Cruise line question

[cb977]

Do any of you know which one of the cruise lines offers the more relaxed dinner/eating orgy schedule?

I remember seeing a commercial for one of them stating that they do not have a rigid dinner time schedule but am drawing a blank now that I'm researching a possible trip later this year.

On the subject of cruises and cruise lines, can anybody give me some input as to which lines you were happy or unhappy with?

Thanks

[BikerDoc5968]

I've always been partial to Princess but that's because I've had some pretty wonderful memories on that line. The line you are looking for is Norwegian Cruise Line

[flhiker]

Hi Sue, I have to agree with BikerDoc I worked on the Grand Princess and the ship was well staffed and many ways to dine. They of course have a Fancy dinning room with a show but there is a informal dinning room where you get breakfast lunch and dinner basically all day. They also have hot dog,hamburger, pizza and Ice cream stands open during the day around the pools. All free including Ice tea coffee milk and water. All other drinks cost.

ps. I never ate so much in 1 week before in my life.

[BikerDoc5968]

Something else, Sue, I don't know what your cruise experience is nor where you wish to travel but without a doubt certain destinations call for an outside cabin at least and a balcony in some circumstances. The other nice option is having breakfast in your room, especially if you have a balcony....you eat less and enjoy the privacy more...not that I'm anti-social but sometimes the crowds are overwhelming especially at buffet breakfast.....just some thoughts

[shams]

I've only been on Carnival. They have the formal dinner seating in the main dining room, but there are also more relaxed things, like sushi, pizza, burgers..... other stuff.... that you don't have to eat at any specific time.

[cb977]

Thanks for all the information

We really don't want to be tied into a specific time to sit for dinner. If there are places to eat when we feel like eating, it's much better for us.

As for where our cabin will be...balcony or not, there will definitely be at least an oceanview. I'm not getting stuck in the bottom of the boat!



Our plan is to hopefully take a 5 night cruise to somewhere in the Caribbean...from what I've read, I think the western Caribbean is what would interest us.

[shams]

Sue! Our cruise was to the Western Caribbean last summer. We hit up Grand Cayman, Rhoatan Island (Honduras), Belize City, and Costa Maya in Mexico. It was a blast

[cb977]

Niki, which Carnival ship were you on?

[shams]

Originally Posted by cb977

Niki, which Carnival ship were you on?

Carnival Valor. And I made a mistake, it goes to Cozumel, Mexico, not Costa Maya Still! loads of fun

[cb977]

I'm having a hard time setting anything up. We'd really like to leave out of Tampa as it's the closest for us but it seems that the majority of cruises that go out from there are on the Carnival Inspiration. I read some passenger reviews and while none of them were really bad, there seemed to be a consistent problem with their 5:30 dinner reservations becoming 8:30 seatings. My husband is diabetic and I have to know for sure that we'll be eating at a certain time or else he needs to make adjustments to his medications. They also said that the pool area was mobbed every moment of the day which is not something I'm looking forward to.

Now, I'm looking into cruises that leave out of Jacksonville (3 1/2 hrs drive) and Mobile, AL (7 1/2 hrs) but we'd stay at the casino hotel in Biloxi, MS for one night before leaving.

There are plenty that leave out of Ft Lauderdale or Miami but that's a 5 hr drive and to that, I say YUCK!!

I appreciate your input...thanks