cawhite

Hi everyone,

Our family (kids are 15 and 12) are considering a Mexican Riviera cruise for Spring Break '07. But which cruise for us?

We are in our mid to late 40's and have been on Carnival (Europe, Caribbean) and Royal Caribbean (Caribbean). Of the 2 lines, we are more the Royal Caribbean "type".

We strongly prefer to sail out of San Diego, since we live in San Diego county. Here are the 3 cruises that leave out of San Diego that week:

1. Celebrity Mercury (Mazatlan, Puerto Vallarta, Cabo San Lucas)
2. Holland America Oosterdam (Mazatlan, Puerto Vallarta, Cabo San Lucas)
3. Carnival Spirit (Mazatlan, La Paz, Cabo San Lucas)

Here are the pros and cons:

1. Celebrity:
* Pros - best price of the 3, we'd probably LOVE Celebrity's service and food, we enjoy smaller ships.
* Cons - older ship, will be refurbished the week AFTER we would return, not sure if there will be enough kids for our kids to make friends with (even during Spring Break).

2. Holland America:
* Pros - nice, newer ship.
* Cons - not sure if there will be enough kids for our kids to make friends with (even during Spring Break), Is the crowd a tad older than we'd prefer? May be more sedate than we'd prefer.

3. Carnival:
* Pros - this itinerary includes La Paz, which I've read is the best scuba dive port of all the ports listed above (DH and DD would dive and DS and I would snorkel), here there would be enough kids for my kids to make friends with.
* Cons - would prefer another line to Carnival; will this be too much of a party crowd? We like to have fun but aren't big drinkers, etc. Maybe too many kids (would like a decent amount, but don't want to be overrun with kids either!)?

I also posted on Cruise Critic.. but am interested in what the fodorites recommend, as well.

Sooooooo.... which cruise for us?

Any suggestions or comments?

Thanks for your help!

Carole

cawhite

Anyone have a recommendation out there?

Thanks!

Carole

spurs

Based on what you said, Oosterdam should be the best for you. Read reviews on cruisecritic.com.

cawhite

Thank you spurs! So the crowd won't be too old for teenagers?

I use cruisecritic extensively and have posted there too.

Thanks again.

Carole

cawhite

Actually... let me word that a little differently.

Do you think the passenger mix is likely to include families, teenagers, etc. (my kids love to meet new friends on cruises)?

Thank you.

Carole

spurs

Yes, I think so because a) Oosterdam and other HAL new ship are deisgned to target more families than their old ships (more spots facilities etc.), and b) it is Spring break time.