Carribean Cruise help

Recommendations for a Carribean Cruise from a Florida port with sailings in either April 17 , July 17 or August 17. As we've never done the Carribean we are open to any cruise preferably 6-8 days.

On our previous cruises we've found the following important to us

Large theatre with family entertainment

Plenty of bar/food areas for the family (Disney seemed to want keep the children out of these areas)

Top deck with plenty of activities for the children

Expansive buffet dining with plenty of choices

Would prefer a medium sized ship at a very minimum as the kids love to explore.

Oasis or Allure.

Norwegian Escape or Getaway

Try Family Cruises in special interest section further down this page.You might mention budget, mainstream or luxury category preference.

Really, any cruise line going where you want to go will work...kids are fine in bars/lounges...at least until late at night! All have "family" friendly shows (some have late-night "adult" shows, too) and all have kids clubs. I would pick by itinerary, then price based on the size of cabin you will accept.

You really can't go wrong on any ship for a vacation!

Try RCCL. They dedicate a deck to kids. Great for a first time with huge smorgasboard in Windjammer. Food was good. Don't buy drink cards as you have to drink 8 sodas a day, about 80 teaspoons a day. Want your kids wound up like an 8 day clock?

Early April will give you the widest choice of lines/ships. By mid April most lines are moving their ships to Alaska/Europe for the summer season. After April, you will have Carnival, Royal Caribbean, NCL, and MSC. Celebrity has said they are keeping Equinox in the Caribbean next year but schedules may not be out yet. EM

I've only cruised Princess and Celebrity, and I would not recommend Celebrity for a family; they are much more oriented to an older, adult crowd, which is perfect for me.

People I know who have cruised them LOVE Disney, but they are much, much more expensive than most other lines. Look at Carnival (budget), RCCL, and Norwegian (both moderate). If you want to visit the Orlando area before or after your cruise, look to sail out of Port Canaveral or Tampa.

I would choose your budget first, THEN choose a cruise line, THEN choose an itinerary and date.

I would skip certain ships in Mid April because of spring breakers. I think mainly older Carnival and RCCL ships with stops in Cozumel, Cancun and Jamaica. I can't think of any kids welcome in bars on Celebrity ships. Older kids, say over 13 and well behaved in the pre-dinner dance areas maybe but not the Martini Bar or others with limited seating. But then we purposely avoid cruising during school vacations because kids deserve vacations too; we just don'the want to be mobbed by them. Looking back I would have been in love with those water slides and maybe a computer class for kids on making photo books or family videos after I was about 9.

A friend of mine and her husband are child free but love Disney. According to her those no child zones are for people like her and parents paying extra for their kids to have a nanny while they get a kid free date night.

My teens love Carnival! Ships big but not too big, large buffet area sounds more what you are looking for....I noticed someone said Oasis or Allure but they are very big ships.

I think you will be much happier with an April Sailing. it is VERY hot in the Caribbean in July and August

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My boyfriend and I are looking to make our fist cruise. We are wanting to do a 4 day/3 night but from what I have seen so far it looks like a 5 night is the shortest trip, is this right?

Also we are wanting to go to Ocho Rios, so can anyone suggest what cruise line is the best to go with for the money? We live in PA sand are not sure as to where to depart from? Texas or Florida? Does it matter?

Can anyone give a guestimate as to what an over-all cost for a short trip would be so we can figure out how much to save up? Any tips we should know? I think I am wanting a balcony or OV cabin.

Thanks for any and all help!

My boyfriend and I are looking to make our fist cruise. We are wanting to do a 4 day/3 night but from what I have seen so far it looks like a 5 night is the shortest trip, is this right?

 

Also we are wanting to go to Ocho Rios, so can anyone suggest what cruise line is the best to go with for the money? We live in PA sand are not sure as to where to depart from? Texas or Florida? Does it matter?

 

Can anyone give a guestimate as to what an over-all cost for a short trip would be so we can figure out how much to save up? Any tips we should know? I think I am wanting a balcony or OV cabin.

 

Thanks for any and all help!

Well I know that Carnival and Norwegian offer 3 and 4 day cruises. I think your best option would be to find a travel agent that specializes in cruises and work with them.

Now, usually you'll never get to Jamaica on a short cruise, so you need to weigh which is more important to you, destinations or length of cruise. This is why a travel agent will be a ton of help to you.

You will save more money by booking an inside cabin, they are great you'll only be in there to sleep anyways so that is one way to save money. The cruise will cost different prices depending on the week of sail.

You need to budget for Drinks, both alcoholic and non. If you want to eat at an upcharge restaurant for a few dinners that will be extra. There will be a daily service charge calculated to your account on a daily basis for each passenger. Any tours and trips you want to do in ports. IF you can find a cruise that works out for less than $100 a day you are doing very well.

