Denese96 Posted July 2, 2006 #1 Share Posted July 2, 2006 HELP In June 2007 my girlfriend and I are planning to take her son (18) and perhaps his girlfriend (19) on a cruise to celebrate his graduating high school and her completing her first year of college. We have only travel alone and have no idea how to "family" cruise. Do we get 1 room? Do we get 2 adjoining rooms? One for him & his mom +one for me and his girlfriend? Are there another rooming options? What Cruise line/Ship (other than Carnival) do you think would be good and why? Also tell us anything that you found out either the hard way or the easy way that we don't even know to ask about yet. :) We are open to any and all suggestions from folks regarding our planned adventure. Thanks in advance Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pudgesmom Posted July 2, 2006 #2 Share Posted July 2, 2006 That's a tall order! There are so many choices out there. First of all, have you decided on a destination? If so, that will help you winnow down the choice of cruise lines. What about a budget? In addition to your cruise fare, don't forget to include travel expenses to and from the port of departure/arrival, funds for shore excursions in ports, and assorted charges on board, such as drinks, casino, spa. Visit this and other websites' search engines to get a feel for fares, ambiance and activities. Or, a good travel agent can help you sort through the choices as to what is important to you. Gathering information will help you to find the cruise line and cruise that's right for you and your friends/family. In regards to your specific questions, we are fans of Windstar and Holland America, having enjoyed our travels on both with our older teenage children. We do find that our teenagers prefer the warmer, beach-type travel as opposed to anything "educational." (But we sneak it in anyways. ;) ) I would NOT book connecting rooms, as frequently there is a noise problem through the doors. Also, some loss of privacy. My exception to this would be adjacent balcony cabins where the balcony's partitions could be removed to form a bigger area. Hope this helps. The research you're doing should help you find a good fit and wonderful vacation. Beth Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bruce-r Posted July 2, 2006 #3 Share Posted July 2, 2006 Do we get 1 room?That would be cheapest, but you'd have little privacy. Would you really want to share a cabin with the kids? Do we get 2 adjoining rooms? One for him & his mom +one for me and his girlfriend? That would how you would have to make the reservation since most cruise lines have a minimum age for being in a cabin without an "adult". It is either 21 or 25 y/o depending on the cruise line. Once you are onboard the ship, you can swap people around so the adults are in one cabin and the kids are in the other cabin. I'd get a balcony or at least an outside cabin for the adults and an inside cabin right across the passageway for the kids. What Cruise line/Ship (other than Carnival) do you think would be good and why? I'd recommend Royal Caribbean for the cruise line and a Voyager class ship in particular. They have the most onboard activities for active young adults. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MGilly Posted July 2, 2006 #4 Share Posted July 2, 2006 When my son graduated HS, our family (DH, DS - then 18, DD - then 15, and me) went on our first cruise - a 4-night Carnival cruise. It was wonderful! By the time DD graduated, we were ready for a 7-nighter, and we sailed on the Voyager OTS. OMG! It was incredible! Both lines had a lot of things for the young people (and us fossils) to do, but we all preferred RCCL. In recent years, we've gotten a balcony for DH and me and an inside across the hall for the "kids." As they are now in their mid-twenties, and DD got married recently, we still get a balcony for DH and me, but last December, we got an inside down the hall for DS (he traveled solo), and DD and her new hubby got themselves a JS (junior suite). We are perfectly happy in our balcony - no need for us to get a JS, but as for your original question - as bruse-r said, you will need to book one adult/one young adult per cabin (if you choose to get two cabins), but the switching around of who sleeps where will really depend on how open-minded you are. Getting one cabin will DEFINITELY be cramped! We did that on our first few cruises with the kids, and quickly learned that they - and we - are both happier with more space, more privacy (for us!), and more freedom (for ALL of us). Whatever you choose, enjoy your cruise, and know that you will be creating life-long memories with the ultimate graduation gift for your son. Congrats! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cheesluvscows2007 Posted July 5, 2006 #5 Share Posted July 5, 2006 I'm in the same boat as Denese 96 except that I'm 18 and my best friend is 18 and we are both graduating high school next year. We are planning on a cruise with me and her and our moms. We want to know which cruise line would be the best to choose? I've been on many cruises and I love Royal Carribean but as I'm getting older I've been noticing that there isn't that much to do if you are between the ages of 18 and 21. Does anyone know a better cruise line for that age group? Please help I could use all the help I could get. Amy Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
UCF_Cruiser Posted July 10, 2006 #6 Share Posted July 10, 2006 Last Spring, I cruised with my fiance and his parents. We were both under 21 at the time, but we were able to be booked with us in one room and his parents in another... cheesluvscows2007 to answer your question, while b/w the ages of 18-20 I have been on both Carnival and RCL and I prefer RCL..... more to do at night AND you can drink beer and wine on RCL (with a signed waiver from a parent), on Carnival you cannot drink.... Also, Carnival and RCL is 18+ for the casino (some other lines, like Princess, are 21+) Hope this helps.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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