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Sparrow
LIF Adult
Member since 11/10 6826 total posts
Name:
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Disney cruise vs other cruise lines with kids?
We're looking at booking a cruise with our 3 kids under 7. I really want to do a Disney cruise and have heard great things about them but they're definitely $$$. I know other cruise lines have camps and whatnot for kids but I can't imagine them being as kid friendly as Disney.
Trying to decide if I should push for the Disney cruise or if another cruise (recommendations would be great!) might be just as good for much less money.
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Posted 1/4/18 3:11 PM  |
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Long Island Weddings
Long Island's Largest Bridal Resource |
Sash
Peace
Member since 6/08 10312 total posts
Name:
fka LIW Smara
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Re: Disney cruise vs other cruise lines with kids?
I've never been on a Disney cruise but i heard it's amazing. I would like to go.
However, I've been on RCL and NCL and the kid camps are good. If you cant swing the $$ , the kids will have fun on other cruise lines.
RCL has a dreamworks theme, so DS got to meet Shrek characters and see a Shrek Parade. If you do the bigger boat, they have carousels, and donut shops. The surfing activity.
On NCL it was Nickelodeon theme and the camp was great. One day they painted their faces and the kids did a play on stage in the theater room. It was so cute. The characters were walking around, we kept missing it so we paid money to have breakfast with them.
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| Posted 1/4/18 3:23 PM |
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SweetSarj
LIF Adult
Member since 10/09 1592 total posts
Name:
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Disney cruise vs other cruise lines with kids?
We love Disney cruises but last March we did RC. The cruise was more port intensive so we really didn’t utilize the kids clubs. If you can’t swing Disney I think NCL and RC are great choices.
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| Posted 1/4/18 3:54 PM |
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ali120206
2 Boys
Member since 7/06 17792 total posts
Name:
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Re: Disney cruise vs other cruise lines with kids?
Posted by SweetSarj
We love Disney cruises but last March we did RC. The cruise was more port intensive so we really didn’t utilize the kids clubs. If you can’t swing Disney I think NCL and RC are great choices.
I agree.
Also - although I loved Disney and their attention to detail - I feel that a lot of the other lines offer more on their ships since they are larger.
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| Posted 1/4/18 4:36 PM |
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BargainMama
LIF Adult
Member since 5/09 15657 total posts
Name:
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Disney cruise vs other cruise lines with kids?
What exactly are the ages? Under 3 can't go in the kid's clubs or pools on Disney. You would have to pay for the nursery and under 3 can go in the splash zone part. We have cruised Disney 5 times and I love it. The rooms are nice, plenty of storage, so many family friendly activities, and their private island is gorgeous. My 10 year old LOVES their kids clubs, so many fun activities in there. The shows are Broadway caliber and catered to kids. It's really great. They clean your room twice a day, will cut your kids food for you, and you can practically eat off the floor.
I have never cruised on another line though. I always look at other lines, and was prepared to book a cruise out of NYC this Summer on a new ship from another line...but after looking at pictures and videos of the rooms, how small they are and lack of space to put things, I just couldn't pull the trigger. The oceanview room was like 150 square feet or something, and no couch. Plus the price wasn't too far off from Disney (Bermuda from NYC)
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| Posted 1/4/18 6:45 PM |
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JandJ1224
Member since 6/06 5911 total posts
Name:
Jannette
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Re: Disney cruise vs other cruise lines with kids?
We do a lot of cruises. We have done Disney and I didn't think it was so great as compared to other lines for the cost.
As far as kids clubs my kids prefer the experience of a smaller group where counselors know them by name. They were lost in Disney.
My kids really love Royal. The bigger newer ships have rock climbing, carousel, ice skating, great shows. Lots of fun for everyone
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| Posted 1/4/18 9:00 PM |
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ChristinaM128
LIF Adult
Member since 8/12 4043 total posts
Name:
Christina
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Re: Disney cruise vs other cruise lines with kids?
