Need a cruise line recommendation...

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[Post New]05/08/2015 21:44
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Anonymous
My very elderly parents really like to cruise and would really like to take another cruise with us and the kids. I know there are a lot of cruise haters on this forum, and I hear your objections, but given their age, cruises work for them and I'd like to humor them on this. We've done a Holland America one with them, and I liked it, but now the kids are older they want more of the "fun" amenities. We also did a Carnival cruise with them, but all the adults felt that the food was a bit lacking (although frankly better than I expected, once I figured out what to eat and what to avoid), and none of us were thrilled with the frat party atmosphere on sea days. I've heard Disney is very over-priced for what you get (and I really want to avoid all the tie-ins to the Disney shows that we do not watch). I was just looking at reviews for RCL, and many seemed to say "take a different cruise line" without saying which.
Any suggestions for a cruise line that is a bit higher end than Carnival, but not as geriatric as Holland America? Also, we'd like something in the Western Hemisphere -- not a solely European line.
(FWIW, I think Holland America is GREAT if you have babies -- no one loves babies more than old people and empty nesters! We had nothing but beaming looks from all the other passengers when we cruised with our baby, the waiters were incredibly accommodating with bringing whatever we wanted for her and cleaning up after her, and it was a nice quiet ship with lots of space to toddle.)
[Post New]05/08/2015 22:06
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Anonymous
Celebrity?
[Post New]05/08/2015 22:07
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Anonymous
Our kids aren't into disney shows, but we loved our disney cruise. The service is excellent. The shows and activities were great.
[Post New]05/08/2015 22:07
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Anonymous
Royal Caribbean or Celebrity b
[Post New]05/08/2015 22:15
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Anonymous
Anonymous wrote:Our kids aren't into disney shows, but we loved our disney cruise. The service is excellent. The shows and activities were great.


The Disney aspect is not overdone. We had a group from 2 to 70 and all had a blast.
[Post New]05/09/2015 18:16
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MikeL
Member Offline
I've been on Royal Caribbean a couple times once with spouse only and once with 19 relatives of various ages.
If you don't go into it thinking you're getting the Palm meals, it's really a great time.
[Post New]05/15/2015 17:18
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Anonymous
We've done Royal Carribean and Norwegian cruise lines with 8-12 year olds. They totally love it. Taking the new cruise ship from Norwegian to the Carribean over New Years - has all the fancy ropes courses, water slides, teen clubs, etc. I can't think of the name right now, but it launches in November - being built right now. These are nice mid level lines with good kid activities.
[Post New]05/16/2015 09:23
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Anonymous
I'd say Royal Caribbean, but also find a cruise expert and ask him or her. We had about 20 people ages 8 -70 on a Royal Caribbean Cruise and everyone had a great time.
[Post New]05/16/2015 10:11
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Anonymous
Just FYI…all of the bad things that have happened on cruises (e.g. poop cruise, murder, sinkings, norovirus) have ALL been on Carnival or carnival owned cruises.
[Post New]05/16/2015 10:28
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Anonymous
We have done princess, holland america, royal carribean and disney. Disney is heads and tales above the rest. We are not "disney people". Don't do the parks or character stuff - but the level of service on disney is remarkable. We did like our princess cruise, but took a look at the kids club and knew we would never be able to take our kids there. Disney dose a great job with the kids clubs and adult only areas. They know if your kids are in the club, you don't want to be around other people's kids! If you go on the new ships - fantasy and dream, the adult only dining is incredible. Don't be scared of everything being disney-fied. I was expecting cartoony and kitschy, but it was subtle and well done.
[Post New]05/16/2015 13:07
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Anonymous
We have done these and rate them

1. Disney
2. Royal Caribbean
3. Princess
4. Norweigan
5.Carnival
[Post New]05/16/2015 13:54
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Anonymous
Anonymous wrote:We have done princess, holland america, royal carribean and disney. Disney is heads and tales above the rest. We are not "disney people". Don't do the parks or character stuff - but the level of service on disney is remarkable. We did like our princess cruise, but took a look at the kids club and knew we would never be able to take our kids there. Disney dose a great job with the kids clubs and adult only areas. They know if your kids are in the club, you don't want to be around other people's kids! If you go on the new ships - fantasy and dream, the adult only dining is incredible. Don't be scared of everything being disney-fied. I was expecting cartoony and kitschy, but it was subtle and well done.



Could not agree more. We had the same fears, and for no reason at all. I've sailed on all the major lines, and the Disney Fantasy is the most elegant ship I've been on (and it's not even close).
[Post New]05/16/2015 14:07
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Anonymous
Plus, Disney has a private island: Castaway Cay.
[Post New]05/16/2015 16:29
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Anonymous
Anonymous wrote:Plus, Disney has a private island: Castaway Cay.


Most lines have a private island.

My rankings:
1. Rccl
2. Hal
.
.
.
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100. Ncl

Celebrity sounds like a middle ground between hal and rccl, but with kids I'd go with royal.
[Post New]05/17/2015 10:25
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Anonymous
PP, why do you think NCL is at the bottom? We are taking Ncl to Alaska this summer, and would like to hear your opinion on the line.
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