I am considering sailing on the Spirit in 6/04. Picking a cruise line has been very difficult. Like everyone,Iwant to makesure that it is a good choice. My husband and I are in our early 40's and will be traveling with a 15 and 16 year old. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

My favourite cruise line is Royal Caribbean and I adored the Alaska cruise I took with them- highly recommend the Radiance. I feel the service is better, the food is better, and the decor is MUCH better.

Carnival is a bit glitzy. (I DO NOT want to start fights here, but I have seen quite a few Carnival ships and the thought of a week on one of them would make me ill.)

Royal Caribbean has great kid's programmes and I honestly think you would enjoy them much more. Even if they are more expensive, I personally think they are worth the money.

Carnival is just an unusual market. It really is up to you, though.

A great way to get an idea is to check out www.cruisesinc.com, and click on 360 degree views. They have a lot of interior pictures of the ship.

Good luck deciding and let's see if I started a fight!

Hi Kelsey,
We're also booked to sail on the Spirit leaving 7/14/04. We are a group of about 20. Have sailed Carnival several times before. Would agree that they are "glitzy" ships but have always found the food and service to be just fine. Good luck in your planning!
Pam

What's wrong with glitzy? Many people enjoy the glitz of Las Vegas.

One major consideration- is NOT to expect a party ship on Carnival sailing Alaska- I have sailed 3 times on them and passengers were similar on ALL the lines I have sailed there (4- Princess, HAL, RCI) middle aged and above the norm. More and more families are sailing but still considerably less than in the Caribbean. Strongly consider routes, time in ports, glacier choice, price. My preference only but RCI would be my last choice- they don't go to Glacier Bay and have full front blue wind screens that I won't tolerate as marine wildlife viewing is my passion and I spend all my sailing time out at the front deck. Very very few passengers do. Glacier Bay is my first choice, but any Alaska cruise will be a compromise- just figure out what is important for you. Be certain to budget and plan ahead for costly, not to be missed tours- you get only 1/2 a trip without them.