Newbie to Cruising - Overwhelming amount of infos!!

Wowzer!!

So the wife and I have been talking for years about doing a cruise with the kids.

We have three under 12 and an 18 year old all boys.

I finally started researching a couple weeks ago and there is an overwhelming amount of confusing information on just about everything!

-Prices

-Quality of each cruise line

-Do this

-Don't do that

-That one is good for kids

-This ones food is terrible

-That one includes gratuities

-That one doesn't include alcoholic drinks

-This one stops here and you can snorkel

-That one is too crowded

-This one has too many kids

-This time is terrible cause it's hurricane season

-The cost of the flights is prohibitive to making it cost efficient

-Definitely don't use this cruise line

-Don't use a travel agent

-Do use a travel agent but book your own flights

-Disney cruises will cost twice as much as a regular cruise

I seriously don't even know where to start.

All I want to know is where to start looking for a cruise that will be cost efficient (ie: probably not Disney), flying out of Toronto area (Miami? San Juan?) (Do I book my flights separately? Through a travel agent?), cruising for around 8 days with activities for the kids and adults, some decent food (the wife and I went to Cuba last year for our first trip in 17 years and I didn't enjoy the trip much at all), Seeing as many beautiful places and sights as we can squeeze in (snorkeling, waterfalls, ruins, historic stuff), and when I should be looking to do all this (March next year? book farther then that?)

You guys are awesome!

There's a wealth of information in these forums ...I just don't even know where to start!

Thanks.

The newbie.

Welcome to CC.

This is where a good travel agent can really help. Interview a couple. There are good ones and bad ones. Some that just fill in forms and others that work with you. They sound time to get you a good vacation. They should ask questions so they can suggest suitable cruise line choices, where/when to cruise, budget and expenses for things you might not have considered yet. Your wants and needs are unique to you and your family. What works for me might not work for you. Enjoy your first cruise. you might get hooked like so many on CC.

Welcome to CC.

 

This is where a good travel agent can really help. Interview a couple. There are good ones and bad ones. Some that just fill in forms and others that work with you. They sound time to get you a good vacation. They should ask questions so they can suggest suitable cruise line choices, where/when to cruise, budget and expenses for things you might not have considered yet. Your wants and needs are unique to you and your family. What works for me might not work for you. Enjoy your first cruise. you might get hooked like so many on CC.

Let me add that in interviewing a TA, look for one that specializes in cruises. More importantly, ask if they charge any separate fees not charged directly by the cruise line for originating, modifying, or canceling a booking made through them. Many do, but many also do not. If they do, I would move on to another who does not as these fees are just extra ways to generate extra income for them which will come out of your pocket.

I would also encourage you to consider using a travel agent. I agree with the advice of the previous posters. You ought to be able to find a cruise-oriented travel agent locally that will help you make the appropriate decisions for your family and not charge you anything for doing so. (Note: if you make air reservations through your agent, there will be a charge for doing so.)

Exploring the various Message Boards on Cruise Critic will also provide you with a wealth of information. Just remember when reading reviews of any cruise ship, cruise line, port, etc. the perspectives and experiences of people can widely differ.

For me, planning a cruise is half the fun. I hope it will be for you as well.

Since airfare is part of the equation, for six people, I would start by researching airfare from your nearby airports to the various Florida port cities and other Gulf Coast departure cities. When you have figured where you want to fly to, then start researching the cruises that leave from that port. EM

Since airfare is part of the equation, for six people, I would start by researching airfare from your nearby airports to the various Florida port cities and other Gulf Coast departure cities. When you have figured where you want to fly to, then start researching the cruises that leave from that port. EM

This! Your airfare really will eat a large chunk of your budget.

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Almost EVERY line will have kids...unless they are YOURS...you can ignore them! You can book air thru the cruise line initially, then cancel the flight portion, if you find something cheaper...we do that routinely! And we usually find better, cheaper flights on our own.

I would book a cruise where you get the best cabin for the best price....ports are pretty much the same, if you're doing a Caribbean route (which it seems you are!).

Wowzer!!

 

So the wife and I have been talking for years about doing a cruise with the kids.

 

We have three under 12 and an 18 year old all boys.

 

I finally started researching a couple weeks ago and there is an overwhelming amount of confusing information on just about everything!

 

-Prices

-Quality of each cruise line

-Do this

-Don't do that

-That one is good for kids

-This ones food is terrible

-That one includes gratuities

-That one doesn't include alcoholic drinks

-This one stops here and you can snorkel

-That one is too crowded

-This one has too many kids

-This time is terrible cause it's hurricane season

-The cost of the flights is prohibitive to making it cost efficient

-Definitely don't use this cruise line

-Don't use a travel agent

-Do use a travel agent but book your own flights

-Disney cruises will cost twice as much as a regular cruise

 

I seriously don't even know where to start.

