Cruise advice!

[kddani]

Random question for any of you cruise veterans.
Some of my friends and I are planning a cruise for spring break. My dad's cousin is a travel agent who does only cruises, so we're going to get a good deal regardless of which we choose.
The ships we have to choose from are:

Royal Carribean Enchantment of the Sea (goes to Ochos Rios, Jamaica; and George Town, Grand Cayman)

Carnival Imagination (goes to the same places)
and
Carnival Sensation (goes to Grand Cayman and Cozumel)

Has anyone been on any of these ships? Any other advice or opinions?

[kdonline]

My brother-in-law has been working in cruise industry for 20 years. I'll ask him his opinion.

[cash78mere]

i LOVE carnival!

used them 3 times, each better than the previous. my aunt and uncle SWORE by royal caribbean and then we all went on carnival in august and they have become carnival lovers as well!

i took the carnival paradise to cozumel, grand cayman and ocho rios 2 years ago and had an absolute blast.

no, carnival is NOT for KIDS as everyone says. it is a fun atmosphere with people of all ages.

there are formal nights as well as casual nights, games as well as relaxing days, and just lots of fun.

i'd be glad to answer any specific questions. i have cruised southers, western caribbean and bermuda and know a lot about the industry

[Peaches-n-Cream]

I went on a Norwegian Cruise in July. I don't know about the cruises you mentioned, but on NCL you had to dress for dinner. It wasn't formal, but nice. I wish that I had brought more dresses. Have fun on your cruise!

[rayray]

OH I LOVE CRUISES!!!!

I have been on 3
The disney line when I was 8...HAHA
Royal Caribbiean- Viking Serenade, 5 day out of LA
Carnival-Elation ,7 day Mexican Riviera out of LA

My favorite was the 7 day Carnival. I went about 5 years ago and I remember there were people all ages. There was so much to do on and off the boat. Form shows to dancing to snorkeling and shopping. Even art auctions and tea time. Not to mention the food is great!

Have fun adn enjoy yourself...Cruises are the best vacation!

[kddani]

So far the votes are going towards Sensation. I'm sure i'll have more questions once we book it and are starting to look at the excursions!

[PandaOnProzac]

I got back a week ago from a Royal Caribbean cruise to Scandinavia. I talked to the crew about the lack of young people and they said it gets younger when they go on the Caribbean itineraries. I still enjoyed the cruise though.

[Virtual Violet]

Originally posted by kddani
Random question for any of you cruise veterans.
Some of my friends and I are planning a cruise for spring break. My dad's cousin is a travel agent who does only cruises, so we're going to get a good deal regardless of which we choose.
The ships we have to choose from are:

Royal Carribean Enchantment of the Sea (goes to Ochos Rios, Jamaica; and George Town, Grand Cayman)

Carnival Imagination (goes to the same places)
and
Carnival Sensation (goes to Grand Cayman and Cozumel)

Has anyone been on any of these ships? Any other advice or opinions?

I love cruising!! If you want parties and adventure, I would take a Carnival Cruise....They cater to a "younger" crowd. (However, Royal Carribean and NCL seem to have taken step to provide more excitement!) I've been on the Imagination. Carnival's ships are pretty much carbon copies of each other..with all of the usual amenities.

A few tips....Have your credit card ready...the ships don't take cash for anything. You will have to run a shipboard tab for all charges. I would not purchase all of my tours through the ship...they can be expensive. Especially if the tour entails a ride into town for shopping....a local cab can get you there for less.

But if you are planning any water or adventure tours...I would stick to the ship tours, they are safer and if they are running late, the ship will wait for you.

Take bottled water with you...the bottled water on the ship is expensive..and Carnival charges for pop too. Don't lose your ship beach towel. They will charge you for it if it is lost or stolen.

If you are planning on getting spa treatments, make your appointment the first day you board and you may want to schedule it for the day you are at sea. Try to get late seating for dinner..you will be less rushed returning from touring activities.

The Ocho Rios, Grand Cayman, Cozumel cruise is fun. Plenty of things to do.

Ocho Rios (Dunn's River Falls, Jewlery Shopping, and Shaw's Garden)

Grand Cayman (Beach, Tortuluga Rum Cakes, more shopping)

Cozumel (Cute bars for margaritas, Silver Jewlery, plenty of shopping)

Have fun!

[kddani]

Those are definately GREAT tips, thank you so much!

My parents are going on a cruise next month (I forget which line they're going on) and i'm sure i'll get all sorts of tips from them too.

Now if only March would come quicker! lol

[kdonline]

Brother-in-law says the "youngest" cruiseline is Carnival & their newest ship is the Imagination (or so he thought - off the top of his head - on a Saturday night).

Bon voyage!