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Ended up cancelling the Eurodam and got a good deal on a oversized wraparound aft balcony room on RCI Freedom (practically a JS without the walk-in closet and bathtub

). Only lost deposit, room was 4500 + 600 OBC, so it wasn't THAT bad, considering you are pretty much getting a JS. Also I don't have to drive to Port Everglades from Orlando, just to PC! I have no clue how I got that room because there are dozens of posts on CC about 1400/1700 and praising it to the ninth degree. Great itinerary too (Labadee, Falmouth, Grand Cayman, Cozumel)! So pretty much overall I am very happy with my decision and many thanks to everyone for their helpful advice :D

Notice anything different about my signature? :D Travelzoo had a HAL-wide on sale for Christmas and NYE, it turned out only to be $2600 for 3 people (the third person was free) and I got $50 onboard credit to sweeten the deal. Perfect itinerary (HMC, Ochos Rios, Grand Cayman, and my favorite, Key West!), not to mention a great ship with world-class dining and service. When I come to think of it, RCI, NCL and Carnival don't really have that much to offer over HAL to teens, beside gimmicks like FlowRider and ice skating rinks to reel them in, only to do it once during the cruise. And I'm quite sure my teen would rather have a better itinerary, food, service and a balcony over a zipline. Plus I get to say to my friends "Hey, I'm going on/was on that ship!" whenever the Eurodam regularly visits my city in the fall (Charlottetown, PEI)! Never thought I would cruise HAL (especially when I see all the 55+ cruisers with their white shoes invading our city) but I doubt that will be the case on our cruise, being at Christmas with a Caribbean itinerary when the older crowd don't usually cruise (no offense to any 55+). Well thanks for all your input guys... and I wish you all the best, wherever you're cruise might take you :)

This would be my recommendation for you. I would cruise Freedom of the Seas over both the Regal and Getaway. Regal cabins are too cramped for my taste, even the deluxe balconies, and NCL service is the worst in the industry.

 

Yes but I can only afford an oceanview cabin, which are REALLY cramped.

Seems that Princess has decided to swap Princess Cays for Nassau. Been there, done that :(

That is very true. Regal was my least favorite of all balconies I've had.

 

 

Although, from what I've seen, Getaway's are just as bad.

And that's why I want to book a deluxe balcony...

Christmas cruises can be a mixed bag in terms of weather. Last one we took, the weather was chilly and rainy until we got South of Puerto Rico. So I'm wondering if you all might be better off on a Southern Caribbean cruise that time of year?

I would like to, but the only one that fits my schedule is the Carnival Sunshine :(

My hc balcony on regal was so narrow....but that is my only complaint as a mature adult....food the best i've had in several years on a ship....there will be a lot of other kids that week to keep yours company.....I would not pay so much more for the frills....if there is a pool and a basketball court and a place for them to"hang" what more do they really need...take then on a catamaran in stt to see turtles or para -s ailing at sapphire beach (used to be there).....I would use the extra for experiences

You're probably right! Leaning towards Regal currently...

Since you put it that way, that opens this up a little better. Here are what I consider to be the biggest negatives about each line:

 

Regal Princess: Staterooms are tiny, as are the balconies. If you're going to have 3 in a room, do not book anything smaller than a mini-suite. Standard balconies on down do not have a separate sitting area. The three of you will be cramped and most likely unhappy in any standard room.

 

Getaway: Major cruise lines tend to nickle and dime you once they have you on board, but no one does it like NCL. From their $7.95 room service charge to your almost mandatory booking of specialty restaurants due to the MDR being crap, you'll have a much higher on-board spending bill on NCL than you will Princess.

 

According to figures from NCL and Princess, the standard balcony cabin on NCL is 207 sq ft, while the deluxe obstructed balcony cabin on Princess is 298 sq ft (both figures include the balconies). So balcony and cabin space shouldn't be a problem on Princess! :D

Without a doubt - I recommend the Getaway. We have been on both ships. We travel with our DD10 and nephew 14. While the adults really enjoy Princess, there is just not enough to keep the kids busy.

