Caribbean ship opinions

[Jzx1103]

Thank you all! Sorry for the delayed response, as you noticed I'm west coast (AZ). We are okay flying anywhere to embark out of, but FL is probably easiest. East coast is fine as well as we tend to enjoy a little cold weather every now and then.

 

My first Carnival cruise was less than a year after my RC cruise and I just felt the caliber and class was seriously lacking.

 

The Carnival cruise my husband and I went on that was disappointing was the Miracle in 2010 over Christmas. We did not like all the kids running around (now, this could have been because of the time of year?), the lack of Christmas decorations (obviously no deal breaker, but I had expected it to be decked out), the food was mediocre, the ship didn't feel very nice, the staff didn't seem to go above and beyond... I'm not sure, we just really weren't impressed.

I think we're probably looking for something newer, nicer, and something we can feel a bit spoiled on. We like St. Regis type experiences where the service is top notch along with the amenities. We don't need to be overly entertained, but definitely want some things to do. We'd probably like to lounge by the pools, eat, eat, eat, see some evening shows, play some ping pong, go into port, etc. I doubt we'd take advantage of things like rock climbing, ice skating, and wave surfing since we will have the baby.

 

I'm not too worried about the baby as we'd be unlikely to leave him in child care. I do appreciate the point about having a pool that allows swim diapers as we'd definitely want to take him in a pool.

 

Hmmm sounds like you should try celebrity cruise lines.

[Joe12]

I prefer the Radiance Class ships, which includes the Brilliance that you've already tried and the Jewel that's on your list. For me, they're the perfect size and layout. They've also been updated over the years, and still seem very "fresh" in that regard.

 

They've got all the good basics, pools, restaurant options and shows. But you avoid the more gimmicky things like ice rinks, surf machines and sky diving tubes. So you're still getting a more traditional cruise experience, but on a very beautiful ship IMO.

 

I actually agree there, as while I usually recommend the large ships, the extra amenities will be of little use for a young child, and to avoid lots of kids, a Radiance Class is your best bet!

[molsonschooner]

I would strongly recommend to stay away from Oasis-class ships as they are not really what makes a cruise-ship great!

 

They are just an amusement park and you do not need to be on a ship to have that!

 

They are for people that are not really into cruising on the ocean but just need to be entertained 24/7.

 

Pooldeck is crowded becuase of the cut-outs that take a lot of space away and the boardwalk and central park are useless and nothing we would need on a ship!

 

For a nice ship experience with a lot of wow I would recommend

 

Freedom, Liberty or Adventure.

 

 

 

And you think the pool deck on Freedom class ship is not crowded

 

 

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[Biker19]

It will be very difficult to bring DH into the cruising fold with the baby along. Take one of the 4 day weekend cruises in Jan on Indy without the baby. That or a 5 day Navigator (same early Jan) - you can have a balcony for about $500 pp.Brilliance out of Tampa would also work. By late Feb you start running into spring break crowds. As others have mentioned, lower your expectations a bit from that 2003 Brilliance sailing.

[lovelife]

I also suggest Oasis class for the wow factor. I definitely avoid March cruises as the spring breakers take over. January/February out of Florida is ideal for me. Whatever you choose, I hope you have a wonderful sailing. Be sure and come back and let us know what you decided!

[SG65CB]

If Grand Cayman is important then that narrows down the choices. But I took a cruise where Grand Cayman was the featured stop for me, we pulled into the harbor at 8 A.M., the captain announced that the water was too rough to run the tenders to shore, and we pulled back out of the harbor. It turned into an extra sea day. I guess that's the danger of a tender port and I learned my lesson.

[Spurschick]

The new MSC ship looks like a lot of WOW factor I'm on her in March 2018. They have lots of different cabins to choose from too.

 

Don't rule out NCL either. You can often get your drinks included too. I especially like the Boardwalk on the Getaway, lovely to sit have a drink or ice-cream and watch the world go by. Baby in stroller, lovely. They have great shows too.