I’ve only done Disney cruises, so I don’t have a basis of comparison. The cruise is like being in the parks/resorts -everywhere you look there’s an amazing detail, down to the light fixtures opening and closing at dinner. Everything operates like a well-oiled machine (except maybe the jam for the elevators when everyone is boarding the first day). And if your kids are really into Disney, they will have so much more opportunity for intimate character greetings. My dd danced with Ariel at an impromptu lobby party. Cinderella knew her name by the end of the trip. We have lots of photos with Mickey & Minnie and the elusive Donald. Having said that, if these are not top priorities for your family, then I’d probably say to look into RC. Everyone I know with kids loves the ships and the kids have a great time, for a lesser price point than Disney.
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| Posted 1/7/18 8:34 PM |
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MaZz
* Lovin my baby girl!!! *
Member since 2/09 6243 total posts
Name:
Gina
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Re: Disney cruise vs other cruise lines with kids?
I’ve never been on a Disney Cruise. I’d rather take 2 vacations for the price of 1. We love NCL. My dd has been in their kids camp and she never wants to leave. It’s very secure and the kids have a blast. We are going on a newer NCL ship come May that has all the bells and whistles for the kids and to be honest, I’m kinda excited for her that she’ll have so much to keep her busy (she’ll have just turned 6).
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| Posted 1/8/18 9:41 AM |
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JWG421
Our miracle is here
Member since 12/12 2507 total posts
Name:
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Re: Disney cruise vs other cruise lines with kids?
we been on RC anthem of the seas 2 times already (LOVE IT, and dont have to fly)
We just got off this past Dec and my son is 3
He LOVED the camps and there was no charge before 10PM each day
There are Bumper cars, Character breakfasts, Rock Walls, game room, roller skating etc
Any questions PM me
Message edited 1/8/2018 10:31:35 AM.
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| Posted 1/8/18 10:30 AM |
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pnbplus1
Family
Member since 5/09 5751 total posts
Name:
Mommy
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Re: Disney cruise vs other cruise lines with kids?
Posted by Sash
On NCL it was Nickelodeon theme and the camp was great. One day they painted their faces and the kids did a play on stage in the theater room. It was so cute. The characters were walking around, we kept missing it so we paid money to have breakfast with them.
I think this is partly why Disney cruises are so amazing. You don't have to worry about missing characters bc there are so many opportunities and you don't have to pay extra for character breakfasts or meet and greets. We've only cruised Disney but it was incredible and worth the $$$$$. My kids, 6 and 2, had an amazing time and still talk about it. It was the first time in years that I was able to really relax while traveling with my kids and they did NOT stay in the kids club, it was amazing and relaxing even though they were with me all the time. We're planning another cruise for this year and I don't really consider another line bc I don't want to be disappointed. Ill consider RC when they get older.
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| Posted 1/9/18 3:45 PM |
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NYCGirl80
I love my kiddies!
Member since 5/11 10413 total posts
Name:
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Re: Disney cruise vs other cruise lines with kids?
We've been on RC cruises before we had children and I always thought they seemed very child-friendly. We just booked a NCL for this summer because the RC dates didn't work for us, and all of the reviews seem great. Our children will be 5 and 3 so they can be in the same camp group together, should we decide to drop them off at some point.
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| Posted 1/10/18 9:29 AM |
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Dani922
Here's to new beginnings
Member since 10/07 7260 total posts
Name:
Danielle
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Re: Disney cruise vs other cruise lines with kids?
I've never been on Disney, but my kids have been on Carnival three times & loved camp every time.
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| Posted 1/10/18 7:17 PM |
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Sash
Peace
Member since 6/08 10312 total posts
Name:
fka LIW Smara
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Re: Disney cruise vs other cruise lines with kids?
