Jen

We need help planning our first cruise to the Carribbean. We are looking to relax and see beautiful scenery. We are flexible with which islands we see. We are 27 yrs old and very active. Great food, service, and facilities are a #1 priorities (especially food). I have been looking at Royal Carribbean and Celebrity. I have heard bad things about Carnival and NCL. We would like to stay away from lines that are geared toward or attract teens and families with young children. Please let us what you think. <BR>Thanks!

Marilyn

Sounds like you might be a good candidate for Celebrity. We were on the Mercury in March and really think they have by far the best food and service of anyone. The ship was immaculate and very classy. Grand Cayman is beautiful in the Western Caribbean but the other stops are not quite as pretty. ( Fun-just not as pretty ) There are several beautiful islands such as St Thomas, St Maartens, St Johns, Antigua, etc. Millennium is a new Celebrity ship with both Eastern and Western Itineraries. If you have more time,the Exotic Caribbean on Mercury would be really nice too. If I can answer any other questions you're welcome to contact direct.

Jen

Thanks! Is there anywhere I can look to see a description of each line and info on who they cater towards? I forgot to mention that it will be my husband and I so something romantic would be great!

John

Go to www.cruiseopinion.com A good website for cruise reviews and links to all the cruise lines. <BR>Cruising is loads of fun. We go on Royal Caribbean but are considering Celebrity. To select a cruise pick the cruise line first then the itnerary that matches your interests. We have fould the best itinerary for us a couple "at sea" days to enjoy the shipboard activities and to "blob" and ports with great excursions. For my money the best is the Western Caribbean that stops at Ocho Rios, Grand Cayman, and Cozumel. These are 3 wonderful ports with "can't miss" things to do (stingray city on Grand Cayman and Dunns River Falls in Ocho Rios (Jamaica). Most of these cruises leave from Miami which is an easy destination to get to. One tip: book your air on your own and get the "transfers" that let you check your luggage to the ship and provide transportation to the ship. When the cruise co books your air you don't know til the last minute and it may not be as convenient as if you do it on your own. <BR>Have fun.

bruce

I bought a book titled "Caribbean Cruises and Ports of Call" by Frommer's. It is a great resource for both. It gives a discription of all the mainstream and most smaller cruise lines and their ships. I recommend it for choosing your cruise line. As for booking your air yourself, if you are using a good travel agent, as we did, you'll save money and have a more convienent travel arrangement. We are sailing on Royal Caribbbean's Grandeur of the Seas in December from San Juan, and for $35 extra per-person, the cruiseline will let you select when you want to fly and give you your seating assignments right away. The air price from RCI is $665 plus $35 per person, compared to the best fare at the time of $950. These flights are from Portland, OR. so your flights will probably be different. Anyway, have your agent check BOTH options. <BR> I agree, Celebrity is the one to go on, especially if food is important. From what I've read, they have it mastered. It is the line I've going on next time. Either the Southern or Western loop, but not Ocho Rios (Jamaica). I'd also pick the newest ship. <BR>Good luck

Hondu

The first thing you need to realize is that all cruise lines sailing the Caribbean attract families and teens. <BR> <BR>You have to decide when you want to go. Note, if you go when school is out(Summer, Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Years, Spring Break, etc), be prepared for lots of kids on any of the lines. I have read of even Holland America and Celebrity with up to 400 kids on board and their unruliness. <BR> <BR>Carnival and Royal Caribbean are the two most popular lines for families. <BR> <BR>

Tom

I've been on most every line that sails the Caribbean and so in my opinion for everything you're looking for I'd vote as first choice Holland America and 2nd choice would be Celebrity. Like someone else mentioned whatever cruise you select will have kids. Holland America is really a great cruise line and the cabins are larger than industry standards. I also like Celebrity a lot but I think Holland America is a notch above with regards to food and service and romance.

