XP- RC Cruises

[spankswife]

Thinking of cruising Mexico for thanksgiving break 2016. Kids will be 6 & 1.5. It's the only itinerary where the dates work for school/work/holiday. We've done Disney (and liked!) but we are looking for something cheaper and not so "Disney/Mickey/princessy." Seems like RC is the only other line with stuff for the baby.

Where's the best place to book through?

We have a BJs membership. Is it better to book through them then direct? I see they have a $25 fee, and a $100 fee if you cancel, but you get like $150 in credits/cash back so it still seems worth it, assuming you don't cancel.

[Pom]

I would compare the BJ's price vs. direct with RCC price. Have you checked both? We've cruised RCC before and we departed out of Galveston and are TX residents so we got a discount that way with RCC directly. Not sure of your departure port. Also, I am booking spring break and notice that probably, like Thanksgiving, discounts are very minor. I asked about Princess below, because I know some travel agent prices are sometimes better. With RCC, I believe I read on Cruise Critic that they are more strict on discounting to agencies. But it doesn't hurt to check around. Also check cruisecompare.com.

We've been on both Holland America and RCC and liked both (no kids though).

[spankswife]

Pom

Thanks! I am so torn. I was all gung-ho about it yesterday, and then 2 people I worked with said the food wasn't that great. And last year we did a Disney cruise, and the RC rooms just don't look as nice. But it is supposed to be great with kids, and the dates and the price are right (especially compared to Disney).

But you were happy with it? DH said it's not like we are going to be in the room the whole time.

Part of me think sit would be a blast, and good for this age, and part of me doesn't want to regret it.

[Pom]

Jul 16, 2015 11:50:57 GMT -5 spankswife said:

Pom

Thanks! I am so torn. I was all gung-ho about it yesterday, and then 2 people I worked with said the food wasn't that great. And last year we did a Disney cruise, and the RC rooms just don't look as nice. But it is supposed to be great with kids, and the dates and the price are right (especially compared to Disney).

But you were happy with it? DH said it's not like we are going to be in the room the whole time.

Part of me think sit would be a blast, and good for this age, and part of me doesn't want to regret it.

We are kid free and we went a few years ago, so there's that.  The Galveston port was only a couple of hours from home, so that was part of our choice. Easy.  I haven't done Disney, but I imagine that it is a bit more over the top from a family perspective.  We had nothing bad to say about the food  (Mr. P and I are picky) and it was as good as Holland America which has been very good too. I will say that we tend more towards stuff like doing meals in the upgrade dining room option or dinner on our balcony one night, etc.

We had a Jr. Suite on RC, I think, so it was pretty nice.  But I am with your H, you will probably be out and about quite a bit.  Is this Western Caribbean? I loved the Caymans (stingray swim) and excursions like that.  Every ship/staff is different, but I can generally have a good time anywhere (well except for a disastrous trip to Cancun) especially with a great price as long as you can "get over" comparing every little thing to how the Mouse does it, LOL! 

[spankswife]

Pom we would probably do a couple of nicer dinners too, good call. It's out of FLL, like a 45 min drive from our house (which is obviously a "pro") and it goes to Cozumel and Costa Maya, with a day at sea on each end.

I know I can't compare it to Disney. Which we sort of wanted a break from everything Disney anyway.

Thanks for hashing it out with me. It's good to hear good reviews!

[pbandj]

We have taken two cruises with our kids. Both times one of them was younger than 2. Our last one was in 2012, I think. This was a few years ago, and there was not much for the young ones to do, but I think they have upgraded a lot of their ships to accommodate the young children. I think for the holiday week, they will be prepared for a lot of children on the ship.

I have never cruised with Disney, but have cruised with other lines besides RC before kids. I like RC and thought the food was fine. The rooms were small, and tight, so I recommend getting a balcony if possible. My oldest was only 4 and loved the kids club. I would cruise them again.