cruise line question for more conservative family

[WhansaMi]

Thank you.

 

The last "adult" comedy show I went to was very PG-13 and politically correct. Pfff, I couldn't believe I stayed up late for something like that. I requested a refund but they reminded me the show was free. We enjoy all kinds of vacation experiences. As for being conservative, in the 20s I danced on top of the bar, in my 30s I danced in the bar, and now in my 40 and cherish the sweet memories of being in a bar:p Now I leave my feet planted on the ground and shake what I have let.

 

I used to worry about my son seeing the ladies on the beach at resorts. Finally, I decided its better if he sees what truly happens when nature takes its toll, not some air brushed, distorted, poster image. Most important any Paradeez cups cost about $6K, ooops maybe that lesson was for DH :D

 

Merry Christmas

 

Quest isn't a show, it is an audience participation game.

 

And, at the end, my husband was sashaying down the "runway" in an outfit that, if I'd had a camera, I'd be able to win every argument we ever have, cos all I'd have to do would be to threaten to pull out the pic! ;-)

 

I was laughing so hard tears were running down my face.

[Cuizer2]

We are just back from a Carnival cruise to the western Caribbean. We had a great time but would love some advise for if we decide to cruise again. I didn't think that Carnival was the best "fit" for our family. We have 2 adults and 2 older teens. We are a pretty conservative family....not really into crazy parties, lots of drinking, etc Carnival does a great job of being the "fun ship" so nothing against them or anyone that wants to party on their vacation....we are just all different and enjoy different things! Trying not to offend anyone here!! :)

 

Just wondering your thoughts on a cruise line that might be a better fit for our family? Any suggestions? Would love a more subdued environment and also a little step up in service. We can't afford the real high end luxury lines...so more interested in the other more popular lines.

 

Boy...we really sound like a boring family. ha ha

 

Thanks for this site...you all were a great help in planning our trip.

 

My suggestions would be:

 

1) Princess

2) HAL

3) Celebrity

[kimanjo]

Took DD on a 14 night Med cruise for her high school graduation on Azamara (Celebritys "upscale" line). We had a great time. We chose it for its itinerary and ot being a small ship and smoking policy (one of the strictest). We loved it. We were the youngest on board 45 and 18, but the crowd was a very active older crowd, just not the "partier" type. We are readers, yet are active, fun and adventureous, yet reserved.... We just happen to like nice quiet cruise ships.

 

In March, we are taking Celebrity Summit (we have been on Celebrity Galaxay and Mercury as well). We couldnt afford 5 of us to go on Azamara, otherwise it would have been my first choice.

 

Its Me DH, DD, DS, and DD's friend. All are happy with the subdued Celebrity experience.

 

Hope this helps...

[Iafarmer]

wow..thanks for all the helpful advise...I am going to look at some of the lines you all mentioned. It would not bother us at all to be with an older crowd. Ok....this may sound strange...but we LOVE being around older people. We have volunteered as a family at a nearby nursing home since my girls were little. My 16 yo twin girls love all their "adopted grandparents" at the nursing home and many times on this past cruise I found them involved in long conversations with the seniors on board! So...guess you might find us on the senior cruise next time!! HA HA

My DH & 2 teen daughters & I cruised Disney, and enjoyed it so much, we went back with 4 in-laws (and no kids!). We do not care for the party scene, and really appreciated the quality of dining and the fact that the shows were all such amazing caliber and we did not have to be discerning (don't care for PG/higher shows). Yes, there are lots of little kids, but we found we could find our own places and that wasn't an issue.

Disney's island was wonderful, too. Another plus, there was no place onboard designated for casinos, which we don't care for anyway (they are fine for those that do---just a matter of fit).

We've also cruised Princess---AMAZING Alaska itinerary, but would have to say that we prefer Disney's ships.....just alot more 'fun' w/out sacrificing taste/quality.

My family really enjoyed having soft drinks and soft serve ice cream available anytime, w/out extra charge! We also appreciated the movie theatre and selection of first-run shows we had the option of viewing; again, all a rating we were comfortable with.

It was interesting to us to note the number of older couples onboard....guess they appreciated the same things we did.

It sounds like you will make the most of whatever cruise you choose! That's certainly what we try to do.

