I need help planning a cruise!?

Question

Well this is my first time on a cruise and we need some help figuring out how to do it. First off here is some information. There are two groups of 4 person families for a total of 8 people. Two of them are in their teens, the other two are about 8 and ten, and the rest of us are parents. Now we were planning on going to the Carrabean sometime in the first half of next year.

My questions are this:

What cruise line is reccomended for the age groups given?

How is a good way to split up these people into rooms?

When is a good time during the year?

Thanks for the help!

Answer 1

I would suggest that you get two cabins of 4 or put all the kids in one room and then two rooms for the adults.  Most lines will not allow you to book the children all in the same room, but once you are onboard you can switch.  I have done that many times.  Some good lines to try I have listed below.  All the lines have children programs available.  Holland America Line consider 18 and younger as a child so you can usally get a good rate.  This line is also considered more of an older line, but they upgraded their child program.  Any of them will do.

Time frame:

March and April is very busy and at this time you most likely will not get a cabin that sleeps four due to Easter and Spring break for kids.  Jan is very cheap cause most people can not take time off again after the Holiday break.  Anytime from Jan - Apr is good cause it is not to hot.

Holland America Line

Disney

Princess

Celebrity

Answer 2

There are a lot of details when booking a cruise, and if this is your first, then I'd recommend using an agent.   I am one and would be glad to help you.  Please contact me at 866-485-4185 and I'll be glad to speak with you to answer any cruise questions you might have, find out what you like to do, and make some cruise recommendations on that  basis.  If you'd like me to book the cruise for you at that point, I'll be glad to do so.

Answer 3

If ANYONE in your family gets sick easily, i don't recomend it. They are really fun, but if they are long and you get sea sick, it is not a good feeling. I suggest you take an Alaskan cruise. I also think that you should put 2-3 people in a room, and do the cruise in THE SUMMER!

Answer 4

look on vacationstogo.com.  Families stick with carnival cruises they have something for children, pre-teens, and adults.  If you tell them you want to split up cabins they will help you.  Depending on where you want to go - spring breaks for kids are always jammed full, that determines which time of year you go.   i.e. Caribbean in winter, Canada and Alaska during summer.

Answer 5

the person who can help you the most is a travel agent... take a hour or two and talk to one...if you don't like the info or still wondering go to another one..when you find a good one all your questions will be answered

Answer 6

I went on my first cruise with Norwegian Cruise Line and it is a great company to cruise with.  It isn't too fancy, but it definitely isn't a junk heap.  It's perfect for your group.  Nice enough for the adults, but still kid-friendly.  They have all kinds of activities for people of all ages so I'm sure that everyone on your cruise will have fun.  As for dividing people into rooms:  I would suggest four people per stateroom.  That's how I did it and it wasn't too bad.  But the Caribbean stays about the same all year long, so you probably can't go wrong with when you go.  I would want to go before hurricane season though.

Answer 7

Royal Caribbean is a great choice for your age group.  They are catered to a wide spectrum of people.

Get a family suite so you can have each family their own room.

Lastly, January and Feburary are probably the cheapest months for the first half of the year.  You need to book now!

Answer 8

I went on a cruise with Royal Carribean last year. Actually, I got married on the ship. It was absolutely great! I had the best time. I know they have a lot of activities for kids and teens. I would highly recommend them. Hurricane season is August through October, so that would be the cheapest time to go, although maybe not the best. Cruise ships are big for kids and families Easter week, probably more expensive. As for splitting the rooms, you can get adjoining rooms for the kids and parents. As a matter of fact, a child under 18 can't stay in a room alone unless it's adjoining to a parent. Book early.

The only thing with Royal Carribean is the meal times. You have to eat dinner at the same time every night. Either 6pm or 8pm. You pick a time and can't change it. I don't know how that would work for kids. You can always go to the buffet though. That's open unitl midnight. I heard Norwiegen Cruises has "freestyle cruising" which is different. A travel agent will be able to help you a lot more. Have fun!

Answer 9

I assume you have already thought about a 3-3-2 arrangement where the two teens could bunk together. It would depend upon how many rooms you can afford and how responsible (read: trustworthy) the teens are. Trust me, more than three in most cabins is a crowd.

A Disney ship probably would be best. The younger kids will like it but it may be hard to convince the teens that it can be cool for them also. I've heard pretty good things about Disney even for teens--especially the younger ones (13-15).

We took our teenage daughter (who is now a 23 year old college graduate) on an NCL cruise and she met up with another girl the same age and they had a great time.

Later we all went on a Celebrity cruise and she thought it was too stuffy.

The adults: well you can't beat a cruise for relaxing.

As for time, the best deals are earlier in the year--not during spring break or after school lets out in May/June.

Spring is probably the best time for weather...those nasty tropical storms sometimes make summer sails a bit of an adventure. My wife took a cruise once on the first of November and they got divererted because of a hurricane.

Hope this helps.

BW

Answer 10

Go to www.love.allabouthoneymoons.co... they can plan any type of trip not just honeymoons. If you tell them what you like and your budget they will plan the perfect trip for you.Best of all the service is free b/c the fee is paid by the cruise line.