Please help me. First time cruiser.

[Thomasmgp]

For some reason my first post was removed so reposting.

 

Never been on a cruise before and thinking about taking one probably in March or April. Will probably pick either Carnival or Royal Caribbean. Here is what I am looking for:

 

*Caribbean out of either Miami or Fort Lauderdale. Prefer not to do the Cozmel, Grand Cayman one been to those places before

*Good food. Must have a Sushi bar/restaurant

*Awesome night life. Best bars and clubs that stay open until I cant see straight. I want a high energy, fist pumping atmosphere

*Decent amount of people age 20-30. Have had 2 friends actually meet their girlfriends on a cruise. One of them got married last summer and I think the other is about to get engaged. So would love to find that special person although Im sure the odds of that happening are about the same as winning the lottery.

*Best Suites. Jacuzzi would be great as well as a full bar if thats possible. Im just used to staying in a nice place. All my shore vacations have been in 4-5 star resorts so I want the same type of accommodations on a cruise.

 

I am single, in my mid 20s, and will be going solo. I might end up with some friends going but as of right now Im solo. Just wondering what the best ship is. Theres like 20 on both Royal Caribbean and Carnival so are they all the same? I just want the one that will have the most going on where the party never stops. I dont care much for shows. When I vacation its pretty much poolside all day, eat, casino for a few hours, then clubs/bars till they close. Rinse and repeat.

[1025cruise]

Carnival or Royal Caribbean will definitely meet your age range, but I can't say for certain that there is a sushi restaurant on all the ships.

One thing to consider if cruising solo is that pricing is per person, based on double occupancy. Suites are the most expensive cabins on the ship, so you would be paying a lot of money for one.

[paul929207]

Welcome to Cruise Critic.

 

You will find people your age on both Carnival and RCI, but you will also find families with children and older people. To reduce the number of families, cruise when schools are in session.

[Krazy Kruizers]

Welcome to Cruise Critic.

[beachbum53]

Welcome to Cruise Critic! Although you can collect a lot of helpful information on here, your best bet would be to talk to a cruise specialist in your area. Also, I would go to both Royal Caribbean and Carnival's web sites to see which ships most closely match what you're looking for in the way of onboard amenities. One possibility might be Royal Carribean's Voyager class of ships. It sounds like either an Eastern or Southern Caribbean itinerary might be what you're looking for. Fair warning: Cruising can become very addictive.:D

[Solo Cruiser]

Having been on neither of those cruise lines I can't help you with specifics but I can advise you about Cruise Critics boards. Be sure to check back frequently for answers to your questions and to post additional questions when you are ready to ask them. There are also cruise line specific boards you can check out where questions may be answered by people with lots of experience on the line you select. Once you have booked your cruise, participate in that voyage's roll call board to pre-meet folks before you sail. Welcome to the best community of cruise junkies online and have a super cruise.

[neverbeenhere]

don't worry about the ports on your cruise. sleep during the day by the pool. Party all night. no getting off the ship necessary. Carnival "might" be what you want. :D Been there, done it. Will do it again in a minute (month or two).

[Thomasmgp]

Probably going to do Royal Caribbean on Oasis of the Seas. Already talked to a lady today about a trip. Had a friend just get back from one they did over New Years on that ship and said it was a blast. Although he said it was quite the sausage fest. If I go during Spring Break hopefully that wont be a problem.

[Mizzouaholic]

I'd choose Carnival!

[Thomasmgp]

I'd choose Carnival!

 

So between Carnival Breeze and RC's Oasis of the Seas which is a better boat with more to do and has the most partying and younger crowds? Either boat will be fine by me as long as I dont get bored. Also do the bars have closing times? I prefer watching the sun rise.

[trish1c]

An on-line TA that advertises on this site often does singles cruises. I'd search around for those & consider those dates when booking. CC rules prohibit posters from naming specific TAs.

I know NCL has a Sushi bar but I can't speak to the other lines.

Understand something about cruising solo, especially in a suite -- this is going to get expensive. The prices you see are per person. Unlike hotel rooms, you will pay double. So if the suite costs $1,200 pp to have it all to yourself you will pay $2,400.

[cb at sea]

Sounds like VEGAS is the place for you!

 

Nightlife is totally dependant on the mix of passengers on any given cruise...this week it could be a late-night crowd, but on your trip, it could be all "early to bed" folks. That's true on ANY ship...any cruiseline.

 

Ship sushi is not always the best...so don't base your vacation around a snack!

[SMerritt]

The larger NCL ships with Courtyard complexes have special solo cabins with a social/bar area dedicated to these accommodations, with cocktail hour and other social gatherings.

 

Most NCL ships have sushi, Tempennaki (ala Benihana), White Hot Party etc. etc. Ice Bar on the Epic

[iheartbda]

Probably going to do Royal Caribbean on Oasis of the Seas. Already talked to a lady today about a trip. Had a friend just get back from one they did over New Years on that ship and said it was a blast. Although he said it was quite the sausage fest. If I go during Spring Break hopefully that wont be a problem.

That's probably when you will find the most "energy". Many people avoid spring break like the plague.:D

[Thomasmgp]

That's probably when you will find the most "energy". Many people avoid spring break like the plague.:D

 

Why would anyone avoid the biggest week of partying "like the plague"

[paul929207]

Why would anyone avoid the biggest week of partying "like the plague"

The ships are full of kids.

[1025cruise]

Not all of us are college kids. I couldn't tell you what time bars close because I'm normally in bed by then. I'm looking for a relaxing vacation, not a week long party.

[iheartbda]

Why would anyone avoid the biggest week of partying "like the plague"

Not everyone is in their 20's and views a cruise as an ocassion to party their brains out.;)

[Sheffie]

There was sushi in the evening buffet on our last RCI cruise.