[MissSummers20]

My family had the same reaction to Carnival. We traveled with two adults, a pre-teen and a teen last year on Carnival and had the same experience. We were suffocated by the cigarette smoke (I know you didn't mention it) and it seemed like everyone was drunk. We also found the service and food lacking. We were on a 7 night western carribean cruise in late August. We were also attracted by the "fun ship" slogan and reasonably low price.

 

We vowed to never sail Carnival again and after much research we have desided to go with Royal Carribean for our next cruise. Although I have never personally sailed on RCCL, they seem to be a step up. They are still reasonably priced, have high quality ships and seem to attract a different crowd than Carnival ships. I'm sure that the other lines suggested are nice, but RCCL seems like it would be a great fit for us.

 

Good luck with your next cruise!

[kooljamming]

They are still reasonably priced, have high quality ships and seem to attract a different crowd than Carnival ships. I'm sure that the other lines suggested are nice, but RCCL seems like it would be a great fit for us.

 

Good luck with your next cruise!

 

6x RCCL, 2x Princess, 2x Carnival. Overall worse cruise was on RCCL but booked for another soon but that's a numbers game.

 

RCCL gets the clientèle from the same top or bottom of barrel. The biggest difference is the look of the ships which are absolutely stunning. You will see some of the same games and nonsense. Please don't let the pretty ship fool you, that's biggest difference. For a different atmosphere, more reserve, try Princess. The true difference, out side of decor, exist mostly in the minds of those loyal to RCCL. Most objective reviews (Frommer) will tell you they are more alike than different. You will find wonderful people on both but also the rude ones. I have only seen what could be possible intoxicated passengers on Princess but that was 1 am in the disco. Princess has a very generous wine policy and some take generosity seriously. On a 7 days cruise, you are dealing with a similar clientèle on both lines. Three or four days, a bit different...been there done that on both lines. RCCl rocks with a different kind of party fun which is why they are my favorite. They are like Carnival just prettier:D

[hubofhockey]

. They are still reasonably priced, have high quality ships and seem to attract a different crowd than Carnival ships.

 

Not as different as you might think.

[Cuizer2]

We vowed to never sail Carnival again and after much research we have desided to go with Royal Carribean for our next cruise. Although I have never personally sailed on RCCL, they seem to be a step up. They are still reasonably priced, have high quality ships and seem to attract a different crowd than Carnival ships. I'm sure that the other lines suggested are nice, but RCCL seems like it would be a great fit for us.

 

Good luck with your next cruise!

 

I have five cruises with Carnival and two more booked. I have six cruises with Royal Caribbean with one more booked. The passenger mix on both is the same.

[serene56]

. Although I have never personally sailed on RCCL, they seem to be a step up. They are still reasonably priced, have high quality ships and seem to attract a different crowd than Carnival ships. I'm sure that the other lines suggested are nice, but RCCL seems like it would be a great fit for us.

 

Good luck with your next cruise!

 

In my sailings I found Carnival and Royal to be about the same. (except the price.)

 

and the oasis--sailing with double the amount of passengers-- the ship is too big for me. (heck, I found the voyager too big for me--lol)

 

for a step up- Princess filled that bill for us. With food. service, atmosphere, etc. It costs more then royal and carnival but oh so worth it for us

[LiseD]

OK...went through and addes up your votes...this may not be exact as I didn't check to see if someone had already posted...but this will be close:

 

Princess -17 votes

Celebrity -16 votes

HAL- 13 votes

Disney- 5 votes

Royal Car. -2 votes

Cunard-1 vote

NCL-1 vote

Crystal-1 vote

 

Thanks again for all your advice!

[cardbucfan]

Lisa,

you could be describing our family. We did our initial cruise on RCCL and while we enjoyed ourselves, thought "Is this what all the hype is all about?!?" The next year we went on our first HAL cruise and loved it. It was DH, me and our 2 boys who are now 13 and 15. We have now done 4 HAL cruises and loved every one (3 Caribbean and 1 Alaskan). The service is MUCH better, the food is better-although we don't cruise for the food (except the 15 year old!), the atmosphere is more pleasant and what we expect from our land based vacations. Our kids enjoyed being on ships with fewer kids because they got a more personal vacation than the one with tons of kids. This last trip, they used the kids clubs to find friends but didn't really hang out there. We have done both ship excursions and independent trips and been pleased with the mix of ages(and we are like you all-very active, into outdoor excursions such as hiking, glacier trekking, snorkeling, scuba certified, all that stuff)

 

I'm very nervous though, we are going on Carnival for the first time this spring break. Our kids have different spring breaks so DH is taking one kid one week and I'm taking the other the next week. We chose Carnival for the itinerary for diving and that it left from Tampa (our home). I'm concerned though that we will hate it! Trying to keep a positive attitude and if nothing else-I'll hang on my balcony and get room service when we aren't diving!

