Thread: Hello, I'm new!

Welcome...
Royal Caribben is very kid friendly, but good for adults, too. What kinds iof things does your family like to do?
For example: If you are shoppers / sightseers, the eastern Caribbean might be more enjoyable, whereas the snorkeling really is better in the Western Caribbean, IMO.

I wuld suggest using a trael agent. I always use one, and wouldn't book on my own, even when i've already done the research and know exactly which cabin on which ship I want, what the price is, and whether it's available or not.

I like cruising in January, although the water in the Bahamas tends to be a little chilly that time of year. Not totally unbearable, but really chilly, unless you are from up north.

Welcome to CLF

Welcome to CLF!

We have been to Disney and that was fun. We are looking for lots for the kids to do. We like to be on the beach, interesting scenery and activities, and probably not into the shopping aspect. Would that make us choose specific ports? Certain iteneraries? We swim in Lake Michigan in the summer and that doesn't really get warm. Would like something slightlly warmer!!

Or, you might consider Disney. A great cruise line for kids and adults- but they are pricier.

Nowadays the ports are about the same in shopping experience. You might want to consider swimming with rays or with dolphins. The kids would love both. Almost all Caribbean ports have excellent water activities and some of the cruise lines have private islands with excellent beaches and swimming conditions.

Oh yes, the water is wonderful in the winter months! I would be more tempted to suggest Eastern rather than Western Caribbean. That way you get more than just Mexico and Jamaica.

Don't do it on your own. At the least stay here and ask every question you need to ask. Some of us are travel agents and we can even mail you brochures if you need them.

Here's another one I'm going to throw out - NCL Epic. I loved the Epic. It is very family friendly. There are some very reputable travel agents on here. Contact one and give them budget, likes, dislikes, dates, and let them do some research and tell you what they think will work the best for you. We've been matching clients to ships for a long time.

Originally Posted by bdthanos

We have been to Disney and that was fun. We are looking for lots for the kids to do. We like to be on the beach, interesting scenery and activities, and probably not into the shopping aspect. Would that make us choose specific ports? Certain iteneraries? We swim in Lake Michigan in the summer and that doesn't really get warm. Would like something slightlly warmer!!

Lake Michigan? I tried that once - in JUNE - and it was WAY too cold for me. That was when I was in my 20's, and more able to tolerate extreme cold. Now I am much older, tolerate cold less well, and almost always am able to take a short dip in the Bahamas in January, and snorkel in the Caribbean. So, I would think it would be very tolerable for you all.

As to what specific ports are known for, and what things are better where, you might browse our Cruise Places forums here on CLF, where there's a forum for each port. Our members have posted about the various things they have done in each port, and what they did and did not like.

In general, the larger ships will have a greater selection of things for everyone to do... the Norsegian epic was already mentioned. The Royal Caribbean ships all have rock climbing walls and basketball areas. A lot have miniature golf. Features on the larger ones include ice skating rinks, surfing simulators, splash parks, and on the newest ones, merry go rounds, and zip lines. There's more, but you get the idea...

As for something Neal mentioned - I highly recommend a sting ray swim. It's one of my favorite things - a fabulous experience, and I've done it a few different times in several different ports. I have a review of sorts about it, with what kind of experience you can expect in Antigua, the Bahamas, Grand Cayman, and Grand Turk. From that review, you can see which ones are better, depending on your level of swimming ability, and whether you are timid or adventurous. There are a few photos there, too. Here's the link: Swimming with Stingrays.

Even as a world traveler we make mistakes. But, be careful who you book through if you don't want to book directly with a cruiseline. Ask if the agent is licensed in your state, check their affiliations, confirm their licensing and certifications.

I did all the right things and yet missed the obvious or stopped checking too soon. They all talk a good story, but can you trust them.

In my case, the affiliations appeared to be there, the licensing appeared to be there and the travel agent in San Luis Obispo talked an excellent story. She took my deposit, refused to refund it, made reservations without authorization, cancelled a cruise without authorization, the affiliations were fraud, she did not have her local license in order, was not licensed in my state, and apparently was not filing taxes or paying taxes.

She also used my identity in her advertising without permission.

She is being investigated and I am still out the money. Maybe by the time the states of California and Florida and the IRS get done with her she will have enough money left over to refund me the $1,000 she still owes me.

For a first timer, I would recommend working with a travel agent. The three main questions you want to ask yourself, when, departure port, and destination. You can search the internet, learn what is out there and talk with the cruise lines. You ask and learn.

Welcome to Cruiselinefans, bdthanos! Hope that you love reading about all the different cruises as much as we do

Welcome aboard.

PE