Todd

First your gonna love cruising. However, I must disagree with the previous mesage. I have been on Princess and RCCL and both fit what you are looking for. Holland America is catered to a much older crowd, average age in the 60's. Any travel agent will tell you that. Celebrity is very nice from what I hear but costs a little more. I myself am 27 as is my wife and we loved Princess and RCCl. If your very active try the Voyager of the Seas from RCCL. 140000 ton ship with a rock climbing wall, min golf, full court baskeball, ice skating etc. Or the Grand Princess(I'm booked on it for Jan 2001) looks to be wonderful! I just wouldn't recommend Holland America. Many of my cruising friends my age have tried it and hated it. Hope this helps.

Jen

Thanks so much for all of the advice -it really helps. We will probably be cruising in November. I do realize that we will have a variety of fellow passengers no matter what line we cruise on and that is fine! We are simply trying to figure out which line would suit us best. Celebrity, Princess, and RCCL sound great (especially the one with the rock climbing wall and ice rink)! <BR> <BR>thanks!

Jill

My husband and I are about your age and have been on 3 cruises in the Caribbean. Our favorite was Holland America. I read about older crowds but this wasn't the case on our cruise. Unfortunately the Caribbean does attract a lot of families with kids/teens so I'm not sure how to get around that except for going in May or September before schools get out (this is what we did to try and keep it minimal). I read a posting above where someone's friends hated Holland America....they sure weren't on our cruise because all we heard were rave reviews!!! We also enjoyed Celebrity but weren't that crazy about RCL. We aren't as experienced as some cruisers but we're booked again on Holland America (our 2nd with this line) in 3 weeks so I'll be happy to report back if you'd like. I only hope this cruise will be half as good as our others!

Shelley

We were on Royal Caribbean Monarch of the Seas last year in February. This was my first cruise and I really enjoyed this cruise line. The age of the people on the ship ranged from their early 20's up to 70. As for children on the ship, there were not too many. As others have mentioned, I think it depends on the time of year you go. Avoiding spring break, Christmas etc would probably be your best bet. This ship fits about 2700 people. Many activities. The ship left San Juan, Puerto Rico and sailed to St.Thomas, Martinique, Barbados, Antigua, St.Martin/St.Maarten. The islands are very beautiful. I found the service and staff to be very friendly and helpful. Food was wonderful! I hope you have fun!

Rebecca

Hi. My husband and I have been cruising yearly for 12 years and our ages are 31 & 34. We have been on 5 of the main cruise lines. Our favorite by far is Royal Caribbean. It is fabulous in all areas--ships, food, service, entertainment, activities and so on. Our 2nd favorite is NCL. They have great food and activities. NCL to me is comparable to RCCL, but often do not offer as many great deals on prices. Steer away from Carnival if you don't want lots of heavy partiers and kids, and if you prefer more subtle, casual elegance. Also, RCCL and NCL would be great for romantic trips as they cater towards great service and are casually elegant cruise lines.

Sue

We just got back from an NCL cruise & found it to be vastly inferior to Carnival & Princess. This line is not the same as it once was, now that it has been sold to Star Cruises. Low marks for entertainment, decor, customer service (couldn't speak English), & the ability to arrive to ports on time & get docked (took 5 extra hours to dock in Cozumel while 3 other ships had no problem.)

brian

hello. my girlfriend and i ( ages 28 & 30) took a windstar cruise to the carribean.. we priced the big cruise lines and ended up paying less with windstar. the bigger cruise lines get yo u with expensive excursions and tipping.. with windstar, tips are included and there are not really many other hidden costs, so there is more time to enjoy yourself and not worry. my father is a chef and i grew up in restaurants and can say that the food is absolutely incredible! i have sailed princess and you can't even compare the food or the experience. i will never sail with a big line again..

oscar

Dear Jen, You are right on the dot. We have been on the lines you mention and would order them thus: Celebrity, RCCL and NCL (we exclude Carnival, perhaps their sister line Holland-America...). Celebrity is more exquisite, best food, but costs a bit more. NCL is good on the Norway, not so much on the shorter trips. RCCL was so, so, but forgot the chef or so it seemed (the food was not great). The western Caribbean is best, more islands, more variety. You can always visit Mexico later. This time of year is probably best because the big storms are still hibernating. Have fun and a pleasant trip.

Greg Gallagher

I'll give you the same advice I give everyone. Don't go on RCCL. Look up my comments on"Honeymoon from Hell". If you have any further questions please e-mail me.