Which cruise line do I choose?

[luv2cruise08]

This is my first post and I am planning a vacation for my family of 4. (my husband and 2 3yrs olds). For Jan 08. I have been on several cruises before with out kids, this will be our first with kids in over 10 years:eek: . I need a little advice on finding the right cruise for us. We want to sail the Western Caribbean and see at least Belize and maybe Honduras. The only ship that goes to both is NCL - Sun and Carnival Valor. I have found that a few other ships (RCI-Jewel, NCL-Spirit, Carnial-Legend, Carnival-Miracle and Holland America-Veendan) go to Belize and some other interesting ports as well. I am having a hard time choosing which ports would be the best and which ships have a good kids program? I was hoping some of you experienced sailors out there could help me out. Any and all input would be much appreciated.

 

Thanks!

[newmexicoNita]

Wow, this subject always opens up a can of worms and causes very interesting discussions. Both lines NCL and Carnival have great kids programs and both come recommended by the pros. Each has an advantage over the other: Carnival has larger cabins so you won't feel as much like a can of sardines. NCLs freestyle is perfect for families, especially when you are cruising with pre schoolers. You can dine when you want and not feel the pressure to be with others or dine at the same time each night. this will work because there will be days, after long port tours where the kids will be tired and ready to eat very early. There may be other times you would prefer to eat later. You also have the option of more dining choices.

 

I haven't cruised or toured the Valor, but have cruised the Sun twice. It is one of our favorite ships. the crew is so friendly, the dining choices are outstanding and the ship is always clean and shiney.

 

NMnita

[Aquahound]

I haven't heard many good things about the Honduras stop. Maybe NMnita could give some more insight on that one. But if you really have your heart set on that stop, I'd go with the Sun. Nita made a good point about the dining and the kids' ages.

 

Otherwise, you'll find great kids' programs on all the lines, esp NCL, CCL and RCL.

 

That all being said, I'm an RCI fan. So, take a good look at the Jewel. That ship is gorgeous.

[clackey]

Hola,

 

To answer your questions about sailing with the youngsters, all of our cruises have had good kids programs and I have never been on a bad cruise. I've heard horror stories about springbreak so we sailed the Splendour of the Seas 3 weeks ago. Lots of kids and college students, noone out of line, and no complaints whatsoever. They were well behaved.

 

Roatan could become one of our favorite stops. You can grab a taxi, tell the driver what you want to do and he will give you recommendations and arrange to pick you up at a specified time. It is one of the most convenience ports that we have visited.

 

So far we have done 4 Carnivals, 1 Princess and 1 Royal Caribbean. RCCL gets the nod but like I said, I've never had a bad cruise.:D

 

Oh, I almost forgot. The Grand Princess out of Galveston goes to Belize and Roatan. Nice ship, good food and service, but I will choose traditional dining next time. It's just me.:o

[curiser2]

Rotan was one of the most funniest stops so much to do, and the beach we went to was just down the road, went by taxi. Coral cay beach you will love rotan:D and belize we went to banister Island it is perfect for smaller children they have a web site just google it!!! Hope this helps.

[caribbean dreams]

Roatan is one of my most favorite Islands:)

 

I was just on the Valor, on the same western itenerarie you are thinking about doing.

All the Islands were great, Belize is the only one that you will want to go on an excursion, it's not the type of place you can just wonder around in.

The ship is very nice with a great crew, my DD was kept entertained constantly.

[firefly333]

I haven't heard many good things about the Honduras stop. Maybe NMnita could give some more insight on that one. But if you really have your heart set on that stop, I'd go with the Sun. Nita made a good point about the dining and the kids' ages.

 

Otherwise, you'll find great kids' programs on all the lines, esp NCL, CCL and RCL.

 

That all being said, I'm an RCI fan. So, take a good look at the Jewel. That ship is gorgeous.

 

Honduras was one of my favorite ports. Did you get over to West End where it is so pretty? The ride up and through the jungle area in between reminded me a lot of Hawaii. Bought about 4 lbs of great coffee to bring home.

 

Me I would prefer Carnival to NCL, especially with kids. RCI is probably rated second to Carnival for kids.

[LHT28]

Bought about 4 lbs of great coffee to bring home.

 

 

Where did you buy the coffee? Do they have beans and how much $$ ?

We are going in Feb and want to buy some coffee beans.

 

We brought home 10 lbs from various countries on our Panama cruise.

[newmexicoNita]

I haven't heard many good things about the Honduras stop. Maybe NMnita could give some more insight on that one. But if you really have your heart set on that stop, I'd go with the Sun. Nita made a good point about the dining and the kids' ages.

