beckzay

What's the lowest price you've paid (no coupons, future cruise certificates, etc.) sailing out of NYC on the Gem? In your experience is it better to book 2 cabins or wait for a "kids sail free" promo and book a suite?

I love the idea of leaving out of NYC since it would eliminate airfare for our family of 5. Airfare alone will most likely cost us at least $1500. We're going to book a cruise for April 2015 and are just in the beginning stages of narrowing down our options.

We're also looking at a Carnival cruise out of Miami with 5 of us in one room, for under $2000 (plus airfare) and it's only a 5 night. Right now, it looks like the Gem would cost us over $6000 to book a suite and around $4000 for 2 inside rooms. Does this seem about right? Or has anyone done it for less?

We will most likely be on the Victory at the end of April 2015. Should I be concerned about sailing so soon after a ships drydock? I know it's supposed to get the 2.0 upgrades, but does anybody have info on what that would involve (other than the obvious cleaning, etc.)?

My kids prefer the Eastern. Depends on any excursions you are/are not planning. Kids love Atlantis in Nassau, cabana/villa at HMC makes an awesome beach day and they always enjoy the large pool in Grand Turk.

We would be completely happy with spending time just spending some family time at some beaches, snorkeling and touring some ports on our own. Excursions can get pretty pricey for a family of 5! I think I'm leaning more towards the Eastern, even though Jamaica and Grand Cayman seem fun too! I'm just thinking, cost wise, we should do the eastern.

My husband and I have cruise 4 times, our kids have never been. We're finally taking them next April and I think we've decided on the Victory but now we aren't sure which itinerary would be best for them for their first time. We've only sailed the E. Caribbean and Bahamas, we have no experience with the W. Caribbean. Our choices are:

Eastern...Nassau, Half Moon Cay, Grand Turk and a sea day

Western...sea day, Jamaica, Grand Cayman, sea day

Also, my kids have never been to the Caribbean at all, so is the Western Caribbean as beautiful? Oh, the "kids" will be 14 and two 21 yr olds :)

Thank you everyone! We're leaning towards the Victory. I just want our kids to have a great experience on their first cruise so I find myself over analyzing everything :)

Maybe I should re-title this thread to " Fascination or Victory"

Yes

We're going to be booking a cruise for April 2015, but I'm looking for some opinions. It will be me, my husband and our 3 kids (ages 14, 21 and 21). My husband and I have cruises 4 times before but the kids have never been.

The two we are looking at are the 5 day W. Caribbean (the older kids have always wanted to go to Jamaica) on the Victory OR the 5 day Bahamas on the Fascination. The Victory is a little bit more expensive but not enough to be a deciding factor. My husband and I would love either, but what do you think is best for our age kids? Both have 2 sea days so I'm thinking the Fascination is better because of Waterworks? What else am I missing that might help me decide? Thanks!!!