 

Seeing as you are bringing baby too I would look in to baby sitting services too. Also remember to look in to pool conditions, a lot of them don't allow babies in dipers.

 

Have fun anyway

 

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I agree the Seaside looks awesome. We cancelled our liberty cruise and booked Seaside instead. Better cabin, drinks package, Internet included , obc and for roughly what we were paying on Liberty for less included. Some of the features on the ship seem really well thought out. They even have a kids only buffet!

 

 

As far as things to do are concerned we are looking forward to some fun and innovative features and some different things to do onboard.

 

 

OP whilst not sailed Seaside yet, I would recommend at least considering for your list.

 

Added: just read your other post. Children under 2 I believe are free except for taxes on MSC. You could more than likely get Yacht Club room on Seaside for less than Oasis class. Private restaurant and private pool area for YC guests, butler etc. there is also a kids pool area just outside the YC area.

 

Hope that helps.

Edited June 12, 2017 by Spurschick

[rukkian]

From what you list, I would definitely look at the Jewel. Going out of San Juan gets you port intensive southern carribean (usually 5 ports) on a 7 day. If you don't go a peak time, San Juan and the Jewel will also have almost no kids. We went in February this year, and there might have been 20-30 kids total on the boat. We spent 3 days pre cruise and 1 day post cruise in San Juan.

 

If you truly want that extra experience, I also agree on a suite of some sort if you can swing the extra cost, but we had a balcony and loved it. you seem to not be looking for all the extra amenities (rock wall, surf simulator, ice rink, etc), so this class of ship will get you that more traditional cruise experience.

[Thorben-Hendrik]

And you think the pool deck on Freedom class ship is not crowded

 

 

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Not that much and the layout is much better with more space in the shade and the solarium is not as hot but has more air and still sheltered and a great pool which is just soooo much nicer than what Oasis-class has to offer with the tiny + dinky pools!:rolleyes:

[CRUISEFAN0001]

I also suggest Oasis class for the wow factor. I definitely avoid March cruises as the spring breakers take over. January/February out of Florida is ideal for me. Whatever you choose, I hope you have a wonderful sailing. Be sure and come back and let us know what you decided!

Agree on all points - enjoy a nice cruise.

....soooo much nicer than what Oasis-class has to offer with the tiny + dinky pools!:rolleyes:

Fact is...the smallest pool or spa pool holds a bunch of people...and the pools are anything but rinky dinky...read 3 threads this morning and saw 3 negative posts...all from the same source. Somebody's on a mission. :rolleyes:

[Biker19]

Somebody's on a mission. :rolleyes:

If you understand he's an Oasis class hater, nothing he posts about any aspect of the class will come as a surprise, including welds.;)

[CRUISEFAN0001]

If you understand he's an Oasis class hater, nothing he posts about any aspect of the class will come as a surprise, including welds.;)

 

 

 

Yup.

 

 

 

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[John&LaLa]

If you understand he's an Oasis class hater, nothing he posts about any aspect of the class will come as a surprise, including welds.;)

Don't forget foil and water. [emoji12]

 

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[John&LaLa]

Book a JS on Oasis or Allure. Try and get one on the hump. You'll have room for your baby on the balcony. Good times for all

 

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[krisko]

Oasis class, eastern itinerary...hands down. Get the 5nt dining package for $115 and go to Chops, Giovannis, 150 Central park, back to Chops and Giovannis.

[John&LaLa]

Not that much and the layout is much better with more space in the shade and the solarium is not as hot but has more air and still sheltered and a great pool which is just soooo much nicer than what Oasis-class has to offer with the tiny + dinky pools!:rolleyes:

Just curious, don't you find value in the fact that Oasis ships have two Flowriders?

 

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[nda_roxybabe]

Sounds like Oasis class may be the way for us to go. I'll start narrowing down the ports and see which one we'd like the most.

 

Thank you all for the suggestions, I know we will have a great time!

[John&LaLa]

Not really!

Does not even make up for the undersized WJ:p

WJ is a little small due to all the other venues to eat. You can do better than that. [emoji12]

 

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[John&LaLa]

Sounds like Oasis class may be the way for us to go. I'll start narrowing down the ports and see which one we'd like the most.

