Help choosing cruise

My husband and I have been on a total combined of 3 cruises. We are looking at taking a family vacation sometime between Nov-Jan. We want to do the Caribbean (any route is fine). We prefer to leave out of Galveston but are open to New Orleans or Florida. We will be traveling with our son who is 6. We are 36 and 34. I want to make sure we choose the right cruise for us. The ports arent really that important because we are just looking to relax so anywhere we port with a nice beach is all we are really looking for. The ship I think is more important because we will be on it longer than at the ports. Any and all advice is much appreciated.

Welcome to Cruise Critic.

If you can get over to Florida you will have a greater number of choices of cruise lines and ships to choose from so if that is doable I would focus there. Galveston and even New Orleans limits your choices.

Maybe an RCI ship out of Florida would be a good choice.

Keith

Welcome to Cruise Critic.

 

If you can get over to Florida you will have a greater number of choices of cruise lines and ships to choose from so if that is doable I would focus there. Galveston and even New Orleans limits your choices.

 

Maybe an RCI ship out of Florida would be a good choice.

 

Keith

Thanks Keith

We are coming from California and my husband isn't a huge fan of flying so I was trying to stay a little closer. But if we are going to have better options I'm sure he would do it.

Thanks

Have you talked to a TA? They can give you the choice for Galveston, NO and Florida

Californian here. It's not any more painful to fly to Florida than it is to Galveston or New Orleans from Cali. Galveston isn't an ideal cruise port either.

Unless the flights are a ton cheaper for some reason, you'll get much more bang for your buck taking a Florida Caribbean cruise.

Since the ports don't matter, I'd either pick an itinerary you haven't done before (I'm sick of the W. Caribbean for example, but haven't been on Eastern so that's my next cruise personally) OR pick one that stops at a cruise ship's private island. The cruise line private islands are isolated and seem ideal for families. Not too much to worry about beyond the basics of water safety/sun stroke/dehydration, etc.

Norwegian seems to miss their private island an awful lot. It seems much less of a problem on RCI and extremely rare for Disney to miss theirs (although it has happened).

Personally, I don't recommend a travel agent until you already have a good idea of what you want. This board is full of EXTREMELY experienced cruisers of ALL lines. No one travel agent can ever match the collective knowledge of Cruise Critic. Plus, how do you even find a "good" one and are able to really verify their knowledge?

Once you've got a good idea of what you want, then you can find an agent to take care of special requests and get you a good deal.

Welcome to Cruise Critic!

Going out of Florida would give you so many more choices. :)

Please consider talking to a good travel agent who specializes in cruising.

Carnival Vista or Horizon. So much to do on them! Husband's favorite feature is the on-board micro brewery. They are sister ships, I believe that by winter the Vista will be in Galviston and Horizon in Miami doing 6- or 8-day Caribbean itineraries; I would opt for an 8-day. If you have the $$ book a room in the Havana area, (inside, balcony, and suite categories available), which has an exclusive pool, bar, loungers and hot-tubs (public after 7pm). Havana is especially nice on sea days when everyone is on board!

My husband and I have been on a total combined of 3 cruises. We are looking at taking a family vacation sometime between Nov-Jan. We want to do the Caribbean (any route is fine). We prefer to leave out of Galveston but are open to New Orleans or Florida. We will be traveling with our son who is 6. We are 36 and 34. I want to make sure we choose the right cruise for us. The ports arent really that important because we are just looking to relax so anywhere we port with a nice beach is all we are really looking for. The ship I think is more important because we will be on it longer than at the ports. Any and all advice is much appreciated.

If you can get to Florida, you should look at the Oasis class of ships from Royal. Oasis, Harmony, Allure of the Seas. Since you emphasis is going to be enjoyment of the ship...these will blow you away, and your child will have a blast. They often (not always) cost a little more, but I'd say it's worth it.

We've sailed from Galveston, and while I wouldn't say "don't do it", I will say it is a pretty hectic embarking / debarking experience. Can be a bit confusing. And you'll have to get from a Houston airport to Galveston.

One piece of advice many will give you. Wherever you go, get there a day early. Can you imagine if you are to fly in the day of the cruise, and a flight is delayed or cancelled and you miss out? Yes, you'll have to pay for a night in a hotel...but honestly, the $200 is more than compensated for by the reduction of stress.

