Help please

[earthfreak101]

I have a question which is a better cruise line and which is a better cruise in general my options are as follow.

 

The Holland America Veendam cruise to Hamilton Bermuda on Aug 26th

 

Another choice is the, Carnival Miracle an 8 day eastern Caribbean from New York, NY Starting in New York with stops in San Juan, St. Thomas, Grand Turk

 

The last option is the norwegian gem a 7-Day Bahamas & Florida, Round-trip New York

Starting in New York with stops in Port Canaveral, Great Stirrup Cay, Nassau

 

I was just wondering what other people thought because we dont know we have only been on carnival and dont know about the other cruise lines as well as we have a 16 year old son and 2 55+ adults

Just wondering again :)

[dolittle]

Hal is the better line but the ports are better on the Miracle . It all about what you like not us.

[Tralynn]

Hal is the better line but the ports are better on the Miracle . It all about what you like not us.

Totally agree. Also, Carnival may have more for the 16 yr. old to enjoy, but the 55+ would probably prefer HAL.

 

I'd say NCL is similar to Carnival.

[sail7seas]

HAL is the only to dock in downtown Hamilton and that all by itself makes it the best choice. IMO

 

Docking there is a huge plus.

 

[Guest LoveMyBoxer]

I have a question which is a better cruise line and which is a better cruise in general my options are as follow.

 

The Holland America Veendam cruise to Hamilton Bermuda on Aug 26th

 

Another choice is the, Carnival Miracle an 8 day eastern Caribbean from New York, NY Starting in New York with stops in San Juan, St. Thomas, Grand Turk

 

The last option is the norwegian gem a 7-Day Bahamas & Florida, Round-trip New York

Starting in New York with stops in Port Canaveral, Great Stirrup Cay, Nassau

 

I was just wondering what other people thought because we dont know we have only been on carnival and dont know about the other cruise lines as well as we have a 16 year old son and 2 55+ adults

Just wondering again :)

 

We have sailed the Veendam and the Miracle, but not the Gem, but did sail her sister ship the Jewel. What exactly are you looking for?? Hopefully I can help.

[earthfreak101]

all right thanks we have never been on holland america or norweigan but ill take your word for it that holland america is the better choice because im sure my son can find friends on holland America thanks

[earthfreak101]

just looking in your opinon which one was better

[psbtrvlr]

all right thanks we have never been on holland america or norweigan but ill take your word for it that holland america is the better choice because im sure my son can find friends on holland America thanks

 

While my husband and I liked HAL, our teenagers did not, said it was the most boring out of all the cruise lines that we have done. They really like NCL.

[firefly333]

Well you know right that Carnival is the bottom of the 10 lines that Carnival owns imo. The prices are less too usually.

 

HAL will have better food and service.

 

Some will also say those who sail on HAL have one foot in the grave, its a older crowd and quieter cruise.

[alcpa1]

How sociable is your son? Does he prefer to read a good book or hang with his friends? Does he get a rush out of older people? Does he want a few bells and whistles?

I have not sailed on a NCL ship but it might be the happiest medium.

The passenger's ages will definitely be higher on a HAL ship. It would never be my first choice for my youngest and he's 35+.

I love Bermuda but I think this would be the most expensive port per diem of the cruises with the least to appeal to a teen unless he is a golfer.

Sailing from New York in August you are also heading into hurricane season. You will cruise but the ports may change. During the past several years some of the Bermuda cruises have diverted to New England. So would you rather head to another island or to Bal Harbour or Boston, etc.?

Good luck.

[earthfreak101]

he likes to make friends he could probally make friends in the middle of a desert he is very social and he likes to read a good book too. If it was your choice which cruise do you think would be the best one to pick

[Guest LoveMyBoxer]

So here is my opinion. While the Veendam is a nice ship, your 16 year old may not find it that great, not much on the ship to do for kids except hang out, she is a small ship. Docking in Hamilton Bermuda for 3+ days is great and Bermuda is wonderful.

 

Although we liked the Jewel (sister to the Gem), the bahamas itinerary is crappy.

 

My vote is for the Miracle. We will be sailing on her for the 4th time in July and then again in December. The Miracle is a great ship and not as crowded as other ships out there. It also has a better itinerary than the Gem. Grand Turk is a great stop.

 

P.S. I disagree that Carnival is the "bottom". Having sailed on different lines over the years, they are ALL cutting back on everything.