Posted by pnbplus1
Posted by Sash
On NCL it was Nickelodeon theme and the camp was great. One day they painted their faces and the kids did a play on stage in the theater room. It was so cute. The characters were walking around, we kept missing it so we paid money to have breakfast with them.
I think this is partly why Disney cruises are so amazing. You don't have to worry about missing characters bc there are so many opportunities and you don't have to pay extra for character breakfasts or meet and greets. We've only cruised Disney but it was incredible and worth the $$$$$. My kids, 6 and 2, had an amazing time and still talk about it. It was the first time in years that I was able to really relax while traveling with my kids and they did NOT stay in the kids club, it was amazing and relaxing even though they were with me all the time. We're planning another cruise for this year and I don't really consider another line bc I don't want to be disappointed. Ill consider RC when they get older.
You don’t have to pay on NCL and they are available throughout the cruise. We personally kept missing the characters, specifically the one he wanted to see, because we would be at the pool or somewhere else or napping. So I paid for the breakfast so he can see them all in one shot.
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| Posted 1/11/18 9:46 AM |
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Diane
Hope is Contagious....catch it
Member since 5/05 30683 total posts
Name:
D
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Re: Disney cruise vs other cruise lines with kids?
Posted by JWG421
we been on RC anthem of the seas 2 times already (LOVE IT, and dont have to fly)
We just got off this past Dec and my son is 3
He LOVED the camps and there was no charge before 10PM each day
There are Bumper cars, Character breakfasts, Rock Walls, game room, roller skating etc
Any questions PM me
would love to try their new ship..Symphony of the Seas
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| Posted 1/11/18 10:28 AM |
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ml110
LIF Adult
Member since 1/06 5435 total posts
Name:
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Disney cruise vs other cruise lines with kids?
we've been on 3 DCL cruises and also on the NCL Breakaway. The DCL cruises are just incredible!!! They are SO great with young kids, for family-friendly. Theres no "Belly Flop" or "Hot Legs" contests by the pool (just movies on a huge screen, and the occasional Disney trivia contest or dance party...) , no casino onboard and that element, characters all over the ship, the restaurants for dinner have such cool themes that are fun for everybody. movie theater that plays whatever the latest disney/ marvel movie (and other ones)
The service is just awesome- they'll cut up your kids food at dinner so you don't have to. and little things like when DH and I went to the adult only restaurant on my son's 7th birthday while he was at the kid's club. Our waitress must have seen his birthday on our file, and made him a plate with "Happy Birthday" written on it and a little treat for us to take to him.... he wasn't even with us!!! HAHAHA Overall, its just such an incredible family vacation.
BUT saying that, we also had a great time on NCL, too!!! my son was only 3 at the time, but had a great time! They have a ropes course, and right next to it they have a mini ropes course for the kids. My DS had the best time doing that, and got a kick out of wearing the little harness and everything. And we had really good service on there, too....
so while Disney is incredible, i think the newer ships on other lines are really stepping up and can be just as great
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| Posted 1/11/18 10:47 AM |
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BargainMama
LIF Adult
Member since 5/09 15657 total posts
Name:
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Re: Disney cruise vs other cruise lines with kids?
Posted by ml110
we've been on 3 DCL cruises and also on the NCL Breakaway. The DCL cruises are just incredible!!! They are SO great with young kids, for family-friendly. Theres no "Belly Flop" or "Hot Legs" contests by the pool (just movies on a huge screen, and the occasional Disney trivia contest or dance party...) ,
Yes, this! I have about "hairy chest contests", "hot bod contests", etc. on other lines....no thanks 
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| Posted 1/11/18 12:09 PM |
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Sixofus
LIF Adolescent
Member since 10/13 594 total posts
Name:
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Disney cruise vs other cruise lines with kids?
