I don't know what Cruise line to choose???

[cruzrs1sttime]

So it's my first time booking a cruise. I'm trying to do as much research as I can before I pick a travel date. I want to do the cruise to Carribean's I think. Now the problem is which Cruise line to pick. I will be 22 when we do the cruise and my boyfriend is slightly older. We love kids but we don't want there to be an overabundance of them either. We know they will be on any cruise. I like Royal Carribean and it fits our price range, but so does Carnival. I saw that Carnival has bag limits, does RC? I also like NCL but they seem a little higher, I'm ok with that if there's less kids. We wont be going on S.B. or during a holiday. I'm just looking for any advice that people can help with. We'll be doing a balcony for sure but should I do extended or not? basically I have no clue and I'm looking for advice. PLEASE HELP :) :) Thanks

[lovemylab]

So it's my first time booking a cruise. I'm trying to do as much research as I can before I pick a travel date. I want to do the cruise to Carribean's I think. Now the problem is which Cruise line to pick. I will be 22 when we do the cruise and my boyfriend is slightly older. We love kids but we don't want there to be an overabundance of them either. We know they will be on any cruise. I like Royal Carribean and it fits our price range, but so does Carnival. I saw that Carnival has bag limits, does RC? I also like NCL but they seem a little higher, I'm ok with that if there's less kids. We wont be going on S.B. or during a holiday. I'm just looking for any advice that people can help with. We'll be doing a balcony for sure but should I do extended or not? basically I have no clue and I'm looking for advice. PLEASE HELP :) :) Thanks

 

Welcome to cruisecritic!

 

I'd recommend finding a good travel agent in your area that specializes in cruises. He/she will be able to help you narrow down your options.

 

Before we booked our first cruise we were also overwhelmed with all the options. I visited a TA, she asked me a lot of questions and then recommended that we try Royal Caribbean. She emailed me several itineraries that worked with our budget and the dates we wanted to go.

 

As for kids...depending on when you go, that will determine how many there are. We prefer to cruise during the late fall and have found there are very few children onboard this time of year. We also book on ships that are not brand new - as many famillies tend to gravitate towards the larger, newer ships (at least with RCCL).

 

If you're not wanting to visit a TA, than I'd suggest to start with looking at the itineraries first - think of what ports you want to visit. Than see what ships will take you there...then make the decision.

[cruzrs1sttime]

Ya I totally knew Caribbean was spelled like this not the way I spelled it haha. I knew it looked funny.

[paul929207]

Definitely find a travel agent that specializes in cruises to help you find the right cruise for you.

[cb at sea]

Both lines are more similar than different. RCI's ships have a more "subdued" decor and a nice ship layout...easy to navigate. Other than that, there's not alot of difference.

 

Cruiselines do NOT have a "bag limit"....most lines allow 200 lbs of luggage PER PERSON....coming from AZ, if you're flying, you'll be limited by the airlines...NOT the cruiseline!

 

As far as kids, if you can book when most schools are in session, you'll have fewer kids aboard. Frankly, unless they are YOUR kids, you can totally ignore them...they won't affect you at all.

[firefly333]

My choices would be

 

RCL

Princess

Carnival

NCL

 

NCL is my last choice because of their food and the free food not being as many choices or as good and I like traditional dining.

 

You mentioned Carnival's bag limits .... what does that mean?? All cruiselines have limits on the size you can carry on ... you can check in any size. If you have general questions like this .. you can email me .. my email is in my profile.

[madelinerose]

I'm just looking for any advice that people can help with. basically I have no clue and I'm looking for advice. PLEASE HELP :) :) Thanks

 

 

http://www.cruisecritic.com/ftc/tier2.cfm?ID=4

[BIG_Steve]

Been on NCL and Carnival. Both have respected kid's clubs/activities.

However, I hardly saw any kids on Carnival, while there were always some underfoot on NCL. That's because the kids actually seem to LIKE going to the Carnival kids clubs.

 

At your age, if you want to party until you're blind, go Carnival. NCL gets rockin' too, but you can find quiet lounges and places on deck to get away from it too.

 

Can't comment on the other lines.

