Which cruise line for fun other than CCL?

[Almost Packed]

So I'm looking at trying out a different cruise line. We have our 3rd cruise booked on Carnival. It's all we've sailed as of yet.

 

We are considering trying something different, not that we have any complaints with Carnival at all. Our cruises have been excellent but I want to try different ports.

 

I'd like to go to Europe I'm thinking. Maybe Greece, or Middle East somewhere.

Honestly I'm not really sure. We would be considered semi-active. No, we will not wake up and job or hit the gym(ok i might but dh won't) but we don't mind an active excursion.

 

We like the casinos and we don't care too much about the pools. The hot tubs are nice but no big deal. We enjoy the balcony.

We want to have fun but we are not Karaoke singers, clubbers etc...but we could be with the right crowd. Budget is important. We are not foodies. A nice meal is all we ask, nothing 5*....we are simple and easy to please.

 

We love the ports. That's our big thing. We don't want boring, but we don't want to mountain bike either.

 

Any suggestions...which cruise line and which ports we should consider?

I'm 38 and dh is 41 and we are in good health so heat/cold is not a problem. Having said that, i have no desire to go to Alaska.

 

Thanks in advance for some suggestions and reasons why for what you did while in port there.

[printingchick]

I'm a former (six cruises) Carnival cruiser. I always enjoyed my cruises on Carnival and they tended to be the low cost cruise line. Budget is important to me too.

 

My last couple of cruises have been on Royal Caribbean. Here are the comparisons as I see them:

• Carnival tends to be a little less expensive, although Royal Caribbean tends to have more price drops leading up to the cruise. (Even after booking, you can get the lower price if you see it published.) In the long run, pricing tends to be fairly similar, with Carnival often coming in just a little lower.
  
• Carnival has the hairy chest contest. Royal has the sexy legs contest. Same thing, different body part.
  
• Both cruise lines market to a younger, more budget-minded passenger.
  
• Carnival markets itself as the "Fun Ship" and appeals to what you might call a "party crowd." Royal Caribbean markets to a more sporty crowd, and appeals to a more active passenger with things like the rock-climbing wall, FlowRider, skating and crew-versus-passenger dodge ball competition.
  
• Food is comparable on both lines.
  
• Decor is far more classy and less "in your face" on Royal than Carnival. You probably won't find a lot of burnt orange on an RCCL ship.
  
• RCCL does a FAR better job of maintaining their fleet. Maintenance is one of those things you only notice if it's done very well or very poorly. I've experienced opposite ends of the spectrum on Carnival and Royal older ships. You won't find torn carpet on the mini-golf course on a Royal Caribbean ship.
  

As for places to sail, I've only sailed in the Caribbean. I can't afford to fly to Europe to cruise. I prefer to escape the cold winters on my tropical cruise. Can't help you with suggestions regarding itineraries.

[Fredr]

Hello,

 

Look at transatlantic cruises on an RCCL ship. The prices are very reasonable and you will see some very interesting ports along the way from Rome or Venice especially.

[Silvery Seas Cruiser]

For tons of fun, you can't beat the larger Royal Caribbean ships, especially the Freedom Class and Voyager Class ships. My personal favorites are Freedom, Liberty and Independence.

[Happy ks]

Choose your itinerary first, your ship second. That will narrow your choices dramatically.

 

We cruised Italy/Croatia last year and it was wonderful. We went on an older RCI ship, Legend of the Seas, but the thought was for the ports, not the ship. The ship ended up being a lot nicer than we had anticipated. We did expect an older crowd due to the time of year and most were in the 50-65 age group (same as us), they were healthy and active. A Med cruise is port intensive and there is a lot of walking over uneven surfaces.

 

I would do it again in a heartbeat. Much more fascinating than a Caribbean or Mexican cruise.

 

Don't discount Alaska, perhaps not yet but in future years. It's an amazing place to experience and not always cold!

[serene56]

We have sailed Carnival, Royal and Princess.

 

Anycruise you take will be as fun as you want it to be.

 

For us--price dictates who we cruise with- that is why we cant take another Royal Caribbean cruise.

 

If cost is not a factor for you-- do a search on ports-- then ship

[momofmeg]

I found NCL very simliar to Carnival and they have the best prices on med cruises. Unless you are wanting to go up a notch, you should check them out.

[cruiserbryce]

we have always had a blast and found some great deals on RC

[Almost Packed]

Dh & I tend to travel most during off peak times. So what is considered "off peak" overseas.

 

I can dress for cold/hot destinations as long as i know it in advance so that's not a problem.

 

Perhaps i should know what off season is first, then shop iten, then line/ship?

 

I've only been on 2 cruises, both with Carnival and we have our 3rd booked now. Same iten basically for all 3. It's been too simple lol.

