Best cruises for families?

Question

Hi. So my family wants to go on a cruise with some of my other friends and their families. We live in Boston, Mass and i understand that there are not many cruise ships that depart from here so we have considered driving up to New York City in July or August. I'm 13 and so are all my friends and my brother is 9 so we were wondering what kind of cruise will be the best for us? We don't really have a destined point, anywhere is fine as long as hurricane season and other alternatives dont ruin the cruise. Also, I heard that Royal Carribean is great but it's not as fun for teens and i've also heard no carnival is the best for teens but it's not as clean? Is that true? Also, it'll be great if the cruise is somewhere warm

Answer 1

Disney Cruises are the best for families because kids have their own place to hang out, teens have their own place, and adults have their own place. The food is great, the staff is nice and it's hard to find a dirty spot on the ship. For the kids the funnest thing is Disney's Oceaner's Lab and Goofy's Pool which has a huge HD TV. For teens there is The Stack which is an adult like club that has awesome music and some of the coolest people you'll ever meet. Perfect place to meet a guy. And the adults have their own private place on the ship. Where kids aren't allowed. It's also the only ship that shoots of fireworks. Plus the staterooms, where you'll spend the least amount of time, are amazing and most off them have awesome ocean views.

Answer 2

Boston typically has cruises going to New England/Canada or Bermuda.  http://www.massport.com/ports/cruis_sche...

We cruised out of Boston last year to New England/Canada.  The cruise had port stops in Maine, Martha's Vinyard and a couple ports in Canada.  It was nice but I think you would enjoy a cruise to Bermuda or the Caribbean better.

The hurricane season is June through the end of October.  A cruise to Bermuda would be kinda safe since most hurricane die out before they get that far north.  Some do go that way but not as many as cut right across the Caribbean.

All of Royal Caribbean's cruise from the New York City area leave from the Bayonne, NJ cruise port.  Here's the web site:  http://www.cruiseliberty.com/

Cruises are on the Explorer of the Seas which is a beautiful ship and has lots of great things to do.  Take a look at the ship's features at this web site:

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

I have been on two of the Explorer's sister Voyager Class ships, the Adventure of the Seas and Mariner of the Seas. SO I am pretty familiar with what's on the ship. First of all you should click on this link to a virtual view and tour of the Voyager class ships:

http://www.royalcaribbean.com/multimedia...

It will help you see and understand some of what is on board and where it is.

At the front of the ship on one of deck 11 there is a full service gymnasium will all types of exercise equipment. Then there is a covered pool area next to that that has a pool and two hot tubs. Then you go further back and step outside and there are two pools and 4 hot tubs with lounge chairs and bar service. Then toward the back of the ship on deck 12 is the kids area called Adventure Ocean, the Video Arcade, the Teen Disco, then on deck 13 is the Rock Climbing wall, the basketball court, the in-line roller skating track, a mini-golf course, and Johnny Rockets. So if you like these type activities the back of the ship up top is the place to go.

When you first board the ship the place to go to get something to eat (lunch will be ready) is the Windjammer Cafe which is on deck 11.

The ship has a pedestrian mall down its center and there is a place to shop and get food 24/7, including hot pizza.

The ship also has an internet cafe on deck 8, and a library on deck 9. The ice skating rink is on deck 3 in the center of the ship, and there is also a place where you can record yourself doing karaoke. There will be a free ice show in that room that you should not miss.

The other cruise lines use a cruise port that is in Manhatten:  http://www.nycruise.com/cruise.html

Carnival, Norwegian, Princess and a few others have cruises from there to Bermuda and the Caribbean.  

These are all good cruise lines but I think you will enjoy Royal Caribbean best of all, it has more things for you to do and enjoy.

Answer 3

Well Carnival has an 8 day cruise from new york that goes to the caribbean. Carnival is a really clean ship. When i was on it they cleaned our room like 3 times for the day. Plus there is always so much activites to do while u r on board.

Answer 4

disney cruise line. trust me. its the best. and im 15. and i absolutely LOVE it.

Answer 5

CARNIVAL

Answer 6

I heard Carnival is the top of the line for families. If you're in New York, you can go to the Caribbean and Canada and New England. Just make sure the ship you go into is fairly recent.

Answer 7

Your best bet would be Carnival

Answer 8

Carnival Valor or Royal Caribbean Voyager

Answer 9

ROYAL CARIBBEAN!!!!!!!!

Answer 10

well i know of some cruises out of new york and go on carnival i love them i am 16 and have been on 16 cruises carnival is the best go on carnival.com

Answer 11

My daughter was 15 on one cruise and 17 on the other one.  We were on Carnival both times.  She had a great time joining in the teens activities.  Of course, she made friends quickly and they usually hung out together or went to the dance clubs on their own, too.  Go on Vacationstogo.com and do a search for the area and time you want to go.  Cruises are great, no matter what are you're in.  Your 9 year old brother will have a great time in Camp Carnival with age appropriate activities and it's safe for him.  Teenagers get a little more freedom in their activities.

Answer 12

Disney cruise line is top notch.  They are also the most expensive. My 7 day Land & Sea cruise in June is costing $4200.00 for two people.  I booked almost a year in advance, too!   Check out their website.

Answer 13

Our teens and younger family members love Carnival.  The atmosphere is relaxed and they love having the 24 x 7 pizzeria.  Carnival is very keen on providing events and locales for the younger crowd.

Disney is pretty expensive and Mickey Mouse overload for your age group.

Royal Caribbean is a bit stuffy for the younger crowd.

Check out www.vacationstogo.com

They have a search engine that allows you to search by departure ports and you can compare different cruise lines.

July-August is in the midst of hurricane season...we got caught in July 2005 between Tropical Storm Cyndy and Hurricane Dennis on a RC ship.  The captain changed the itinerary and kicked up the speed to avoid the storm.