Recommended Cruise Line for Caribbean Cruise w/Family

Question

Well after my family did an awesome Alaska cruise two years ago..they have decided that they will leave me to plan our next cruise...the Caribbean cruise for Christmas season.

So I guess step 1: what Cruise Line would you all recommend for us. My parents are in their early 50s, while the kids (3 of us) are 21-29. Who knows maybe "the kids" will bring their girlfriends as well (same age group).

From what I understand we should avoid Carnival Cruise line...since we're going as a family and not as a bunch of drunk college students...Our Alaska Cruise was with Princess and they seemed to have a good mix of ages and diversity (we're primarily Asians & Pacific Islander). Recommendations?

~G

Answer 1

I like Carnival

Answer 2

I have been on about 20 cruises with four different cruise lines and can give my advice based on experiences.  I think that you are looking for a fun cruise with a more reserved crowd of passengers.  My recommendation is go on Princess or Royal Caribbean.  I have been on 3 Princess cruises and they have elegantly decorated ships.  Their food is very good and they seem to feature food presentation at dinner, rather than just a plate of food.  The cruises that we went on had a good mix of people and they had the best discos of any ship I have been on.  They also do great tours from their ships.

If you want more on-board activities for yourself (all of you big kids) then you should try Royal Caribbean and specifically one of their Freedom Class or Voyager Class ships.  These have great activities on board, including the rock climbing wall, ice skating, Roller blading on the Voyager Class ships, and the surfing simulator on the Freedom class.  Take a look at the ships' features on this site:

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

On our cruises we found that the passengers on Royal Caribbean were/are much more friendly than those on Princess.  Then if you want a more elegant and quieter cruise then go on a Celebrity cruise.

Answer 3

Carnival cruises have the best service.

Answer 4

Carnival definitely. They have parties on the deck, pools, clubs, easy for you to get away from you're parents. There are good comedy shows and they have R rated comedy shows at midnight for 18 and older. Also other good shows. And the hairy chest competition and Survivor are pretty funny.

Answer 5

I also suggest royal caribbean. Norwegian also has a good mix, and the best food at the speciality restaurants. Carnival Liberty has a mixed crowd, not the total party scene as some of the other ships.

Royal Caribbean is offering a variety of cruises to different parts of the caribbean during december:

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

Norwegian offers 7 cruises to different parts of the caribbean in december, leaving from miami:

http://www.ncl.com/nclweb/cruisesearch/c...

Carnival Liberty has 1 western and 1 eastern caribbean cruise leaving during december:

http://www.carnival.com/find_a_cruise/Se...

if you want more info, i am a travel agent, email me directly or visit:

http://www.kellystraveltrips.piczo.com  

Answer 6

I would suggest looking at Royal Caribbean Cruises.

We traveled on the Liberty of the Seas (Freedom class ship) in March and went as a family with ages ranging from 25 to 65.

There was plenty of things for everyone to do, including the surf simulator, casino, various bars and nightclub.

We did a western Caribbean cruise and we all found things to do together at each of the ports, including Haiti, Jamaica, Grandd Cayman and Cozumel.

Since we booked the trip as a group, we were able to all eat dinner together and spend time doing things as a group, but yet had plenty of freedom to go on our own and explore the ship and all it has to offer!

The Freedom class of ships are the largest on the water and they offer tons of stuff!!!

Have fun no matter what you decide!

Answer 7

Royal Carribean is the best cruise line for a family gathering.  Every time I have been on the cruise line it has been filled with a wide variety of people but not overwhelmed with kids.

There is plenty of things to and see both on board and in port.  I have taken the western carribean cruise on Freedom of the Seas and have booked a cruise on Enchantment this October.  I prefer the Radiannce class ships for their size.

Either way, you will have a great time.