My family has been thinking about going on a cruise for the first time! Is carnival cruise line the right choice? What ship is best? I really dont no ANYTHING about cruises! Is food included and what activities is their for families(wife,husband, daughter 16 and daughter 13)!! And a stupid stupid question you stop at all the beaches and stuff right?
My family has been thinking about going on a cruise for the first time! Is carnival cruise line the right choice? What ship is best? I really dont no ANYTHING about cruises! Is food included and what activities is their for families(wife,husband, daughter 16 and daughter 13)!! And a stupid stupid question you stop at all the beaches and stuff right?
I think a cruise would be a wonderful choice. Food and most onboard activities are included. There are a few activities like wine tasting and bingo that are not included in the price of the cruise. Room service (except for the tip) is also included. You can literally eat 24/7. Soda and Alcohol are not included. It depends on what you are looking for as far as the best ship goes. Carnival offers a great product, as do all the other mainstream lines. They all offer activities for the children, they group them by age and have activities for them. To me, a cruise is the best value for a vacation. Carnival would probably be the best fit for you, however, if you have a cruise specialist in your area (travel agency specializing in cruises), they may be able to help as well. Hope this helps.
Whether Carnival is a good choice totally depends on your preferences and expectations. But generally, as you will be traveling with your teenage daughters, Carnival certainly isn't a bad choice. Their ships offer lots of activities and most have excellent facilities for children of (virtually) all ages.
As you are a true "rookie" (we were all rookies at a time, so there's of course nothing wrong with that! ), I think it is essential that you get in touch with a travel agent specialized in cruises. A good TA will find the right ship and right itinerary for you, because what is good in my or other users' opinions might not necessarily be a good solution for you. It is all about what you expect and what you prefer.
I think Carnival is a great cruise line, esp with teenagers, it the funship line. there are so many things to do for you and your teenagers.go and have fun,where will you be traveling from if you list,im sure can recommend a ship for you, enjoy and have a great time.
Welcome to cruise-chat! As Raoul correctly notes, these things are quite subjective and what I like may not be what you like. Carnival strives to appeal to the widest audience possible, and the line has made great leaps over the past 10 years in changing it's image from a party animal experience to one that is very much family oriented. We have cruised with Carnival 5 times in the past 4 years and enjoyed each cruise. I think Carnival has very good food and service, and offers much to occupy children and teenagers. It is hard to beat Carnival's pricing too. They are the largest cruise line and can offer prices that other lines simply cannot approach. Carnival can also be tedious in their rigid enforcement of policy which can make a Carnival cruise a cookie-cutter experience. You know how McDonald's touts their consistency, so that a Big Mac in Los Angeles tastes exactly like one in Boston? The same can be said for Carnival. This bothers me sometimes, but not terribly so. But I do prefer how Royal Caribbean seems a little less fixated on not deviating from the centerline. However, I plan to cruise with Carnival again and again. They offer a good cruise product.
Look at Royal Caribbean too. It is a fine choice for traveling with kids. If you want a ultimate in cruise experience, try a Voyager class ship on Royal Caribbean - or the Freedom Of The Seas.
I have a teenage daughter and she loves Carnival as do my wife and I. There are many activities for all ages and we have not been let down yet. Best of luck and I am sure you will have a great time.
I hate to add any more "confusion" to the mix but just the selection a cruise line is not enough. You really need to select a cruise "ship".
If you are into "rock climbing" and "ice skating" you need to know that those are only offered on certain RCCL ships, not all of them.
If you are looking for the "wow" affect of walking into a multi-story atrium, those are only offered on certain CCL ships, not all of them. (the Holiday and Celebration do not have that)
3 and 4 day cruises ( on many mass market cruise lines) tend to be more of a party crowd. Less expensive, they draw the college age group. If you want to avoid that, you need a 5 day or 7 day cruise.
You need to make a "wish list" of what you are looking for in a ship, how much you can spend and what time frame is available.
Unless a TA really knows you, they may not be the best source of information. Some have an "ax to grind" with certain cruiselines that have nothing to do with the kind of cruise you would have.
You need to do what a teacher friend of mine did. She was interested in booking her first cruise. I have known her for years. She knows that I cruise all the time. And while I have only cruised Carnival, she trusted my "cruising experience". She told me her price range, time frame, and expectations and I directed her to RCCL. (Enchantment of the Seas) She is set to go in October and I know she will have a wonderful time.
The best way is to find someone who "knows you" and has your best interest at heart that knows cruising.
The best way is to find someone who "knows you" and has your best interest at heart that knows cruising.
And a good TA will do just that. With apologies to LHP, a friend could just as easily have an ax to grind; just read a lot of cruise reviews and you will know right away that many people do! As long as you share with the travel agent what you are looking for in your cruise vacation, what your family's likes and dislikes are, then she/he will do the best they can to find the best cruise for you. Ask around among your friends and acquaintances if they have a TA they can recommend, and if not, look for one in your area who is cruise-oriented; one clue (though not exclusive) is one who has the CLIA logo on their window or in their ads.
Great post Karen, to expound on your post a little more, a GOOD cruise oriented TA is specifically trained in placing you on the correct cruise. People have the mis-conception that a TA is only there to make money off of you. So many potential clients use the expertise of a TA, then book else where, we do not make a penny until the client books, and our business comes from happy repeat cruisers. So to the original poster, try looking for a TA and pick their brain. They will go out of their way to qualify you to the correct cruiseline and ship. You have nothing to loose.
), I think it is essential that you get in touch with a travel agent specialized in cruises. A good TA will find the right ship and right itinerary for you, because what is good in my or other users' opinions might not necessarily be a good solution for you. It is all about what you expect and what you prefer.
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