A Little Help Please

[bello1971]

First of all - this is a great site!!

We are planning our first cruise in April (28,29) for 7 nites. Our travel agent is pushing us toward:

Royal Caribbean Freedom of the Seas (outside oceanview cabin $1656.00 pp)
or
Caribbean Princess (outside oceanview cabin $967.43 pp)

We would like to have a good first experience. We are looking for a cruise that is relaxing with good food, good entertainment & one that doesn't feel too crowded - no "party ship".

In your opinion which cruise would you go on & why

[Cruise Specialist]

First question I would ask is what age group are you in? For a relaxing cruise that is not to crowded I would suggest Celebrity Century or HAL Zuiderdam. Both are great cruises, not too crowded, great food. Both these ships hold around 2100 people. Less children on these. Are just you and spouse going or are you bringing children with you. Based on what you are looking for Celebrity or HAL or even Princess would be the choice.

[fruby]

Hello,

Go with Princess. You really cannot go wrong with RCCL or Princess but the savings with Princess is considerable and since this is your first time you should save the money. You will enjoy your Princess cruise.

[f-mattox]

The brochure price for the April 29 sailing on Caribbean Princess for a catagory AD mini-suite on Emerald deck is
$1299.00.
That's what I would book.

[Sonny V]

Hello bello1971, welcome to Cruise-Chat. The price for an outside oceanview cabin on the Freedom is $1,399. There shouldn't be too many children on that sailing date because of school. I've been on 33 Royal Caribbean cruises and I think the Freedom is the best. It's your first cruise so you really wouldn't be able to compare. If the price has anything to do with your choosing, I'd go with the cheaper cruise. The Caribbean Princess is a beautiful ship too. We were on the Freedom in October and did the same itinerary. You can take a look at our pictures of that cruise. Click HERE and then click on "FREEDOM OCT 15"
Hope this helps...

Sonny

[cousins]

Sonny- you're such an expert...tell me about Explorer of the Seas? We've been on Voyager of the Seas(Wester Caribbean) now going to New England Canada in the fall....any suggestions or pictures for me?
Shari

[Sheffie]

One good thing to know about RCI, (and maybe Princes?) is that if the price drops, you can get the new rate. We have had this happen 3 times for our upcoming cruise, and have been able to move from an inside to an outside to a balcony and still saved $300 pp! Not all cruises, nor all categories get these drops, but if they are there, you are one of the lucky ones! If you choose to use a TA, be sure to check if they will honor the price drop before you book through them.