 

All I want to know is where to start looking for a cruise that will be cost efficient (ie: probably not Disney), flying out of Toronto area (Miami? San Juan?) (Do I book my flights separately? Through a travel agent?), cruising for around 8 days with activities for the kids and adults, some decent food (the wife and I went to Cuba last year for our first trip in 17 years and I didn't enjoy the trip much at all), Seeing as many beautiful places and sights as we can squeeze in (snorkeling, waterfalls, ruins, historic stuff), and when I should be looking to do all this (March next year? book farther then that?)

 

You guys are awesome!

 

There's a wealth of information in these forums ...I just don't even know where to start!

 

Thanks.

 

The newbie.

I would start by asking your friends, family, co-workers if they've been on cruises (you would be surprised at how many have), and if so, ask them if they used a travel agent who they liked. Personally, I would suggest for you using a brick-and-mortar one and not an online company. You'll get more personalized help and not just talk to some operator who may have never seen an ocean, much less been on a cruise ship.

Go in with an idea of budget, time of year (with school aged kids, that may limit the when), where you are interested in going. A good TA will match you up with the right cruise line and ship. And won't charge you for this service and for booking the cruise for you (make sure to ask if they have any cancellation or change fees -- good TAs won't).

You can also book your flights and hotel rooms through this TA or book on your own. Definitely fly in at least a day ahead.

All the stuff you listed above is just going to make you crazy. Here's what you need to know: all but the premium cruises do charge gratuities so keep that in mind. Just go with that. In fact, you may even decide the service you're getting is that exceptional that you'll want to reward your cabin steward or waitstaff a little extra on the last day.

As for things you'll read in reviews....keep in mind some people are never satisfied. and those are the type who will write a review. Many people who are satisfied might not.

All of the mass market lines will have a kids' program. You can even check the websites for each line you're considering and get a feel for what activities....a good program will keep the kids busy and happy. And since you have little ones, you'll want a ship that has a dedicated area for the kids' program with plenty of activities. If you go on a very small ship, there may not be such an area. If you go at a time when most kids are in school, your kids may not have too many others to play with.

The 18-year-old won't be allowed to be in the teen program. Most of the "adult" activities will allow kids (or else the daily newsletter will say so) -- trivia, arts and crafts, etc. Not the casino, of course.

As for hurricane season, the lines that go to the Caribbean will adjust their itinerary if it looks like a hurricane might pop up (so a Western C. cruise will turn into an Eastern and vice versa). If you go on a California coastal cruise, hurricanes don't occur north of Mexico (I have lived in LA for just about all of my life and haven't been on a hurricane here....but almost was in one on a Western caribbean one in November one year). If on a Mexican Riviera cruise and a hurricane is approaching, the ship will probably just go to Ensenada and Catalina and then circle about.

All meals are included in the cost of a cruise, but usually not alcoholic (and usually not sodas) drinks. Some lines will have packages or cards for specialty coffees, sodas, etc. this info will be on the website for the cruise line.

Oh, another piece of advice: don't try to squeeze in some activity every second, not even in port. You won't want to need a vacation after wards to relax from your cruise.

Because you need lots of help finding the best cruise for your family, agree with others suggesting you contact a good travel who specializes in cruises and has been doing it for a long time. ;)

Keep in mind that you don't need to know everything to go on a cruise or enjoy it. You will drive yourself crazy. You've received some good advice, and keep in mind that when it comes to food, ship décor, kids club, etc., everyone has their own opinion.

Roz

Thanks All!

I'll take a look online and find a local travel agent that specializes in cruising and go from there.

At the very least it may take some of the overwhelmingness (is that a word) out of the whole process.

Here are the best ships for families:

RCCL:

Oasis Class

Quantum Class

Freedom Class

NCL:

Epic

Getaway

Breakaway

Escape

MSC:

Seaside

Carnival:

Magic

Breeze

Vista

Horizon

I'm not listing Disney as it really is better for those with much younger children. The above ships/classes of ships have a ton of things to do on them that is appropriate for your kids ages. If I were you, I would look in detail at RCCL Oasis class ships: Oasis, Allure, Harmony and I would probably pick one of these ships OR I would choose one of the NCL ships I mentioned above. The key difference as far as your kids are concerned is this: NCL Ships have a waterpark with large water slides, a ropes course and bowling onboard. RCCL ships have flow riders, ice skating and a zip line onboard. Which activities would your kids like better? The Oasis class of RCCL ships are the largest ships in the world, but they never feel crowded. The NCL ships tend to be crowded on the pool deck but we hate hanging out by a pool. We have a pool at home and see no reason to sit around in the sun damaging our skin with a thousand strangers to be by a cruise ship pool. That just holds no attraction for us whatsoever.

