What cruise lines are good for a 4/5 day from FLL

Queen of Oakville · #1 (**permalink**) March 29th, 2011, 11:28 AM

We have friends who are interested in cruising; or at least finding out if cruising is for them.

It's difficult for us to take off another week so soon, and I dont' want to break the bank either, given that we have DREAM coming up next year. But, we would love to take a cruise with our friends and introduce them to our love of cruising. We think a 4/5 day might be the way, especially if this fell over a weekend.

Something in SE/OC might be nice. It doesn't need to be port-intensive.

I know that many of the ships which handle these short durations are the older ships which are not as well-maintaind. Can you recommend one of the nicer ships?

Trip · #2 (**permalink**) March 29th, 2011, 11:55 AM

You could try the Navigator..the kids would love the promenade with the parades,and the ice skateing rink and show would be fun too...very kid friendly, but remember, these shorter cruises, have a younger demographic,and a more party hardy crowd.

Queen of Oakville · #3 (**permalink**) March 29th, 2011, 12:25 PM

I was thinking this would be a trip for the grown ups! The couple we want to cruise with don't have kids, and although they adore our kids and would have fun with them, I'm thinking we could do/enjoy more if it is just adults. I want them to love cruising, so they can be our future travel companions!.

HawkeyeFLA · #4 (**permalink**) March 29th, 2011, 12:56 PM

Don't forget Miami. Carnival Imagination does 3/4n And the Destiny does some shorter cruises as well.

LisaK · #5 (**permalink**) March 29th, 2011, 01:14 PM

[QUOTE=Trip;1363100]You could try the Navigator..the kids would love the promenade with the parades,and the ice skateing rink and show would be fun too...very kid friendly, but remember, these shorter cruises, have a younger
demographic,and a more party hardy crowd.[/QUOTE

as cruises go it seems to be the shorter the cruise the younger the passengers, sometimes its families with lots of young kids, and sometimes you will get the "spring-breaker" party-hearty young adult crowd

Trip · #6 (**permalink**) March 29th, 2011, 01:25 PM

If I wanted to introduce cruising to friends,I would want them to see the best of what I love about crusiing. A shorter cruise would not be it, for me.

I feel with a shorter cruise, by the time they got into it, you have to get off...Whether it be a party hardy crowd, or a family filled cruise, with you both without kids, it would not be the best presentation. I would select a 7 day, if it's at all possible.

I would take them on the Solstice class ships..the Silouette will be leaving from NY this year, depending on what time you want to cruise. This class is an extoradinary entry to cruising imho. Air would be less $. Also, time wise, sooo many ships will be in Europe soon, so less selections available...

Queen of Oakville · #7 (**permalink**) March 29th, 2011, 02:05 PM

Good pt. about introducing them to the best there is.

Intersting ~ I never thought about cruisign from New York. Where exactly is the port? Do you fly into NYC?

Queen of Oakville · #8 (**permalink**) March 29th, 2011, 02:23 PM

Trip, Trip, Trip ..... what am i going to do with you?

While I should be workign and catching up on a week off work .... I'm researching cruises on X.

We could get a sailing on Summit which is about to be Solsticized for the beginning of September for $3876 including flight for all 4 of us. If it were just two of us (too hard to be away from the kids for so a full week) it would be less than $2000.

I would love the opportunity to sail X .... I think I need to give DH a few more weeks to "need" a holiday.

Definitely something to think about!

Manuel · #9 (**permalink**) March 29th, 2011, 05:38 PM

From what I have experienced and heard about from some close friends, I am sure that you would love Celebrity.
As for the Summit, we have sailed on her twice. And both cruises were fantastic.

TM

Trip · #10 (**permalink**) March 29th, 2011, 05:47 PM

Tough to have an addiction,where research is fun huh? September is a pretty time to cruise too. Once the Summit has had THE makover, it will be a wow!

Queen of Oakville · #11 (**permalink**) March 30th, 2011, 09:58 AM

I mentioned it to DH last night, we need to check the temps for September. He aslo said, "oh, no, really, you want to sail into the triangle?"

Manuel · #12 (**permalink**) March 30th, 2011, 10:57 AM

You can tell your husband that the (9 triangle ) is quite safe these days.
Also I have sailed acroos the Atlantic close to a hurricane, many years ago before they had all thr modern technology and we were quite safe.
I also sailed across the Pacific during a typhoon and no one on our ship was injured.

TM

Queen of Oakville · #13 (**permalink**) March 30th, 2011, 11:03 AM

hmmmm, I think he was joking, but who knows?

Kamloops Cruiser · #14 (**permalink**) March 30th, 2011, 03:23 PM

You could try from Orlando or Tampa for short cruises.

Manuel · #15 (**permalink**) March 30th, 2011, 04:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by doopydozer

You could try from Orlando or Tampa for short cruises.

There are plenty of short cruises, but to introduce someone to the cruising world you need a seven day cruise.

TM

venice · #16 (**permalink**) March 30th, 2011, 04:29 PM

the key is not the length of the cruise ..but the right cruise line and cruise ship and itinerary and with you travelling with them (to show them the ropes)..if the goal is for your friends to see if they might like cruising, then a short 3-5 day cruise, during the week , with one port of call and one private island, on a fairly new ship that has most of the bells & whistles, should do the trick at a reasonable cost.if they like cruising, they can book a longer one and if they don't like it, 3-5 days will not seem like an eternity..if there first cruise is a 7 day and they don't like it, 7 days is a looooooooong time to be trapped and not happy and a very expensive experiment

Manuel · #17 (**permalink**) March 30th, 2011, 04:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Trip

If I wanted to introduce cruising to friends,I would want them to see the best of what I love about crusiing. A shorter cruise would not be it, for me.

I feel with a shorter cruise, by the time they got into it, you have to get off...Whether it be a party hardy crowd, or a family filled cruise, with you both without kids, it would not be the best presentation. I would select a 7 day, if it's at all possible.

I would take them on the Solstice class ships..the Silouette will be leaving from NY this year, depending on what time you want to cruise. This class is an extoradinary entry to cruising imho. Air would be less $. Also, time wise, sooo many ships will be in Europe soon, so less selections available...

I agree with Trip 100%.

TM

Queen of Oakville · #18 (**permalink**) March 31st, 2011, 10:04 AM

The Summit itenerary is docked in Bermuda for 3 days. Has anyone done this sailing? Are all ship services (MDR and Casino!) closed during this time? I'm interested in this more as a cruise for DH and myself.

Kamloops Cruiser · #19 (**permalink**) March 31st, 2011, 11:01 AM

The MDR and most facilities would be open.
The shops and Casino are probably not open.
On board shows might or might not be open.
The cruise line or even your TA should be able give you this info.