We need suggestions!

[jbuch02]

Thank you for clarifying the correct spelling and previous ownership of Oceania's 4 smaller ships LHT 28. They were never in Regent's Fleet as you point out. In an indirect way they were owned by Cruisinvest having taken ownership of some of them from Renaissance Cruise Line.

 

It is very difficult to actually sort out who owns and operates which ships and under which names in the Cruise Industry. In fact ........

 

"the company formerly known as P&O Princess continues to operate as a constituent of the Carnival Group, with executive control of the group's operations in the United Kingdom and Australia. Based at Carnival House in Southampton, Carnival plc provides executive control of P&O Cruises, P&O Cruises Australia, Cunard Line and Oceania, with additional responsibility for the UK sales and marketing of Princess Cruises."

 

Wiki is our friend. Thanks again for posting.

Edited February 29, 2016 by jbuch02

[LHT28]

Thank you for clarifying the correct spelling and previous ownership of Oceania's 4 smaller ships LHT 28. They were never in Regent's Fleet as you point out. In an indirect way they were owned by Cruisinvest having taken ownership of some of them from Renaissance Cruise Line.

 

yes I think they took them over when Ren when into bankruptcy in 2001

I am sure WiKi has all the details ;)

[Flatbush Flyer]

Oceania- you won't be disappointed.

[MicCanberra]

Go for a all/more inclusive type line.

[SuiteTraveler]

OK...so....WOW! I had no idea I would get so many responses. This was the first time I have used this forum...this is great!

These are the top things we are looking for in a "grown-up cruise"

1) Not a huge amount of kids on board (I am a teacher so I want some time away)

2) We have done the Western Caribbean 3 times on Disney. I have no desire to go back to Cozumel! Something Eastern Caribbean or Southern is preferred.

3) We want a relaxed but sophisticated atmosphere. Our days will be spent lounging and reading on the sundeck. NO LOUD RAP OR HIP HOP MUSIC! Experienced that on Carnival a few years ago...won't do that again!

4) We love fine dinning but rarely get to experience it. The few culinary presentations and workshops I was able to do on Disney were fun and interesting. I would love to do more of that.

5) We don't "party", so late night dancing or a club experience is not important.

6) As for a casino, we could take it or leave it.

 

Yep, we are pretty boring.

 

In terms of the mass market cruise lines, Celebrity or Princess would fit the bill. IMO, the age demographic on HAL is too old for you. But I also think maybe since it is just you and your husband, you should consider some of the slightly more upscale lines with smaller ships such as Azamara, Silversea, Windstar, Regent and Crystal. These will have far fewer children onboard and the food is better. Another thought I had was that you might enjoy a river cruise in Europe such as along the Rhine or Danube - I've been on Uniworld's SS Antoinette and it was a fantastic cruise - however, it is more programmed than your typical mass market cruise but the food is substantially better and alcohol is included. Here is an article about these various cruise lines:

http://www.cruisecritic.com/articles.cfm?ID=5

[cruiseapril]

Agree with a suggestion of HAL, Princess, or Celebrity.

 

There are many good Eastern cruises on those lines to choose from.

Southern cruises are our favorites, but they tend to be longer on those lines.

 

Have fun choosing and planning.

[MNgardens]

You sound like you would be good candidates for Windstar or SeaDream.

[Warm Breezes]

Sometimes we have to factor how complicated the tax return or the cruise booking.

 

If a couple knows what ship they want, when they want to sail, no big deal. Call the cruise line or book on line. Easy.

 

If there is a family group or friends and maybe there are 20 people involved...... let a TA link all the bookings and make the arrangements.

 

If you have a simple tax return, no big deal.

If you run a business and have lots of deductions, there are reasons accountants go to school, take exams and get licensed to do that work for those who require their assistance.

 

 

JMO ....

 

lol....I am an Accounting Manager at a manufacturing company. It always amazes how many people ask me questions about their personal taxes and if I could help with their tax returns. I can do my own but I would never even attempt to do someone else's (besides my kids who are on the 1040 EZ). I had 1 class in personal taxes in 1986 in college. I tell them they need to talk to someone who is trained to do what they are asking, who could easily find the answers they are seeking and that is not me.

 

Our first 2 cruises we took with friends who handled everything through a travel agent (they were seasoned cruisers, we were newbies). After that I took over the planning for our cruises and found I could do much better research on my own and get much better deals. The information is out there you just need to be willing to do the research (just like with taxes I guess).

