Diana

Hello!

I post a lot over on the Caribbean board and have been to most of the islands, but I've never been on a cruise.

My husband and I will be taking his mother (73) on a cruise to the Eastern or Southern Caribbean in the next few months, and it has fallen to me to make the plans.

If we would like good quality food, and would prefer fewer children, which would be the best cruise line for us?

Are there one or two better known for food than others? (Just don't really care for the volume as opposed to quality thing, and we eat healthfully most of the time.)

The budget we've set won't allow for one of the top of the line trips (Cunard, Windstar, etc.), but we can go mid-range.

Thank you!

Cruiser

Hi Diana:
I would suggest my favorite line--Celebrity. It has good food, and fewer children especially if you can sail while children are in school. I sailed the Zenith , 14 days, last Nov. and we only had 11 children under age 17 onboard! The longer the cruise generally the older the pax.

Good luck!!

bjboothman

My favorite is Princess in the mid range. I think the food is very good and in the dining room (vs the buffet) you find better quality vs quantity. Yes, the longer the cruise the fewer the kids but also keep your timing in mind - avoid spring break or other holiday times when kids are likely to be out of school. The 10-day Panama Canal cruise is very nice and tends to draw an older crowd.

Diana

Thanks!

The three I had kind of picked on my own that looked like they would be best for us were Celebrity, Holland America and Princess, so it sounds like I might be on the right track.

newyorkgolfer41

We had similar requirements as you. I would definitely look into the Radisson Diamond's 2 for 1 price specials. It's a great little ship and the food is out of this world. When we went there were no kids. This ship also has a platform that lowers for water sports like waterskiing, skiddos etc.It's pretty much an all inclusive cruise line. Look at www.rssc.com

joeb

Hi Diana. I've seen you over on the Caribbean and Latin American boards. You were a great help in making some decisions on our first trip to Cozumel last year. Had a fantastic time btw, best diving I've ever experienced.

My wife and I have been on a lot of cruises over the years and the southern is our favorite Caribbean itinerary.
Seven day southern itineraries usually leave from San Juan and if you're traveling in the winter months, highly recommend that you arrive at least a day ahead if you book your own airfare in case of flight delays. Anyway, we love San Juan so we look forward to getting there early and usually also spend several days after the cruise. We always book our own airfare and save money but we are leaving from NYC area where there's plenty of cheap airfare to SJU. With all the time you spend in the Caribbean I'm assuming you know your way around San Juan, but if not and you need some hotel or restaurant tips, just holler.

If you're thinking of taking a cruise that's longer than 7 days than you have lots more options from Florida. Agree that Celebrity and Holland America are good choices for your parameters. We took Celebrity's Constellation earlier this year from San Juan and really enjoyed the ship and itinerary. Celebrity has very good food for a mainstream line and nice extras such as the Cova café where you can get fresh-baked pastries (free) along with espresso, cappuccino etc (not free), and a spa café that has light healthy fare for breakfast and lunch. Our intinerary on Connie included beautiful Grenada - not sure what Celebrity will be doing with that stop later this year after Ivan.

The Radisson recommendation was a good one too but even with their 2 for 1 deals they are quite a bit higher if you are comparing to a regular window cabin on one of the mainstream lines like Celebrity. We actually booked Radisson for the first time this year for an Istanbul - Athens itinerary under a 2 for 1 deal and it was still more than we would normally spend. Unfortunately the mainstream lines dropped Istanbul from their itineraries and we've been trying to do this one for several years so we just bit the bullet and splurged with Radisson. We booked with Cruisequick and got a great price (for Radisson) but you have to know exactly what you want as they only work through email and clearly state on their website that they don't provide guidance etc for inexperienced cruisers.

Happy to help with with any other questions as you continue your planning.

BarbaraS

Celebrity has a few adults only cruises throughout the year if your dates/destinations are flexible.

Diana

Thanks so much everyone!

Joe, I'm glad you had a good time in Cozumel. It was a favorite of ours for many years. I've never found any better diving.

I am actually hoping that we will be able to stop on Grenada during our cruise (Dec. or Jan.). It has always been one of our very favorite places, and we would like to help out in some way - donation, volunteer - while in port.

Thanks for the offer to help on PR. I may take you up on it since we have not been there in a few years and places may have closed/changed.

jillllybeans

Another vote for the Radisson Diamond. It's in the Caribbean all winter. Since they don't offer a children's program or babysitting etc. I doubt there will be any children...just lots of fun loving adults! Due to the smaller amount of passengers, you'll feel like family.

mandjfield

Any comments you could offer about the dress on the Radisson Diamond? We are sailing 7 nights out of San Juan at the end of Nov. and are curious about just how formal the dinners are? Thanx!

petlover

I've been on the Diamond in the caribbean and on our sailing we had one formal night and I think (going by memory) the other nights were all country club casual. We enjoyed the formal night but some may not and choose not to participate by eating in an alternative dining venue or room service (which BTW is served course by course and still includes the wine and cocktails etc.) On formal night it was about 50/50 with half the men in tux's and the other half in dark suits.

Daytime wear is strictly very casual!

mandjfield

Thanks petlover .. just what I was looking for!

margorose

I've traveled on the Royal Caribbean cruises on a few occasions with older people in their late 60's and early 70's. If you travel in November or December you tend to find an older crowd as that is lower fare time and many retirement communities from Florida take advantage of that. We did have teens dining with us, but they tended to be rather elegant youths with local wealthy island young people joining them for dinner and parties. All amenities were the same and the weather was satisfactory.