[wanasail]

We are in our late 50's and have sailed Carnival and loved it. We especially liked the Glory, there was a lot of space between the front party area of the ship and the more laid back aft area. You do not have to participate in all the partying. We were not bothered by anyone being disorderly or drunk and obnoxious. We have had some very relaxing times with Carnival and would sail Carnival again if it was going where we wanted to go. Doing RCI this year for that reason.

[momofmeg]

Lisa,

you could be describing our family. We did our initial cruise on RCCL and while we enjoyed ourselves, thought "Is this what all the hype is all about?!?" The next year we went on our first HAL cruise and loved it. It was DH, me and our 2 boys who are now 13 and 15. We have now done 4 HAL cruises and loved every one (3 Caribbean and 1 Alaskan). The service is MUCH better, the food is better-although we don't cruise for the food (except the 15 year old!), the atmosphere is more pleasant and what we expect from our land based vacations. Our kids enjoyed being on ships with fewer kids because they got a more personal vacation than the one with tons of kids. This last trip, they used the kids clubs to find friends but didn't really hang out there. We have done both ship excursions and independent trips and been pleased with the mix of ages(and we are like you all-very active, into outdoor excursions such as hiking, glacier trekking, snorkeling, scuba certified, all that stuff)

 

I'm very nervous though, we are going on Carnival for the first time this spring break. Our kids have different spring breaks so DH is taking one kid one week and I'm taking the other the next week. We chose Carnival for the itinerary for diving and that it left from Tampa (our home). I'm concerned though that we will hate it! Trying to keep a positive attitude and if nothing else-I'll hang on my balcony and get room service when we aren't diving!

 

Carnival or RCI at spring break is a bad plan. I doubt you will have anything positive to say about your cruise. spring break time you would be even chancing it on Princess, HAL, and Celebrity.

 

I have cruised Carnival 4 times and liked them well enough. They were not my favorite line, but I did feel they gave good value, and we did enjoy ourselves on 3 of those cruises. It was their smoking policy change that made me want to stay away. The piano bar which we love is now always a smoking lounge, whereas before the changed policy, one side was non smoking. We were fine there with the old policy, but with the new policy, it seemed all the smokers who normally did not come to the piano bar were there, as they could not go to the other lounges, and we found we could not breathe. We have not been on Carnival since-it has been almost 6 years since we have been on a Carnival cruise now.

[G'ma]

We are in our late 50's and have sailed Carnival and loved it. We especially liked the Glory, there was a lot of space between the front party area of the ship and the more laid back aft area. You do not have to participate in all the partying. We were not bothered by anyone being disorderly or drunk and obnoxious. We have had some very relaxing times with Carnival and would sail Carnival again if it was going where we wanted to go. Doing RCI this year for that reason.

 

Agreed!

 

I just turned 69 and have been sailing with Carnival since I was in my mid-30's having recently completed #68...and am set for the Elation transCanal in April.

 

I've always had a wonderful time. I've cruised others over the years and have enjoyed all of them (with one HUGE exception). It's a live and let live type of vacation.

 

It's nice to have choices, however. If one cruise line isn't to your liking there are others to choose from. However, there is no reason to "bash" one line because of some high-minded objection to the experience.

[kooljamming]

" I'm concerned though that we will hate it!" - Chances are you WILL!

 

Please save your time and money. Sometimes staying home is best. You are going on a line you don't care about at the most challeneging time. How much joy are you going to be for the staff and others around you. Spring break is a BAD time on all of the mass market lines with families and young kids. If you kids are not self centered and well adjusted they will have a great time. They will have the oppertunity to meet kids from similar and different backgrounds, one of the joys of this kind of vacation on nay line.

[BillOh]

LiseD - one question: how long was your cruise? That can make a huge difference in the "feel" of a cruise. The ones less than a week seem to have a bit more of a party atmosphere and the longer ones not so much. The time of year you go can have an impact as well.

 

 

 

I was going to mention this, I've seen a big difference in the atmosphere in a 3 day and 7 day cruise. From my signature you can see I've only cruised on RCI. On their bigger ships, there is plenty for young people to do, and less of a party atmosphere.