 

OP we have done 3 adult cruises so far without our kids and the one we took for 25th Anniversary was the best fit demographically for us as a couple. It was in Oct on the NCL Jewel out of New Orleans. The majority of the people seemed to be our age (mid to late 40's) with the kids left behind.

[MicCanberra]

Celebrity may be a good fit.

[kimlovesfl]

If you are looking for relaxing I would look at Princess. If you are looking for adventure/excitement I would look at Royal Caribbean or one of NCL's mega ships.

 

Edit: I just read your update. Princess and Celebrity sound like a good fit for you.

 

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

Agreed, we've cruised both and love both. We don't have kids and I don't want to be around a lot of them on vacation, and neither of these lines have a lot of kids if you can cruise when schools AREN'T on vacation, but even if you do, it won't be like Disney.

 

Celebrity, IMO has better food, and Princess has better activities and entertainment. Both have great itineraries to the eastern and southern Caribbean; Princess is usually a tad cheaper. Compare prices, ships, and itineraries and go from there.

[MicCanberra]

Agreed, we've cruised both and love both. We don't have kids and I don't want to be around a lot of them on vacation, and neither of these lines have a lot of kids if you can cruise when schools AREN'T on vacation, but even if you do, it won't be like Disney.

 

Celebrity, IMO has better food, and Princess has better activities and entertainment. Both have great itineraries to the eastern and southern Caribbean; Princess is usually a tad cheaper. Compare prices, ships, and itineraries and go from there.

 

If given the option on X go with the S class ship rather than the M class. Much more modern décor and feel about it.

[halifaxcruising]

As others have said I would recommend Celebrity and Cunard. The other main stream lines will have a large amount of kids on board in Feb. Parents no longer wait for March Break to take their kids out of school for a vacation, being a teacher I realize you know this. We have cruised on the above mentioned as well as RCI, and Princess. Our likes are very similar to yours, however we cruise spring and fall as the Caribbean is not our thing. Good luck, I am sure you will love which ever you choose.

[!MSteacher]

Thank you for your input, the details you were incorrect on were not an issue for me. I still found your input helpful!

 

Thank you for clarifying the correct spelling and previous ownership of Oceania's 4 smaller ships LHT 28. They were never in Regent's Fleet as you point out. In an indirect way they were owned by Cruisinvest having taken ownership of some of them from Renaissance Cruise Line.

 

It is very difficult to actually sort out who owns and operates which ships and under which names in the Cruise Industry. In fact ........

 

"the company formerly known as P&O Princess continues to operate as a constituent of the Carnival Group, with executive control of the group's operations in the United Kingdom and Australia. Based at Carnival House in Southampton, Carnival plc provides executive control of P&O Cruises, P&O Cruises Australia, Cunard Line and Oceania, with additional responsibility for the UK sales and marketing of Princess Cruises."

 

Wiki is our friend. Thanks again for posting.

[jbuch02]

Thanks, !MSTeacher ....... I'm glad you found my post useful. Just in case you are honing in on a Celebrity or Princess cruise, here are some thoughts for you:

 

While the S class ships (Solstice, Equinox, Eclipse and Reflection) are newer, The M class ships (Millennium, Constellation, Summit, Infinity) are priced lower and, in my view, just as pleasing.

 

S class ships have a lot of engineering improvements that you won't "see" but provide for an improved shipboard environment (more space, although cabins are not appreciably bigger, better and more uniform ventilation/cooling throughout the ship, a big upgrade to reliability and operating efficiency in the engines and electrical systems to mention a few). One thing I do notice in the S class ships is the layout of the Ocean Café (buffet dining) is much more diner friendly. Just has a better lay-out.

 

Another Poster made a good recommendation on the Royal Princess but, as I said, I've never sailed Princess Line.

 

I did a little shopping for you: Summit has a 5d itinerary out of SJPR but no 7d ones in your time from. I can't recommend a 5d ..... its too short for your first go and it's in March not February, 2017.

 

Royal Princess and Celebrity Reflection both offer 7d itineraries out of Fort Lauderdale and Miami to the Southern Caribbean respectively. I can't link you to web sites I'm looking at because of the board restrictions on doing that. Celebrity Reflection, right now, is priced considerably less than Royal Princess. Perks are better too. You can see these cruises on the respective company web sites or email me for more detail on pricing ..... my shopping secrets.

Edited March 1, 2016 by jbuch02

[MicCanberra]

I would cruise on the Reflection before the Royal anyway, I feel that X and Princess are very similar but X is slightly ahead in some regards and way ahead in others. The only thing Princess beats X on is the Pizza.:D