Just got back from spending a week in Maine and another couple were raving about cruising. Unforunately, they mentioned so many ships I can't remember everything. I started researching for next summer but there are so many ships, ports of call, departure points, etc., it's overwhelming. People here know their stuff, so if you don't mind, I'll ask for some help.<BR><BR>1. First choice would be NY departure to Caribbean next summer. Would consider NY/Canada cruise, or flying to Florida to embark, but would really like NY to Bermuda/Bahamas/Caribbean.<BR><BR>2. Have two kids. Does that mean two cabins? Kids are 6 and 4. Obviously would prefer ship with kid's activities. <BR><BR>3. Anywhere between 6-10 nights good. <BR><BR>4. Ports of call. Like Bermuda, Puerto Rico and southern Caribbean but not really an issue.<BR><BR>Does such a thing exist?!?

Michael: there are quite a few ships that leave out of New York for Bermuda from about May to September/October. You may want to do some research as to the type of cruise experience you are looking for.<BR><BR>I don't know of any doing the Carribean out of New York, but Celebrity has 10 and 11 day cruises out of Baltimore - - not a bad trip from New York. And I think there might be cruises out of Philadelphia also. You have quite a few choices. Just sit back and enjoy the research, bite the bullet and go on a cruise. You'll love it.<BR><BR>As for bringing your children - - you could get a cabin for four or get a cabin that connects. There are alot of choices.<BR><BR>In addition to this board, you may want to try Cruise Mates board. They have a section on first time cruising.

Mary,<BR>Thanks, my research led me to Celebrity and even to the Baltimore departure you talked about. Celebrity is looking like a good line and they sail to Bermuda from NY or like you said to the Caribbean from MD. If anyone has taken that Celebrity out of MD please let me know, or maybe there are reports at Cruise Mates.

Hi Michael,<BR><BR>Here's a perfect one for you.<BR><BR>The new Carnival Legend will initiate Caribbean sailings out of NYC on May 13, 2003 (only until October 12).<BR><BR>Eight night cruises alernating between Eastern and Western Caribbean.<BR><BR>Enjoy,<BR><BR>Paul

Michael: I live in the D.C. area and have cruised twice out of Baltimore. The cruise terminal is about 5 minutes off of I-95. Real easy. About 1/2 by cab form BWI airport. I've also cruised with Celebrity 7 times and absolutely love the line and I'm sure you will. Real classy line. Though I've never used the children's programs I know of people who have and the kids have loved it. The few times we've sailed when children were on board the children seemed to be having great fun with the program.<BR><BR>You will see a lot of postings on both Cruise Mates and Cruise Critic sites about the cruises out of Baltimore.<BR><BR>Have fun. I'm sure you will enjoy your cruise.

Mary, and Paul,<BR>Thanks for the info. It's good to see Carnival is sailing from NY to the Caribbean. I haven't cruised in about 15 years but I thought there used to be more choices for going out of NY. <BR><BR>Mary, Celebrity gets good reviews, but I was looking at a web site picture of a Premium Oceanview Stateroom, apparently one of the highest categories, and it doesn't look so appealing. The furniture looks really old, the room looks small and the window is tiny. Maybe that's an old picture??<BR><BR>Well, the ball is rolling. Thanks again.

Well, Michael if the "old" picture makes the cabin look small to you, it still WILL be small. Cabins don't get larger--even with renovating.<BR> If the highest category doesn't look appealing to you ---maybe you had better consider some other lodging instead of cruising....sorry. In my opinion Celebrity is a great cruise line! Hope you will reconsider.

Michael - Keep in mind that at this point the Legend cruise from N.Y. is VERY pricey with insides going from 1200 to 1500 and balconies starting around 1600. The eight day cruise has only three ports, one of which many experienced cruisers stay on board for - Puerto Rico. You might be better served to use the extra money for a plane ticket to Florida and get on a cruise that sees more ports.

The picture is deceptive about size of the window. It's actually quite large. As far as the furniture being old - - we've sailed on her older ships (Zenith and Horizon). They've been refurbished (I think the Zenith was in 1999 and I can't recall when the Horizon was) and they are quite beautiful. The average size of a cabin is 170 sq ft.<BR><BR>The Galaxy is somewhat newer and just as gorgeous. My husband and I did a 17 day cruise on the Galaxy, standard outside cabin, and had plenty of room to store our things, including: 4 gowns and a tux.<BR><BR>We've done an 11 day on Horizon and 15 day on Zenith and again never had a problem with the size of the rooms.<BR><BR>I've sailed Carnival and was not too happy with the line. My worst cruise.

The Zenith did a dry-dock refurb. in 1997 and the Horizon in 1998. The cabins are done over quite often. It is ongoing.<BR><BR>Of course Celebrity is a country-club cruise line and is rated above Carnival which is a "fun" cruise line. There are unique differences ... Carnival is not for everyone. As far as Celebrity, I do not lke to go to bed early and do not care for the Broadway Productions shows. They put me to sleep.<BR><BR>To each his own.<BR><BR>Paul

I live in the Washington DC metro area and will be taking Carnival Legend next year out of NY. I looked into a cruise leaving Baltimore, but the only option was going to Bermuda for four days, sounded boring. Leaving NY will provide more options and the cost, to me, is not that bad for 8 days.

NCL is also sailing their "soon to be" ship Norwegian Dawn from NYC to the Caribbean. I think it's inaugural is this Dec, but not totally sure.<BR><BR>Regards...Bob

Bob is correct. The Dawn NYC sailings are in the planning stages at this time. Probably will not begin until May of 2003 after the Caribbean sailings. The itinerary and how many nights has not been published.<BR><BR>FYI, the Regal Empress does sail from NYC to the Bahamas certain times during the summer. Very good prices. Might be worth considering.<BR><BR>Paul

Thanks to all of you. <BR><BR>To summarize our options. <BR>1. NY to Bermuda via Celebrity. A little older crowd but highly rated.<BR>2. NY to Bahamas on Regal Empress. More affordable, less highly regarded. <BR>3. New Carnival Legend NY to Caribbean starting this spring. 8 nights, must be roundtrip? New ship. <BR>4. NCL Dawn starting to cruise NY to Caribbean this spring. New ship, don't know itinerary. <BR>5. Go to Baltimore and take Celebrity 10 or 11 day Caribbean R/T on Celebrity. A little longer and more travel than was hoping for, but a good option. <BR><BR>Thanks again.

the dawn will be sailing from nyc to miami, port canaveral and the bahamas. i would not recommend the regal empress...its the roach motel of cruising.