Need a cruise line recommendation.

[papa deuce]

Three years ago we took our one and only cruise with our family, and we were on Carnival. My kids were 11 then. They will be 15 in the summer of 2016. We were told here, that Carnival was a great choice because of the age of our kids. And, it was. We all liked it and had no issues at all.

 

But this time we want to be on a cruise that is a little bit more "grown up"..... still fun for my kids who will be 15, but not so many little kids.

 

Also, my wife and I REALLY like to dance to music from the 60's - 90's, and would love to be on a ship that has that at least 2x during a 7 day cruise.

 

We are east coasters, and would likely depart from Miami.

 

Last time we saw St. Thomas, Bahamas, Tortola. and Antigua.

 

I don't know if there are cruise that do different islands, but still in that same general area, but if there are, we would likely do that cruise.

 

Thanks!

[SuiteTraveler]

I would do either of these lines:

 

Royal Caribbean Cruise Line:

Quantum, Oasis or Freedom class ships

 

Norwegian Cruise Line:

Epic

Getaway

Escape

 

Both of these offer lots for teens and lots for adults.

 

Miami and Ft. Lauderdale are really close together, so you should consider ships going out of either of these ports. The Ft. Lauderdale cruise port is a bit nicer than Miami, btw, but both are good. Also, it is often cheaper to fly into FLL instead of MIA.

 

Let me add this, NCL feels more like a Las Vegas Casino Resort hotel with a water park and full scale water slides. It reminds me of the Aria Hotel and Casino to a great extent by decor and design with the casino at the heart of the ship and all the restaurants and shops around this.

 

RCCL feels more like a large theme park with neighborhoods. Their specialty is large scale acrobat/diving/ice skating shows.

 

Both lines also feature a Broadway show. NCL features Cirque du Soleil. RCCL has a comedy club with well known standup comedians. NCL has Second City Improv. Both lines have lost of entertainment and lots of great specialty restaurants. NCL has the better spa and far better suites and the better, more comprehensive buffet. RCCL has the solarium (adults only). Both have great teen clubs and plenty for your kids to do.

Edited November 12, 2015 by SuiteTraveler

[05mak05]

I'd definitely pick Royal Caribbean! You will not be disappointed. We like the Western Caribbean itinerary and especially those that include the ports of Cozumel and Costa Maya. We avoid Jamaica. You children would probably enjoy Grand Cayman, too, as the Stingray Tour with Captain Marvin gets rave reviews. (See the port section of this board.)

[KKB]

(I cannot comment on NCL)

 

But I DO recommend RCCL--but ONLY Oasis, Allure or Anthem. Our teens said our Adventures of the Seas cruise was fine (but it was our least fav cruise as adults)...but they would have LOVED our Allure cruise. There is SO SO much to do--for everyone.

[papa deuce]

I'd definitely pick Royal Caribbean! You will not be disappointed. We like the Western Caribbean itinerary and especially those that include the ports of Cozumel and Costa Maya. We avoid Jamaica. You children would probably enjoy Grand Cayman, too, as the Stingray Tour with Captain Marvin gets rave reviews. (See the port section of this board.)

 

We did that on our first cruise and my daughter was terrified, and my wife was not so fond of it, as she can't swim, and my daughter was clinging to her. :eek:

[Keith1010]

Time of year and itinerary will affect how many kids are on board.

 

You might like RCI but there will still be a lot of young ones on board depending on the time of year.

 

Keith

[Grandma Dazzles]

I second Royal Caribbean Oasis or Freedom class out of Florida. Fort Lauderdale or Port Canaveral. RC is a very family oriented cruise line - there will be younger kids too, but plenty to do for all ages.

[papa deuce]

Time of year and itinerary will affect how many kids are on board.

 

You might like RCI but there will still be a lot of young ones on board depending on the time of year.

 

Keith

 

Well, I guess I assumed too much.... 2016, summer, when the kids are out of school.

:D

[05mak05]

I do not think children will be an issue on a Royal Caribbean cruise. The ships are so big with such a spacious feel that you never even notice little ones. We've cruised during Christmas break, in the spring and summer and have never had problems at all with any of the age groups.