I told her that we had only cruised Carnival (and while we loved it) that I did not think that was the line she needed to use. I recommended Celebrity or Princess because

1. She wants as few children on board as possible
and since she has to go in the summer that
is a trick in and of itself.
2. She is looking for a very relaxing cruise.
3. She wants a cruise where she will be pampered.
4. She is not a big drinker or gambler.

Since I have never been anything but Carnival, I am looking to you good folks who are diverse in your cruising to recommend some ships to me that might be right up their alley.

quote:

---

Originally posted by lhp:
[...]

1. She wants as few children on board as possible
[...]

---

quote:

---

Originally posted by lhp:

1. She wants as few children on board as possible
and since she has to go in the summer that
is a trick in and of itself.
2. She is looking for a very relaxing cruise.
3. She wants a cruise where she will be pampered.
4. She is not a big drinker or gambler.

Thanks so much!!

---

I would recommend Oceania Criuses. They are one of the few lines that have midsize ships offering the amenities of a megaship and the intimacy of a small ship.

Cunard's crossings, NOT cruises have few children.
It is worthwhile to fly to London, stay 3 days and sail back for 6.

On Cunard Grille Class gets pampered. Mauretania/Brittanina grade is strictly a mass market affair.

All of the major lines have extensive children's and teen facilities so they are kept occupied and out of trouble.

[ 08-12-2005: Message edited by: desirod7 ]

Not to forget the 100% child free Saga ships.

Probably a 7-night Princess would be the best suggestion for summer; anything shorter will be on Carnival or RCI, which will be packed with families and kids.

quote:

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Originally posted by mec1:
What about Holland America?

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There will be no HAL ships in the Caribbean in the summer of 2006.

No matter what line you cruise in the summer to the Bahamas, you will find lots of children. After all that is when they are all out of school.

The only lines I can think of are the ones like Silver Seas, and the more expensive all-inclusive lines. Have no idea whether these lines cruise the Caribbean during the summers months, but I doubt it. Oh, I see Ernst has recommened the same thing.

The cruise doesn't really have to be "kid free", but since she is surrounded all year old with the little darlings.....she wants some retreat from that. Lets be honest, who wants to go on a cruise and end up babysitting other people's children....not me. I can't speak for other cruiselines, but sadly the Carnival clientele is getting worse and worse about this (allowing their little ones to run amuck!)

This is a "testing of the cruise waters" for her. so far, for the price, Princess seems to offer the most atmosphere that she is looking for .. for the buck.

I told her I haven't personally been on these other cruise lines...but that I had some excellent contacts!!!

quote:

---

Originally posted by lhp:
lasuv:
I noticed that. I researched Celebrity (thinking that was probably the best fit for her) but they do not do the Caribbean in the summer time.

I wonder why that is???

---

Summer is the season for the ships to go to Europe and Alaska, which are very profitable destinations for the cruise lines. There are relatively few ships in the Caribbean during those months, usually just the mass-market ships which cater more to families with children, who wouldn't be as interested in the more expensive, farther destinations.

quote:

---

Originally posted by lhp:
lasuv:
I noticed that. I researched Celebrity (thinking that was probably the best fit for her) but they do not do the Caribbean in the summer time.

I wonder why that is???

---

Last year there were so many hurricanes that hit Florida one right after the other, that many of the ships were delayed returning to port (e.g. Zuiderdam was supposed to be in FLL on Sat. - didn't make it into port until Monday) Flights had to be re-booked, paxs who were able to get to FLL had to be put up in hotels if they were lucky and cruises cut short.

The cruise lines lost a lot of money, so I guess they decided it wasn't worth sailing in the Caribbean during the summer months and were better off in Alaska, where the prices for a cruise are much higher.

quote:

---

Originally posted by lhp:
A teacher at my son's school knows that we cruise a lot. She and her husband want to go next summer either to the Bahamas or the Caribbean to celebrate their 40th anniversary and his retirement.

I told her that we had only cruised Carnival (and while we loved it) that I did not think that was the line she needed to use. I recommended Celebrity or Princess because

1. She wants as few children on board as possible
and since she has to go in the summer that
is a trick in and of itself.
2. She is looking for a very relaxing cruise.
3. She wants a cruise where she will be pampered.
4. She is not a big drinker or gambler.

Since I have never been anything but Carnival, I am looking to you good folks who are diverse in your cruising to recommend some ships to me that might be right up their alley.

Thanks so much!!

---

I personally think that the choice of a Bahamas/Caribbean cruise is very limiting for this couple. Something along the lines of the Paul Gauguin to Tahiti would perhaps be more suitable, maybe even Alaska

As few children as possible - well early June might work - schools are still in session.

Almost any cruise can be very relaxing. You’re free to do whatever it is that pleases you. There’s no obligation to join every tour or even go ashore at every port. Only Carnival has the 'gung-ho' 'you must join us' ’go –go- go’ reputation (never cruised the Line so can only go by what I've been told).

The lady wants to be pampered – don’t we all! Pampering means different things to different people. For me it’s no meal planning, no shopping for food, no cooking, no bed making. And food and drink, of my choosing, when I want it, is but a phone call away.

Drinking and/or gambling - strictly her choice to do or not to do. For sure it’s going to happen on any ship she sails.

I think she has her heart set on the Caribbean, so I think Princess will be her best bet. (based on the money she can spend and time she can go)

quote:

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Originally posted by Ernst:

Why is she teacher?

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quote:

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Originally posted by mrblanche:

She wants a vacation, and there's no reason she should take her work with her, any more than you or I would!

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You think she would start teaching children aboard?

With P&O both Artemis and Arcadia are child free ships. Arcadia spends the summer in the Caribbean and there are a number of her 2 week cruises that depart from New Orleans. Details can be found on the P&O website at www.pocruises.co.uk/index.htm

[ 08-21-2005: Message edited by: Budgie ]

I know several people who do and they'd never dream of going mainstream cruising.

Also, having children around you does not mean that you have to act like a teacher, nor did I ever find myself in a situation aboard a ship where I had to look after children, as mentioned in a posting above.

If one worked in an Elderley Persons Nursing or Retirement Home what cruise could you go on to get away from 'work'?
I know several people who do and they'd never dream of going mainstream cruising.

Pam

*****
I really don't know how to interpret your intent with this posting. Sarcasm? Being facetous?

I guess your "friends" just don't care to mix with older cruisers on their vacations. I'm glad they stay away from mainline cruising as "I realize how intrusive us older folks are".

Do they tolerate the older members of their families, or do they git rid of them at age 30?

...Kenneth...I usually look forward to PamM's postings.

[ 08-21-2005: Message edited by: Kenneth ]

At least that's how I interpreted her remarks--there aren't so many older people on mainstream cruises by comparison.