| Author |
Message |
    
peteglider
Citizen
Username: Peteglider
Post Number: 173
Registered: 8-2002
| | Posted on Monday, July 21, 2003 - 3:20 pm: |     |
ok -- I'm a Dad with a 7 year old boy and 15 year old daughter. Typical vacations have been a week at the beach, bringing along friend for my teenager.
This year -- late planning, all of daughters GF's are not around.
So -- have thought about a Carnival cruise out of NYC to Canada (ok, so I'd rather go someplace more exotic -- but it seems so easy -- just a limo ride to the pier!).
I realize Carnival is the "fun ship" line, probably not the "gourment, fine dining, and classy line" -- BUT remember I'm looking for a few days where my 7 yo and 15 yo will find things to do for fun, and I can at least occasionally sit by the pool with an adult beverage in hand!
Any crusie ideas or tips-- TIA
Pete |
shh
Citizen
Username: Shh
Post Number: 581
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Monday, July 21, 2003 - 3:39 pm: | |
From what I hear, Carnival's cabins are not as small as others, so that's good.
If your kids are social, they'll probably be able to meet kids their ages in the kids' club. I went on a cruise with my family when I was 15 and had THE BEST time. I wasn't a wild kid, but it was great to be able to hang out in the disco w/ all the other teenagers until the wee hours, and my parents (who were sort of strict) were comfortable with that.
Nowadays, the ships are so huge, there is so much for everyone to do and I think it'll be a great trip! |
1-2many
Citizen
Username: Wbg69
Post Number: 167
Registered: 6-2002
| | Posted on Monday, July 21, 2003 - 4:20 pm: | |
check out www.epinions.com for general to very specific reviews of cruise lines, cruise ships, particular cruise routes, etc.
I have been on 4 cruises myself and highly recommend it. I think for your kids' ages Disney cruises might be the best, but they only cruise out of Port Canaveral (I think). Observing Carnival ships at various ports, it seemed to be a very college- and post-college-heavy crowd, VERY intoxicated. but I would check out reviews from people on that cruise line. |
tupperjo
Citizen
Username: Tupperjo
Post Number: 53
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Monday, July 21, 2003 - 9:56 pm: | |
Also check out www.cruisecritics.com
Excellent place to find out all about the different ships. We went on Holland America out of Florida. Took our 3 kids and they all had a ball. Lots of stuff to do for all ages. Its one vacation they've talked about over and over. |
gibbsgirl
Citizen
Username: Gibbsgirl
Post Number: 31
Registered: 11-2001
| | Posted on Tuesday, July 22, 2003 - 11:20 am: | |
Great idea......cruises have something for everyone. Try Royal Caribbean.......great programs for teens and children. New ship, Serenade of the Seas, is doing 4 and 5 night cruises out of NYC in August.....you'll all have a wonderful vacation. |
Jackie Day
Citizen
Username: Zoesky1
Post Number: 49
Registered: 6-2003
| | Posted on Wednesday, July 23, 2003 - 11:33 am: | |
What are prices like on Serenade of the Seas, Gibbsgirl? Is it too late to book an August cruise? |
gibbsgirl
Citizen
Username: Gibbsgirl
Post Number: 32
Registered: 11-2001
| | Posted on Wednesday, July 23, 2003 - 12:32 pm: | |
Oooops, sorry.....looks like the cruises are for September, not August. |
papayagirl
Citizen
Username: Papayagirl
Post Number: 88
Registered: 6-2002
| | Posted on Wednesday, July 23, 2003 - 1:13 pm: | |
Never went on a cruise, although i did extensive research for our honeymoon. (The cruiseline we'd booked went bankrupt the week we were supposed to set sail.) So from my standpoint, definitely get travel insurance from someplace other than the cruiseline, and www.cruisecritic.com is a great resource for research. (The url posted earlier mistakenly put an "s" at the end of the url.)
And from what i can recall, Carnival did seem like a good choice for spring breakers, although many adults enjoyed it too. Disney sounded like the line for families with young kids. So i imagine you'd be good with either. |
1-2many
Citizen
Username: Wbg69
Post Number: 173
Registered: 6-2002
| | Posted on Wednesday, July 23, 2003 - 2:16 pm: | |
I also look at www.vacationstogo.com, icruise.com (both cruise "warehouses") and travelzoo.com, for cruise deals. vacationstogo.com specializes in last minute cruises at discount prices. libertytravel.com also offers cruise deals, and I think gives you ship diagrams so you can see EXACTLY where your room is. this is important becuase: (1) you do NOT Want to be above the engines. It's so unbelievably loud, you really CAN'T sleep through it. I recommend NOT getting a room on the lower two decks because of this.
