I'm trying to organize a 3 or 4 day cruise for my family (dad's 60th bday). I'm wondering what a good rate is for an outside cabin for each pair of adults. Looking for something out of Florida or New Orleans. Also, is it unusual to pay only slightly less for a child who's 3 and an infant? I'm getting rates that are just below adult rates! THank you in advance.

RCCL has 3 or 4 day cruises out of Miami. I have read very mixed reviews about them and they are on the older models of RCCL ships - am going on one next month (free through my husband's profession) and will let you know.

So flame me, I've been on one RCCl and another Carnival 4 day cruise out of Miami and Canaveral.Never again. There are a lot of people who "won" trips- I met many. These are cheap cruises, and what you get is an older ship and a lower class of people overall. Not to stir up the class thing again, but I mean people who smoked in elevators, wore blue jean cut-offs in dining rooms, got wasted and disgusting by the pool -shouting and yelling, etc. Since your kids aren't in school, you could organize the trip on an off time when you could get a great rate for a 7 day cruise on a nice ship. I think you'll be glad you did.

Thanks for the feedback on the cruise. It's my dad's 60th, so we're pretty locked in on the dates and also can't dedicate an entire 7 days to a cruise. <BR><BR>If anyone has info on the children issue - that's really the question I need help with. I can't believe to take two small children (one of whom is breast feeding) is going to cost almost as much as the two adults.

Debbie, just a thought. What about a nice all inclusive in the caribbean? There are many where the children are free (they pay only airfare), and any child under 2 doesn't even pay that. Just an idea for an alternative to a cruise which might be less expensive.

Debbie:<BR>My 11 yr old son and I just got back from a 4 day cruise on RCCL's Sovereign of the Seas (sails from Port Canaveral, FL). We had a fabulous time! The food, service, activities, shows, etc. were all terrific. I saw no smoking on elevators, or rude/crude behavior. And it wasn't a "white trash" cruise either. I think you and your family would have a great time.

I know a family who went on a 4-day Carnival cruise out of Galveston, on the Celebration. They had a wonderful time! The rate was $660.00 per person for the first two in a cabin, as I recall. I don't know what their policy is on babies, but they cater to families, so it must be pretty good.

<BR>If you do not care for the older ships, Carnival has the Fascination, Triumph and the Imagination doing the 4 and 5 day cruises.<BR><BR>Infants definitely eat less but the paperwork and service is the same as an adult (sometimes more). Also it costs quite a but to process diapers.<BR><BR>Paul