Want to try a new cruiseline

[LRY229]

We are getting ready to cruise Princess for the 1st time in a few weeks. I am platinum on Carnival and diamond on RCCL so obviously I really like both lines. I was also just looking for a change - I am mid 50s traveling with no children so that may make a difference.

 

One thing I did learn after I booked my cruise thru Princess is that Princess still allows travel agents to discount unlike CCL and RCCL. So when you are looking at prices check the big online travel agents - I could have booked a balcony for only $40 more than my inside. Lesson learned.

 

We also cruised on the NCL Dawn 5 years ago and had a great time. The ship was beautiful.

 

I hope you find something that fits your needs.

Edited October 25, 2014 by LRY229

[princessa]

The problem is that the OP lives in Toronto and can't take advantage of last minute price drops that all of you Floridians can get. That's the problem with having to fly to the port instead of being able to drive to it.

 

Yes exactly. That also adds to the overall price of the vacation. If I didn't have to fly I would not mind paying more for the cruise.

 

But since we are addicted to cruising we have to find low prices to able able to cruise twice a year hopefully:D

 

We have driven to Baltimore port a couple of times to save flight costs but there are no large ships leaving from that port. I think NCL does leave out of Boston and I will check that out. We can probably drive to that port as well.

 

I think if I lived in Florida I would cruise all the time. I can imagine there are some great last minute deals.

 

I am counting the days till I am back on a ship.

[Midwestgal]

We're cruising RC Allure in Feb 2016 as we too are looking to expand.

[islandatsea]

The problem is that the OP lives in Toronto and can't take advantage of last minute price drops that all of you Floridians can get. That's the problem with having to fly to the port instead of being able to drive to it.

 

The price for my cruise was not a last minute sale price. That rate was bought one month and a half before the cruise left. I do know the OP does not live in Florida where we do get last minute savings but the cruise we mentioned was NOT a last minute sale. Airfare does add to the total cost of the cruise but with any cheaper cabin rate, it makes the total cost of a cruise less, unless we are mistaken. Additional airfare is a given even for us if we want to go on a cruise to Alaska but still want to get the best possible price for a cabin therefore reducing total cost for any cruise.

 

Just trying to give some suggestions on how to watch for cheaper rates instead of you thinking that all of us "Floridians" always book last minute sale prices.

[Rogueperson]

From Toronto, you have access to Baltimore (a bit of a drive, i've done it), NYC, Boston, and Bayonne.

 

From these four ports, you have access to NCL, Royal Caribbean, and Celebrity as well as Carnival.

 

NCL is comparable to Carnival with "fun" in my opinion. My experience with NCL is quite dated, but that is my impression. Royal Caribbean has differences, but some like those differences, and others not so much. I feel Royal Caribbean is a more sedate cruising experience as oppose to Carnival even though RC has more amenities. Celebrity is nice, but more elegant in my opinion over Royal Caribbean.

 

If you haven't done the other lines, I would highly recommend trying it. But if you're strapped for cash, it may not be worth it for you at this time. The "value" of these cruises is totally dependent on your experience.

Edited October 25, 2014 by Rogueperson

[Cruise life]

Thank you for all the good tips and information. I will keep looking and hopefully I will find something soon.

 

 

 

Seems like NCL and princess are well liked and I will focus on those 2 lines.

 

Does anyone know what kind of crowd celebrity has?

 

 

 

Thanks,

 

 

We cruised on Celebrity to Bermuda when I was pregnant and our oldest was 11. There were not many children and it was definitely an older crowd. Being pregnant, I wasn't looking for the party atmosphere so it was a perfect match. We actually won that cruise and almost didn't get to go because of the pregnancy (flying with twins at around 18 weeks). Bermuda was amazing -pink sand!- and the cruise itself was great- absolutely no complaints with service, food, etc. I would definitely cruise with Celebrity again.

 

 

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[firemanbobswife]

Thank you for all the good tips and information. I will keep looking and hopefully I will find something soon.

 

 

 

Seems like NCL and princess are well liked and I will focus on those 2 lines.

 

Does anyone know what kind of crowd celebrity has?

 

 

 

Thanks,

 

 

My boys actually prefer Celebrity to Carnival (with the exception of no Chocolate Melting Cake). There are less kids which means less crowding in the kids area.

 

Also they say the children are "More well behaved on Celebrity". Don't shoot the messenger - that was their observation and a direct quote from my youngest on our first Solstice cruise.

 

My boys enjoy dressing up for formal night, and always wear khakis and a button up shirt for dinner. They like the more formal atmosphere and don't need to be entertained with a bunch of organized activities and would rather spend the day and night socializing with a small group.

 

Ping pong tournaments within the XClub on Celebrity were a big hit. I will say that the counsellors on there were awesome. There was one guy that remembered them from a few years back even though he got promoted to a different department, he made sure to come up and join in the festivities. They made a few close friends which they still talk to.