 

Thank you all for the suggestions, I know we will have a great time!

Ports are pretty much the same. I think Allure will be best due to proximity to airport and Mama Mia.

 

Allure may move to Miami in November 2018.

 

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[Thorben-Hendrik]

WJ is a little small due to all the other venues to eat. You can do better than that. [emoji12]

 

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Yes but they are 2nd tear or with an upcharge so what is the advantage on Oasis-class here?:confused:

Why is the WJ always overcrowded on Oasis-class if people have so many choices?

Seems like the people think the WJ is the place to go - even on Oasis-class!

Edited June 12, 2017 by germanfflyer

[John&LaLa]

Yes but they are 2nd tear or with an upcharge so what is the advantage on Oasis-class here?:confused:

Breakfast venues with no charge, none are second tier to the Jammer.[emoji6]

 

Johnny Rockets

Park Cafe

Wipe Out Cafe

Solarium Cafe

 

Lunch venues with no charge

 

Park Cafe

Wipe Out Cafe

Solarium Cafe

Boardwalk Dog House

 

I'm pretty sure none of these venues are available on a Freedom ship [emoji6] this is why the jammer is somewhat smaller

 

Any more thoughts?

 

 

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[Thorben-Hendrik]

Breakfast venues with no charge, none are second tier to the Jammer.[emoji6]

 

Johnny Rockets

Park Cafe

Wipe Out Cafe

Solarium Cafe

 

Lunch venues with no charge

 

Park Cafe

Wipe Out Cafe

Solarium Cafe

Boardwalk Dog House

 

I'm pretty sure none of these venues are available on a Freedom ship [emoji6] this is why the jammer is somewhat smaller

 

Any more thoughts?

 

 

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All of the mentioned are 2nd tear as they do not have the variety AND/OR quality of the WJ!

Seriously you take the hot dog house as a substitute for lunch compared to the WJ?:eek:

Breakfast at the Park Cafe compared to a WJ on Freedom-class!:eek::eek::eek:

 

And this is supposed to be an advantage of Oasis-class? :rolleyes:

It is a cheap substitute to the service offered on other ships!

I am still waiting for someone to name a true value on Oasis-class!;p

Edited June 12, 2017 by germanfflyer

[rkkunk]

If you want a St. Regis type experience, you would probably want to do a full suite (grand suite and above), if you can afford it. Although the price of those have seems to have gone up even more recently.

With the full suite you get the priority boarding and the concierge escorts you off of the ship on the day you get off (one of the best perks IMO), sections of seats that are reserved at the shows, a sundeck that is for suites only ( although not right next to the pool, but there is a shower to cool off), and access to the Concierge lounge where you can have breakfast, lunch, or dinner in the Coastal Kitchen, personal access to the Concierge if you have questions or problems, soda is available all day for free and wine and beer after 11:00. Drinks in the evening from 5:00 or so until around 8:30 are included. This was on the Allure. Not all of the ships have Coastal Kitchen.

We have done both regular rooms and the Grand Suite and (IF they are in our price range) we will do the suites just because of the perks.

We were just on the Radiance and it felt more crowded to me then the Allure and not as nice.

 

 

 

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[John&LaLa]

Yes but they are 2nd tear or with an upcharge so what is the advantage on Oasis-class here?:confused:

Why is the WJ always overcrowded on Oasis-class if people have so many choices?

Seems like the people think the WJ is the place to go - even on Oasis-class!

Nice edit, but easily debunked.

 

Some folks don't realize all the choices

 

Never lets keep that a secret. No need to overload my favorite places. [emoji6]

 

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[fridaythe13th]

Sounds like Oasis class may be the way for us to go. I'll start narrowing down the ports and see which one we'd like the most.

 

Thank you all for the suggestions, I know we will have a great time!

 

Definitely go before Presidents day in February for less kids. That's when winter school vacations start. We are going on Allure for the second time in January 2018 and Oasis in May 2018. I think we like that class!