 

Otherwise, you'll find great kids' programs on all the lines, esp NCL, CCL and RCL.

 

That all being said, I'm an RCI fan. So, take a good look at the Jewel. That ship is gorgeous.

oh my, never heard anything good about Honduras; well about a year ago RCI pretty much took over the pier and other lines started using other islands, now it is opening up again. Yes, it is very much a third world, but probably more popular than Belize as the people are the friendliest of all islands we have cruised (most of them) the island is as pretty as any and the snorkeling among the best in the western hesmohphere. There are several resort locations and beaches that can't be replaced anywhere. If you close your eyes to the poverty you will not find a nicer port. NMNita

[luv2cruise08]

Thank you all for your input. I think I will stick with Roatan and Belize, I love the whole 3rd world, under developed, beautiful beaches, etc, etc..

Now to choose Carnival or NCL. I know which ever one I choose I will be happy and we will have a blast.

 

Thanks again!

[caribbean dreams]

Thank you all for your input. I think I will stick with Roatan and Belize, I love the whole 3rd world, under developed, beautiful beaches, !

 

Then you will love Roatan, I know someday it will probably just be another tourist town but for now it's Paradise.

Belize, if you want to go to the nice beaches, yo won't find one on the mainland, you will have to take a boat out to Caulker caye or the other cayes in the area.

Have a great trip and let us know which ship you choose.:)

[LHT28]

Now to choose Carnival or NCL. I know which ever one I choose I will be happy and we will have a blast.

 

Thanks again!

 

Carnival

[newmexicoNita]

you have made a very good choice; which line? Boy that is a toss up, again depending on what you are looking for. As I memtioned earlier I think or certainly have in the past; 2 of the best kids programs according to the experts for the younger kids are Carnival and NCL. Carnival has really colorful play rooms and the cabins are larger thus giving you more elbow room. NCL wins out with the eating arrangements. Freestyle works wonderfully well with kids, especially young ones. NMMita

[ce2000]

Wow, this subject always opens up a can of worms and causes very interesting discussions. Both lines NCL and Carnival have great kids programs and both come recommended by the pros. Each has an advantage over the other: Carnival has larger cabins so you won't feel as much like a can of sardines. NCLs freestyle is perfect for families, especially when you are cruising with pre schoolers. You can dine when you want and not feel the pressure to be with others or dine at the same time each night. this will work because there will be days, after long port tours where the kids will be tired and ready to eat very early. There may be other times you would prefer to eat later. You also have the option of more dining choices.

 

I haven't cruised or toured the Valor, but have cruised the Sun twice. It is one of our favorite ships. the crew is so friendly, the dining choices are outstanding and the ship is always clean and shiney.

 

NMnita

 

I believe that NMnita sums it up very well here. I always respect here posts, even though I don't always agree her. I will be boarding the Valor next month (May 13) and am really looking forward to this vacation. I'm sure that you will have a great time with either cruise line.

[luv2cruise08]

Hi all:

After much researching and changing my mind 100 times I think I might have narrowed it down. I am now thinking of taking the Carnival Destiny in Jan 08 to the southern caribbean.

 

For all of you that have taken this cruise with kids how did you think it was?:confused: What did you think of the ship?

 

All thoughts and comments are appreciated.

 

Thanks,

Denette

[luv2cruise08]

Hi again:

After I posted the message above I went and did a search on the ship and found not too many positives. That makes me a little nervous. I know a cruise is what you make of it and we are pretty laid back easy going people and it will probably be fine, but all postive comments would be appreciated. The last cruise we took was out of San Juan and it was a great cruise. The neg posts sound like the ship is over run with loud & rude Puerto Ricans. Please say it isn't so:o

[newmexicoNita]

This is my first post and I am planning a vacation for my family of 4. (my husband and 2 3yrs olds). For Jan 08. I have been on several cruises before with out kids, this will be our first with kids in over 10 years:eek: . I need a little advice on finding the right cruise for us. We want to sail the Western Caribbean and see at least Belize and maybe Honduras. The only ship that goes to both is NCL - Sun and Carnival Valor. I have found that a few other ships (RCI-Jewel, NCL-Spirit, Carnial-Legend, Carnival-Miracle and Holland America-Veendan) go to Belize and some other interesting ports as well. I am having a hard time choosing which ports would be the best and which ships have a good kids program? I was hoping some of you experienced sailors out there could help me out. Any and all input would be much appreciated.