 

As far as age, i don't mind any ages. Honestly I love to sit and talk with the older generations because you learn so much from them. I just like them not to be in a coma.

 

The type of people...well, dh & I are very friendly people and we can get along with all types of people....except snobby people. I cannot stand people who think they are better than others. I don't want to be around people like that so if there is a particular line that i should shy away from, please let me know.

 

I've heard of cruises to Austrailia, Hawaii etc. there's so many i don't know where to begin. But it's okay, it gives me something to do. I just need a little push in the right direction.

 

I know i can count on my friends on CC to help me.

 

p.s. the only thing really important about our ship is that we have a balcony. It doesn't have to be a wrap, extra long, suite etc....just a balcony for the 2 of us.

[cb at sea]

All of the "mass-market" lines are remarkably similar.....and all go to the Caribbean...(I'm assuming you want a "warm weather" port!)

 

Those are the "fun" cruises....Transatlantics...lots of sea days...might be rough/chilly....I'm assuming you aren't into history/culture....the Caribbean is the "fun" destination.

 

Look at all of the lines and see which ports they offer....some of the "upscale" lines (think "Luxury") go to the Caribbean, but they won't offer the onboard "playtime" that the larger, mainstream lines have!

 

Go to all of the cruiseline websites, request a brochure, and start comparing!

[Almost Packed]

All of the "mass-market" lines are remarkably similar.....and all go to the Caribbean...(I'm assuming you want a "warm weather" port!)

 

Those are the "fun" cruises....Transatlantics...lots of sea days...might be rough/chilly....I'm assuming you aren't into history/culture....the Caribbean is the "fun" destination.

 

Look at all of the lines and see which ports they offer....some of the "upscale" lines (think "Luxury") go to the Caribbean, but they won't offer the onboard "playtime" that the larger, mainstream lines have!

 

Go to all of the cruiseline websites, request a brochure, and start comparing!

 

actually cb, as stated in my above postings...we are not into much of anything in particular. we could do luxury cruise or not. i don't like snobby people so if that's who cruises on those, i don't want something like that. i don't want the Caribbean...been there done that. I'm looking for somewhere different and not sure why.

 

so if i offered to pay for you a cruise, where would you go (somewhere not from the U.S.) and what cruise line/ship and why? sell me on it.

[Colorado Kat]

We've done 3 cruises on Carnival in the Caribbean, and enjoyed them all. This year, we'll be switching to Royal Caribbean Mariner of the Seas, for a cruise to the Mexican Riveria (leaving from Los Angeles).

 

We'll be travelling with some people we met on our last cruise, and our kids hit it off really well. They've been on this line before, and say that there are more sporty type activities, with a rock climbing wall, ice-skating rink, in-line skating, and a full-court basketball court.

 

My daughters are 18, and really want warm-weather places. If I had my choice, I would do an Alaskan cruise, a repositioning cruise across the Atlantic, or something in Europe/Mediterrean.

 

Have fun researching!

 

Kathy

[chipmaster]

So I'm looking at trying out a different cruise line. We have our 3rd cruise booked on Carnival. It's all we've sailed as of yet.

 

We are considering trying something different, not that we have any complaints with Carnival at all. Our cruises have been excellent but I want to try different ports.

 

I'd like to go to Europe I'm thinking. Maybe Greece, or Middle East somewhere.

Honestly I'm not really sure. We would be considered semi-active. No, we will not wake up and job or hit the gym(ok i might but dh won't) but we don't mind an active excursion.

 

We like the casinos and we don't care too much about the pools. The hot tubs are nice but no big deal. We enjoy the balcony.

We want to have fun but we are not Karaoke singers, clubbers etc...but we could be with the right crowd. Budget is important. We are not foodies. A nice meal is all we ask, nothing 5*....we are simple and easy to please.

 

We love the ports. That's our big thing. We don't want boring, but we don't want to mountain bike either.

 

Any suggestions...which cruise line and which ports we should consider?

I'm 38 and dh is 41 and we are in good health so heat/cold is not a problem. Having said that, i have no desire to go to Alaska.

 

Thanks in advance for some suggestions and reasons why for what you did while in port there.

 

 

I'm lost as to why anyone thinks CCL has any corner on fun, they market fun ships but I've had as much if not more fun on other lines.

 

If Europe is what you want most major lines sail Europe and I hear CCL doesn't, I gurantee you'll have lots of fun there even with no Fun ships.

 

Its all about the ports, pick your favorite 5, 8, 10 and find the cruise tha that sail it with the price you can afford. You'll be so busy and have a blast in the port the ship will be just a nice moving hotel with no worries about food, or nightly entertainment. For Europe if you are on a budget forget the Balcony and views and use the extra money for good private shore excursions. They will add to more fun then spending the same $ on a view.