If you can get to Florida, you should look at the Oasis class of ships from Royal. Oasis, Harmony, Allure of the Seas. Since you emphasis is going to be enjoyment of the ship...these will blow you away, and your child will have a blast. They often (not always) cost a little more, but I'd say it's worth it.

 

We've sailed from Galveston, and while I wouldn't say "don't do it", I will say it is a pretty hectic embarking / debarking experience. Can be a bit confusing. And you'll have to get from a Houston airport to Galveston.

 

One piece of advice many will give you. Wherever you go, get there a day early. Can you imagine if you are to fly in the day of the cruise, and a flight is delayed or cancelled and you miss out? Yes, you'll have to pay for a night in a hotel...but honestly, the $200 is more than compensated for by the reduction of stress.

None of their ships leave on the 15th. We will fly in the afternoon/night before. I agree on spending the extra money for the hotel and not having to worry about a flight delay.

None of their ships leave on the 15th.

Did I miss something? Your original post didn't specify a date, just a range of months.

Did I miss something? Your original post didn't specify a date, just a range of months.

Sorry things have changed a little since my first post. We are now looking to leave December 15 so we can fly a day or two before Christmas Eve.

Sorry things have changed a little since my first post. We are now looking to leave December 15 so we can fly a day or two before Christmas Eve.

Gotcha. Well, sailing the week BEFORE Christmas should save you some money. It's crazy expensive to sail when you have Christmas or New Year's as part of your cruise.

So, is flying IN on the 15th, sailing on the 16th and returning home on the 23rd in the morning just not workable? By excluding yourself from Sunday sailings, you're cutting down on your choices.

Princess and Carnival have cruises departing LA on Dec 15. Have you considered those instead of flying to FL?

Why three different threads? https://boards.cruisecritic.com/search.php?searchid=125146350

Gotcha. Well, sailing the week BEFORE Christmas should save you some money. It's crazy expensive to sail when you have Christmas or New Year's as part of your cruise.

 

So, is flying IN on the 15th, sailing on the 16th and returning home on the 23rd in the morning just not workable? By excluding yourself from Sunday sailings, you're cutting down on your choices.

I would honestly rather not fly the day before Christmas Eve. We are currently looking at the Carnival Breeze out of Orlando on the 15th. I have heard great things about the ship. Thoughts on that ship?

Princess and Carnival have cruises departing LA on Dec 15. Have you considered those instead of flying to FL?

 

Why three different threads? https://boards.cruisecritic.com/search.php?searchid=125146350

I didnt see those as an option to the Caribbean. I dont know if we would want to do Princess with our son. I fear that he might not have enough to do. I will look into the Carnival one.

Trying to get as much input as possible.

I didnt see those as an option to the Caribbean. I dont know if we would want to do Princess with our son. I fear that he might not have enough to do. I will look into the Carnival one.

 

Trying to get as much input as possible.

Not an option to the Caribbean. The option would eliminate a cross country flight and certainly the weather would be similar.

Not an option to the Caribbean. The option would eliminate a cross country flight and certainly the weather would be similar.

Yeah we arent really too excited about a cruise to Mexico. We have done it years ago. We want to go where the beaches are beautiful. :D:D;):D

I would honestly rather not fly the day before Christmas Eve. We are currently looking at the Carnival Breeze out of Orlando on the 15th. I have heard great things about the ship. Thoughts on that ship?

Just remember you fly to Orlando but the cruise leaves about a 90-min drive away from Orlando.

As others have said, look at Florida ports will give you a lot more options. And really its what an extra one hour in the air at cruising altitude?

I would honestly rather not fly the day before Christmas Eve. We are currently looking at the Carnival Breeze out of Orlando on the 15th. I have heard great things about the ship. Thoughts on that ship?

I've never sailed with Carnival, so cannot comment. My daughter and her boyfriend have, twice. They've done 3 different cruise lines now, and enjoyed them all. Pros and cons to each, according to them. Certainly that's my experience bouncing between NCL and RCCL. In the end, you'll be on a cruise!! If the time, price & itinerary check all your boxes, it sounds like a win to me.

Others mentioned that the airport and the port are not too close to each other. Just plan accordingly with your hotel and your transport. Probably a very expensive cab or Uber ride, so maybe rent a car via two one way trips (so you don't pay for the car while you're on the ship).

