Suggestions for other cruise destinations??

[mum and son]

I am thinking about booking a cruise for late 2008/2009 - and have decided to fly out of Australia for it :eek: . I'm not sure where to go though. I don't want to spend an absolute fortune so will probably do something last minute.

I usually travel with just myself and my son (7yo ATM) so need to go on a ship that he will enjoy and that we won't feel out of place. I've enjoyed Aussie P&O ships for that reason - nice and casual.

I'd rather not go somewhere that you need to do expensive shore tours to get the most out of the places. I'm thinking maybe Hawaii?? Any suggestions? I don't really think my son is ready for Alaska yet so I'll wait a few years for that one. I'd like to try something around NZ too but don't really think he's old enough to appreciate that either, so do you think Hawaii is our best bet?

Thanks in advance wise people...

[bazzaw]

As overseas flights go - Hawaii is reasonably close-by, easy to get flights to and relatively inexpensive. Could be a good choice.

The same thought applies to cruises that go out of Singapore or Hong Kong. Your son would LOVE the Singapore Zoo ( and the national pastime of Singapore is EATING :D (very cheap too) - I thought the zoo was just great , probably the best I have ever been to. They have free ranging monkeys and Orang-Utans there. The Orang-Utans behave themselves and stay in the area that they are meant to be - but other tiny monkeys "mug" you :D as you enter the zoo - looking for goodies. I fell in love with the tiny Golden Tamarinds. They are so tame.

Barry

[AuzzieCruiser]

If you're thinking Hawaii, NCL is the way to go. They have 3 ships doing Hawaii, with 3 different itineraries.:)
If you want to go the full hog, you can't go past the Mexican Riviera or even the Caribbean. There are great deals to be had, and can work out cheaper than Hawaii. Plus you can do Disneyland or Disneyworld and Universal studios. Check all the websites. You will be pleasantly surprised.;)
Cruiselines suitable for you would be NCL, Royal Caribbean and Carnival. No No's would be Celebrity, Holland America and even Princess!!:eek:

[mum and son]

Hmmm, thanks for the responses. I have been to Singapore Zoo and loved it - I'm sure my son would love it too. I would love to go on the Norwegian Pearl after I read the review here on CC but it's isn't doing Hawaii. I'll start researching everything so that if a good deal comes up...I'll be ready to go.

[mummsie]

Singapore - Straits of Malacca on the Superstar Gemini - great little ship and really good ports. We were going to do it again next year but we had timing issues. :D Mummsie

[kaseyoz]

we did a carnival fantasy cruise from port canerval after a trip to disneyworld.
the caribbean is everything you read about. My daughter who was 13 and i cruised alone and she had a ball,
can link to my pics if you like

[Carlz]

I have 6 and 9 year olds and am seriously considering doing a disney cruise (if I can afford it) because IMHO the "wonder" doesn't last all that long.
I want to go while my daughter still can be caught up in the magic of seeing princesses and mickey mouse...already I know my son will enjoy it (there's lots for all ages to do) but the "the fairytale is real" part will not have the same affect on him as it would have when he was younger.

I've read that the cruises are pricey...but you can get short cruises from LA down to mexico and apparently their own island is amazing. I've seen plenty of deals also for off season and I saw one of the major TA's is doing a special at the moment airfare and 4 nights in anaheim included kids eat free or something along those lines. Just need to start the shopping arround!

Good Luck- I'm sure wherever you go it will be a fabulous experience.

[mum and son]

Karon, would love to hit the Caribbean and Carlz, ! hadn't thought of Disney...might look into that one too.

I guess I'll just pick the time of year and plan for it - then when the last minute deal comes up just grab it. The overseas lines seem to offer great last minute deals. I guess that's because there are so many ships sailing on any given day of the year.