(2) balcony is best. once you've had one, you really can't go back. (3) do NOT get a room with an adjoining door to another room if your party is not in that other room. again, a noise issue. we had the rednecks of the world on the other side of our paper-thin adjoining door, and they were up, drunk, cussin and fightin at about 3 am. use the ship diagram to figure out these details.
once on the ship, grab a cocktail and enjoy! |
mayhewdrive
Citizen
Username: Mayhewdrive
Post Number: 315
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Wednesday, July 23, 2003 - 8:54 pm: | |
I went on 1 cruise & found it to be just like the Poconos or Catskills, but on water. Fairly cheesy entertainment, mediocre food (you eat in the SAME dining room meal after meail) & getting nickled & dimed for everything (how may times can they take a picture of you & expect you to pay around $10 for it?) It winds up being pretty expensive if you choose to actually DO anything other than lie by the pool.
If that's your idea of a vacation...enjoy. |
CFA
Citizen
Username: Cfa
Post Number: 944
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Thursday, July 24, 2003 - 5:21 am: | |
Mayhewdrive,
Sounds like you had a horrible travel agent.
Norwegian Cruises offer "Freestyle" cruising. This means that you can wear "resort casual" clothing (no suits or gowns) and you can eat wherever you want whenever you want. Some of their ships have over 10 different restaurants to choose from. If you want a table for 2, you can get it. If you meet people on the cruise and decide to have dinner with them one night, you can do that also.
Princess Cruises also has something called "Personal Choice" It's similar to Norwegian's Freestyle.
I think comparing a cruise to the Poconos or the Catskills is bit of a stretch. I'd rather be lying on the beautiful beaches of the Caribbean than in the Poconos or Catskills.
There are tons of activities on the ships. Royal Caribbean has ice skating rinks, rock climbing, etc. All ships have gyms, running tracks, basketball. If you'd like, you can try your luck in the casino.
The entertainment is far from Broadway, but I wouldn't call it "cheesy" Norwegian (our favorite line) has EXCELLENT entertainment by The Jean Ryan Company. They do a Cirque de Solei that's awesome.
Anyway, we have been on numerous cruises and consider ourselves seasoned. If you ever decide to give it a try again, talk to me first. |
peteglider
Citizen
Username: Peteglider
Post Number: 186
Registered: 8-2002
| | Posted on Thursday, July 31, 2003 - 1:31 pm: | |
Much thanks for all the comments and help!
Have booked a cruise to the Caribbean out of Florida (deceided it would likely be more interesting than Canada for my 7 & 15 year old), and on Royal Caribbean -- decided good kid programs/ less "party" than others made more sense for me.
We're excited - and thanks for the help!
Pete |
luv2cruise
Citizen
Username: Luv2cruise
Post Number: 85
Registered: 12-2002
| | Posted on Friday, August 1, 2003 - 4:21 am: | |
I think you made a great choice! Good Luck and happy sailing.
There's nothing like being on the ocean! |
gibbsgirl
Citizen
Username: Gibbsgirl
Post Number: 33
Registered: 11-2001
| | Posted on Friday, August 1, 2003 - 9:26 am: | |
Peteglider.....great news! I'm sure you and your children will enjoy your vacation....Royal Caribbean is my favorite....people of all ages and tons of activities to match. Don't be surprised if the kids want to go back next year! |
peteglider
Citizen
Username: Peteglider
Post Number: 210
Registered: 8-2002
| | Posted on Sunday, August 31, 2003 - 9:38 am: | |
Hi -- got back last night (after a few post cruie days in Orlando) -- the cruise was FANTASTIC! Kids talking about next one already -- and I want to go for a longer cruise. BTW our ship - Enchantment of the Seas -- was wonderful, as was the crew. THANKS! Pete |
gibbsgirl
Citizen
Username: Gibbsgirl
Post Number: 36
Registered: 11-2001
| | Posted on Tuesday, September 2, 2003 - 11:00 am: | |
See............I knew you'd like it! Another cruise addict created!!!! Happy to hear you enjoyed your vacation. Been on Enchantment 4 times now....always feel at home there. By any chance, was Earl Brown (from Jamaica) your captain in the dining room?? He's a fine gentleman. |
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