 

NCL, and I think Carnival will tell you that you can only take 2 bags EACH (that's a lot) but I personally have not heard of them enforcing that.

[cruiseapril]

Hi- In planning a first cruise, I would decide between Eastern, Western, or Southern Caribbean and the islands I really want to visit. Then, I would check out the best prices

 

Do you have a preference of island ports?

[cruzrs1sttime]

Hi- In planning a first cruise, I would decide between Eastern, Western, or Southern Caribbean and the islands I really want to visit. Then, I would check out the best prices

 

Do you have a preference of island ports?

 

No I'm just checking for prices and the travel dates. I am doing Caribbean. I like some ports Carnival has more like Grand Turks but I'm not going to choose Carnival just for that. I can't decide if I want to do Jamaica or not. If its part of the destinations sure why not... I want to see a lot of places anyways I just haven't hurd anything about it.

[sweeetkimmie]

:)I think you get more bang for your buck on Carnival. I've been on the Conquest for 1st cruise and RCC with 4 of my kids aged between 21 and 25 then. I had a wonderful time on both but RCC is definitely more expensive and not very many places to shop on board and items were expensive. I felt like Carnival entertainment was much better and so was the food!! I did think our room service was better and there were full sliding glass doors on RCC but by far Carnival won out for me. Since you haven't been to any islands I don't think it matters where you start since it's all an adventure anyway. Nightclubs and dancing was about the same on each ship but more activities on Carnival. I've only ported out of Galvestan, Tx and Miami and wow Miami's port was so much fun to sail out of. Great views leaving!! Either way though cruising is a wonderful vacation no matter what so once you go I promise you will be hooked!! I do stress even though it's a bit more money to book a balcony no matter what. Don't pay attention to people saying you will only be in your room to sleep and change clothes. I'm telling you there is much more to that and you will see when your cruise is over why I say that. Have fun and happy cruising!!!!;)

[MISS ABBIE]

hi there, if you are a first time cruiser, the ship wont mean anything to you really, you should decide on the ports of call that you would like to visit first, then see what ships do them... because of your age, dont pick holland america... I personally feel the ships with princess are the newest and nicest, great service and food... they have large balconies and are at great prices.

[cruzrs1sttime]

http://www.cruisecritic.com/ftc/tier2.cfm?ID=4

 

 

Thanks I went on there and did some searching thx

[cruzrs1sttime]

:)I think you get more bang for your buck on Carnival. I've been on the Conquest for 1st cruise and RCC with 4 of my kids aged between 21 and 25 then. I had a wonderful time on both but RCC is definitely more expensive and not very many places to shop on board and items were expensive. I felt like Carnival entertainment was much better and so was the food!! I did think our room service was better and there were full sliding glass doors on RCC but by far Carnival won out for me. Since you haven't been to any islands I don't think it matters where you start since it's all an adventure anyway. Nightclubs and dancing was about the same on each ship but more activities on Carnival. I've only ported out of Galvestan, Tx and Miami and wow Miami's port was so much fun to sail out of. Great views leaving!! Either way though cruising is a wonderful vacation no matter what so once you go I promise you will be hooked!! I do stress even though it's a bit more money to book a balcony no matter what. Don't pay attention to people saying you will only be in your room to sleep and change clothes. I'm telling you there is much more to that and you will see when your cruise is over why I say that. Have fun and happy cruising!!!!;)

 

 

Thanks that all sounds good. I know I hear that about the rooms but you still need room to move around in and stuff. I'm a girl we need our space lol. Well as much as we can get. :) I think the cruises I'm looking at leave out of Miami so I'm excited....

 

 

I'm sold I can't wait to do a cruise!!

[printingchick]

Carnival and Royal Caribbean both target a younger passenger, as opposed to say Celebrity and Holland which market to an older passenger. I think you'd be fine with either of these two lines. I've cruised both.

 

I recently took my daughter, who had previously only cruised with Carnival, on Royal Caribbean's Serenade of the Seas. She is age 22. Because the ship is one of their smaller vessels and doesn't include many of the "WOW" factor perks that tend to appeal to teens and little kids, we had virtually NO children on board. (We were also not cruising during a school break; we went the first week in March.) The cruise was very port intensive as well. I suspect families with kids prefer a few more days at sea where it is easier to monitor the kids.