Miami and Ft. Lauderdale are pretty close to one another. You could fly to either location and pick either port as a cruise option. This would give you more options on flights and cruises. We only have experience with Royal Caribbean. I am not sure what they have sailing on the 15th. We have not done any of the Oasis class ships since I am not yet willing to pay the extra money but we probably will soon. Our kids, now 8 & 4 had plenty to do on Freedom of the Seas. So, we are sticking with some of the "smaller" ships for now, Adventure is next. Our sons loved the kids pool area and the kids club, which I think is on most ships. And of course, they loved the ice cream machine. Adventure will have the water slides for them to try as well.

When you have fewer cruises under the belt, it's tough to find one you won't like! I think either Carnival or RCI would do the trick. Price out options, see what amenities are important, see what dates work best.

I agree to go to Florida. More options, and spending the night before is a great little extra to the vacation

December 16 and you could get on Carnival Vista out of Galveston. That ship is newer than Breeze and has a special area with Havana themed cabins as well as some cute family cabins. As far as the Breeze goes, it is one of Carnival's newer ships. I've been on it for a week long cruise. It has a nice thermal suite in the spa. The negative about all Carnival ships is the "American Table" dining experience where the have removed table cloths from the MDR and the food is so-so, IMO. We wound up eating at the Chef's Table one night and the rest in the steakhouse which cost extra, but at least the food was good to very good.

Have you considered that in December, these cruises from Galveston, NOLA or Miami are going to be cool and rainy most likely. If you want a warm weather cruise in December, you are better off flying into Puerto Rico or Barbados and going on a Southern Caribbean cruise.

However, if you are trying to pick the best ship for your children, then these are the ships to consider:

NCL

Epic

Getaway

Breakaway

Escape

These are all mega ships with a full scale waterpark, ropes course, mini golf, rock wall climbing, kids clubs, bowling. The culture on NCL is to go to a different specialty restaurant every night and only sit with your own party unless you make friends onboard and decide to meet for dinner. You do have to make reservations for dinner in advance of your cruise in order to get into the specialty restaurants. And it is wise to make reservations for shows as well. If you want a more exclusive experience, then get a The Haven 2 bedroom family villa. These ships also have the best spa's at sea. They feel like being at a new Las Vegas Casino Hotel with a waterpark.

RCCL

Oasis of the Seas

Allure of the Seas

Symphony of the Seas

Harmony of the Seas

RCCL's mega ships are the direct competitors of NCL's mega ships. They have flow riders, zip lining, rock wall climbing, ice skating, mini golf, sports court, merry go round and some of these ships now have water slides as well. I've seen the kids clubs out and about on the ship and kids look to be having a great time. They have main dining rooms as well as specialty restaurants. You need to make reservations for the specialty restaurants and also for the shows onboard in advance of your cruise. The shows are things like high diving, ice skating, Broadway musical, comedy club. To me these ships feel like staying in a huge amusement park - like Disneyworld.

Disney

Magic

Wonder

Dream

Fantasy

If your kids are 4 - 10, I think this line would be the ideal choice as it is character meet and greets, and lots of Disney themed things to do onboard. Be sure to get on a Fish Extender group - its really fun. You can ship your fish extender stuff to your night before the cruise hotel - just let them know in advance. These ships have children clubs and lots and lots of things for the kids. There are water slides onboard. Family pirate night. You see little kids wearing their Disney costumes onboard and meeting Disney princesses and so forth. It's really a once in a lifetime thing that you would do for your kids especially.

Carnival

Magic

Breeze

Vista

They have a kids club, H2O waterpark for the kids and a few minor waterslides. Some of these ships have ropes courses and mini golf. Some of these ships have a 4-D movie theater that shows 15 minute movies which cost extra. There is an arcade. There is not much in the way of shows for kids as Carnival relies heavily on comedians who work blue.

"Have you considered that in December, these cruises from Galveston, NOLA or Miami are going to be cool and rainy most likely. If you want a warm weather cruise in December, you are better off flying into Puerto Rico or Barbados and going on a Southern Caribbean cruise."

Maybe we were the exception, but our cruise out of Ft. Lauderdale last December at the same time the OP is looking at had beautiful weather. It was gorgeous in Ft. Lauderdale and even better in the Western Caribbean. I would not skip these ports on possible bad weather. It could be rainy and cool anywhere that time of year, even San Juan.

