Should We Try RCCL for Parents' 40th Anniversary?

[hazeleyez3]

My parents 40th anniversary is 1/1/09, and I am looking to taking them on a cruise to celebrate. It would just be them, DH (31) and myself (33). They have been on Costa, NCL, Carnival, and Princess, but I am looking to get some info on other cruise lines.

 

Here is a bit of background on them:

 

My mother will be 63, and is in "ok" health, but tends to be a bit slow on many things. She loves the Bingo, and slots on most cruises. On Princess she liked the daily tea, She prefers the more attentive treatment you get with traditional dining, but likes the concept of freestyle/anytime, etc. She likes to sometimes be in her cabin and watch TV, and she hated the selection NCL had. Finally, she has no interest in pools, sunbathing, or the spa.

 

My father will be 66, still does consulting, and is very active. He enjoys Texas Hold 'Em, going to the gym (or walking the lap around the deck), likes being out on balconies, and will usually wind up in the Internet Cafe at some point.

 

Neither of them is picky about where they go -- they just enjoying cruising. So, can anyone offer me some info on RCCL? TIA.

[rain_bowbrite]

I think they would both enjoy a RCCL cruise. The bedding has been updated and is very comfy and if comparing standard staterooms, the ones on RCCL are larger than on Princess (on the mega liners, not the smaller ships). If the price and itinerary are right then I would go for it!

 

I probably wouldn't do larger than the Voyager class but I know others might tell you otherwise. But I know some "youngish" people that have siled on the Freedom class who said they were worn out by the time they walked from one end of the ship to the other.:)

[Silvery Seas Cruiser]

HazelEyez3, Hubby and I are about the same age as your folks. I am 64. Hubby will be 64 in a couple of months. We will celebrate our fortieth wedding anniversary this very month. So we have quite a bit in common with your folks.

 

OK, Hubby and I are big fans of Royal Caribbean. We love their biggest ships and their next biggest ships and their mid-sized ships and their smallest ships.

 

For a "starter cruise" on Royal Caribbean, I would highly recommend a cruise on one of the Radiance Class ships--Radiance of the Seas, Brilliance of the Seas, Serendae of the Seas and the beautious Jewel of the Seas. These are elegant ships which are plenty big but nowhere near as big as the Freedom Class ships (currently the largest cruiseships in the world) or their near-sisters, the Voyager Class ships.

 

We are quite active for the mid-sixties, so the big ships are fine with us, but you mentioned that your mother is slower. I'd suggest booking her on a less intimidating ship such as Radiance or Jewel. These still offer more than enough to do but will not be unmanageable for getting around the ship. Both have interesting itineraries.

 

If you have any specific questions about Royal Caribbean cruises, please ask here. If I can't answer, I am certain others here will be able to help you out.

[FL_Cruiser64]

My parents 40th anniversary is 1/1/09, and I am looking to taking them on a cruise to celebrate. It would just be them, DH (31) and myself (33). They have been on Costa, NCL, Carnival, and Princess, but I am looking to get some info on other cruise lines.

 

Here is a bit of background on them:

 

My mother will be 63, and is in "ok" health, but tends to be a bit slow on many things. She loves the Bingo, and slots on most cruises. On Princess she liked the daily tea, She prefers the more attentive treatment you get with traditional dining, but likes the concept of freestyle/anytime, etc. She likes to sometimes be in her cabin and watch TV, and she hated the selection NCL had. Finally, she has no interest in pools, sunbathing, or the spa.

 

My father will be 66, still does consulting, and is very active. He enjoys Texas Hold 'Em, going to the gym (or walking the lap around the deck), likes being out on balconies, and will usually wind up in the Internet Cafe at some point.

 

Neither of them is picky about where they go -- they just enjoying cruising. So, can anyone offer me some info on RCCL? TIA.

 

You should go with RCI for any reason, any event. If there is none. Make one up.

 

So my answer is: yes

 

:D

[hazeleyez3]

For a "starter cruise" on Royal Caribbean, I would highly recommend a cruise on one of the Radiance Class ships--Radiance of the Seas, Brilliance of the Seas, Serendae of the Seas and the beautious Jewel of the Seas. These are elegant ships which are plenty big but nowhere near as big as the Freedom Class ships (currently the largest cruiseships in the world) or their near-sisters, the Voyager Class ships.

 

If you have any specific questions about Royal Caribbean cruises, please ask here. If I can't answer, I am certain others here will be able to help you out.

 

You are correct - the "smaller" ships would probably be best for my mother. Here are a few questions, though I realize they may be odd, I am trying to think of some of the more "important" things for my folks.

 

How much is Bingo? How many games are played at one sitting? What are the payouts like?

 

Does the casino have Texas Hold 'em?

 

What types of stations are offered on the TV? Is it something like RCCL has "bought" 5 Friends episodes, 5 Everybody Loves Raymond episodes, etc, and plays them over and over throughout the cruise?

 

Drinks: I read that coffee, tea, iced tea, and lemonade are already included in the price, and are available in the main dining area. Are juices at least available at breakfast?

 

Is there anything (other than room service) that is open 24hrs to get a snack or just a drink of iced tea?

 

As I said, I realize some of these may seem quite odd, but I have been on many vacations with them, and know some of the things they look for.