What is the best cruise to go on?

KarenC725 · #1 01-10-2002, 04:35 PM

Ok, so I've requested brochures for Royal Carribean, Princess and Carnival. For those of you who have been, which is the best line and which route (in the Carribean) is the best? This would be during the fall...Thanks

RxyChrldr · #2 01-10-2002, 05:32 PM

Royal Caribbean is the best, in my opinion...they're far better than Carnival (in terms of the boat size/quality) but more expensive. Basically what you pay for with cruises is what you get! I just got back from a RC cruise to the Bahamas, my 5th cruise (but the 1st with Royal Caribbean)

cash78mere · #3 01-10-2002, 08:23 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by RxyChrldr
Royal Caribbean is the best, in my opinion...they're far better than Carnival (in terms of the boat size/quality) but more expensive. Basically what you pay for with cruises is what you get! I just got back from a RC cruise to the Bahamas, my 5th cruise (but the 1st with Royal Caribbean)

I disagree. I LOVE carnival. I've been on 2. i went with my aunt last year (she had been on RC the year before) and she liked it a lot better also. she said the food selection wasn't as good, but the quality was much better and you could eat 24/7 where as on the other ship you couldn't.

I personally love the southern caribbean out of puerto rico. it was a fantastic trip. 6 ports in 7 days(puerto rico, st thomas, st maarten, barbados, martinique and i can't remember the other 2). but then again, western carib. (grand cayman, jamaica and cozumel) was great because it was only 3 ports so we had a lot of time on the ship. i liked the 3 ports because i was with a big group and we were always together doing something. i'm glad we had 6 ports when i was only with my aunt because i think it would have gotten boring with no one else i knew.

what are you looking for in your trip? what age group will you be going with? how many people are going? do you want to relax or sightsee? what type of excursions (i'm a pro at picking excursions) do you like? tell us a little more and i'm sure we'll be able to help you!

Sisterplum · #4 01-11-2002, 12:30 AM

Honestly, I've only been on one cruise in my life (4-day Bahamas cruise on Carnival) and I LOVED it! I've heard people say it depends on your age if you'll ike Carnival or not (aka Carnival is supposed to be geared to a younger age group!) Well, my husband and I do fall in that category, but there were tons of older people there too! Carnival is, as their slogan says, a "fun ship"! I loved how there was so much to do, the food was amazing, and the atmosphere was great!

I know for sure that our next cruise will definately be with Carnival!!!!!!!!

dzsaigirl · #5 01-11-2002, 12:38 AM

I have already told sisterplum this after seeing her cruise pics...I am going on a Carnival cruise in June. We are going to Cancun and Cozumel. I have heard nothing but good things about it! I am so excited. Ahhhggghhhhh!!!! I can't wait!

Lisa Fishman · #6 01-11-2002, 09:24 AM

I just got back from a Carnival cruise it and I was somewhat dissapointed. I went to Belize, where snorkling was great. You can see sting rays and sharks. The othe ports of call were Cozamel and Key West. Because of the weather and sea we could not stop in Key West. Cozemel was nice, but I had been there before. Lots of silver to buy in Cozamel and there were a couple of nice beaches. The reason I didnt like Carnival so much is because they just did on have a lot to do on the ship during days at sea.
People on Norwegiean Cruise Line ships looked like they were having a GREAT time though. Try to see what you can find oout about NCL.

AOPiLaLa · #7 01-11-2002, 09:56 AM

I have only been on one cruise but it was a 3 day cruise on Royal Caribean to Nassau and the cruise lines private island. I LOVED it--I was soooooo tan, Nassau was really fun, and the snorkeling on the island was great. But I was with my parents and my brother, so there was a different theme than a romantic cruise or a party cruise. And I liked only going for 3 days--it was just enough without ever being bored. But it still was a great vacation.

KarenC725 · #8 01-11-2002, 10:08 AM

To answer a few of the questions:

It would be my boyfriend and me. We'll be 26 by the time we go. He likes to be busy (not one to lie around and try to tan) and I'm happy totally vegging out or doing something. We'd both like to try snorkeling and being tan after the experience is a must!

Thanks for your input and help!

PenguinTrax · #9 01-11-2002, 10:32 AM

I have to agree with what someone said above - you get what you pay for on a cruise. RC is the 'upscale' line of Carnival. Go for it - you won't regret the extra money you spent once you experience the atmosphere and service on board.

I also highly recommend Norwegian. Again, a little higher priced but incredible service.

