First time with family....ideas out of Galveston?

[davidyal]

We're a family of 5 with three young kids (8, 6, 4) and want to do something last minute this summer

 

1. Any ideas which is a better fit out of Galveston- Carnival or Royal Carrib? Both seem wonderful.

 

2. Recommendations where to get a good deal at this point? The amount of websites out there promising best deals is overwhelming. The cruise company sites seem pretty good too. Costco too. Where to start?

 

 

Thanks.

[spookwife]

I only sail Royal now ( and occasionally Celebrity) but our very first cruise was on Carnival Pride.

 

Liked cruising, HATED Carnival.

 

Kids club programming is very similar between both lines.

 

if you are completely and utterly clueless get a Travel agent. we used that automobile club that is always listed first in the dictionary for our Carnival cruise.

 

we are now less concerned with getting the cheapest deal, and more concerned with having full control and paying a price we are content to pay, so we deal direct with Royal. the prices will be the same no mater which way you go. TAs get your business by providing perks and freebies. usually at the cost of part of their commission.

 

so decide which is most important: price, destination or on board amenities. then go from there.

 

with a family that large in many cases 2 cabins will be cheaper than one large one that holds you all. while you may have to BOOK an adult into each room, if you get connecting cabins( and you will want that with kids that young) you can easily switch round who sleeps where once on board.

[SuiteTraveler]

Of the ships cruising from Galveston, the top ones to consider are:

Carnival Magic (2011)

RCCL Navigator of the Seas (2002, REFURBISHED 2014)

Carnival Freedom (2007)

 

I eliminated Carnival Triumph (1999) because it is a much older ship and has had issues in the recent past.

http://www.cnn.com/2013/02/11/travel/cruise-ship-fire/

 

Of the three selected top ships sailing out of Galveston, your family would probably enjoy any of these. My suggestion is that you take a look at the ports for each of their various itineraries and select the itinerary you want. Then consider the price. Which is cheaper? Select the less expensive of the 3 ships based on itinerary and I believe you will have an excellent vacation. The 3 ships above are more similar than different, so I don't think you can really go wrong with any of them. Both RCCL and Carnival have great kids clubs and great areas for the kids onboard. Both lines have good food and good specialty restaurants for the adults to enjoy. Both lines have nice cabins which are almost identical. Both lines have all-inclusive drinks packages if you want them. Both lines have good shows and plenty to do onboard. If your wife likes spas, then I would give Carnival Magic an edge as it has spa cabins with free entry to the spa thermal suite - RCCL does not have a thalisotherapy pool or large thermal suite like Carnival Magic does.

 

In regards to pricing, we are not allowed to mention travel agencies here. My recommendation is that you look at the price on each cruise line's website, then google "best price on cruises." Several travel agencies will pop up. Look at what each agency offers on the specific cruise you are interested in. Sometimes you get stuff like free cruise credit or free beverage packages. Compare the prices between the online travel agencies and the actual cruise line to find the best deal possible. It also pays to go to online Travel consolidation websites to see what specials they are featuring. Cruise prices vary day to day.

 

Not sure where you are in Texas, but you might want to drive down to Galveston a day ahead and spend the night in a hotel. So check online for a hotel if you need to do that as you will have to board around noon or so.

Edited June 22, 2015 by SuiteTraveler

[brn2crz]

We sail out of Galveston frequently. We keep trying to go with Carnival, but never se to pull the trigger. I sailed Carnival earlier in life. On their smaller ships and it was never a great experience. I love some of their newer ships, and we love water slides. But their over all layout is just not as hood as a Royal. We get some C&A perks with RCI so that helps keep us loyal. Carnival was almost 1000 cheaper for our family of three. So if cost is a huge factor , I'd say Carnival for sure. Both products are highly popular in Galveston and Booking this late out prices will be primo and selection limited for 5. I would try both a brick and mortar TA and through the lines directly. Both have their own needs to offer andy discounts. I would not try an online agency as they are going to be indifferent as to any discounts that might be available. Good luck.

[Cruisin' Chick]

We're a family of 5 with three young kids (8, 6, 4) and want to do something last minute this summer

 

1. Any ideas which is a better fit out of Galveston- Carnival or Royal Carrib? Both seem wonderful.

 

2. Recommendations where to get a good deal at this point? The amount of websites out there promising best deals is overwhelming. The cruise company sites seem pretty good too. Costco too. Where to start?

 

 

Thanks.

 

You should look for a cruise specialist (ask friends, families, co-workers for a recommendation of a TA they've liked who is knowledgeable about cruises). There's a rule on this website about not naming any agencies (CC takes in advertising from some agencies). In all honesty, I probably know more about cruises than some of those working at that place that is mentioned above -- even though I plan to go in this week to get a guide book about a road trip we're planning for this summer) and especially more than order takers for any of those online companies -- the ones you talk to may have never been on a cruise ship, much less seen an ocean).

 

I haven't been on a RC ship, but I imagine between those two lines, there should be plenty of kids for yours to play with, and plenty of fun to be had in the kids' programs (my daughter was on three Carnival cruises between 23 months and 4 years of age and had lots of fun).

 

The big obstacle for you is finding a cruise that hasn't been sold out at this late date (any cruise before late August). When you start adding a specific embarkation port, the number of cruises will go down (since it's hurricane season in the Caribbean, many lines go elsewhere to Alaska or Europe so with fewer cruises, these will get booked early).

[Krazy Kruizers]

Welcome to Cruise Critic.

I would go with Royal Caribbean.

Check out Family Cruises at this link:

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/forumdisplay.php?f=49

[Keith1010]

Here is the problem.

 

We don't know you.

 

Many are giving their opinion.

 

But if we all had the same opinion there would only be one or two cruise lines.

 

I would enlist the help of a TA. I would also read reviews about each ship. I would see how this matches up to what you and the family would enjoy and since we don't know you we can't be sure.

 

Also, take a look at Houston too. They have two other cruise lines that sail out of there and they are not too far from Galveston so that will give you some additional ships to look at.

 

Good luck with this and welcome to Cruise Critic.

 

Keith

[Essiesmom]

Here is the problem.

 

We don't know you.

 

Many are giving their opinion.

 

But if we all had the same opinion there would only be one or two cruise lines.

 

I would enlist the help of a TA. I would also read reviews about each ship. I would see how this matches up to what you and the family would enjoy and since we don't know you we can't be sure.

 

Also, take a look at Houston too. They have two other cruise lines that sail out of there and they are not too far from Galveston so that will give you some additional ships to look at.

 

Good luck with this and welcome to Cruise Critic.

 

Keith

 

Ah, but Keith...The OP wants to sail this summer, and those ships don't sail from Houston in the summer. EM

[JimAOk1945]

I suggest Royal Caribbean's Navigator of the Seas as well.