 

It is just a different, more relaxing atmosphere. If your kids want to be kept constantly busy, or like larger crowds, then Celebrity may not be a good fit. But if they prefer to be in a smaller, tight knit group that will be happy without mini golf, water slides, etc., then I would give Celebrity a shot. I love Carnival for what it is, but Celebrity is my favorite by far.

[SNJCruisers]

The price for my cruise was not a last minute sale price. That rate was bought one month and a half before the cruise left. I do know the OP does not live in Florida where we do get last minute savings but the cruise we mentioned was NOT a last minute sale. Airfare does add to the total cost of the cruise but with any cheaper cabin rate, it makes the total cost of a cruise less, unless we are mistaken. Additional airfare is a given even for us if we want to go on a cruise to Alaska but still want to get the best possible price for a cabin therefore reducing total cost for any cruise.

 

Just trying to give some suggestions on how to watch for cheaper rates instead of you thinking that all of us "Floridians" always book last minute sale prices.

A cruise bought 1 1/2 months ahead of time IS considered last minute for those of us that have to fly to Florida. If we are cruising during a popular time of the year, then airfare has to be purchased 6+ months ahead of time, even longer if you're cruising over major holidays.

 

I also never stated nor implied that Floridians always book last minute sale prices, only that you are able to take advantage of them because 9 times out of 10, those that have to fly into the port and purchase airfare, even 6 weeks out, are unable to get a great rate on the airfare.

[Tapi]

All you Carnival cruisers that have cruised other lines, are we missing out?

 

YES! Even if you love Carnival, it's so enjoyable to try different cruise lines. We sailed exclusively on Carnival for 9 sailings and it started getting REALLY old. So we decided to try new cruise lines and destinations. Since then, we've sailed on Royal Caribbean, back to Carnival, to Holland America, to Royal Caribbean to Princess. We now have our eyes on Celebrity, Norwegian, and Disney!

Yes.........sometimes you can cruise on Princess & be cheaper than Carnival.

That was our experience last month. Golden Princess out of Los Angeles was approx. $130pp cheaper than a similar sailing on Carnival. And the experience was truly phenomenal. It was truly special.

 

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Edited October 26, 2014 by Tapi

[princessa]

YES! Even if you love Carnival, it's so enjoyable to try different cruise lines. We sailed exclusively on Carnival for 9 sailings and it started getting REALLY old. So we decided to try new cruise lines and destinations. Since then, we've sailed on Royal Caribbean, back to Carnival, to Holland America, to Royal Caribbean to Princess. We now have our eyes on Celebrity, Norwegian, and Disney!

 

That was our experience last month. Golden Princess out of Los Angeles was approx. $130pp cheaper than a similar sailing on Carnival. And the experience was truly phenomenal. It was truly special.

 

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Wow! I have my eye on a few cruises now and I will wait for a sale. I have signed up for offers as suggested and I will keep my fingers crossed it all falls in to place.

 

Problem is that I now want to try all of them;) That is my new goal after reading all these posts. They all sound great and I can see my family enjoying them all.

[David148]

Princess!! My 2nd favorite cruiseline. Alot like Carnival but a little more refined but still relaxed. Did not like NCL at all.

[pe4all]

After Disney, we went to CCL for 15 cruises in a row. Needed a change, so tried NCL, (Breakaway) and loved it! New food, new entertainment, new ropes course, new water slides! Then tried RCCL FOS for a Christmas cruise. Was nice, but not what we expected. (food meh, imho) Went back to CCL for a Feb. cruise, then back to NCL (Gem) for a summer cruise, and can't wait to try the NCL Epic this Christmas. Then Feb. back to CCL for cruise #17 on them. We are trying different ships on NCL cause we found that we liked the freestyle concept of eating, and experiencing the different entertainment. If you are coming from Toronto, and want to go to NY, I would recommend the NCL Breakaway. They have larger family-type cabins, and with the water slides, spray park, ropes course, spider climb, etc., can't go wrong with kids! And "Burn the Floor" and "Rock of Ages" were pretty good, too!

[Orison]

Hi All,

 

I would like to start by saying that I absolutely love CCL and have sailed them almost exclusively with one RCI exception which was pretty similar in my opinion.

 

I really want to try a new line just for a new experience but they are all so much more expensive that I can't afford them:(

 

We are a family of 5 so two rooms are needed and I recently have become addicted to balcony rooms which makes matters worse.

 

All you Carnival cruisers that have cruised other lines, are we missing out? and if we are, which cruiseline do you think we should try?

 

I appreciate all your feedback:)

 

Thanks,

 

Everyone should try Disney just once. Do what you need to afford it (I.E., sail off season, IS room, etc), but they are NOT to be missed.