At times NCL will be cheaper and RCL will be cheaper. It is all a matter of timing when you book your cruise. I would definitely look for a "Kids Sail Free" deal. Other deals worth considering would be 2 for the price of one (MSC is running that right now) and 60% second guest (RCCL is running that for the next 8 hours or so)

As to flights, do book them yourself - it is always cheaper to go through the various flight consolidators online to find the best deal.

We sail on NCL, and 18 year olds are welcome to gamble in the casino, plus drink beer and wine if a parent signs a waiver.

SuiteTraveler's advice seems solid for ship recommendations for RCCL and NCL regarding family travel. I've never traveled on Carnival.

I would look at cruises available for when you're thinking, March 2018. Make a list of departure ports and dates, then look up airfare. We booked our first cruise based on the airfare because airfare was really expensive everywhere except for Jacksonville Fl. When looking at dates for flights I recommend flying into your port city 1 day early and budget for one night in a hotel.

The ports we visited were Nassau and Freeport, not what I would have chose if I had more options, but we looked at the Cruise as the bulk of our vacation and the ports were an extra perk. We really just wanted to experience the cruise and in the end we actually enjoyed our ports.

This was our first cruise and I booked it pretty quickly, because of airfare. It was perfect though and we had so much fun we've already booked another cruise!

Wowzer!!

 

So the wife and I have been talking for years about doing a cruise with the kids.

 

We have three under 12 and an 18 year old all boys.

 

I finally started researching a couple weeks ago and there is an overwhelming amount of confusing information on just about everything!

 

-Prices

-Quality of each cruise line

-Do this

-Don't do that

-That one is good for kids

-This ones food is terrible

-That one includes gratuities

-That one doesn't include alcoholic drinks

-This one stops here and you can snorkel

-That one is too crowded

-This one has too many kids

-This time is terrible cause it's hurricane season

-The cost of the flights is prohibitive to making it cost efficient

-Definitely don't use this cruise line

-Don't use a travel agent

-Do use a travel agent but book your own flights

-Disney cruises will cost twice as much as a regular cruise

 

I seriously don't even know where to start.

 

All I want to know is where to start looking for a cruise that will be cost efficient (ie: probably not Disney), flying out of Toronto area (Miami? San Juan?) (Do I book my flights separately? Through a travel agent?), cruising for around 8 days with activities for the kids and adults, some decent food (the wife and I went to Cuba last year for our first trip in 17 years and I didn't enjoy the trip much at all), Seeing as many beautiful places and sights as we can squeeze in (snorkeling, waterfalls, ruins, historic stuff), and when I should be looking to do all this (March next year? book farther then that?)

 

You guys are awesome!

 

There's a wealth of information in these forums ...I just don't even know where to start!

 

Thanks.

 

The newbie.

1. Note the general notion that you need to allow for travel issues. Don't plan to fly in on the same day you board, don't fly home on the day you debark. Usually these schedules would be ok, but in case of bad weather, etc. it is good to give yourself a bit of a cushion.

2. So figure where you want to spend that day before/after. Our first cruise 4 years ago I knew I did not want to spend time in Florida so we looked at other ports and settled on a cruise from Puerto Rico. Your decision about where/when to cruise may be based on factors like that, or maybe based on air cost, time, distance, whatever. But figure first the logistics of getting to/from your cruise.

3. Do you want to spend time on a ship, or time exploring exotic island paradises? Look for itineraries that match your preferences.

4. Plan your budget. Figure that with airfare and other expenses included you will spend in total at least twice the cruise fare.

5. Throw a dart, pick a cruise, any cruise, and make arrangements. Don't worry too much about the details.

6. Enjoy. But also pay attention to the good and bad and next time you will know better what to look for and what to avoid.

I totally agree with getting to the port city a day before the cruise. Get there, relax and enjoy things there before you board your ship. The price of a hotel room is worth it too me. Also if you book your own flights, you are in control of any layover times in other airports. I want too see my flight information before that. Also if you book with the cruise line you wont get your flight information until a few weeks until your cruise. And you fly in the day of the cruise.

