Next Cruise?

Question

We were planning a vacation for 4. The two parents (50's) and two children (21 and 16). We've already been to the Caribbean and Mexico cruise lines. We were wondering if the Bahamas would be much of a difference, if at all from those. If not, what would you suggest, and which cruise line? Both of ours have been Carnival cruises.

Answer 1

I would try royal caribbean cruise lines. I really enjoy that best. it has more to do then carnival and isnt so much for chldren

Answer 2

Typically cruises to the Bahamas are short cruises of about 3 to 5 days and go to one port in the Bahamas, to the cruise line's private island, and if its a longer cruise like 5 days maybe a stop in St Thomas, or San Juan.  So your options for tours and activities are more limited than on the typical 7 day Caribbean cruise.  

I don't know which Caribbean cruise you did already but there are really three basic types of Caribbean itineraries.

- WESTERN CARIBBEAN cruises typically go to Cozumel, Grand Cayman, Jamaica, and/or another Mexico port like Costa Maya, and a private cruise line island. This itinerary provides opportunity for great beaches like the 7-Mile Beach on Grand Cayman, and also the opportunity to tour Mayan ruins.

-EASTERN CARIBBEAN cruises typically go to St Thomas, St Maarten, a private cruise line island and maybe another island like Tortola or Puerto Rico. If you want to do a lot of shopping then pick a cruise with St Thomas as one of the port stops. St Maarten is also mainly a beach and shopping stop.

- SOUTHER CARIBBEAN cruise itineraries typically start in Puerto Rico and go either to Aruba, Curacao, and St Thomas and St Maarten, OR they go to the southern Caribbean islands like Barbados, Grenada, Antigua, St Lucia and maybe St Thomas and/or St Maarten. The main difference between these two itineraries, aside from the different islands, is the Aruba cruise has 2 "at sea" days with no port stops, while the other has a port stop about each day.

Then there are the PANAMA CANAL cruises trough the Caribbean that typically go to (in addition to the Canal) places like Cozumel and/or Costa Maya, Balize, Costa Rica, and Columbia, South America.  Panama Canal cruises are typically more than 7 days and can be as many as 12 days.

So even if you have done a "Caribbean" cruise there are probably other options for Caribbean itineraries that you can do and not repeat what you have done.

If you have done a 7 day cruise to Mexico and to the Caribbean I think that a cruise to the Bahamas would be a step down.  You would likely do two port stops and a private island and then go back home.

I suggest that you go on Royal Caribbean. Its a better cruise line than Carnival AND Royal Caribbean ships have much more activities and things to do on the ship. Things like the rock climbing wall, roller skating, ice skating, basketball, mini-golf, and the surfing simulator on the new Freedom class ships. The best ships to go on are the RC's Freedom and/or Voyager class ships. They are the most fun.

Look at their features on these web sites:

Freedom Class: http://www.royalcaribbean.com/findacruis...

Voyager Class: http://www.royalcaribbean.com/findacruis...  

Royal Caribbean, like Carnival, caters to families.  You really only have one teen, the 16 year old, and there is a teen club on the ship where he/she can hang out.  Then these ships also have adults only areas so your parents can enjoy pools and hot tubs away from the kids.  Both of these class of ships have a fabulous free ice show that you should not miss.

Answer 3

I am 13 and going to be 14 on July 7th. We have been on 3 cruises and are going on our 4th on July 6th (It's just a coincidence its over my birthday). We have been on 2 Canada/New England cruises and 1 Eastern Caribbean. We are going on a Western Caribbean this time. I really like New England/Canada cruises. It is something different that you don't here about every day. It is really nice up there and the port towns are beautiful. On our first cruise, it was to C/NE and it was on Enchantment of the Seas, and it had just been remodeled, except that ship is in the Caribbean now. Our 2nd cruise was the Eastern Caribbean one, and that was on Mariner of the Seas. Our third one was to C/NE and it was on Maasdam. Our 4th one will be on Freedom of the Seas to Western Caribbean. I would definately recommend Royal Caribbean because they are just amazing. We have never been disappointed with them. i would recommend going to Canada/New England on Royal Caribbean because there are great itineraries and it is something different than the everyday Caribbean, Mexico, and Alaska. It is really beautiful up there.

