Alex

Hi all!<BR>I'm a 1st time cruiser and I'm planning to cruise the Caribbean this summer with my family, and now I have to choose between RCCL's Voyager/Explorer of the Seas, Princess' Grand Princess or Carnival's Victory/Destiny class ships. I understand that they each have their upsides and downsides, and I really have no idea which line to choose.<BR><BR>From what I've read, RCCL's Voyager class ships provides the widest range of activites and best entertainment but its food quality is not up to standard;<BR><BR>Princess' food is better, but its entertainment is not as good as Carnival and RCCL;<BR><BR>Carnival's ships are not very well-designed (rooms & public places not as beautiful as the others), but they too provide the widest range of facilities, and their food is good too (probably better than RCCL but not as good as Princess). And Carnival attracts a large party crowd.<BR><BR>And that creates the confusion: I prefer more activites on board, but at the same time I don't want to sacrifice food quality. I understand that it's hard to choose a 'perfect' ship with superb food, superb design and excellent entertainment at the same time, but I wish I could pick the ship which would be the best available to our family.<BR><BR>It also appears to me that Carnival is the cheapest, followed by Princess, and the most expensive among them is RCCL. Is that true?<BR>It also appears to me that Carnival is the cheapest, followed by Princess, and the most expensive among them is RCCL. Is that true? Of course room rates is also one of the factors I need to put into consideration.<BR><BR>So considering:<BR>Food quality;<BR>Cabin/Deck/Public area ambience;<BR>Production Shows/Entertainment;<BR>Overall Service;<BR>Price;<BR><BR>which line/ship should I choose?<BR><BR>Please kindly give me some suggestions and advice as for which cruise I should cruise. Thanks all for reading this and I'd be most grateful to read your suggestions.<BR><BR>Alex

Theresa

Have sailed Grand and Explorer of the Seas . . .<BR><BR>Would probably choose Explorer of the Seas for my family but I personally give a better nod to Princess.<BR><BR>I do prefer Princess' food over RCCL's food. I also like the pools on the Grand - open 24 hours and uses fresh water verses sea water.<BR><BR>Though if your kids love ice skating, rock climbing, roller blading, putt putt golf, etc. . . they will love Voyager class ships. There will also be more kids on RCCL and Carnival then Princess - Princess limits the amount of kids on the ship.<BR><BR>The good news is that all of these ships are so nice! Your family really can't go wrong.

Josh Plummer

I would avoid Carnival if you can. The ship was nice and the entertainment was good. However, everything else abou the experience was a nightmare for me and my wife. <BR><BR>The room was awful (smelled of urine), the glasses in the formal dining room often had lipstick stains on them. And most amenities were only offered at a substantial additional price. Make no mistake, Carnival is not an "all inclusive" cruise.... even if it's advertised that way. <BR><BR>

Carnival Lover

I sailed on the Carnival Victory last September and found her to be a Wonderful ship.<BR>The cabins are much larger than those on RCCL. The food is better. The entertainment was great.<BR>I thought the Public Areas were beautiful and well designed.<BR>I don't know what you mean by Party Crowd. There were a lot of people having Fun, but it was not boisterous and I saw no drunks running around.<BR>I have sailed on Carnival 6 times and have never seen the things I read about.<BR><BR>No Cruise is truely all-inclusive.<BR>All charge extra for drinks. Carnival has a soft drink card that can be purchased for about $20-25 Per Person (children slightly less).<BR>Drinks were $4.54 including tip.<BR>Yes a lot of things are extra on all ships, Bingo, Casino, Shore Excursions, Spa Treatments, Shops. Carnival's children's programs have been voted the best afloat. They have been voted the best family cruise line.<BR><BR>Royal Caribbean does have ice skating rink on Voyager Class ship, plus rock climbing wall, cabins are much smaller (about 30 sq ft). Food quite as good.<BR><BR>Princess is considered a premium cruise line so they are a knotch above the other 2. Beautiful ships, good food, not a lively.<BR><BR><BR><BR>

Why

Alex,<BR><BR>I am surprised that you did not check out the Disney cruise if your taking your family. You do not have to do WDW you know, they now have a 7 night cruise.