I think the easiest way to start is to either figure out where you want to embark from and what the itinerary you want to do and go from there. Once you have that part done then the rest if easier to figure out by reading those port boards here on CC. We just did our first cruise last month and I did it all on my own and everything went perfectly. I just did tons and tons of research in the 5 months before the cruise. The planning is all part of the fun!

If you are looking for port intensive, I would recommend Carnival Fascination out of San Juan. It is an older ship, but is scheduled for dry dock and upgrade in January of 2018, therefore it should be much nicer than some of the current reviews. It goes from San Juan-St Thomas-Sea Day-Barbados-St Lucia-St Kitts-St Martin. Very port intensive. I do not think the airfare is much different flying to San Juan than Miami. Whichever you choose, I know you will have a blast!! Good luck!

If you are looking for port intensive, I would recommend Carnival Fascination out of San Juan. It is an older ship, but is scheduled for dry dock and upgrade in January of 2018, therefore it should be much nicer than some of the current reviews. It goes from San Juan-St Thomas-Sea Day-Barbados-St Lucia-St Kitts-St Martin. Very port intensive. I do not think the airfare is much different flying to San Juan than Miami. Whichever you choose, I know you will have a blast!! Good luck!

NO WAY, I didn't know it was going into dry dock next year! We are booked on her exactly a year from today! Now I am even more excited for our cruise!

Check out Mr. Traveler on YouTube! He had great tips and he also recently became a travel agent [emoji1] Also just watch as much YouTube vids about Cruising as possible! I am new at cruising and I learned A LOT just by searching on there. Good Luck!!! [emoji847]

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Also adding to mine above ^ I booked through a Carnival rep over the phone and one super great feature that I chose was to buy my airline tix through them! They had a program called fly 2 fun where if you miss your flight, they will do everything possible to get you down to your sailing port. The awesome part is you don't have to pay for the tix until your whole cruise bill is due!!! This was great for me when booking since I was on a budget. I booked last July and the final bill isn't due until the end of March. There literally was no financial strain!

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Also adding to mine above ^ I booked through a Carnival rep over the phone and one super great feature that I chose was to buy my airline tix through them! They had a program called fly 2 fun where if you miss your flight, they will do everything possible to get you down to your sailing port. The awesome part is you don't have to pay for the tix until your whole cruise bill is due!!! This was great for me when booking since I was on a budget. I booked last July and the final bill isn't due until the end of March. There literally was no financial strain!

 

 

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Correction: "Guests who are unable to meet the ship due to airline flight cancellations or delays resulting from mechanicals or severe weather conditions will be protected on other flights to meet the ship at no cost to the guests." My apologies if you miss your flight you will not be covered but if one of the above mentioned happens then you will be! Regardless pretty awesome :)

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If it were me and I was new to cruising and not sure where to start (and not really particular about the destination, like a cruise to Alaska), I'd start close to home and start looking at cruises out of my nearby port. Of course, not everyone has a port that's really close, but if you do, that's a starting point in terms of lines, cruise routes, all that, and it saves money if you don't have to shell out a lot to get to the boat to begin with. That's a real bonus if you're new to cruising and not sure if you'll like it and if you're watching your budget.

Don't worry too much about the "this one is X, that one is Y" chatter. That varies by the cruise, the person posting, etc. Honestly, you're not going to be miserable on any of the main cruise lines, but I'd avoid the high-end lines (which you would, anyway). They all have kids' programs, they all have pools, they all go to more or less the same ports, and so on. Some have slightly better food, some (RCI) have Flow Riders while others (NCL) have a ropes course...I mean, it gets really specific and isn't worth losing sleep over. You'll have a good time either way.

Think in terms of budget--if you're watching your pennies, go with Carnival or NCL. If you're not near an embarkation port and not anxious about a particular port stop, just sort 7-day (or whatever) cruises by price and go from there, honestly. And ask the kids what they'll like--are they really keen on slides? Flow Riders? A particular specialty restaurant cuisine?

Lots of good advice . It has already been mentioned but must be repeated how much air will be as a % of your cruise cost . Generally we have tried to minimize this by focusing on cheap flights (like from Buffalo in your case) or by driving to the port (like Quebec City , Boston and Baltimore ) . We even overnighted in Toronto on the return from San Juan . Even with the cost of a nice airport hotel we saved over 300 .

With 6 you will most certainly be in 2 cabins . Perhaps a inside room and if you can swing it a balcony is very nice . Your kids will have a blast regardless which ship you pick . Our sole cruise with kids was the Fascination out of Jacksonville . The itinerary was nothing special and the ship was by today's standards , entry level . Our kids had so so much fun .