 

Or go on a sophomore RCCL cruise.

[deborahjo]

I am sailing Princess next year to Alaska after 8 Carnival cruises. Just time for a change for us.

 

 

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[NOSaints1]

Really want to try Celebrity to either Alaska or Bermuda, NJ is about an hour flying time for us. Don't really want to sail NCL, lots to do but my DW don't want to sail NCL, not really into all the activities and more into relaxing.

 

 

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[ellasmomanddad]

Hi All,

 

I would like to start by saying that I absolutely love CCL and have sailed them almost exclusively with one RCI exception which was pretty similar in my opinion.

 

I really want to try a new line just for a new experience but they are all so much more expensive that I can't afford them:(

 

We are a family of 5 so two rooms are needed and I recently have become addicted to balcony rooms which makes matters worse.

 

All you Carnival cruisers that have cruised other lines, are we missing out? and if we are, which cruiseline do you think we should try?

 

I appreciate all your feedback:)

 

Thanks,

Just got off ncl breakaway. Entertainment was ok food is disgusting and they nickel and dime you for everything. I would never use them again cc advice was not what we experienced everyone who has something good to say, stays in the haven which we couldn't afford. in conclusion dont get fooled the everyday person on the ship complained all week and were justified in doing so.

[NOSaints1]

What do you have to pay for, I know the dp, what else do you pay for? I know Celebrity you pay for speciality restaurants, but even the MDR is excellent from what I hear.

 

 

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[ellasmomanddad]

Mdr was gross so every day you are better off paying for the specialty restaurants. Bingo 70$ pool table 5 bowling 5 ice cream 5 soda 54 for the week the boat is filled with kids so its another 100 just to get some quiet time 6 dollars for water the list goes on and on we didnt have too many cocktails and our bill was over 1000 at checkout without buying stuff in the duty free. They use cosco coffee and if you want it iced 5 dollars if you have children be prepared to spend atleast 2k just to entertain them

[NOSaints1]

That's crazy, I think if your gonna cruise the food should be decent w/o always having to pay for it.

 

 

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[ellasmomanddad]

They couldnt even cook an over easy egg

[firemanbobswife]

We never have paid for food on any of our cruises. I will say that Celebrity's MDR and buffet food is excellent and the cost is included. And right now they have a deal called 1-2-3 pick your perk. You can get OBC, a Classic Alcohol Package, or prepaid gratuities.

 

I would like to try Disney, but the price no matter when I look is still crazy. Plus no casino so hubby would be truly bored.

 

Royal Caribbean is on my eventual list. But I don't like the idea of having to pay for a burger at Johnny Rockets. Not a deal breaker, though.

[Sauer-kraut]

Mdr was gross so every day you are better off paying for the specialty restaurants. Bingo 70$ pool table 5 bowling 5 ice cream 5 soda 54 for the week the boat is filled with kids so its another 100 just to get some quiet time 6 dollars for water the list goes on and on we didnt have too many cocktails and our bill was over 1000 at checkout without buying stuff in the duty free. They use cosco coffee and if you want it iced 5 dollars if you have children be prepared to spend atleast 2k just to entertain them

 

So, save money and don't play bingo. I think $5 for a game of bowling is reasonable and if you're not being forced to play, there is free ice cream in the buffet area, no need to pay for it, don't buy the bottled water use the ice bucket and tap water, its good.

 

I am just off the Breeze and it cost money to play the bingo, it cost extra to eat dinner in the Italian restaurant and the steak house or the japanese sushi place, it cost extra to have an espresso or other upscale coffee at the coffee bar, the gelato was expensive when it was only a short elevator ride up to the soft serve machine.

I didn't pay for the water that was offered in the dining room nor in the cabin at that was nearly $6 per 1.5 liter bottle so I don't see where you are thinking it costs more on NCL than Carnival.

Actually I don't think the food was all that spectacular on the Breeze either. I ate MDR every night and the steaks were flavorless, the shrimp were greasy the night I had them and I was underwhelmed with the chicken offering.

 

So in comparison there seems to be just as much nickle and diming on Carnival as on Norwegian.

[ellasmomanddad]

You got steak on carnival. It was never offered on ncl withought a 30$ dollar fee. There was 1 night they had a fillet in the mdr and an excutive chef called out ncl for using pot roast beef and calling it a fillet

[Sauer-kraut]

To the OP:

 

NCL will have a periodic Kids Sail Free offer, where passengers 3-6 will not have to pay a cruise fare, just port fees and taxes. You might want to keep your eyes open for something like that, you can get a family suite that way and not be paying a huge amount.

[crazycatlady82]

We are trying celebrity for the first time in April. An 8 day cruise on celebrity was cheaper than a 5 day in carnival! Unfortunately, carnival has done nothing to win our loyalty....we've had great times but it's time to try other lines.