Our daughter will be graduating from college on Friday May 13, 2005 (hopefully a lucky day!) Would like to arrange for her and some friends to take a celebration cruise. We live outside of NYC (in NJ) so that and Baltimore or Philly would be easy drives to a port. What cruise line would be best? Length? Any suggestions as to itenerary? What is the best way to book? Never cruised before so all suggestions would be helpful. Would like to keep the price down, but, on the other hand, would also like a memorable time. Would a cruise be a good idea? Thanks in advance!

A cruise is a great adventure! But will they be over 21?? Refer to the booking age restrictions on some lines. Head to a travel agent and pick up brochures of cruiselines that go out of your port areas.

As far as I know, some cruise lines require 25 min. age. I know Celebrity had that limitation the last time we sailed with them in 2001. Carnival I believe the limit is 21.

Sounds like a wonderful idea. If age is a problem, why not include yourself (good reason to join them) in the booking. List yourself as being the one adult required per room in one cabin, and your husband/wife in a second cabin. Then when it's cruise time you both just take a cabin to yourself and let them take the other.

Anyway, what good parents you are to reward her for her hard work with a cruise. Having an 18 year old daugther myself, I too look forward to that "celebration".

Once you look through the brochures and websites and determine just what ship and itinerary you'd like...then go to www.cruisequick.com and you'll probably get the best price. This has been my experience. They will not do the research for you though, you will need to decide what you want prior to asking for a quote. Due to the age restrictions, maybe Carnival is your best option. They'd have a great time on one of the Carnival Fun ships.

Wow! What nice parents. Just thought I'd put another idea in your heads. Have you thought about a rail pass in Europe? I did that the summer prior to my college graduation. It was one of the best experiences in my life. Either way, I'm sure she would be tickled!

Thanks everybody for your quick replies! I should have included their ages; my daughter will be 22 and her friends, 22 or an older 21. Carnival sounds like the best cruiseline, although, for myself, I love mexlo's idea of the European rail pass! Any suggestions as to cruise itenerary/places visited? Any particular ship/cruise more likely to have young adults rather than families with kids or seniors? Again, thanks for all your imput!

With their ages - they should be fine on most cruise lines.

I too have been thinking about this as I also have a daughter who will graduate college in May 2005. She spent this last semester studying in France and did the rail thing over Christmas break with a few of her friends to Italy and Switzerland. They had the time of their lives. I don't know that I can come up with anything she would like more. I mentioned the cruise thing or maybe Vegas. Will have to wait and see what she and her friends plan. Of course, I would be only too willing to cruise with her.

Our son will be graduating from college in May 2004. We've booked a gradaution cruise for all of us. It's a nice time to spend with your child before they head to the working world and only get 2 weeks of vacation (probably wouldn't want to spend it with you).