Help me find a good cruise!?

Question

i want to go on a cruise with my family sometime when the kids are out of school (june 17). We would like to depart from somewhere close to home (Richmond, VA) but we're willing to drive a little bit out for a cheaper or better deal. thanks so much!

Answer 1

The quickest and easiest way for you to get to a cruise port is to drive the 2 to 3 hours from Richmond to Norfolk.  Here's a link to the Norfolk port:  http://www.cruisenorfolk.org/  

There is a calendar associated with this port so that you can quickly see which cruise lines, ships and itineraries are available there.  You will have your choice of two cruise lines from there, Carnival and Royal Caribbean and your itinerary choices from there will be the Bahamas, Bermuda, the Caribbean, and a couple New England Canada cruises.  

Your next options would be either Charleston, SC, Baltimore, Maryland, or Philadelphia, PA.  The Charleston port link:

http://www.port-of-charleston.com/Cruise...

shows two cruise line options, Carnival and Norwegian and two destination options, Bermuda and the Caribbean.  Your options in South Carolina would be about the same but you would have a  much longer drive.

A drive to Philly or Baltimore would also be longer and further than Norfolk and your  options would also be limited to (for Philly:  http://cruisephilly.org/pages/visitors/d... )

Norwegian Cruise line with cruises to Bermuda and New England/Canada mainly. and (for Baltimore: Norwegian and and Royal Caribbean ) mainly Bermuda.  

Your options for these cruises are good but not as good as they would be if you did not limit yourself to ports you can reach by car.  You may be able to get a deal or good price if you look at all of your options at these ports and are flexible enough to go when and where the best deal is.  But your good deal will not likely be as good as it would be if you expanded your options.  Also be aware that the hurricane season runs from June through October in the Caribbean.  

I think your best bet would be to take a cruise out of Norfolk (no need to spends money to drive any further).  I suggest the Royal  Caribbean cruise line (I have been on them many times and they are better than Carnival and Norwegian) and if you do not want to spend a lot of money (and have never been on a cruise) take the 5 day cruise to Bermuda.  That is enough time to  enjoy both the cruise and Bermuda.  If you are concerned about a hurricane then take the New England/Canada cruise (we did that one last year and it was nice).

All of the cruise lines mentioned here have programs for kids.  They have professionally trained staff members to supervise them in programs on ship.  So, regardless of which you choose the kids will have things to keep them occupied.

Answer 2

Please , go to www.ytbtravel.com/ladylynn. You will find some great deals. E-mail me back if I can be of help for you. This engine is available  24 - 7.

Sunshine19

Answer 3

the disney magic cruise ship is the best cruise for the kids!

Answer 4

we have done Carnival and Royal Caribbean. and as far as the family was concerned it has to be royal. the ships basically go to the same islands , just at different times . royal has more things for the kids to enjoy by themselves , this will mean more time for the both of you ( or just you by the pool , casino.... ) .  you will be going in high season so you will be paying more .   the cabins are small but you won't be in there but to sleep , shower , change .    good luck your going to love it !!!

Answer 5

The closest port to you is Norfolk.  Next closest ports are Baltimore and Charleston.  The choices from these three ports are limited.  

Royal Caribbean's Grandeur of the Seas offers five and nine night cruises from Norfolk in July.  The five night cruise just goes to Bermuda.  However, the nine night cruise goes to four ports in the Caribbean, including Royal Caribbean's private beach (Labadee).  I think you would really enjoy this cruise.

The Norwegian Majesty offers one week cruises to Bermuda from Baltimore in July.  However, I would not recommend this.  The ship takes 1 1/2 days to sail to Bermuda, docks for three days and then spends the remaining 1 1/2 days getting back to Baltimore.  Docking in one place for three nights is not much of a cruise.

I didn't find any cruises out of Charleston during the summer of 2008.

Given these choices, I would go with the nine night cruise out of Norfolk.

Answer 6

I am a cruise specialist just west of Richmond, VA and I would recommend you sail from Norfolk. Royal Caribbean is sailing to Canada, Bermuda and the Caribbean through out the summer and would be perfect for your family. I would suggest the Caribbean cruise for the family because older crowd will be on the Canada cruise, and Bermuda is shorter and not as nice as the Caribbean.

Answer 7

Contact Veronica at

https://cmagent.net/vdovbush

Phone: [phone]

[e-mail]

Thank You

Answer 8

you can do a quick search on this website and see ALL of the options available - just put your date range and where you want to go.  it's easy and fun and you can see ALL the options.  Then you can choose who you want to sail with and WHERE you want to go!!!