Advice choosing cruise for novice
 

I'm probably being very naive asking this, but are there cruise ships that offer totally smoke-free ships, and totally adult sailings? If not, why not - does it have to do with discrimation factors? I have been on one cruise, which was very annoying, due to the fact that we weren't able to use the pool or hot tub (children constantly in it from early morning to late at night), had to dodge children running all over the ship, etc. Surely there must be something for everyone with all the different ships and people's preferences - why would it be discrimatory if it was stated clearly as such? Don't they offer specialty cruises such as sports, health-club oriented, different music stars, etc. How does one find out about these types of cruises? Also, where to look for Hawaiian cruises?

Hi Diane,<BR><BR>I will touch on only a couple of your questions since you have so many.<BR><BR>There is only one smoke-free ship and that is Carnival Paradise.<BR><BR>Any value cruiseline naturally has many families and therefore many children. The upscale cruiselines have few or no children. Upscale cruiselines are expensive.<BR><BR>Holland America is attempting to attract families by lowering their prices and enlarging their children areas.<BR><BR>There are no "adult" cruiselines and I doubt there ever will be since it would be a specialty cruiseline and it would not be profitable. Nothing to do with discrimination.<BR><BR>Sorry,<BR><BR>Paul<BR><BR>

Thanks for your reply - I'm new at this. If you would bear with me - so if I would prefer a ship with a more adult slant rather than family-oriented, do you have a suggestion as to what line & what time of year would be better (obviously not Spring Break!) I've heard Celebrity, for instance, is better than Carnival?

Hi,<BR><BR>I despise cigerrate smoke and stay away from it as much as possible.<BR><BR>I cruise often on Princess and have had no problems. The only problem I have seen on these is in the lounges/casinos in the evenings. Because I go to the shows where it is smoke free - I have no problems.<BR><BR>The rooms are very well kept and I have never smelt smoke in them, dining rooms are smoke free, etc. . <BR><BR>Princess also controls the amount of kids on the ship. I have seen children on the cruises but most of the time they are involved in activities elsewhere on the ship and they have never posed a problem.<BR><BR>On some of Princess ships - there are pools that are "adult only".<BR><BR>Good luck in your search.

To avoid rugrates:<BR><BR>1. Do not book a cruise during times when most schools are not in session; i.e., Thanksgiving Week, Christmas/New Year's Week, Mid-June thru mid-September, Easter/Spring Break.<BR>2. Yes, Carnival has a reputation for having more ankle-biters, young people (college crowd), etc. because they most often are the CHEAPEST on any destination route. <BR>3. Celebrity and Princess lines would be your best bet although Holland America Line (HAL) still maintains its reputation of appealing to older, more sedate, more sophisticated, more well-traveled people.

Everyone seems to think you are operating on a low budget. Assuming you are, Celebrity and Princess probably are your best bets. But if you really want a classy, professional adult crowd and you don't have such a limited budget, try Seabourne/Cunard, Windstar or Radisson. You'll find on the sailings with a more professional adult crowd, there are also less smokers. I appreciate that also! <BR><BR>The earlier poster was right about times to avoid kids. Travel when school's in session and you'll have a lot more luck. <BR><BR>Regarding Hawaii, there aren't a lot of good Hawaii cruises; do that as a multi-destination land vacation; you'll enjoy it a lot more!

When is spring break? Is it the same week(s) or dates every year and for all cruise destinations. Thanks!!

Hi Kelly,<BR><BR>According to the hotel owners of the largest spring break areas ...... Cancun ..... spring break is from March 15th through April 30th.<BR><BR>Paul

But, since all mass-market cruise lines state that someone in the cabin must be over 25 this will eliminate spring breakers from cruise ships.<BR><BR>Families with children would fill the ships during the schoolbreak times.<BR><BR>If you book a mass-market cruise line (value priced) you should look at exotic destinations. Very few children. <BR><BR>Good luck,<BR><BR>Paul

I too wish there were more non - smoking ships or ships that enforce non-smoking areas. I have been lucky with most of my cruises. The Voyager class ships for RCCL have the Solarium area. The whirlpools are for adults only and I am not sure about the pool in the solarium but when I have sailed, only adults were in that pool. I sailed on the Carnival Destiny and one problem they had was kids dominating every pool and every whirlpool.<BR><BR>Diane, what price range are you looking for? The more expensive the cruise, the fewer the children. Also Fall cruises and cruises in January will have very few kids on them. Early summer is not bad either. (May, first weeks of June before school is out)