Cruise Advice? Who has been on one? Where did you go? Any advice?

[727Designs]

So we've basically decided we want to do a cruise for vacation this year. Don't know a tremendous amount about them but wanting to leave from Florida (Miami, Tampa, etc) and hit somewhere in either the Bahamas or Western Caribbean. Anyone have any advice, pointers, etc? Where is the best/cheapest places to book? Anything we need to know? Etc. It'll be myself, my wife, and our 2 children (3 and 4). Want something the whole family can enjoy. Not looking to do any crazy partying or anything obviously just some time away from the 70+hr/week grind and some quality family time.

[MrSkippyJ]

with kids, I recommend Carnival cruises. Lots of kids and kids stuff for them and plenty of adult stuff for you guys too. I have been on about 4 carnival cruises and a norwegian cruise. If I got to do it over again I would not go on the norwegian again. It wasn't bad, I just prefer the carnival ships more.

[727Designs]

I was leaning toward Carnival cruises for all of the kid stuff they offer. Have been looking on CruiseDeals.com but didn't know if maybe there were more or better options. Did you book through Carnival or a different site or ?

[MrSkippyJ]

i didn't actually do any of the booking, it was when I lived at home. My dad did it all. I think he went through Triple A. I will say this though, everyone I have talked to that has been on both a carnival and a royal caribbean said royal caribbean was better. None of them however, had kids or wanted to be around kids.

[Tecomah]

AAA is how I have booked mine. Honestly the Disney cruis was awesome. If the kids are fairly young that's the way I would go. IMO leaving from Tampa works well although I may be a little biased since I live there. Be prepared for the boarding to take a while anywhere you go.

[MrSkippyJ]

Yeah Disney is nice, but $$$

[knowledge]

bring extra cash to spend on the islands. u will have a ball. try to do it all man.

[727Designs]

AAA is how I have booked mine. Honestly the Disney cruis was awesome. If the kids are fairly young that's the way I would go. IMO leaving from Tampa works well although I may be a little biased since I live there. Be prepared for the boarding to take a while anywhere you go.

Actually got a vacation to Disney paid for already for next year, couldn't go at the time of year we wanted this year. Otherwise I'd be all over a Disney cruise.

[Ji553r]

I have been on 5. 1 royal Caribbean and 4 carnival. All carnival's I definitely enjoyed the most. The first one was a 3 day, the rest were 5 days. I will always do 5 days after that. Would be willing to try a 7 day but I'm thinking 5 might be the best for me. Tip, when you stop in places try to only go on boat sponsored excursions. It is a very real possibility that a small number of those taxi drivers waiting on the port will take you deep into nowhere to be robbed....and to not return. No joke. Alcohol bought from the boat will be held until the end. Apparel shops can be haggled with for better deals, they want to sell to every single person and they will meet reasonable demands if you drop whatever you have and start walking out.

[teamjeffrey]

if your willing to spend the $ 7 day cruise are best in my opinion. I had better experience with carnival then Royal Caribbean and for your kids depending on there age they have clubs that are are for kids from like 13 to 17 and another for younger kids on the carnival but shore excursion that the cruise ship offer are worth doing. And a cool thing if you go to montego bay jamaica they have a Margaritaville that's in front of the water and they have a slide and some other things i'll have to ask my dad who we booked our cruses from before