Need guidance picking cruise; please help!

[SolitaryPhoenix]

I'm starting to research a cruise for 2007; I'm definitely doing it, just having a hard time picking exactly the right one! The cruise would be mostly a graduation present for my niece, who would be 18 and will graduate in May '07; I'd probably be picking a sailing time a little earlier, in February or March, or just after, say the last week of May. Those going would include myself [will be 44 by then], my mother [w/b 72], my niece, and I will have adopted two girls by then, who will probably still both be under 12. None of us have been on ocean cruises; my mother and I have both been on a Delta Queen cruise on the Mississippi out of New Orleans [I'm planning another for next year; no doubts there!].

 

I want to do a 7-night Western Caribbean, out of Tampa [I live about 45 minutes away], mostly because I really want to see the temple ruins. :) So, based on that criteria, it would be either the Miracle, the Legend Of The Seas, or the Veendam. I've also given a lot of thought into a 4-night Bahamas [ports are Nassau and Castaway Cay] Disney Cruise - basically Disney is where I started, just because I'm relatively certain all of us would totally enjoy a Disney cruise, but thought it might also make sense to consider other lines where I'd be paying about the same price for a 7-night, instead of 4!

 

So, it's either a 7-nighter on a non-Disney ship, or the 4-night Disney cruise. Based on these two destinations [W. Carib or Nassau/Cast. Cay], the ages involved [under 12, 18, 44, 72, all female] and the lines and ships involved [Disney Magic or Wonder, Miracle, L o t S, or Veendam], what would all of you recommend?

 

 

I thank you in advance for your assistance! :D Also, I'm going to be posting this in each of the applicable lines, because the people on each line's board will know 'their' line best, but may also have been on the other cruises. To get the most information, it would make sense to post it on all four, so please forgive me for the redundancy! :rolleyes:

 

[SolitaryPhoenix]

I was really hoping for some replies from this board in particular, because a lot of you are repeat cruisers, that have done Disney as well as some of the other lines ~ any suggestions? Anybody? Please? :o

[Worfiedoodles]

The ships you are proposing are all very different, and offer a vastly different experience. It really depends on what you are looking for. You could have a good time on any of them.

 

We are big RCCI fans, but chose to take a Disney cruise to introduce our ds7 to cruising.

 

The Veendam is going to be more elegant, and the average passenger age is higher.

 

Carnival is also great for kids, but tends to attract the college crowd.

 

IMHO, you need to create a list of the priorities you have for the cruise, and then see which line most closely matches your needs...

 

Bon Voyage!

[TheWog]

Disney does a great job and if the children love Disney they will have a great time. Castaway Cay is a beautiful private island that gives you the perfect tropical island feel, but you will only have 4 nights. The ship is also great for adults and the experience will truly be great. I would like to opt for the longer trip. I would do the 7 night and it also sounds like you have destinations you want to get to and see some sights, factor that in as well. For me, that would exclude the Disney cruise. I have sailed RCI and had a great time as well and will certainly cruise them again. I haven't done either of the other two lines you mention, so I can not say positively what they have to offer. I think the kids would enjoy the activities on the Legend, such as rock wall, mini golf, etc.

 

I guess I haven't helped too much, but at least added my 2 cents worth.

[Pixie Dust II]

My only experience is with Disney and have done it 7 times. Does that say enough! They are wonderful! We are afraid to try another cruise line because we have been so pleased with Disney.

[themiracleawaitsme]

i know what you mean. i have wnt on the miracle dec 5, 2005. but as a large group. try for a group. the miracle does alot for there groups. we enjoyed it alot. i had a 2 year old who tolks about it still. we are planninga disney cruise in november 2006. and it is more than our 7 day miracle cruise although it will be a 7 day disney too. i know that you will have a great time either way. just see who's all going and try to figure out what you want in a cruise. there are different things for everybody. the miracle is a party ship! if you want to party then let's party hardy. they partied every night. and soo on.... so just look into what you and what the other guest want in their cruise or vacation and try to get what you want for your value of your dollar because these cruises are getting more and more expensive everyday and you want to be happy with what you chose and make eveyone a happy cruiser!:D

[dkjretired]

I wouldn't limit myself to Tampa as if you head over to the east coast and look at Miami or Ft. Lauderdale, your options are expanded tremendously. Western Caribbean is a great choice with kids as there are many things for them to do. I would definitely look at something with the Cayman Islands and Stingray City which is a once in a lifetime experience. Ruins trips may be boring for the kids and strenuous for your mother as they tend to be very, very hot and a lot of walking. As someone else stated, check your priorities and see whats important. Do you want flexibility in eating or a more formal experience. Another point, on some cruise lines such as Royal Caribbean and Celebrity your 18 year old will be able to drink and gamble. This may be something you may or may not want to encourage. They are not the only lines that allow you to do so. I will say that having my choice of a four day cruise and a seven day cruise for the same price, is a no brainer, 7 days without question.

[roohound]

Based on the info you've given, if it's mostly for the 18 year old and based on the other factors, I would go with the Miracle or Legend of the Seas.

 

However, if you decide it's more for the younger ones, I may lean toward Disney.

 

My first 3 cruises were on DCL and we loved them (we went as adults only). But, pricewise you can do a lot better elsewhere. (for example, we can take a 7 night cruise on a Princess ship in a minisuite for $800-$1000 less than a DCL balcony)

 

We did the Veendam cruise out of Tampa, and being a fellow ruins lover, if it was just you, I'd say take that. But if you have young ones with you, I can almost guarantee they'd be bored out of their gourd.