RCCL Freedom Of The Seas. Not "to big"

Thank you so very much for all the great info! I was thinking, as you mentioned, that we may have to alter our concept of how long to cruise for. Five days seems feasible but I have to see what he wants to do. I also worry about when would be hurricane season as I don't want to be trapped indoors the whole cruise.

If you think of any other valuable tips and advice, feel free to let me know. Thank you so very much once again!

Norwegian Escape or Getaway

Agree! 199%

Our "neighbors" kids on the Oasis were bored silly after day 2 and hanging out in the stairways with others. The "family" shows were non-existent and the boardwalk was just a carnival. The "kids areas" were in dark dingy rooms and more like an arcade.

NCL shows are AMAZING! Our 4 y/o grandson just loved the Imaginarium and lived in splash academy. Most all of the shows are family oriented, Blue Man Group, Cirque etc. etc.

The buffet on the Oasis compared to Golden Corral - We didn't think we were buffet fans until we started sailing on NCL - oh YUM! Check out the NCL forum for photos :D

Opinions vary, but we have done both.....there are 75% more "adventures" for children of all ages on the above NCL ships.

Eastern & Southern Caribbean is the BEST!

Have Fun!

My boyfriend and I are looking to make our fist cruise. We are wanting to do a 4 day/3 night but from what I have seen so far it looks like a 5 night is the shortest trip, is this right?

 

 

 

Also we are wanting to go to Ocho Rios, so can anyone suggest what cruise line is the best to go with for the money? We live in PA sand are not sure as to where to depart from? Texas or Florida? Does it matter?

 

 

 

Can anyone give a guestimate as to what an over-all cost for a short trip would be so we can figure out how much to save up? Any tips we should know? I think I am wanting a balcony or OV cabin.

 

 

 

Thanks for any and all help!

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TheBeachLifeForMe,

Length of cruise will depend on Itinerary and departure port. I know Carnival (and probably others) has 3 and 4 day cruises, but not necessarily including Ocho Rios. Do some searching on Cruise Critic, Expedia, or other internet sites to explore options.

Do you want to drive to port, or fly? If driving, Florida is probably more doable. In addition to Florida and Texas, consider New Orleans. They do Jamaica, and are an easy departure port whether flying or driving.

Fare will vary widely depending on the time you can go. Your internet search will give you the base price and you can really get a good bargain if your times are flexible. In addition to base cost,you need to consider the cost of getting to and from the port, and probably a pre and/ or post cruise hotel, and any gratuities (most lines handle these by giving you the option of paying a specified amount, but these are optional). It is possible to spend little more than this, or a great deal more. You will be charged for the cost of drinks on board ( some offer inclusive drink packages, either prepaid or as part of base fare), specialty dining, any exclusions or other activities you might do In port, gambling, shopping, etc

. So the answer to your question about cost estimate is, it depends. Do some research. These boards are great for that.

Enjoy your cruise!

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My boyfriend and I are looking to make our fist cruise. We are wanting to do a 4 day/3 night but from what I have seen so far it looks like a 5 night is the shortest trip, is this right?

 

Also we are wanting to go to Ocho Rios, so can anyone suggest what cruise line is the best to go with for the money? We live in PA sand are not sure as to where to depart from? Texas or Florida? Does it matter?

 

Can anyone give a guestimate as to what an over-all cost for a short trip would be so we can figure out how much to save up? Any tips we should know? I think I am wanting a balcony or OV cabin.

 

Thanks for any and all help!

Florida ports have far more sailings than Texas.

Norwegian Pearl sails on a 4 night -- stopping only at Ocho Rios on Nov. 13.

Otherwise, I think you need to consider 5 night itineraries - of which there are probably several every week.

If cost is major concen, book outside rather than balcony (unless, of course, you would be comfortable in an inside).

Overall costs are close to impossible to estimate without knowing your drinking and dining tastes. It is easy to double the fare by drinking a lot, choosing specialty dining, spending time in the casino, booking a pricey tour at port, giving generous tips, etc.

Thank you so very much for all the great info! I was thinking, as you mentioned, that we may have to alter our concept of how long to cruise for. Five days seems feasible but I have to see what he wants to do. I also worry about when would be hurricane season as I don't want to be trapped indoors the whole cruise.

If you think of any other valuable tips and advice, feel free to let me know. Thank you so very much once again!

There might be no reason to be "trapped indoors" because you really never know storms on any cruise, let alone in "hurricane season". This is not a big worry anyways, because the captain will steer clear of storms, he wants to keep his ship out of harm's way as well as the passengers. It might be that you would miss a port or the itinerary will not be quite what it was supposed to be.