helpful advice needed... please

[wylie67]

Seeking any type of advice and/or tips... please help with any type of suggestions...

We're trying to find a suitable cruise for the four of us... includes 2 teenage sons ages 17 & 14.

We plan to sail around the second week of December (caribbean) departing from florida..

thank you so much for any type of comments/advice in advance....

[SuiteTraveler]

You didn't mention how much you want to spend, but given your son's ages, I would think they would like either RCCL or NCL - Epic, Getaway, Breakaway or Escape (not the older ships.) On RCCL, I would think the best ships would be either Quantum, Oasis or Freedom Class ships. All of these are newer ships and very "blinged out" with tons of entertainment and activities such as rock climbing, sports court, just lots to do for teen boys and for the parents it can be a luxury type cruise. RCCL has flow riders. NCL has full scale water slides - as many as 5 of them on the ships.

 

If you are extremely price sensitive, then I would also consider Carnival Magic, Vista, or Breeze.

 

If you have plenty of money, I would suggest you consider a The Haven Two bedroom Villa on NCL Epic, Getaway, Breakaway or Escape. On RCCL, I would suggest a Two bedroom family suite or a Aqua Theater Suite or a Loft Suite.

 

To save money, many families get 2 staterooms - one for the parents and one for the kids, sometimes adjoining or sometimes the kids get an inside across the hall from the parent's balcony. People who want to cruise as cheaply as possible will get an inside cabin and share it which is a lot like camping in an RV in terms of sleeping arrangements or get 2 insides - one for the parents and one for the kids.

 

What the best accommodations for your family will be really depends on your budget. BTW, unless you live in Florida, plan to fly in at least 24 hours prior to your cruise and spend the night at a hotel to make certain a travel delay doesn't cause you to miss your ship.

[OCruisers]

Whatever the ship/cruise line ... strongly consider getting two cabins. ;)

 

LuLu

[NMLady]

Keep in mind that in December many of the ships that usually cruise the Caribbean have been repositioned to Europe for several months.

You do have several ships to choose from, but not as many.

[Cruisin' Chick]

First, I would double check when the kids' school are out for winter break (sometimes there isn't much going on the last day or two on the second week, but school districts seem to be cracking down on even taking off before the break actually begins...and sometimes there's an exam or two still at that time).

 

Go to a travel agent (a cruise specialist would be best) that a friend, family member, co-worker has recommended...and have him/her do the research for you. Go in with the time frame and budget you have in mind. Be sure to pad in travel time (as suggested above, you should fly in a day or even more -- I take it you're coming from Ontario, Canada and not Ontario, California, so you need to take in account winter weather).

 

Winter seems to be a good time to go on a Caribbean cruise and there's plenty of cruise lines that sail the Caribbean itineraries. Many of these have a teen program so I wouldn't restrict myself to the two ones somebody listed. But if you go the third week of December, there'll be more teens on board.

[OCruisers]

The cruise lines that move their ships out of the Caribbean are back by November so there will be plenty of choices. ;)

 

LuLu

Edited May 31, 2015 by OCruisers

[GUT2407]

Maybe RCCL

 

Two cabins a must I think.

[MCC retired]

After Thanksgiving until before Christmas will have perhaps the best rates of

the year for cruising the Caribbean . All the ships are back from their summer itineraries and Cruise Lines are competing to fill their ships now .

OP needs to provide more details , especially budget , and with kids those ages , 2 cabins , if affordable , would be best.

Suggest to have Cruise Specialist TA help narrow the many,many choices by

qualifying you with the right questions .

[cruiserking]

Hello Wylie67,

 

New York is a closer plane ride from Ontario. Should you decide to head here you might consider

 

Royal Caribbean's brand new Anthem of the Seas which sails out of Bayonne, NJ.

 

We sailed sister ship Quantum and adored her, tons of things to do on board, rock climbing, bumper cars, game room, circus school tons more.

 

Anthem does a 7-day Bahamas cruise from Bayonne on December 19th with stops in Port Canaveral, Florida (Disney World/Universal Studios/Islands of Adventure Harry Potter) -

Nassau, Bahamas & CoCo Cay, Bahamas (Private Island). Balcony cabins running $1,185 per person.

 

Anthem does an 8-day Bahama Cruises from Bayonne on December 19th with the same port stops balcony prices running $1,699 per person.

 

 

The Norwegian Cruise Line's Breakaway sails 7-night Bahamas with almost identical itineraries, just a different private island stop.

 

December 13 - $839 balcony per person - $989 suite per person.

 

December 20 $1,249 balcony per person - $1,499 suite per person.

 

Have not cruised with NCL but, the Breakaway is a very new ship with a ton of on board activities to keep your sons busy. The prices are quite reasonable. I listed the suite prices because the standard balconies are very small, the standard suites are equivalent in size to standard balconies on most of the premium cruise lines.

 

Jonathan

Edited May 31, 2015 by cruiserking

[4x4bob]

And, depending on the cruise line, you may find that when making reservations for the two cabins you will have to list one adult and one kid in each cabin.

 

Bob