 

Good luck planning

[Almost Packed]

I'm lost as to why anyone thinks CCL has any corner on fun, they market fun ships but I've had as much if not more fun on other lines.

 

If Europe is what you want most major lines sail Europe and I hear CCL doesn't, I gurantee you'll have lots of fun there even with no Fun ships.

 

Its all about the ports, pick your favorite 5, 8, 10 and find the cruise tha that sail it with the price you can afford. You'll be so busy and have a blast in the port the ship will be just a nice moving hotel with no worries about food, or nightly entertainment. For Europe if you are on a budget forget the Balcony and views and use the extra money for good private shore excursions. They will add to more fun then spending the same $ on a view.

 

Good luck planning

 

So in your opinion, it's a waste of $'s to have a balcony for a Europeon cruise? Because the are port intensive? That seems to make sense as from what i've seen the ship does spend alot of time in port.

 

As far as the ports, I really don't know what i'm interested in. I've viewed some of the excursions. I think I need to get a bit more familliar with the ports. But then maybe i'd be better off with a land vacation over there. I don't know! lol...I have plenty of time to decide lol...i'm thinking about a cruise in 2011 to Europe.

Thanks everyone, and feel free to list your favorite port and excursion and what it was that you liked.

[chipmaster]

So in your opinion, it's a waste of $'s to have a balcony for a Europeon cruise? Because the are port intensive? That seems to make sense as from what i've seen the ship does spend alot of time in port.

 

As far as the ports, I really don't know what i'm interested in. I've viewed some of the excursions. I think I need to get a bit more familliar with the ports. But then maybe i'd be better off with a land vacation over there. I don't know! lol...I have plenty of time to decide lol...i'm thinking about a cruise in 2011 to Europe.

Thanks everyone, and feel free to list your favorite port and excursion and what it was that you liked.

 

 

Hi,

 

Some say view/balcony is a must for a long cruise. Maybe I'm cheap or just a value kind of guy that it matters less. Our family spends so little time in the cabin and when we are there its dressing or sleeping, to much fun stuff and its all outside of the cabin. For our European trip we got upgraded to a view, but really that was the one cruise that it really didn't matter.

 

Here is a site I used to learn what is close and available in each European port: http://www.europeportreviews.com/

 

Do research carefully as some ports have lots to do minutes away and others require a good hour to 3 hours roundtrip travel time.

 

After much research we settled on the Princess Grand Med: Venice, Athens, Kusadasi for Ephesus, Istanbul,, Mykonos, Naples, Livorno for Pisa/Florence, Civitavecchia for Rome, Marsailles, and Barcelona.

 

Happy planning

[Almost Packed]

hey chipmaster,

 

Thanks for the info!

 

everyone else too!

[barante]

I wholeheartedly endorse the poster who recommended that you select the itinerary first and then the line. We have had terrific cruises on Celebrity, HAL, Carnival, RCL, Norwegian and Princess. Each defines fun differently, as do I. For me fun is the waterslide on some Carnival ships, not whatever happens or doesn't happen in bars or discos. Despite some variations, I would say that the various lines are surprisingly similar, although Celebrity and HAL tend to be a bit more traditional. We alternate between different lines and concepts because that has proven to be a satisfying experience.

This is a terrific time to book a cruise. A few years from now we'll be remembering this as a great moment. Just think of this week's offers. They are giving cruises away.

Because we were conned by a travel agency which went bankrupt, we decided to cancel the original, January, booking. We were still looking for alternatives and fretting air travel, when Celebrity sent me an email about a considerable price drop on the Mercury's Christmas/New Year's cruise ouf of Baltimore, our hometown. Because that usually is the most expensive time to cruise, we had not even considered it.

We ended up booking a terrific inside, just steps away from the sunning and running deck and with outside steps and an inside staircase leading down to the cafeteria, for about the same as a less well-located inside on the original cruise.

Always pay with plastic, in case you have to dispute a charge. We did that successfully and re-emerged from our travel agency fiasco unscathed. I find the best deals on the internet and will still use internet agencies, despite our hairy experience.

We cruise often and I constantly follow prices and itineraries. When I see a good one, I take note. When I see an exceptional one at a good price, I jump.

[nicholasis1]

hello i am headed on my 3rd or is it 4th cruise in two weeks. Yes we look at price first but the first thing is WHERE do we really want to go. I love love st thomas and st kitts and the virgin islands. I would love to go there again in a heartbeat, but My best friend has done alaska three times so I think that is on our adjenda. It is supposed to be absolute the most fabulous place to visit, and it is not always cold. Yes going to mexico can get boring time after time, but the different people we have met on each and every trip has been great and we look to sit at a large table just for that reason. It is what you make of your trip no matter where you go. I have found that the larger ships are Less per sonal but I cannot say at this point, that i have had one bad cruise so far. Looking to my next one in two weeks.