Which cruise option is the best for us?

Question

My boyfriend and I (he's 21, i'm 19) are planning a cruise for next june to the eastern caribbean. We can't decide if we want to go on Carnival, Princess, or NCL. We want to leave from NYC so those are our only options. I have already been on NCL, and loved the fact that you can eat when and with whom ever you wanted to, so i'm taking that into consideration. I just want to know if you guys have any advice on which we should take.

We aren't looking to spend more then 1200 a person, and we want a ship with a good nightlife, but not FULL of annoying drunks, and of course romantic =). Any help would be great!!!!

Answer 1

My wife and I recently completed our third cruise in April.  We are both in our mid 20's and like you, did not want to have a "party cruise." If you're looking for a more upscale, relaxing, romantic, and older crowd go with Princess or NCL.  Although the Carnival prices will look like a bargain, remember that there are several other thousand cruisers looking at those same deals.  We have traveled with Royal Caribbean on each of our three cruises and have been very surprised at the age range of fellow cruisers.  From our experience, the longer the cruise, the older the average age of passengers.

As for the Eastern Caribbean, the Virgin Islands and St. Maartin are beautiful places.  If your cruise stops in St. Thomas and you enjoy outdoor adventures, do the Water Island Bike Tour < http://www.waterislandadventures.com/ >.  You will travel to the remote Water Island, about 15 minutes by boat, where a wonderful team of four (husband and wife with two local Water Island friends) will pick you up and take you up to the top of Water Island (by bus).  From there they will guide you down the island by bike to the beach.  When we finished with the tour we bought some pizza and beer from a nice couple who own a Pizza Boat.  St. Maartin was also a nice place but our snorkeling excursion was canceled there due to rough undertow.  We walked around the area near the port and found plenty of shops, restaurants, and there is a beach nearby where you can rent chairs, jet skis, etc.  We also stopped in San Juan, but my advise...if you get off the ship, stay close and be back before dark.

When searching for a cruise package there will be few decisions you need to make that will affect your total cost.  Inside cabins with no port hole are always the cheapest.  If you would like an ocean view cabin it will only add a couple of hundred dollars and is well worth it.  If you're willing to upgrade to a balcony room you won't be disappointed either.

On a cruise the price you pay for a cabin includes dining in the main dining room.  Some ships have specialty restaurants that require additional charges but can be worth the extra money.  Remember beverages are normally not included in the cabin prices.

If you still can't decide on a cruise after your research, look for a travel agent that specializes in cruises.  One company is called Cruise Planners < http://www.cruiseplanners.com/ >.  If you can find an agent near by they will be able to help customize the right cruise for you.

Good Luck and Happy Cruising!

Answer 2

A word of advice, you might find it difficult to book a cruise. If you are not married, and based upon your question I am assuming you are not, you might not meet the cruise lines minimum age requirements. While your boyfriend is 21 and he can book a cruise you are not and would require some 25 or older to room with you. At least that's the rules on Carnival and since Carnival owns the Princess Lines I am assuming it is the same with them. I'm not sure about NCL. Putting that aside Carnival tends to have a younger crowd than the other cruise lines. You would probably be sailing the Carnival Miracle out of New York. It is a very nice ship and one I might take next year. If you book it right it should easily be under $1200 per person, but don't forget the $10 per day per person gratuity that is added to your bill for the room stewards and dining room waitstaff. Although this is not charged when you book the cruise it is really part of the cost even though you can refuse to pay it I don't imagine that happens very often. Hope it all works out for you.

Answer 3

Princess seems way to old for you and I dont think you would enjoy it. I think Carnival would best suit your age, and NCL is really really controverial. I mean some people have great experiences and others hate it... So I dont think that you would spend more then 1200 dollars a person, but Carnival has good night life but people tend to get drunk and any cruise is romantic and a balcony is even more....

Answer 4

I have not personally been on the two lines you mentioned.  I suggest that you check out the web site http://cruisecritic.com before you settle on one over the other to see what others have thought about that particular ship.  Each ship has its own personality.  My best advice is to pick a newer ship whatever line.  We have sailed Holland America and loved it each time and we sailed Royal Caribbean and it was nice but it was the freedom and you had to wait for everything there was so many people.  But still it was nice.  I would suggest an inside cabin cause you really are not in the cabin that much.  Id rather take two cruises on the inside then one on the outside. Family member just went on Princess and said it was beautiful.  Whatever you choose you will have a great time.

Answer 5

I have been on Princess and NCL.  We did not like the free style dining on NCL at all - but if you were impressed with that I would suggest you stick with them.  Princess is alittle more "Stuffy" then NCL - an older crowd.  

The more you cruise with one cruise line, you get membership points for discounts.  Hopefully when you were on your last cruise with NCL you signed up for the program, if not - your travel agent can get you credit for that cruise.

Answer 6

i've cruised with NCL and i liked it a lot. I wouldn't reccommend a carnival cruise though. i've heard that they are over crowded and loud.

Answer 7

you can not go on either rccl or carnival or holland america. i know that there are day cruises to the bahmas that leaves out of fort lauderdale and miami check those out ex discovery cruise line