December 16 and you could get on Carnival Vista out of Galveston. That ship is newer than Breeze and has a special area with Havana themed cabins as well as some cute family cabins. As far as the Breeze goes, it is one of Carnival's newer ships. I've been on it for a week long cruise. It has a nice thermal suite in the spa. The negative about all Carnival ships is the "American Table" dining experience where the have removed table cloths from the MDR and the food is so-so, IMO. We wound up eating at the Chef's Table one night and the rest in the steakhouse which cost extra, but at least the food was good to very good.

 

Have you considered that in December, these cruises from Galveston, NOLA or Miami are going to be cool and rainy most likely. If you want a warm weather cruise in December, you are better off flying into Puerto Rico or Barbados and going on a Southern Caribbean cruise.

 

However, if you are trying to pick the best ship for your children, then these are the ships to consider:

 

NCL

Epic

Getaway

Breakaway

Escape

 

These are all mega ships with a full scale waterpark, ropes course, mini golf, rock wall climbing, kids clubs, bowling. The culture on NCL is to go to a different specialty restaurant every night and only sit with your own party unless you make friends onboard and decide to meet for dinner. You do have to make reservations for dinner in advance of your cruise in order to get into the specialty restaurants. And it is wise to make reservations for shows as well. If you want a more exclusive experience, then get a The Haven 2 bedroom family villa. These ships also have the best spa's at sea. They feel like being at a new Las Vegas Casino Hotel with a waterpark.

 

RCCL

Oasis of the Seas

Allure of the Seas

Symphony of the Seas

Harmony of the Seas

 

RCCL's mega ships are the direct competitors of NCL's mega ships. They have flow riders, zip lining, rock wall climbing, ice skating, mini golf, sports court, merry go round and some of these ships now have water slides as well. I've seen the kids clubs out and about on the ship and kids look to be having a great time. They have main dining rooms as well as specialty restaurants. You need to make reservations for the specialty restaurants and also for the shows onboard in advance of your cruise. The shows are things like high diving, ice skating, Broadway musical, comedy club. To me these ships feel like staying in a huge amusement park - like Disneyworld.

 

Disney

Magic

Wonder

Dream

Fantasy

 

If your kids are 4 - 10, I think this line would be the ideal choice as it is character meet and greets, and lots of Disney themed things to do onboard. Be sure to get on a Fish Extender group - its really fun. You can ship your fish extender stuff to your night before the cruise hotel - just let them know in advance. These ships have children clubs and lots and lots of things for the kids. There are water slides onboard. Family pirate night. You see little kids wearing their Disney costumes onboard and meeting Disney princesses and so forth. It's really a once in a lifetime thing that you would do for your kids especially.

 

Carnival

Magic

Breeze

Vista

 

They have a kids club, H2O waterpark for the kids and a few minor waterslides. Some of these ships have ropes courses and mini golf. Some of these ships have a 4-D movie theater that shows 15 minute movies which cost extra. There is an arcade. There is not much in the way of shows for kids as Carnival relies heavily on comedians who work blue.

That was a lot of great information. I didnt realize that leaving out of Florida would be rainy. I thought once we got out in the Caribbean it would be good weather. Guess I need to check that. Is a southern caribbean cruise really that much better than Western or Eastern? We cant fly to Puerto Rico only because my husband hates to fly so I am barely able to convince him to fly to Florida from Cali.

That was a lot of great information. I didnt realize that leaving out of Florida would be rainy. I thought once we got out in the Caribbean it would be good weather. Guess I need to check that. Is a southern caribbean cruise really that much better than Western or Eastern? We cant fly to Puerto Rico only because my husband hates to fly so I am barely able to convince him to fly to Florida from Cali.

I don't know if you saw my post above yours, but we sailed the same week you are looking at last year and had amazing weather for western Caribbean out of Ft Lauderdale. I wouldn't worry too much about that since you never know what the weather will be wherever you go. Also, the other poster mentioned the larger Royal Caibbean ships. We have not been on one of those yet. We were on Freedom last December. It is smaller, but there was still a ton of things to do. Our 7 yr old and 3 yr old sons loved it. We will be on Adventure this November. I believe this one might be a bit smaller than even Freedom, but they have water slides on this one. Our older son loved the kids' club. Our younger is very much a momma's boy right now. He stayed with us most of the time, but he did go there twice for hubby and I to have some time to ourselves. He was happy with being there both times we picked him up. I can't speak about other cruise lines since we have not tried them with kids, but we have loved our RCI experience- one with the kids, one without, and one coming up with kids and grandparents.

I don't think you can really go wrong with whatever you chose.