 

My daughter LOVED this ship and cruise. There were plenty of people her age on board and she had fun in the nightclub each night. She loves karaoke so she participated in that on the nights it was offered.

 

While I agree that the two cruise lines have a lot of similarities (you'll notice I've cruised multiple times on each), I find Royal focuses more on ACTIVE activities on board. Carnival did have the "Hairy Chest Contest" and "Belly Flop Contest", but I found there was a lot of dead time during sea days on Carnival. (I don't do Bingo, art auctions or the casino.) I enjoy the activities on Royal so much more and was NEVER bored, even on my cruises which included 2 or 3 sea days.

 

Read reviews, on-line articles and talk to cruisers or travel agents to determine which line seems more suited to your interests and personality. I'm sure you'll have a great time whichever one you choose.

 

ENJOY!

[mizLORInj]

As a first timer back in 2003, I chose a ship that was leaving from a close-by port, NYC. Didn't matter to me what ship it was. And there began my love of cruising . . .

I've had great experiences on all the ship and lines I've sailed. So I'd choose where I want to go, and plan from there.

Have fun!

[madge57]

For my first cruise I went to a TA just to see what they recommended. Well RCI was her choice but not because its a better cruiseline but because of our ages:eek: What heck does that have to do with anything!!! She said that since we were in our upper 40's that this line would fit us the most!! Really!!!!!!!!! We went on Carnival and had a blast so much for her thinking!! I'm sure you will pick the right cruise line for you!! Go with your gut feeling and I'm sure your will be fine!!!

[CleoT]

Hi! I hope you're getting some good information.

 

FWIW, I thought I'd share with you something our TA told us. We booked our first family cruise last week. Before we chose I was thinking Carnival for the kids. We're in our late 30s but for some reason she told me that Carnival now has a age restriction on reserving rooms. She told me that, unless you are married, you cannot book a room under the age of 25. Now, I didn't test this theory, but I thought I'd pass it along so you could ask around.

 

BTW, we chose HAL because it actually fits us, our kids, our parents (yes both sets). We aren't the "high energy" family, as our TA put it. :D

 

Good luck!!

[cruzrs1sttime]

Hi! I hope you're getting some good information.

 

FWIW, I thought I'd share with you something our TA told us. We booked our first family cruise last week. Before we chose I was thinking Carnival for the kids. We're in our late 30s but for some reason she told me that Carnival now has a age restriction on reserving rooms. She told me that, unless you are married, you cannot book a room under the age of 25. Now, I didn't test this theory, but I thought I'd pass it along so you could ask around.

 

BTW, we chose HAL because it actually fits us, our kids, our parents (yes both sets). We aren't the "high energy" family, as our TA put it. :D

 

Good luck!!

 

 

 

Yes she said something like that but we don't have to be married. Since the person I'm going with is over 25 we're fine. If not he can pay lol.

 

I think I'm doing Royal. I've asked lots of people and I've decided to go with my heart on this one. Thanks ALL!:)

[CleoT]

Yes she said something like that but we don't have to be married. Since the person I'm going with is over 25 we're fine. If not he can pay lol.

 

I think I'm doing Royal. I've asked lots of people and I've decided to go with my heart on this one. Thanks ALL!:)

 

Excellent! I'm sure you will have a wonderful time! :)

[bmccarthy]

Yes she said something like that but we don't have to be married. Since the person I'm going with is over 25 we're fine. If not he can pay lol.

 

I think I'm doing Royal. I've asked lots of people and I've decided to go with my heart on this one. Thanks ALL!:)

 

My husband and I were 26 & 27 when we went on our first cruise on Royal Caribbean and loved it. I think that if you read the reviews and know what to expect and go into your first cruise with an open mind, you will have a great time. Once you book your cruise, make sure you join your roll call because that is a great way to chat with people prior to the cruise and to get ideas for excursions, hotels, etc.

 

Good luck planning and enjoy your first cruise!

Beth :)