First Timers Overwhelmed with Options

[kraebloo]

Hello, everyone!

 

I am planning a cruise with family and friends for November 2017 or later. We know a little bit about what we are looking for, but we are overwhelmed with all of the options. We are pursuing the assistance of a local travel agent and a family acquaintance to help with additional planning, but we would like as much input as possible with which we can inform our decision. We value ship suggestions as well as suggestions for what itinerary to follow and what activities to engage in at each of the ports.

 

Here are some of our preferences and information about our travel party:

 

Ages: Early 20s to Late 60s, no children

Travel Destination: Western Caribbean

Cruise Length: 6-7 days (I would love to go longer but I've been vetoed!)

Activities: gambling, meeting new people, using the hot tub, music, Broadway style entertainment, late-night food/entertainment options, trying new foods, playing arcade games, exploring nature, shopping, learning about different cultures

 

Some other specifics are that one member of our travel party needs accessible accommodations due to mobility issues. We all have passport cards, but we are unsure of the validity of these for stops in Honduras, etc.

 

The lines that I have been focusing my attention on are: RCI, Norwegian, Princess, and Celebrity. We love the allure of the large ships due to the varied activities, but the older members of our travel party would like quieter settings with really good food options. The quality of the casino matters, as well (despite the odds)! Since this is our first cruise, we don't want to break the bank, but I personally wouldn't mind spending more for better accommodations.

 

We live in Pennsylvania, so cruises leaving out of Baltimore and New York are not off the table, but we wouldn't mind flying to one of the Southern ports to spend less time sailing and more time exploring the ports.

 

I would love to hear everyone's suggestions for ships and itineraries as we continue our search! Any first-time tips are welcomed, as well. I'll be searching the forums. :)

 

Thank you!

[easyboy]

Suggest the Regal Princess, Western Caribbean on Nov 5 or 19, 2017.

I am sure you will all love the ship's amenities.

[Essiesmom]

Cruises that visit the Western Caribbean for 7 days or less must leave from Florida or Gulf Coast ports. So New York is out. Out of Miami, Carnival Glory and Norwegian Getaway, Carnival Splendor, Regent Seven Seas Mariner... offer good itineraries. Escape is larger and newer and will offer more variety onboard. I could go on and on, but suggest you go to http://www.cruisetimetables.com and choose southern departure ports, then your dates, and see what ships are sailing to the Western Caribbean and their itineraries. Then go to the boards here for those cruise lines and ask the opinions of those regulars of the onboard product. EM

[MCC retired]

Western Caribbean , 7 days , as stated NY/NJ/Bal are out .

If cruising in the fall - spring , consider Tampa for its smaller ships, great airport and cruise terminals . HAL , CCL , NCL and RCI all cruise from Tampa to the Western Caribbean.

[Pier290]

Celebrity! !! Outstanding! I've been on Princess, Norwegian, Carnival and it will be our 3rd on Celebrity in April. ....started cruising Celebrity in our mid 30s...fabulous food, service, super clean, modern sophisticated ship...LOVE LOVE LOVE Celebrity.

 

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[NMLady]

Accessible cabins are often booked a year or more in advance so since someone in your party needs one you need to make a decision ASAP and book the cruise. Even so, there might not be an accessible cabin available, especially in category desired.

[Cruiseswithfamilyornot]

Of the four cruise lines you are focused in on, Royal and Norwegian definitely cater more to families and Princess and Celebrity more adults(though there will be some familiies). The Royal and Norwegian ships have water slides, rock climbing walls, and other things that will attract more children. Both Princess and Celebrity are great lines, you can't go wrong with either. The one issue I would mention to you is see when the ships were last dry docked which means the last time they were "freshened up". Ships that were more recently dry docked tend to be in better condition, and those that were last dry docked 4 years before(ships are usually dry docked every 5 years) will look older. I would focus on the time you want to go and itineraries for both...then look at what the shore excursions/options would be and which you would prefer to go on.

[janetz]

Regal Princess or Celebrity. :)

[made in canada]

When I was planning my first cruise (3 yrs ago) I went to youtube and watched several different posts that people posted of ship tours. I really like Royal Caribbean. Great food and I can always find a quiet place if I want to get away. Never felt crowded and found crew exceptional.

[OCruisers]

Princess would meet your needs nicely. :)

[SuiteTraveler]

I agree with the Regal Princess. That would be ideal for your situation. Book now and don't look back, you are going to have an amazing cruise. PS: there is no law that says you cannot do a back-to-back cruise and stay onboard and extra week or even change cruise lines and spend an extra week on another ship. A lot of people do that and it's a lot fun! I suspect everyone will regret that this is only a 1 week cruise. Do bring Bonine along in case anyone gets seasick (fairly unlikely in the Caribbean) and also, it is better to book cabins in the middle third of the ship to avoid motion. DO get balcony cabins at least. Have a wonderful time!

[LA_CA_GAL]

Look at RCI's Allure and Oasis.

 

Been there, done them, loved them. Has something for everyone.