some newbie questions

mofromcan · August 18, 2007

Help! We want to take our first cruise in the summer of 2008. We're being very flexible on dates -- basically any date between 2nd week of July and last week of August. We're a family of 4: 2 adults, 2 girls who will be 12 and 15. So here are my many (prob annoying) questions:

. I'm thinking of 2 rooms: 1 balcony room for hubby and me; 1 interior room for girls, close to ours, hopefully across the hall. Is this an unreasonable request? Would I be better off in a family suite? Just not sure how much room we'd have in a suite and how tiny the beds would be. Bed comfort is important to us. What would likely be cheaper - the suite or the 2 rooms?

. Eastern Caribben or Western Caribbean?? I'm thinking it prob doesn't matter too much with your first cruise -- isn't the trip really about the boat? But I'm leaning towards Western, just because hubby and I got engaged in Jamaica 22 yrs ago(!) and we haven't been back. So nostalgia really -- I'm prob remembering Dunn's River Falls with stars in my eyes - is it actually fun and beautiful and or is it just way too crowded and touristy, and shouldn't play a part in our decision?

. I'm sure I'll get many different answers here, but I'm interested in all of them: Which cruise line to take? Kid/Teen camps don't matter - my kids never go in them; they like to do stuff with us. Food is important to us -- but again price comes into it. If it's a big $$ difference between 5 star and 4 star, we'd go 4 star. But it's very important that the food is consistently better than mediocre.

. What's the best way to get a great price? Should I choose a cruise line and deal with the online rep? Or should I use a local travel agent? How do you pick a travel agent? We'd need air transportation from Toronto, Canada, so I'm assuming it would be cheaper to get a full package that includes air -- can you do that online?

. Anything else that I should be taking into consideration?

Thanks very much for any help!!

sailingrose · August 18, 2007

I'm thinking of 2 rooms: 1 balcony room for hubby and me; 1 interior room for girls, close to ours, hopefully across the hall. Is this an unreasonable request? Would I be better off in a family suite? Just not sure how much room we'd have in a suite and how tiny the beds would be. Bed comfort is important to us. What would likely be cheaper - the suite or the 2 rooms?

We like 2 rooms but price would dictate which way to go. Also you have to know your kids, do you trust them in their own room. Do they fight, etc????

. Eastern Caribben or Western Caribbean?? I'm thinking it prob doesn't matter too much with your first cruise -- isn't the trip really about the boat? But I'm leaning towards Western, just because hubby and I got engaged in Jamaica 22 yrs ago(!) and we haven't been back. So nostalgia really -- I'm prob remembering Dunn's River Falls with stars in my eyes - is it actually fun and beautiful and or is it just way too crowded and touristy, and shouldn't play a part in our decision?

It's a toss up for me. I probably do more western but they both have great beaches and shopping. Don't be surprised it Jamaica isn't the same, progress and time have changed it. We went back to St. Thomas after 15 years and didn't recognize it.

. I'm sure I'll get many different answers here, but I'm interested in all of them: Which cruise line to take? Kid/Teen camps don't matter - my kids never go in them; they like to do stuff with us. Food is important to us -- but again price comes into it. If it's a big $$ difference between 5 star and 4 star, we'd go 4 star. But it's very important that the food is consistently better than mediocre.

I'd look into Royal Caribbean, Princess and Carnival. We all have our own preferrences. Your kids should really try the kids programs on board, they are wonderful and the kids will have a great time. Mine loved it and it was great to get some time without the kids. :wink2:

What's the best way to get a great price? Should I choose a cruise line and deal with the online rep? Or should I use a local travel agent? How do you pick a travel agent? We'd need air transportation from Toronto, Canada, so I'm assuming it would be cheaper to get a full package that includes air -- can you do that online?

You should work with a good travel agent for your first cruise especially. Go to a travel agent and get brochures for the cruiselines and look through them. It will give you an idea where to start. You've done a great job so far by coming here!!!! I won't comment on picking a good agent, I don't have one at the present time that I use regularly. Most of the time the air is cheaper if you book it on your own but again a good TA can help with that. I really don't recommend doing it online the first time, once you become more familiar with each line and the ships you'll be able to do it yourself.

