Dh is thinking about taking me on a cruise (my first time ever) this summer, probably to the Bahamas. We were planning on just flying somewhere till I brought up a cruise. We have a timeshare thru RCI and can exchange a banked week for a cruise, my question is: What is the best cruise line you have been on? I don't want an older people cruise (sorry, didn't know how to phrase that to not offend anyone! ) or a family cruise. (not bringing my kids, they'll stay with my parents.....so I don't want to deal with other people's kids...again sorry if I offended anyone) Not sure I want a 'party barge' either, but I do want to have fun on board. Looking at the RCI website, there are many choices. Royal Caribbean, Norwegian, Carnival....Celebrity....which have you been on and would recommend? Or not recommend? Trying to narrow our choices down quickly so we can get the exchange going.

TIA!!!

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We went on Norweigen for our honeymoom and loved it (but that was 19 1/2 years ago). We have been on 2 Royal Carribbean (just got back Sunday from our latest) and loved them. I have heard Carnival is more of a party atmosphere, but have never been on one so I don't know for sure. We have purposely avoided them because of that, though.

If you don't want a lot of kids, I'd stay away from school breaks. We just went last week for Spring Break and there were 3700 guests, 1200 of which were kids. DH & I did take our kids and there was a lot for them to do, but discussed our next one would be without kids and not during a school break, so there'd be less.

Whichever one you choose, you will have a ball. It's so awesome. Especially as someone who camps - camping is so much fun, but a lot of work. When you take a cruise, it is truly a vacation - no cooking, cleaning, moving stuff around, hauling, (except your luggage to get there). Once you're there, you are totally waited on and pampered.

Have fun!
Lisa

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Thanks Lisa. The only time we can go is during the summer, my parents come up from Florida for the summer the middle of May and the girls don't get out of school till late June.

I've heard the Celebrity cruises are more of a younger, party type crowd (not out of control, but certainly not kid friendly). But since I've never been on one, I don't really know for sure.

I love the idea of being pampered, I certainly don't get that when camping!

I printed out a list of cruises thru RCI that travel June, July and August. Guess we'll have to go down the list and pick which sail date we want and go from there.

Thanks again!

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Friends are like butt cheeks.
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What port do you want to go from? Where do you live? I am one of the older group (57) but started cruising about 2 years ago. I have been on RCCL 4 times in the last 2 years. We are leaving in about 2 weeks for another cruise with RCCL. I think they have something for everyone.

We hadn't even thought about which port to leave from.....but we want to go to the Bahamas, so something from Florida. We live in New York, so we'd have to fly down.

What type of clothes will we need? I'll have to go shopping I'm sure. Just don't want to look tacky.

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Friends are like butt cheeks.
Crap might separate them,
But they always come back together.

We did a Carnvial Cruise and had a great time. We actually left out of New York. I think that Carnival Miracle might still leave out of New York. We went to Nassua and Freeport, and did a one day stop in Port Canaveral. There are actually several cruise lines that have a port in New York. That might save you the cost of flying to Florida and staying at a hotel.

Wow, I'll have to check that out. I didn't know any left from NY, that would be great. Right now we have a credit card thru RCI and have enough points for 2 round trip tickets. If we could leave from NY, we could save those points for another trip! Thanks for that info, I'm off to search RCI right now!

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Friends are like butt cheeks.
Crap might separate them,
But they always come back together.

You can also go out of Baygonne (sp?) New Jersey. We took a Royal Carribean out of there last June. We went to Bermuda, PR, St. Thomas, St. Maartin.

OK, here's a stupid question and I probably already know the answer.....but....I'll need a passport for a cruise to the Bahamas correct?

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Friends are like butt cheeks.
Crap might separate them,
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Yes. You now have to have a passport to go anywhere outside the US.

Lisa

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"It's not having what you want,
It's wanting what you've got"

Thanks Lisa, I thought so but figured I better check. I have one but it expired so I better get cracking on getting a renewal.

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Friends are like butt cheeks.
Crap might separate them,
But they always come back together.

We have been on five Carnival cruises. Loved them all!! We will be on the new ship the Dream next Spring Break April 3. I can't wait, We also will be going on one in Augest before the kids go back to school in Sept. We have not decided which Carnival ship yet though.
When you decide what you want to do, head over to cruisecritic.com and find out everything you want to know. Join your roll call there also. You will meet alot of great people, We sure have made some great friends!! I am bellybutton over there.

I havent been on a Celebrity Cruise but from what im reading that isnt a younger crowd at all, but too that does all depend on time of year, but I do know they are one of the few that you really have to dress for,if that bothers you id pick another line, I loved royal carribean, I liked Holland America we had mixed ages on that cruise, I think it really depends on what your looking for.

Here's info from someone who didn't like it so much. I went on a 3-day cruise from Miami to Cozumel on Carnival. OMG it was boring! It's probably just me, but I would never go on a cruise again. It's like being in a floating hotel. I couldn't wait to get home.

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If this is going to be a Christian nation that doesn't help the poor, either we have to pretend that Jesus was just as selfish as we are, or we've got to acknowledge that He commanded us to love the poor and serve the needy without condition, and then admit that we just don't want to do it.

- Stephen Colbert.

OMG, How could you be bored? There's SO much to do? Bars, dancing, movies, restaurants, snack bars, casino, a show every night, swimming pool, hot tub, shopping, massages, spa, workout room, rock climbing wall, mini golf, golf simulator, our ship even had an ice skating rink. I don't see how you could ever be bored?

I've been on 2 7-day and 1 8-day and wasn't ready to come home from any of them!

Lisa

__________________
"It's not having what you want,
It's wanting what you've got"

I'd rather go to an interesting city and pick out restaurants, shows, and shopping myself. Or, visit a beautiful natural area and take a hike. On our cruise the food, shows and other stuff were just average, cheesy, or dull.

__________________
If this is going to be a Christian nation that doesn't help the poor, either we have to pretend that Jesus was just as selfish as we are, or we've got to acknowledge that He commanded us to love the poor and serve the needy without condition, and then admit that we just don't want to do it.

- Stephen Colbert.

I forgot to mention the Princess Line they also have cruises out of NY 9 wonderful days..

I am leaving for a cruise today. I will come back and tell you about it.