First Time Cruiser

[ILuvDW]

This is also my first time posting, so hope I'm doing it right... We are planning our first cruise for summer of 2012. We live in TX, so we plan to cruise on Carnival's new ship, Magic, and leave out of Galveston. We just haven't decided where yet! The 3 we are considering are Bahamas, Jamaica, and Belize. I'd appreciate any comments/advice/opinions. If this helps, we are mom, dad, and 4 kids (9, 14, 15, & 16). Thank you!

[firefly333]

Im not sure if the Belize one also goes to Roatan. I dont care for Belize that much but love roatan.

 

I like key west too if that is the bahamas one ...its a little more unusual than the ordinary Jamaica run...but since you havent seen any of these, pick whichever one fits your schedule best.

[USAFBROOKS]

I havn't been to any of the places that you guys are thinking of, but I can GUARANTEE you will have a blast wherever you go! You will be hooked on cruising! :) We are also crusing next summer, I'm so excited I can hardly wait! Enjoy! :)

[LisaT12]

Have a great time...enjoy the planning!!

[sparkscruiser]

This is also my first time posting, so hope I'm doing it right... We are planning our first cruise for summer of 2012. We live in TX, so we plan to cruise on Carnival's new ship, Magic, and leave out of Galveston. We just haven't decided where yet! The 3 we are considering are Bahamas, Jamaica, and Belize. I'd appreciate any comments/advice/opinions. If this helps, we are mom, dad, and 4 kids (9, 14, 15, & 16). Thank you!

 

Welcome to Cruise Critic! Whichever itinerary you choose, you are going to have so much fun. There are lots of things to do for the kids while on board so you and your honey can have some alone time.

[Tbay-eh]

with 4 kids and 2 adults and first time cruisers I would do a cruise that is not port intensive. You will have a blast getting to know the ship and doing all the things available on the ship. If you do a port intensive cruise you TEND (not always) to want to do excursions at every port and it can be quite costly. Also, with first time cruisers I always recommend to do Carnival excursions until you are comfortable then do private excursions which can save you a pot load of money. I love getting off at a port and just walk around or take city tram or bus tours (historic tours) but don't know if this would be of much interest to kids. Look into Camp Carnival and what it has to offer for the kids - age appropriate stuff. Like another poster said - being your first cruise every port will be new and exciting and offering different things. See what suits your time schedule and go from there. You will be hooked - believe us.

 

By the way - welcome and ask questions - that is the only way you will learn. Also, research it to death, you can never have to much information

[SteelerCruiser]

You will enjoy whatever you decide............Go and Have a Blast!!!