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We’ve never gone on a cruise and want to plan one with some friends for the spring. We have no idea where to go in the spring from the west coast/central US.
Any suggestions fir first timers with a couple kids (10, 15)!!
With kids and families, you will want to avoid Holland America as they cater to a much older crowd. Alaska cruise season doesn’t really start until May. So, if you are wanting to cruise from the West Coast during spring break or Easter week, Mexico will be your only option for destination. Or you can do a Western Caribbean cruise from Galveston, TX. Royal Caribbean probably has the most activities that would appeal to 10 and 15 year olds. Just don’t expect much with the quality of the food.
Some people love cruises. I am not in that category. I suggest that you think about what you enjoy doing and your expectations. As an example, I am not a large group go everywhere personality. So consider the “personality” of the cruise line and then choose the destination. Hope this helps.
Look into a Disney Cruise. There are departures at ports all over the country. So many activities for parents and kids. We did an Alaskan Cruise out of Vancouver. It was fantastic.
Friends of ours, world travelers, take a Disney cruise nearly every year with their kids and grandkids...they absolutely LOVE the Disney cruises, even though they themselves tour with groups like Grand Circle and Overseas Adventure Travel. They swear by the family atmosphere of Disney. Maybe that is worth looking into.
I took my kids and some of their friends on a royal Caribbean cruise to Mexico and the Bahamas, it was a blast and a unforgettable experience for them.
In the spring, cruise lines typically have trips that go to Caribbean, Mexican Riviera and Alaska. Since there are kids going, check NCL or Royal Caribbean. Go to their website and start looking at itineraries to narrow down which cruise you want to go on.
Alaska. We went earlier this year and was leaps and bounds our favorite cruise. We went with carnival. You can leave out if San Francisco or Seattle. Amazing scenery and quite relaxing. We also thoroughly enjoyed Roatan, Belize, Mexico itinerary. In Roatan, you can hold a sloth!