 

Thanks!

luv2cruise, most ships, especially Carnival leaving out of San Juan will have an over abudance of Puerta Ricans on it, but not all of them are loud or out of control. They are just a little louder or should we say filled with a little more energy than some of us. Don't let this stop you. Our favorite ports are the Southern Caribbean. We have sailed out of San Juan twice; the first time, yes there were some passengers that seem to be a little more lively with kids that really ran wild and the parents saw nothing wrong with them being in the nightclubs at 10pm or didn't understand why their pre-schoolers couldn't stay in the casino. It was the only part of that cruise that wasn't perfect. The other time we sailed out of SJ, was totally different. It was Thanksgiving break, yes, lots of kids and the ones that were not well behaved (there were some) certainly were not from SJ, but from America. NMnita

[luv2cruise08]

Just thought I would check back here and let you know that we choose the NCL Sun cruise to the western caribbean on 3/1/08!!! You can't beat the prices. I hope Costa Maya is up and running by then. I have read so many great things about it on the boards. My mom has decided that she wants to go with us, so that will give us an extra set of hands with the kids.

 

Thanks so much for your comments!

[ce2000]

I'm glad that you finally booked your cruise, you and your family will have a great time.

[momofmeg]

I believe that NMnita sums it up very well here. I always respect here posts, even though I don't always agree her. I will be boarding the Valor next month (May 13) and am really looking forward to this vacation. I'm sure that you will have a great time with either cruise line.

 

I like her posts too-they never sound biased like others. We don't always have to agree on everything-but I can stand a cruiseline loyalist-no matter the line-even if it is a line I prefer-people come here for unbiased information-I know hate filtered through all the crusiline loyalist propaganda that many here always seem to post-fortunately Nita never does.

[momofmeg]

luv2cruise, most ships, especially Carnival leaving out of San Juan will have an over abudance of Puerta Ricans on it, but not all of them are loud or out of control.

 

I know the one southern caribbean cruise we took out of San Juan had lots of Puerto Ricans-(surprise-suprise as they live there) and I never found anything offensive about them except I couldn't understand them LOL! maybe I should learn Spanish!

 

I remember reading a post here some years ago when Carnival Spirit I think it was - the ship before Glory- was sailing out of Pt. Can-one biased person said there was nothing but a bunch of drunk southern Americans on the ship. I found that offensive as I am a southern American. I posted to this person that I imagined you would find a bunch of drunk northern Americans sailing out of NY, a bunch of drunk north-western Americans sailing out of Seattle and a bunch of drunk Californians sailing out of LA.

 

You would think people would KNOW when they are making a prejudiced statement-but some don't have a clue. When are people going to realize that they will find nice people, jerks, idiots, loud mouths ETC. ETC. ETC. no matter WHERE you go in the world.

[newmexicoNita]

I haven't heard many good things about the Honduras stop. Maybe NMnita could give some more insight on that one. But if you really have your heart set on that stop, I'd go with the Sun. Nita made a good point about the dining and the kids' ages.

 

Otherwise, you'll find great kids' programs on all the lines, esp NCL, CCL and RCL.

 

That all being said, I'm an RCI fan. So, take a good look at the Jewel. That ship is gorgeous.

Oh my goodness, to many Roatan is their favorite island. The negatives come from those not prepared for the poverty but this exists on many islands. The island is beautiful and so are the people. If you want to snorkel, the second largest coral reef in the world is in Roatan. After a day of sight seeing a stop at the little outdoor market near the pier is a must...

 

Again, the people are poor and the island isn't far removed from 3rd world living I am sure. That is where the negative comments play into the picture.

 

Nita

[newmexicoNita]

Honduras was one of my favorite ports. Did you get over to West End where it is so pretty? The ride up and through the jungle area in between reminded me a lot of Hawaii. Bought about 4 lbs of great coffee to bring home.

 

Me I would prefer Carnival to NCL, especially with kids. RCI is probably rated second to Carnival for kids.

Actually from the pros, NCL and CArnival are rated best for the younger set. This isn't saying RCI does not have a good kids program, it is simply saying the travel writers normally put the other 2 ahead. Again, I am referring to the pre school age programs.

 

Nita

[newmexicoNita]

Just thought I would check back here and let you know that we choose the NCL Sun cruise to the western caribbean on 3/1/08!!! You can't beat the prices. I hope Costa Maya is up and running by then. I have read so many great things about it on the boards. My mom has decided that she wants to go with us, so that will give us an extra set of hands with the kids.

 

Thanks so much for your comments!

Having mommy will help a lot. You will love the Sun and are going early enough to beat much of the spring vacation rush.

 

Nita