Answer 4

You didn't mention where you live, but Alaska and Hawaii are both spectacular places to cruise and would be very different from Mexico and Bahamas. Royal Caribbean, and Holland both go there. I found great pricing at SpinCityTravel.com. You can compare different cruises by price, amenities, etc.

Answer 5

Hello!

My mom is 50 and my dad is 55.  My sister is 20 and I am 16!  I think I could definitely help!  We have done 7 cruises: 4 Carnival, 1 Royal Caribbean, 1 Disney, and 1 Princess.  All of our favorites is Carnival.  We did 6 Caribbean cruises and 1 Mexico.  A couple of the Caribbean ones did have a stop in the Bahamas.  If I were you, I'd either do another Caribbean one (I'd suggest Eastern and Southern Caribbean!  Those are my favorites) or do a Panama one.  The Bahamas aren't that great, especially after you've been spoiled with the beautiful Caribbean!  And most of the Bahamas cruises are very short like 3-5 days, and I definitely need at least 7 days on the ship.  My favorite Caribbean islands (out of the 15 I've been to: Antigua, Aruba, Barbados, Cozumel, Curaçao, Dominica, Grand Cayman, Jamaica, Martinique, Puerto Rico, St. Lucia, St. Maarten, St. Thomas, and Tortola) are Antigua, Curaçao,St. Maarten, and St. Lucia.  My least favorites were Aruba and Jamaica.

I've never done the Panama cruise, but I have a good friend who did and she LOVED it.  Just by listening to her talk about it all of the time I'd say if you have the extra time and money, do the Panama one.  Her favorite island was Curaçao, also.

As for the cruise line, I'd say keep sticking with Carnival.  You could try something else, but you probably won't like it as much.  Do NOT try a Disney cruise!  Your kids and you will be SO bored.  If you want to try a new one do Princess or Royal Caribbean, or maybe NCL.  I'd avoid Holland America and Celebrity until you are retired and don't want to bring your kids along.

Have fun!

Answer 6

I love Carnival, have been on 9 of thiers so I am all for them. If you are looking for a short sweet trip then try the bahamas. Looking for something longer you might want to check out the southern caribbean. There are many islands you can see in ther Caribbean and didnt say which you had been to. Have fun whatever you choose

Answer 7

I'd stick with Carnival, mostly for the kids sake since they'll have a lot more fun.  I wasn't impressed with Nassau, but the private islands are nice.  I would also look into a cruise out of San Juan so there aren't as many days at sea, since I like spending time snorkeling instead of being at sea, but Carnival is the only cruise line that actually keeps you busy on days at sea and you have fun.  Also, the cruises out of San Juan you'll go to other islands in the Caribbean, better islands, not so crowded with cruise ships.  Well, that's my opinion.  I hope it helps.   To save some money, I usually book a cruise through iBtraveling.com (where you can compare cruise prices) and then two weeks before you set sail, call the cruise line directly and ask for any "free" upgrades.  Purchase a cabin with windows on the bottom of the deck, and before you know it, you'll be on top or in the middle for the same price.  I did pay $150 more one time and got a balcony which was awesome!  Well..good luck and have fun!

Answer 8

My wife and I really enjoyed our first cruise on the Holland America ship Zuiderdam, from Ft. Lauderdale to a Bahama Island, St. Thomas, St. Croix, another island, and Nassau. Things change, and I did not see our exact itinerary, but there are a lot of choices. We have been on two Holland America ships and enjoyed both of them. On our last cruise we were told that there were 131 children on board, but they had their own area and I don't think we ever saw any of them. The food and service were superb on both ships.

There is a lot of variety in the various islands of the Caribbean. However, the Bahamas seem to be all pretty much the same. Nassau is a good stop as there is good shopping there, especially for liquor.

Enjoy your trip.

Regards,

Dan

Answer 9

I found that the Bahamas are similar to the Caribbean and Mexico as well. My favorite cruise was to Alaska on a cruise tour. Now I know suntanning is out and warm sunny beaches, but the natural beauty of Alaska is outstanding. There is nothing like it. I was sceptically at first, but keep hearing about Alaska. Now that I have seen it, I'm planning to go back on another cruise, perhaps a different route. Another great cruise is through the Panama canal, plus you get warm weather with that one. I always cruise with Princess.