More advice......try to book a newer ship with many things to do. Each line offers different options, water slides, ice rinks, etc. Also each ship has different amenities. If you need help there are lots of people here to talk to about cruising.

Gregswife · August 18, 2007

Hi mofromcan, glad to see you posting. As for the 2 rooms - you had better check with the cruise lines - most will require that there is an adult in each room. I am sure some people try to book the 2 rooms under the guise that there will be one adult and one child in each room, and then put the kids in the one room together, but then the sail & sign cards would not match up, and they are used to access your cabin, make purchases and as I.D when reboarding the ship. Also, the 3rd & 4th passenger in each room is at a discounted rate. Personally, I would look into a suite. We are booked to go to Jamaica on our upcoming cruise, and are seriously considereing staying on the ship in that port. It has become much more dangeros over the yrs., and frankly I do not see why the cruise lines continue to go there. You might want to check out this thread on Jamaica - I don't want to alarm you, but you should be aware of the dangers there.

http://www.cruisecrazies.com/forums/index....showtopic=14034

The news is reporting that Jamaica will likely take a head-on hit from Hurricane Dean and they believe it will be a category 5 by that time, so there is the possibility that the island will suffer major damage, and may not be back to operating status for several years. I would definitely look into getting a balcony, it is so wonderful to sit out and relax on. Carnival is my favorite cruise line. All 10 of our cruises have been with that line and we have 2 cruises on deck and they are both Carnival. We started with them back when the kids were teens and they really enjoyed themselves.

jacketwatch · August 18, 2007

:cool2: Welcome to cruiseCrazies! :biggrin: For me I would opt for a suite because the kids are still pretty young and I would want to keep an eye on them. Actually once I was in a balcony room with 3 other adults and really it was not too bad at all. Have you considered the southern Caribbean also? There is a fantastic cruise for 7 days on what looks like agreat ship with tons of offerings which you may want to look into. Its the Adventure of the Seas of the RCI fleet and is a ship full of WOW! appeal. See the link below and take a good look at the ship. As you can see one suite is

http://cruises.travel.yahoo.net/CS/forms/S...se&EO=false

I am not sure if ostco is in Canada but I have always gotten my best deals from them. If you can go a day or two early to PR and explore it too. There is a ton to see there including a rain forest, a neat lod town area and old Spanish forts just to mention a few things to see. Cheers, Larry and ask away!

jacketwatch · August 18, 2007

Sorry I mean Costco, the warehouse club like Sams. Usually the cruise line will charge you more so shop around

sailingrose · August 18, 2007

If you put one adult in each room then you can get a copy of the other cabins card at Guest Relations. RCI lets us book our kids across the hall in their own room.

JohnG · August 18, 2007

So does Carnival.

elfed · August 21, 2007

Welcome to our web site. As a first timer may I suggest Carnival. Why? Bigger staterooms, great entertainment and a good amount of young people your kids age. Their food is very good and appeals to all tastes. As regards intenary-yes Western Caribbean sounds great. Lots to do in Jamaica, Cayman and Mexico. Although after Hurricane Dean, there may be a few parts of the Islands that have had to postpone the shore excursions.Anywhere you go in the Caribbean can be fun for you and the children. You'll have a blast and for sure you will return home a confirmed "Cruise Crazy"!!!

Regards,

James.

mofromcan · August 21, 2007

Thanks for all the replies! I got some great info. So far we've decided to go with 2 cabins, prob with Carnival. Still checking prices. It will probably be early July. I'm hearing that even tho that is officially part of the hurricane seaason, that it typically is good weather and it's actually August that you have to worry about. Does everyone agree with that?

jacketwatch · August 22, 2007

I am not sure if yu can say July is generally good in so far as hurricanes are concerned. I have no stats in front of me and I had always heard that anytime during the simmer is vulnerable.