 

Let me know if you have any other questions.

[1025cruise]

You have selected three completely different itineraries. First thing you need to do is decide where you want to go and what you want to see, then figure out which ship/line to do it on.

If you want to go to Bermuda, then the Veendam is a good ship to take due to the fact that it docks right in Hamilton versus at the Navy Yard. Personally, a cruise that goes to Port Canaveral and Nassau would probably not be my first pick, so from an itinerary standpoint, I'd probably pick the Caribbean, but then I'm not sure I'd pick Carnival for that itinerary.

[Bonnie J.]

Just got off the Miracle last momnth. They are starting their 2.0. This means there is no Calypso band on board. One of the two DJs played canned music the entire cruise on the Lido deck. No music until 7:30 each night. Then guitar player in atrium, singer behind the bar in the casino. Each night I had to go to the bar in the atrium to get our drinks. At 8:30 Frankie and Johnnys was great- IF you couls find a seat and didn't mind cig & cigar smoke!

Holland America is known for having an older crowd on board, not as many kids.

I would go with NCL. Thye have tons of stuff going to keep kids busy. All the newer ships have the flow rider (Surfing on land) and a climbing wall for kids.

Check the reviews for each ship to get an idea of all but I'd say NCL - or Royal Caribbean!

[cruzeluver]

This is one of the most common questions asked on CC and its impossible to answer. There is no "best" line. If there was, there would only be one. What are your priorities? What kind of experience are you hoping to have?

 

I know folks who would be bored to tears on HAL and others that love the lively atmosphere of Carnival, and neither is wrong.

[caribsun]

If it was me I would take the 8 day Miracle cruise.

[earthfreak101]

interesting mixed reviews very interesting i'm trying to figure it out we got all the cruises pretty cheap like in the 2,000 ranges for each except for the carnival one its 3,000 which is interesting its a hard thought to grasp which one you should go on

[marco]

We've been on all 3 lines and same or similar itineraries. In this instance, I think the itinerary is more an issue than the line/ship. I'm not all that crazy about the Gem's itinerary, so that would be my last choice. The HAL itinerary is ONLY Bermuda and you're there for 3 1/2 days. It's a lot more relaxing than the "port a day" itinerary of Carnival. If you've not been to Bermuda, I'd take HAL. Bermuda is the most beautiful island I've ever been to and you will have ample time to see and explore. I'd much rather do that than go to SJ/StT/GT for a day each.

[youngestof9]

the itineraries are so different. Bermuda is one stop and that's all. So you have to think about if you'd rather see a bunch of ports or one stop.

 

I would start with what you want to visit and then take it from there. I loved Bermuda, but I love the Caribbean even more, so I'd pick either Carnival or the Gem.

[SanderMC]

I think the big thing you need to decide is where you want to go.

 

I have not been on NCL and it has been a LONG time since I was on Carnival so I will not say anything about the two lines.

 

However, I will say that I am in my mid-30s and I love Holland America.

My brother is now 20 and we went on the Veendam cruise to Bermuda last year (when he was 19) and he had no problem finding a group of friends to hang out with. And he didn't have the benefit of being able to go into the Teen areas. So if your son makes friends easily, I don't think he will have a problem with Holland.

[earthfreak101]

We have been to bermuda but kings Wharf bermuda and not the other places but we have not been on that cruise ship nor that port so i dont know this decision gets harder and harder:cool:

[earthfreak101]

interesting i have been on carnival miracle but it was a while ago and it has been refurbished and not norwegian but we have been to Bermuda but on the celebrity summit and it was at kings wharf not Hamiliton so i dont know if one port is better than the other but this is stuff is becoming interesting :D

[Jimnbigd]

Are you ruling out Royal Caribbean Explorer of the Seas from Bayonne, NJ? I really like these voyager class ships. There is a 10-day cruise Aug. 30 to the Caribbean. Of course this is hurricane season. But it is over USA labor day, so you'd probably need one less vacation day. When does the 16-year-old start school? (Or maybe home-schooled so you could go any time?) You might find that the summer months (USA) are already filled up.

 

Check for age 55+ rates. You might find some deals.

[earthfreak101]

he starts semptember 5th so its a little late and he can't afford to miss school with the classes he is taking anyone can jump in if anyone had to pick one line what would it be