Cruise help needed

Looking to plan a cruise for next summer. I used to be a frequent cruiser and knew all the ships but it's been a while and they got bigger and bigger and now I feel clueless.

I need:

-7-9 nights, open to ports just not north to Canada
-out of NY preferably, but out of an east coast Florida port could work too
-larger stateroom/family suites (years ago I loved RC but their cabins were very small - not sure if that's still true)
-A good array of activities, especially sporty like things. Doesn't need to be the biggest or latest ship, but we'll be with a group and need variety
-Not Disney please
-Here is the hard/weird part - DH cruised years ago (before me) and got a very bad impression for a few reasons but one big one was that he felt it wasn't a good value. He felt nickel and dimed. He went on the Norwegian Dawn (I think.) I know Norwegian had/has a lot of restaurants where you pay extra. Years ago the other lines really didn't. Anyway, I don't need to hear him complaining for a week so I need there to be good "free" options for dining.

I know I could ask a TA but I figured I'd start here.

TIA!

Re: Cruise help needed

No one? Guess I'll brave the hardcore people on cruisecritic!

Re: Cruise help needed

I always book through crucon

They have the best pricing and additional perks they throw in too.

ETA: I would suggest a Bermuda Cruise out of Bayonne.

Message edited 3/15/2017 9:59:05 AM.

Re: Cruise help needed

look at the ncl breakaway. Drink package included with many bookings now which helps not to feel nickle and dimed.

Re: Cruise help needed

I enjoy cruising out of NY, especially with two kids. Not having to deal with flights (both the costs and the hassles) is wonderful.

I've only ever been on NCL, so I can't offer any other suggestions from personal experience. The Breakaway has three complementary dining rooms and a buffet. There are numerous other restaurants you can pay extra for, but it's not necessary to do so.

I've also heard great things about Royal Caribbean, but have no personal experience with it.

Cruise help needed

we went on the NCL Breakaway a couple years ago- like the first year it started sailing. we really liked it!!! nice, newer ship. had a ropes course that was free, which was fun. mini golf course too.
we thought it was cool that they had a couple dining options that weren't a main dining room, but still included in cruise cost... like an irish pub type restaurant. so that was neat- you didn't feel like you had to eat in a big, "cruise" dining hall every night. and we didn't feel nickel and dimed. Also NCL has been offering a free drink package on a lot of sailings- so alcohol would be included, which would also be nice to not feel like you were being nickel and dimed.
if you have kids, they had a little playroom area for young kids who were too young for the kid's club- so that was nice, too.

Re: Cruise help needed

Thanks all.

Will check out the Breakaway.

I have cruised on Carnival, RC, and Celebrity but never Norwegian. After what DH said about the Dawn, I was skeptical about Norwegian but I will look into it and compare it to others.

Any RC feedback? That was my favorite line. I had sailed two of the Adventure class ships but I know there are now much bigger ships.

Cruise help needed

We have been on almost every mainstream line and enjoy most of them for different reasons. We prefer not to cruise with Carnival but it wasn't bad, just not for us.

Been on the Breakaway a few times and really liked it. Loved the waterfront and different bars and enjoy the relaxed feel of the ship. Much more casual than any other line and we like that. The thing with NCL is that you have to like that type of cruising. It is not a traditional cruise. Eat when you want, go to the shows when you want. They don't schedule shows around dinner time so if you want to see a particular show you need to eat around those times. Alot of people think that NCL nickle and dimes you but it really doesn't any more than any other line. If you don't want to pay for the restaurants, they have free ones and the buffet. When I go on NCL i think of it as staying at a hotel and I enjoy eating at different venues and do not mind the cover charge as I consider that part of my cruise. I know that going into it. There are a ton of activities on the breakaway including the ropes course and sports deck. Lots of fun and they have great promotions going on right now.

RCL has alot of great ships and is our favorite line now. I am a big fan of the Anthem and have 3 cruises booked on it. It is a different style than other Royal ships as it doesn't have the Royal promenade but it has some awesome spaces, like the indoor pool, Two70, the sports complex, etc. Royal's largest ships, Allure, Oasis and Harmony are in a league of their own. They are huge and have a ton to do and is something I think people need to experience at least once. I mean what cruise line has a park and a carousel in it? Also lots of fun but I still prefer the Anthem. Royal is a good mix between traditional cruising and NCL's freestyle cruising.

Cruise help needed

Breakaway or anthem. Breakaway has the ropes course and water slides. Anthem has simulated skydiving, bumper cars, roller skating, rock climbing, circus school, a flow rider.

We had a really nice and roomy family junior suite on anthem. Just got off it on Sunday.

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Re: Cruise help needed

We took the dawn from New Orleans to the western Caribbean. We had a wonderful experience and got the beverage and dining for 3 night package comped when we booked an ocean view. My kids had a blast. We just booked another cruise with NCL