 

We have also been on the Breeze twice and have it booked again for Thanksgiving. We have also done the Allure and Oasis. All the kids/young teens vote NCL Getaway, Breakaway and Epic #1 and the Breeze #2.

 

Thanks for your input, that will really help! Just worried that the Getaway will be too crowded since we are going at Christmas... not a big fan of Freestyle Dining either. Not to mention the shocking $1200 price difference. Looking into Freedom OTS, same price as Getaway but oceanview instead of balcony.

 

#1TravelMom, could you please tell me what made your kids bored on Regal? My son isn't exactly the daredevil type who buys into the gimmicks like FlowRider and bumper cars that RCI and NCL throw at them but he doesn't want to be on a ship with nothing to do for a week.

Thanks.

Your input would really help. Thanks.

Yes I KNOW these are two different ships, meant for two different types of cruisers. However, Regal is $1200 cheaper ($3200 vs $4400), which isn't something to be disregarded, especially on a Christmas cruise, where you are stretching the limit on price. Just worried that 13 year old son will be bored, especially after being on the Breeze. This would be my second cruise. I like the itinerary on the Getaway better (Princess Cays, St. Thomas (already been), St. Maarten for Princess, Great Stirrup Cay, Ochos Rios, Grand Cayman, Cozumel for NCL).

I'm going on the Breeze!!!! Woohoo!!!!:D I booked a cove balcony (stateroom 2338)!

 

Thanks for your tips jlindemer!

I think I have made up my mind and I want to book the Breeze. If I get the cruise bug, probably will book the Fantasy for early Oct. (we get 2 days off school because of a teacher's convention and another because of Canadian thanksgiving). Just a few questions :

 

Cove balcony or regular balcony on Deck 10 (Lido)?

 

It's $250 more for a regular balcony, and some people love the coves due to the proximity to the water. But I am worried that I will get sprayed...:(

 

Should I stay on the boat for Nassau?

 

Safety concerns.

 

Where would you stay in Miami for two nights?

 

The flights I'm looking at depart Tuesday and the cruise ends on Sunday. It would be a big plus if it was on Miami beach.

I'm going on the 4/18 sailing the prices have only been climbing. Unfortunately I doubt you'll find any VGT rates.

Fingers crossed :). All the categories are still available except the Royal Suite. But the prices just keep rising and rising :mad: Here's the price for a Navigator's Verandah on the 4/18 sailing over time :

Just realized that Jan. doesn't work for us. Does anybody have a guess what the VGT rate would be for the 04/18/15 cruise aboard the Fantasy?

I would do the Breeze.

 

If you choose either early or late seating, you have the same servers every night so they get to know you just like on Disney.

 

Or - on Carnival you have the flexibility of anytime dining - you choose when you eat each night - you're not stuck with 5:45 or 8:15.

 

On Carnival, you can also all go to the Steakhouse one night as a Family (and yes it's worth it - from the amuse bouche, to the appetizer, salad, main course, choice of sides and desserts - mmm, mmm - anda of course, it's topped off with wonderful service). On Disney, Palo is age 18+ so your foodie son isn't welcome.

 

Carnival dinner menus have their "every day favourites" but they also have a daily rotational menu. A great place to see the menus is the zydecocruiser website - http://www.zydecocruiser.net/menus/CarnivalCruiseLineMenus.htm

 

Not only does he post the menus but also pictures of the food.

 

And don't forget to check out the sea day brunch! (included in your cruise cost and it's all ages).

 

In addition to the ropes course, waterslides, dump bucket, toilet bowl, mini golf and mutliple pools and hottubs, Breeze also has the Thrill Theatre and dive in movies (thrill theatre has a cost, dive in movies don't).

