you are late back to the ship they won't leave you and 2)some things are exclusive to booking through the cruise.
The downside, you will pay way more booking through the ship.
The downside, you will pay way more booking through the ship.
I was thinking about booking 3rd party for Day 4 (maybe Day 5), but certainly not Day 6. If we're late, we get a free meal, lodging and transportation to next port. No biggie. Miss Day 6 and we're screwed.
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