I'm curious if anyone has sailed in the Haven on NCL or in the suites on Royal Caribbean? Was it worth it? We did one disney cruise and enjoyed it, but it was very expensive for a family of six,(the maximum number of people per room is 5 so we needed 2 rooms), plus my kids are getting older and I think they would enjoy the activities on other cruise lines. NCL offers a family suite that would work for us. I think my 10 and 12yos would love the huge ships but I am wary of being with thousands of other people. Is it super crowded and are you queuing for everything? Any experiences/insight welcome.
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| Posted 1/11/18 12:13 PM |
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BargainMama
LIF Adult
Member since 5/09 15657 total posts
Name:
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Disney cruise vs other cruise lines with kids?
I did just price out yesterday a cruise from NJ for 9 nights on the Anthem this Summer. The Anthem looks HUGE, but looks pretty kid friendly, and the rooms seem to be comparable in size to Disney. It was pretty cheap for a balcony room, I was shocked, but, it says they are having a 30% off sale. The total was like $4300 for 3 people, which for 9 nights is pretty great! So, I put a hold on it online, and the cruise line has called me 6 times in two days, no joke. SO turned off by that!
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| Posted 1/11/18 12:17 PM |
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LI2VA
Love my life!!
Member since 11/05 3125 total posts
Name:
Melissa
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Re: Disney cruise vs other cruise lines with kids?
Posted by BargainMama
I did just price out yesterday a cruise from NJ for 9 nights on the Anthem this Summer. The Anthem looks HUGE, but looks pretty kid friendly, and the rooms seem to be comparable in size to Disney. It was pretty cheap for a balcony room, I was shocked, but, it says they are having a 30% off sale. The total was like $4300 for 3 people, which for 9 nights is pretty great! So, I put a hold on it online, and the cruise line has called me 6 times in two days, no joke. SO turned off by that!
I am doing this cruise in August and got a a phenomenal deal... $3600 for 4 people!!
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| Posted 1/11/18 12:55 PM |
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BargainMama
LIF Adult
Member since 5/09 15657 total posts
Name:
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Re: Disney cruise vs other cruise lines with kids?
Posted by LI2VA
Posted by BargainMama
I did just price out yesterday a cruise from NJ for 9 nights on the Anthem this Summer. The Anthem looks HUGE, but looks pretty kid friendly, and the rooms seem to be comparable in size to Disney. It was pretty cheap for a balcony room, I was shocked, but, it says they are having a 30% off sale. The total was like $4300 for 3 people, which for 9 nights is pretty great! So, I put a hold on it online, and the cruise line has called me 6 times in two days, no joke. SO turned off by that!
I am doing this cruise in August and got a a phenomenal deal... $3600 for 4 people!!
That's great! How did you get that deal?
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| Posted 1/11/18 3:38 PM |
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ElizaRags35
My 2 Girls
Member since 2/09 20494 total posts
Name:
Me
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Re: Disney cruise vs other cruise lines with kids?
Posted by Sixofus
I'm curious if anyone has sailed in the Haven on NCL or in the suites on Royal Caribbean? Was it worth it? We did one disney cruise and enjoyed it, but it was very expensive for a family of six,(the maximum number of people per room is 5 so we needed 2 rooms), plus my kids are getting older and I think they would enjoy the activities on other cruise lines. NCL offers a family suite that would work for us. I think my 10 and 12yos would love the huge ships but I am wary of being with thousands of other people. Is it super crowded and are you queuing for everything? Any experiences/insight welcome.
We had a family mini suite on anthem which was a really nice size plus it had 1.5 baths and there was a bathtub which was nice. It was around $3000 for the 4 of us.
I saw a haven room on the breakaway because we went for a friends wedding and they had a suite and honestly, the mini suite on anthem was just as big, and they had a handicap accessible room. It was definitely more expensive than the mini suite on anthem.
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| Posted 1/12/18 3:08 AM |
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ElizaRags35
My 2 Girls
Member since 2/09 20494 total posts
Name:
Me
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Re: Disney cruise vs other cruise lines with kids?