I've been on both Carnival and Norwegian cruises. The Carnival ship was OK, but it is definitely more geared towards the 'party' crowd. We had lots of problems with the folks staying all around us (all night noise, etc.). The food was good on board - in fact whenever we were in port with another Carnival ship, their crew was eating at our place. Turns out our ship was considered to be the best food within the Carnival line. Service was acceptable, nothing outstanding but good. The shows on the Carnival ship were a bit better than Norwegian. We did a Miami, Key West, Cozumel cruise - just a short one. We kayaked the mangroves in Key West and did the Mayan ruins ourside of Playa del Carmen (Tulum). Wandered around Cozumel on the return - very disappointing. Shopping was typical tourista stuff and we're not into bar-hopping.

Jon and I both felt that the Norwegian cruise was truly a first-class experience. Outstanding service all around and great food and activities. We did an Alaskan cruise on Norwegian (The Wind - which does cruise the Caribbean in the winter). ls

Regardless of what cruise you take, remember to take cash with you for tips at the end of the cruise. Also, even though you have a cabin steward that will make up your room each night, the neater you leave your room, the more courteous service you will get from your steward. Also - keep track of your bar bill, etc. You will charge everything on-ship to your on-board account and at the end of the cruise you could be in for a shocker. I think Carnival does offer free soft drinks - I don't know about the other lines.

On the last night of the cruise you will need to put your luggage outside your door for pickup. Remember to keep a small duffle bag with you in the cabin for your toiletries and remember to leave out a change of clothes for the morning. On all both cruises I've been on, there is always somone that spaces out and packs all their clothes. Unless you are naked, they will not retrieve your luggage. I watched an entire family exit the Carnival ship in their PJs. Don't forget to bring a book or something for the wait during disembarkation. It can sometimes take up to 3 hours between the time you must leave your cabin and the time when you are authorized to leave the ship.

Have fun!
Barb

Betarulz! · #10 01-11-2002, 04:21 PM

I've been on two cruises on Carnival, and since your obviously older than, and with no kids, I'd probably reccomend a line other than Carnival. It's a party line and also caters to families. They have a great kids program. However, in their effort to please the kids (more specifically the teens) they kept older people from enjoying certain areas at times...EX. the club on both the Destiny, and the Victory (their largest ships) was 18 and under from 9-midnight, which I know pissed a lot of people off.

As far as a route to take, I'd stay away from the Eastern Carribean. Everyone I've talked to who has taken an EC cruise has had atleast one day of bad weather and high seas, which is no fun. I would reccomend trying to get an itenerairy (sp?) that includes Jamaica - climbing Dunn's River Falls was absolutely incredible...a must see.

Finally as far as food goes, I was never disappointed by Carnival (but maybe that's b/c I'm the one who always had to cook at home). There was always a wide variety and some of the best french fries I've ever had.

Also, remember to pack formal attire!!! Nothing like trying to get into the dining room in regular clothes and they won't let you... (I DO NOT speak from experience, but I've seen it happen on both ships I've been on)

hocnsoc81 · #11 01-11-2002, 05:32 PM

The Casino Queen, down the Mississippi. Slots looser than a skank ho!

AOIIAngel · #12 01-11-2002, 06:56 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by dzsaigirl
I have already told sisterplum this after seeing her cruise pics...I am going on a Carnival cruise in June. We are going to Cancun and Cozumel. I have heard nothing but good things about it! I am so excited. Ahhhggghhhhh!!!! I can't wait!

Hey! My honey and I want to do that exact same thing! Well, we havent decided on which ship, but we want to do a cruise to Cozumel and cancun in June, we are about to start planning for it.

PKTSU01 · #13 01-11-2002, 07:58 PM

Royal Carribbean rocks! Majesty of the Seas was a kick ass ship. Other than the queasy first night, it was awesome. It was a few years back so I don't remember the route exactly but St. Thomas, Mt.Maarten and pretty much all of the virgin islands are cool albeit a bit touristy but hey, I WAS a tourist. Antigua was probably the worst, there was just so much poverty there it brought me down. Then again, i can see that walking in lower manhattan. Martinique was mixed, some nice parts and some pretty dirty industrial parts. Generally though, even the not so nice islands all have beautiful spots and there is always something to do. The water certainly does beat the hell out of the hudson bay! And the uh, scantily clad women on the ship were REAL friendly

Seriously though, a cruise is a nice experience overall. Royal Carribbean isn't really the party crowd type, thats more Carnival. Norweigian cruises have some of the better ships and on celebrity cruises, ya actually can run into a celebrity. Either way, have fun!

dzsaigirl · #14 01-11-2002, 09:24 PM

AOTT, are you leaving out of Galveston?

AOIIAngel · #15 01-12-2002, 10:46 AM

Well, I hadnt thought about it til yesterday, but since we are here in TX, that makes sense. So yep, I went to the carnival website and they have quite a few that leave outta galveston.