re: Best Cruise Lines

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Whats you're itinerary?

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It is called the Rhine Getaway

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Wife and I are waiting until our daughter is old enough

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Viking doesn't allow anyone under 18 on the River Cruises. I don't know about the ocean cruises

Been on Carnival and Celebrity. Love them both.

If you haven’t been on Carnival in awhile, check out their five newest ships. Their included fast service dining has the best options at sea. They’re cheaper and offer a greater variety of itineraries than their counterparts. At least, that’s what I’ve found in my research when I look at other lines.

Carnival passengers are there for a good time. I don’t find the crowd to be any different from ones I see in Vegas. Most folks are friendly and ready to party. Some organize Facebook groups so that people can meet ahead of time online. It’s a very social collection of people. Not really for introverts.

Celebrity’s laid back vibe was a nice break from Carnival’s “in your face” energy. Fellow passengers were engaging and genuine. The food was amazing. I got the best fish n chips I’ve ever had from the buffet of all places. Loved full menu included with room service. While the entertainment didn’t strike me as any better or worse than Carnival’s, the choice of excursions felt like an upgrade. Their drink package is money. Can’t wait to sail them again.

People dogging Carnival is a favorite past time of the travel board which seems, to me, to be comprised of RCCL aficionados who look down on Carnival as if RCCL is really any different. Most loyal Carnival customers find RCCL loyalists pretty snobby and this board is no exception. Carnival loyalists who have sailed RCCL will tell you the MDR food is bland and the passengers are rude.

I hear nothing but great things about Holland America, Viking and Disney but they target very specific demographics. Never heard a complaint from anyone who’s been on Princess. Never heard anyone who liked an MSC cruise; in fact, the reviews are so negative, I’m not sure I’ll ever try them.

Looking forward to two Carnival cruises this year on Celebration and Jubilee!

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Royal Caribbean's Symphony of the Seas in May

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I did a 7nt Eastern Caribbean on Symphony July '22; while the boat was nice, it was too big for me with my medical condition or maybe because my room was at the aft of the ship and I spent the majority of my time in the Solarium or Vitality Spa getting massages(forward). Plenty of stuff to do on the boat. If you have kids they'll have a blast! From the dry slide to waterslides, zipline across the top deck, rock climbing wall, the full size carousel in the Boardwalk and 2 flo-riders.

The main dining room food was okay. Symphony and Adventure both offered the same menu in the MDR, pretty much identical besides the lobster night on Symphony while Adventure it was an upcharge. I read somewhere that the menu will change sometime in February.

My sister, who has diamond plus status, hyped up my 1st cruise so I went thinking it was going to be a blast, what a major letdown. I just got off Adventure of the Seas and the voyager class is more my speed. A tad bit smaller but maybe because I got the junior suite on the lido deck and didn't spend much time outside the Solarium which was steps away from my room. Symphony's bartender were great, they kept feeding me drinks, 105 in 7nights while Adventure made me wait 15mins after I chugged my drink.

Been home for 6 nights and I still have sea legs. My 7nt'r on Symphony, sea legs didn't go away until 23 days after the cruise and pretty calm seas compared to Adventure sailing back into Galveston with 13ft seas.

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Viking Cruise Lines

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We've done 3 Viking cruises and enjoyed all of them. We've done other lines that are also very good. Disclosure: the wife specializes in European river and Mediterranean cruises. We take a group of 20 - 30 folks each Spring.

For first time European river cruise, definitely the Danube.

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the Rhine Getaway

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Great itinerary! … Cruising uphill.

I loved how the border between the countries moved back and forth over the centuries.

And some really good German champagne (but they can't call it champagne). It's an excursion.

Taking a family cruise this summer from Galveston to Bahamas over 4th of July on carnival. Goin to key west , half moon cay, Freeport, and Nassau. Kinda starting to think I shouldn’t have booked with carnival after reading through this thread. I liked the itinerary though. Never been to Bahamas.

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We're sailing on the Enchantment out of Barcelona, the cruise ends in Civatavecchia. Our first Mediterranean cruise on Royal, on the Serenade, left from there.

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What was your experience sailing out of Civatavecchia? Any issues to be aware of?

Also, what were your port calls and general idea about each? Any must-do's or must-avoid's?

Our trip is 4 months away and we're still planning at activities at each port. We will also be staying in Rome for 3 days before the cruise.

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What was your experience sailing out of Civatavecchia? Any issues to be aware of?

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Took the train down from Rome, then walked to the ship. Little bit of a walk with luggage, might be better to hire a car or van from Rome, or take a shuttle from the train. Embarking was quick and easy, as it usually is with Royal.

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Also, what were your port calls and general idea about each? Any must-do's or must-avoid's?

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The ports we did are not the ones you'll be hitting on the Symphony. Ours was an Adriatic Sea, Italy, Greece, Croatia cruise. I see Florence is on your itinerary. Go see the David, it's absolutely breathtaking. Eat some gelato.

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Our trip is 4 months away and we're still planning at activities at each port. We will also be staying in Rome for 3 days before the cruise.

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We stayed in Rome for three days before our cruise. Took the train to Florence one of those days. Did a lot of Rome sightseeing. Unfortunately, the Trevi Fountain was being renovated at the time.

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Kinda starting to think I shouldn’t have booked with carnival after reading through this thread

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I cruise on Carnival once/yr.

1- RCCL and NCL never run that itinerary from Galveston. You’d have the extra expense to fly to FL to go the Bahamas on those lines.

2- Expect a party crowd. You’re on an 8 day so that’s going to limit a lot of the riff-raff. People are going for a long trip and to do exactly what you are doing—get over to the Bahamas from Galveston.

3- There will be a ton of families and kids which will temper any rowdiness.

4- I’ve been on the Dream. It’s a nice ship. They’ve added some of the dining from newer ships. Its design is the louder, bright decor more like Carnival’s older ships. But it’s pretty popular.