We're looking to plan a trip sometime in May, June, or July. We're considering a cruise for the ease of travel, and the relaxation aspect. We'd like to take a cruise or trip somewhere with good snorkeling and/or fishing. We don't have any interest in a party cruise like like Carnival, or one with a lot of kids like Disney. Preferably, it would be something with decent, dining options and larger state rooms. We're open to adult only resorts in the Caribbean or Mexico, too. Preferably would like to keep the budget around or less than $1000/night. We're just beginning our search, and I thought I'd find some good advice on here. Any suggestions would be great!

For what you're describing, I would definitely look into Virgin Voyages or Celebrity Cruises. Virgin is adults only and Celebrity is family friendly but more upscale.
I really like the itineraries for both brands in the Caribbean.

If you need help with looking up itineraries, rates and staterooms I'd love to help you out!

Are you wanting mass market, or something smaller, more boutique? I agree with Lauren that Celebrity is more upscale. Princess will have an older clientele typically. Virgin Voyages is adults only but isn't the best fit for everyone - the entertainment is pretty risqu/sexual in nature, and it is very LGBTQ+ friendly (not saying it is a bad thing, just want to point it out). You could even look at something like Haven on Norwegian for a nicer experience, but the cruise itself is still mass market.

There are smaller more luxury cruise lines but might be hard to stay at $1k a day depending on cabin type (plus flights).

Yachts of Seabourne

I highly recommend Virgin. But only if you don't have any hangups around sexuality or LGBTQ folks.

The sexual stuff can be minimized if you don't go to shows, etc. But the crowd and crew are pretty well represented by the LGBTQ community.

My wife and i had a great time and plan to cruise with them again.

Husband and I just took our first cruise in decades last month. We cruised Celebrity Apex and it was awesome!! I highly recommend The Retreat - all the amenities are top notch and we really loved the Retreat private restaurant Luminae. We loved all the shows and the casino - met some great friends and overall had one of our most relaxing, pampered and fun vacations in a long time!

Holland America had the best food by far of any cruise I have been on.

That was 10 years ago though.

redaszag99 said:

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Holland America had the best food by far of any cruise I have been on.

That was 10 years ago though.

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Second this, and ships were smaller so not 3,000 plus people on board.

how old are you and what do you enjoy? if more active and under 50 (though that might be pushing it), then virgin. if more laid back, then celebrity is a great choice.

1,000/night is pretty generous, and depending on itinerary, could get you in to more luxury lines.

i'd only suggest holland america if you're comfortable with a much older demo.

Thanks everybody! We definitely don't mind going on a large boat if it would be the best experience, so long as it isn't bustling with pool parties, or screaming children. We are pretty chill, so adult themes don't really bother us. It sounds like we need to check out Virgin, Celebrity, and Holland America!

Food is pretty important to me, and I wouldn't mind a couple of shows in the evening. I've only ever been on a princess cruise when I was in high school, and all I cared about, was having virgin strawberry daiquiris by the pool back then!

The food on virgin is the best I've had on a cruise. They don't do a main dining room. Just various themed restaurants. Think Italian, steakhouse, Mexican, etc.

They also don't have a buffet. They have a big area where a buffet would be but it's like a food court with little places doing different things and a server brings the food to you at whatever table you pick. Think like ramen, or sushi, or burgers, or salads made to order.

We're not really cruisers and have only done two, but this one was head and shoulders above the larger ship cruise we did with the in-laws.

https://www.silversea.com/

I just got invited to a Silversea cruise today! I'm so exited. Oceania is another great cruise line (booked clients on it yesterday)

Oceania is our choice. Been a number of times and never a complaint. Good Luck!

I have 100+ nights on both Regent and SilverSea. Have also done Seabourne, Norwegian, and Royal Caribbean though it has been a while for Norwegian and Royal Caribbean.

I would put Regent at the top of the list, but the price point probably reflects that, too. I also love Seabourne. It is a bit more casual than Regent, but the ships are beautiful and the really have a nice feel to them.

I have spent a lot of time on SilverSea, but I feel like their dining is sub-par compared to Regent and Seabourne. It would take something extraordinary to get me back on SilverSea at this pointl.

The food on Regent is, in my opinion, exceptional. First time I have ever had a really good steak on a cruise ship was in Regent's Prime 7 restaurant. I lived in Chicago for 20+ years and have a pretty high standard for steaks, and I was honestly a bit shocked at how good the steaks were on Regent. Other food choices are also outstanding.

All three of these lines are going to generally be an older crowd. I am 57 and my wife and I are usually among the youngest on the cruise, but that also means that they are relatively quiet and relaxing. Other than grandma face-timing with the grandkids, the pool deck is usually a great place to relax, read, have a drink, take a nap, or whatever.

We are not real big on the shows, but have been known to close the casino down on occasion. Actually got a ride home from the casino one night, but that is another story altogether.

Never done a cruise. Would like to try one with wife and I and also another with our 3 kids (2 in college and one in HS).
Older crowd wouldn't bother me much but would also like to have some 40-50 year old crowd to have dinner/drinks with.

Also, with a family of 5, what is best way to breakup rooms? Can you put 3 kids in one room and wife and I in another?

I recommend royal Caribbean for a first time cruise with your mostly grown kids. It's got a good mix of stuff across age ranges.

Yes. 2 and 3 would be your best option.

royal caribbean...easy call with those specifics. do something 7 night on voyager class or newer (i.e., bigger ship)

Aggie95 said:

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Also, with a family of 5, what is best way to breakup rooms? Can you put 3 kids in one room and wife and I in another?

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We've done that with older (high school and college-aged) kids. Worked out great.

We have done Silver Seas expedition cruises and have noticed food quality going down since Royal Carribean bought them. I do like the activity of expeditions and found usual cruises somewhat mundane. Regent was great but price point is high. For us it is totally about destination as there are a number of places that are only accessible by ship.

For onboard fighting, I like Carnival.

Try Seadream yacht club.100 passengers and 100 crew. Great food and excellent service. I have been on 5 cruises with them and it's a outstanding experience.. Small but well worth it.

+1 Seadream.....very different. Very personal, and low key. We loved it. For a little larger ship Regent is pretty good.