 

While Nassau isn't somewhere I'd specifically choose to travel to, St. Thomas, Antigua, and San Juan are all lovely places to visit. Magen's Bay in St. Thomas is one of the most breathtaking beaches I've ever been to.

 

You will have a wonderful time no matter which cruise you choose. Afterwards when paying off the bills though - $2000 is a lot of money that can be put to other uses (especially if you catch the cruise bug and want to go again!).

Thanks for your input, meatloafsfan. I am looking at the Jan. 24 sailing on the DCL Fantasy in a VGT balcony (St. John, St. Thomas, San Juan, Castaway Cay). Only $400 more, miss 2 more days of school. All the extras on DCL would even it out though. Flights are cheaper, too.

Sorry if I was doing that...:( I was just trying to answer questions. Anyway, thanks for your comments and tips. I really appreciate them.

Add to your list better ports on the Magic.

For some reason it won't let me edit. Edited before' date=' but the option has disappeared.

There is a slide on the Magic--the AquaDunk (different from AquaDuck on Fantasy and Dream)

There are TWO slides on Carnival, which are HUGE. There is a toilet bowl one and your traditional long, fast spinny waterslide. 12 year old son says he is not brave enough to face the AquaDunk, and he said the other one (Twist n' Spout) looks kinda lame.

Is President's Week an option for you? Rates are a lot lower.

Nope' date=' live in Canada :(

If you're ever going to do Disney, do it now.

Totally agree. On safety/diseases, I feel that you would take a risk on going ANY ship. Doesn't matter if your on Carnival, HAL, Celebrity, Princess or Disney, I feel you have to take a risk somewhat when going on a cruise. Sure, some ships might be better than others, but you're still taking a risk no matter what.

What does your son say?

He likes the waterslides on Carnival, not so much Disney. He likes the Guy Fieri burgers on Carnival (food is very important to him, went to a culinary bootcamp at the best culinary in school in Canada) and all the stuff you can do on Carnival ( e.g ropes course, mini golf). But he likes the classic look of the Disney Magic, and he really wants to go to Animator's Palate. And he likes the rotational dining (new food every day!). I guess I'm concerned if he will be bored on Disney.

Have you been to any of the ports? I try to pick an itinerary with at least one stop where we haven't been before. What does he (and you) like to do when you are off the ship?

Never been on a cruise before, so I don't know!

We sailed the Carnival Dream last year and tried a Disney Cruise this year. We honestly enjoyed both. The kids enjoyed both.

I guess that's all that matters, but the Breeze would be better than the Dream (has Fun Ship 2.0 upgrades) and the Magic would be better than the Wonder (re-imagining). Is there a ship that you and your kids enjoyed more than the other?

It has a casino if you are into that.

Nope, not at all.

The service we received on Carnival was good. Everyone was nice and friendly and helpful. It was no better or worse then Disney..

Really?? I would get to know them more being a smaller ship and my server would follow me around on Disney, but I can see your point.

You can bring your own alcohol if you want.

Not into that.

Hi, I am trying to decide between two cruises :

 

Carnival Breeze 8 day from Miami 3/14/15 : Nassau, St. Thomas, Antigua, San Juan

 

Disney Magic 7 day from Port Canaveral 3/15/15 : Key West, Grand Cayman, Cozumel, Castaway Cay

 

This will be our first cruise. Travelling with wife and 12 year old son. Carnival is $2500 for 3 in a mid-ship balcony on the Lido Deck, and hoping to snag a VGT rate on the Magic (79% of categories still avail. according to C r u i s e F i s h and the sailing the week before has a VGT rate) but Carnival will still be cheaper (at least 2000$ I'm guessing). Each ship has their pluses (Guy Fieri burgers, waterslides, less $$$ and stateroom selection on the Breeze, Castaway Cay, rotational dining, Disney pixie dust, better staterooms and smaller and more intimate ship on the Magic). I really really want to go on Disney because I love all things Disney but my wallet disagrees :(. I could have almost two Carnival cruises for the price of one Disney Cruise!