Mexican Riviera Family Cruise advice?

[Kami]

Hi All
My husband and I have a Baltic cruise booked on Century for next June. I am also researching my options for a family cruises next fall and am hoping to get some advice from you veterans. We would like to take a weeklong cruise to The Mexican Riviera. We chose this destination to avoid airfare costs (we live in Phoenix and can easily drive). We will be taking our three teenagers (13, 15 &17). We would like to get a balcony room for ourselves and an inside room close by for the kiddies. It seems that our choices include: RCC- Vision/Seas, NCL- Star, Princess- Diamond, or Carnival- Spirit. I am more interested in a classy ship with good food and entertainment than structured kids activities (I doubt that I could get them involved anyway) or a “party” atmosphere.
Thanks!

[Carlalena1]

Kami- I will let you know when I get back. I am taking a 7 day Carnival cruise out of Galveston next week. I am going with my four sons, 15, 13, 11 and 7. My kids are not really "joiners" either and I don't know what my teenagers are going to do about socializing. I am sure they will be fine, and they are excited, but Camp Carnival material they are not. I am sure they will just meet random teenagers and get together that way.

I would not have chosen CCL for any reason on Earth EXCEPT for the fact that I need a quad cabin. I have mixed feelings due to what I have read but I don't sweat the small stuff and not much bothers me.... I am getting very excited at this point and can't wait to go.

Keep in mind that Elation does not have many balconies...

I will post a review when I get back.

Good luck!

Carla

[NancyN]

Kami,
You said you were looking for a classy ship. If that's the case, I think that the Vision and the Diamond would best fit that description. Although the Star and Spirit are good looking ships, I don't think anyone would describe them as classy.

As for good food, I think you will find RC, Princess and Carnival all quite similar (they all get mixed reviews depending on personal taste). On the Star, if you are willing to pay to eat in the specialty restaurants each evening than you will have an excellent dining experience. If you choose to eat in the main dining room, meals are a disappointment (JMHO).