 

JMHO :)

[SolitaryPhoenix]

Thanks a lot, everybody ~ you've given me much great information, and I appreciate it. :D I think I've narrowed myself down to the Miracle and Disney. It's a tough choice ~ I want to do both, but I can't! Basically, I can afford one halfway-decent vacation a year, so it's one or the other. They're both beautiful ships. They both have good stuff for kids. I just got an email back from Carnival that they do have accommodations for 5, but I need to call them about it [which irritates me - I'd rather be able to do the research online first!]. Disney's category 4, of course, accommodates 5. I figure on the 'ruins' tour, I could ask my mom to keep the younger ones, and they could go on another excursion they'd all like, and I could take my niece with me. I like the idea of my first cruise being smaller, with at least one day at sea, plus there's less ports to have to spend money in :o but I'd love to see all the foreign, exotic places I've never been to - I've never been out of the country! [sigh] I am having a really tough time with this. Every logical bone in my body is telling me it makes more sense to get a 7-night cruise if it's the same price as a 4-nighter, but I wish there was more than just one really good reason not to pick one, because the impulsive side of brain is battling it out with logic. Impulse may just win out, too. :rolleyes:

[Scout and Jeff]

I have been on both the Miracle and the Disney Wonder. Here is another thing to think about. Only a few of the shows at night were suitable for children on the Miracle. On the Wonder, our kids went to the shows with us as they were Disney productions. The shows were a lot on the Wonder, I might add.

 

You will enjoy either, like others have said they are quite different. I thing that really bothered me on the Miracle was that we had to walk through the smoky casino to get to the dining room. I guess they wanted be stop people on the way out of the dining room to toss a few coins in the machines. There is no casino on the Wonder.

 

I noticed a lot more smokers on the Miracle. Also, I found the staff not as professional.

 

I have been on 2 RCCL, 1 Norwegian, the Miracle and the Wonder, with the Miracle being my least fav. Personally, I will never step on another Carnival ship, but it is because I notice all the little things they do poorly. If the Miracle was my first cruise, I may see things differently.

 

Saying that, many, many people love Carnival!

[SolitaryPhoenix]

I have been on both the Miracle and the Disney Wonder. Here is another thing to think about. Only a few of the shows at night were suitable for children on the Miracle. On the Wonder, our kids went to the shows with us as they were Disney productions. A lot better than the Miracle, I might add.

 

You will enjoy either, like others have said they are quite different. I thing that really bothered me on the Miracle was that we had to walk through the smoky casino to get to the dining room. I guess they wanted be stop people on the way out of the dining room to toss a few coins in the machines. There is no casino on the Wonder.

 

I noticed a lot more smokers on the Miracle. Also, I found the staff not as professional.

 

Hmmm, all good points. I don't gamble [other than lotto once in awhile!] or smoke, and the focus of this cruise is definitely going to be on my niece and kids. Maybe sticking to Disney for my first real ocean cruise wouldn't be a bad thing. [sigh] I'll probably go back and forth about five more times; good thing the cruise isn't till 2007. :rolleyes: Thanks. :)

[Scout and Jeff]

I am sure you will have a great time because it is your first cruise! It will be a blast. I hope I didn't confuse you! One thing to mention is if you choose Disney the 2007 rates will be out in August, the sooner you book the cheaper it will be. Also, I think you said there were 5 of you, if so, it is significantly cheaper to go with 2 inside or even ocean view cabins than a cabin that holds 5 people (those are really costly). Price it out both ways. A good TA will help you with this. Two cabins = two bathrooms and if you book early, you this early, you are sure to get two adjoining rooms.

 

Good luck. I will be glad to answer any more questions for you. There is a lot of good Disney info on the disboards.com, just find the link to Disney cruise. Much more active than this one.

[SolitaryPhoenix]

I am sure you will have a great time because it is your first cruise! It will be a blast. I hope I didn't confuse you! One thing to mention is if you choose Disney the 2007 rates will be out in August, the sooner you book the cheaper it will be. Also, I think you said there were 5 of you, if so, it is significantly cheaper to go with 2 inside or even ocean view cabins than a cabin that holds 5 people (those are really costly). Price it out both ways. A good TA will help you with this. Two cabins = two bathrooms and if you book early, you this early, you are sure to get two adjoining rooms.

 

Good luck. I will be glad to answer any more questions for you. There is a lot of good Disney info on the disboards.com, just find the link to Disney cruise. Much more active than this one.

 

Thank you! :) I was actually wondering when I'd be able to find 2007 rates. I usually have AAA help me with any significant travel plans; would it be better to go through a cruise TA? Someplace I saw that you can get good rates on southwest.com, and the prices there do seem to be less than the official sites for either Carnival or Disney. I checked on disboards.com, and there's a lot of info, but you have to be real fast; as you said there's a lot of activity over there!

[Scout and Jeff]

You are welcome. I would check the prices at all these places, cruise quick dot com. www.allseastravel.com,www.micdan.com, www.dreamsunlimited.com, www.themouseforless.com, all these places will be lower than the Disney website.

 

Like I said, the sooner you book, the cheaper your rate. You would have to put down a $250 deposit per person at the time, but it is totally refundable up until final payment (I think 75 days out).

[dkjretired]

Another point before you decide, find a good travel agent and make a visit. You may pay a little more, maybe not but it is worth it to have professional advice. A good TA may supply you with options that you may not have thought of by just researching on the internet. Also, in the event of a problem I have read of too many times where internet agencies are almost useless.

[TheWog]

Beauty of the ship, service received and top notch private island. If these are things you want, then Disney is the one for you. You have some real decisions to make.... at least they are these kind of decisions. Good luck to you. :)

[SolitaryPhoenix]

Thank you all so much; you've give me so much info - I really appreciate it! :)