Posted by Sash
I've never been on a Disney cruise but i heard it's amazing. I would like to go.
However, I've been on RCL and NCL and the kid camps are good. If you cant swing the $$ , the kids will have fun on other cruise lines.
RCL has a dreamworks theme, so DS got to meet Shrek characters and see a Shrek Parade. If you do the bigger boat, they have carousels, and donut shops. The surfing activity.
On NCL it was Nickelodeon theme and the camp was great. One day they painted their faces and the kids did a play on stage in the theater room. It was so cute. The characters were walking around, we kept missing it so we paid money to have breakfast with them.
My daughter was a tiger in the kids show. It was so adorable. We were on the cruise with a large group of friends for a wedding and everyone came to cheer her on. It was great.
Other than that, I preferred royal over ncl.
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| Posted 1/12/18 3:10 AM |
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Sash
Peace
Member since 6/08 10312 total posts
Name:
fka LIW Smara
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Re: Disney cruise vs other cruise lines with kids?
Posted by ElizaRags35
Posted by Sash
I've never been on a Disney cruise but i heard it's amazing. I would like to go.
However, I've been on RCL and NCL and the kid camps are good. If you cant swing the $$ , the kids will have fun on other cruise lines.
RCL has a dreamworks theme, so DS got to meet Shrek characters and see a Shrek Parade. If you do the bigger boat, they have carousels, and donut shops. The surfing activity.
On NCL it was Nickelodeon theme and the camp was great. One day they painted their faces and the kids did a play on stage in the theater room. It was so cute. The characters were walking around, we kept missing it so we paid money to have breakfast with them.
My daughter was a tiger in the kids show. It was so adorable. We were on the cruise with a large group of friends for a wedding and everyone came to cheer her on. It was great.
Other than that, I preferred royal over ncl.
My son was a tiger too.. 
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| Posted 1/12/18 6:14 AM |
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LI2VA
Love my life!!
Member since 11/05 3125 total posts
Name:
Melissa
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Re: Disney cruise vs other cruise lines with kids?
Posted by BargainMama
Posted by LI2VA
Posted by BargainMama
I did just price out yesterday a cruise from NJ for 9 nights on the Anthem this Summer. The Anthem looks HUGE, but looks pretty kid friendly, and the rooms seem to be comparable in size to Disney. It was pretty cheap for a balcony room, I was shocked, but, it says they are having a 30% off sale. The total was like $4300 for 3 people, which for 9 nights is pretty great! So, I put a hold on it online, and the cruise line has called me 6 times in two days, no joke. SO turned off by that!
I am doing this cruise in August and got a a phenomenal deal... $3600 for 4 people!!
That's great! How did you get that deal?
It was a kids sail free promo back in November I think. I got $525 of on board credit too. From RC and from my TA whom I booked through.
What date were you looking at?
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| Posted 1/12/18 9:34 AM |
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BargainMama
LIF Adult
Member since 5/09 15657 total posts
Name:
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Re: Disney cruise vs other cruise lines with kids?
Posted by LI2VA
Posted by BargainMama
Posted by LI2VA
Posted by BargainMama
I did just price out yesterday a cruise from NJ for 9 nights on the Anthem this Summer. The Anthem looks HUGE, but looks pretty kid friendly, and the rooms seem to be comparable in size to Disney. It was pretty cheap for a balcony room, I was shocked, but, it says they are having a 30% off sale. The total was like $4300 for 3 people, which for 9 nights is pretty great! So, I put a hold on it online, and the cruise line has called me 6 times in two days, no joke. SO turned off by that!
I am doing this cruise in August and got a a phenomenal deal... $3600 for 4 people!!
That's great! How did you get that deal?
It was a kids sail free promo back in November I think. I got $525 of on board credit too. From RC and from my TA whom I booked through.
What date were you looking at?
Wow Nice! I was looking at the June 28th sailing.
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| Posted 1/12/18 11:02 AM |
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