Recommendations for a fabulous cruise to celebrate milestone birthday during the Christmas holidays

[Nclfirst-timer]

Hi everyone. I’m looking for your recommendations on a fabulous cruise over the Christmas holidays (approx Dec. 18 - Jan. 9). 
 

For a family of 4, with 2 teenage boys (15, 16) and to celebrate a milestone birthday for me. We’ve done Disney and Norwegian, and I feel that the boys would appreciate a ship with lots of activities. My husband and I don’t gamble so a casino isn’t necessary. We’ve done Western Mediterranean (Rome, Cannes, Barcelona) and the Caribbean

 

Looking for an incredible itinerary that fits our budget, which will need to include flights from Toronto. Budgeting $15k, but I’m probably asking for too much (especially when we don’t want inside stateroom). It’s been a long time since we’ve cruised.

 

Would love any suggestions. TIA

[Ex-Airbalancer]

8 minutes ago, Nclfirst-timer said:

Hi everyone. I’m looking for your recommendations on a fabulous cruise over the Christmas holidays (approx Dec. 18 - Jan. 9). 
 

For a family of 4, with 2 teenage boys (15, 16) and to celebrate a milestone birthday for me. We’ve done Disney and Norwegian, and I feel that the boys would appreciate a ship with lots of activities. My husband and I don’t gamble so a casino isn’t necessary. We’ve done Western Mediterranean (Rome, Cannes, Barcelona) and the Caribbean

 

Looking for an incredible itinerary that fits our budget, which will need to include flights from Toronto. Budgeting $15k, but I’m probably asking for too much (especially when we don’t want inside stateroom). It’s been a long time since we’ve cruised.

 

Would love any suggestions. TIA

Our Travel agent is on the icon of seas and been posting picture , it looks great for teenagers 

her is a couple of her pictures 

[broberts]

38 minutes ago, Nclfirst-timer said:

Hi everyone. I’m looking for your recommendations on a fabulous cruise over the Christmas holidays (approx Dec. 18 - Jan. 9). 
 

For a family of 4, with 2 teenage boys (15, 16) and to celebrate a milestone birthday for me. We’ve done Disney and Norwegian, and I feel that the boys would appreciate a ship with lots of activities. My husband and I don’t gamble so a casino isn’t necessary. We’ve done Western Mediterranean (Rome, Cannes, Barcelona) and the Caribbean

 

Looking for an incredible itinerary that fits our budget, which will need to include flights from Toronto. Budgeting $15k, but I’m probably asking for too much (especially when we don’t want inside stateroom). It’s been a long time since we’ve cruised.

 

Would love any suggestions. TIA

 

One of the Royal Caribbean mega ships in the Caribbean. Not only do they have lots of activities, but some itineraries visit Coco Cay, Royal Caribbean's amusement park. A pair of connecting balcony cabins should fit in the budget.

[Nclfirst-timer]

45 minutes ago, Ex-Airbalancer said:

Our Travel agent is on the icon of seas and been posting picture , it looks great for teenagers 

her is a couple of her pictures 

Thank you!  I’ll check it out!

[Nclfirst-timer]

8 minutes ago, broberts said:

 

One of the Royal Caribbean mega ships in the Caribbean. Not only do they have lots of activities, but some itineraries visit Coco Cay, Royal Caribbean's amusement park. A pair of connecting balcony cabins should fit in the budget.

Thank you!

[Fouremco]

Another vote for Royal Caribbean. Personally, I would avoid the Quantum Ultra Class (Icon, Spectrum and Odyssey of the Seas) as their passenger load is far too big for my liking, and at Christmas they'll be jam-packed. Icon OTS can handle 7,600 passengers, inundating any port they stop at. And their prices are quite steep.

 

Personally, I'd stick to the Quantum or Oasis Class. In fact, we have a family cruise on the Symphony OTS (Oasis Class) starting this Saturday with our kids and our grandkids. DW and I normally cruise with HAL or Celebrity, but choose RCI for family cruises. Our last one was on the Allure OTS, another Oasis Class ship.

 

As we never sail at Christmas, I'm not familiar with RCI's itineraries during the holidays. You might want to visit the RCI forum to ask about that, and also to get further opinions on which class of ship or specific ship might best suit you and your family.

[truckswain]

My vote is also for RCCL Oasis class ships and in particular Oasis as it has had a refurbishment, and either Harmony, Symphony or Wonder.

 

Any itinerary that includes Coco Cay  is a win.  While the comment was made that this is RCCL's amusement park which is not true, it is their private island which is a great beach day and does not have to cost anything extra (unless you want the water park or excursions).  Drink Packages and Wifi Packages also work on Coco Cay.