T_Boy

My g/f and I are planning a cruise to Mexico (3-5 days) from Los Angelas. I'm still debating on which cruise line to choose. This is our 1st cruise and we just want to experience it! I've heard Carnival is a more "party" atmoshere. We are both into the club scene but would like to be on a cruise where we can experience everything from the swimming pools to the dining. Also does anybody know what the weather will be like at this time of the year in Mexico?

Sarai

If you are under 30, go with carnival.Hurricane season, good luck!(get the insurance)

EMEVE

Take Royal Caribbean no matter you´ll be in the Pcific but it´s goooood!

LCPLWOODSUSMC

screw that JOIN THE NAVY!!!!

tan0301

Depends on what you like. I cruised the first time in my late 20's I am in my early 30's now and I am going on my 3rd cruise next month. I am not much of a drinker/partier so I prefer Royal Caribbean. It's a little nicer. Both offer pretty much the same things as far as your dining and swimming like you mentioned. Excursions are basically the same. Royal is just a step up.

Brit

I've only ever been on Royal Caribbean and it was fantastic. I'm under 30 and found it to be everything I wanted. Do it! It's great!

stagner16

Carnival has less extra charges,and I just think its better for clubbin and party, my recommendation is to not buy alchohal on the boat, just smuggle some Johnny Walker on in your speedo at a port, but its a cruise you really cant go wrong.

kimmer7279061

Royal Caribbean is the nicer of the two. Carnival is more for the younger crowd though. First time cruiser- I would go with Carnival.Mexico will be HOT!!!

RPasion

I'm 21& just went on my first cruise to the Mediterranean sea on the Carnival Freedom (their new ship) last month and it was great! It's a great ship for young & old alike, especially for those who love the "party" vibe. I now think cruising is the best way to travel if you want to see more than one area of the world/country with everything included - food, room, & entertainment. Carnival always had live music and a lot of dancing going on. Every night there was always some type of show going on (comedy, musical, etc.), different clubs for different themes/people (karoke, club for teens, club for +18 yrs., salsa, 70's theme etc.) There were bars, casinos, an internet cafe and they had a few swimming pools and there was one with a slide, they have a gym with a sauna and steam room, jogging track, miniature golf, ping-pong, basketball, and volleyball areas, classes for learning how to dance, cook the food they serve, and creating those cute animal towels you get everyday. There are a bunch of different levels for dining - they had everything from burgers and fries to fine dining meals. Dinner was always great. The food was amazingly good, our waiter/waitress were very good in making sure we were always satisfied with our meals - every night at dinner you get a 3 course meal and all the waiters and waitresses would dance/sing for everyone which was always a fun. I'm not sure about Carnivals other ships, but I'm sure they're just as fun and lively as the Freedom.In general I'd say the Carnival staff and crew are very professional, friendly, and always made sure you felt pampered and were having a great time. It's a fun ship with people from all over the world of all ages so by the time you leave you feel like you've known these people for years.Sorry for rambling and all those run-on sentences, but it's hard trying to explain how great the ship was and some of the things you could do just on the ship alone.

TINKERTOYthe1only2101

We did a cruise to the Mexican Rivera in October 2004. Our cruise was on a Norwegian ship out of Long Beach/San Pedro. The weather for our cruise was perfect, except that there was some bad weather near one of our port stops (a hurricane had come across Mexico to the Pacific) and the ship steered away from that weather by changing the order of the port stops. So when we got there the weather was perfect.I have done about 20 cruises on 4 different cruise line, Princess, Royal Caribbean, Celebrity and Norwegian. The party options and opportunities are about the same on all of these cruise lines. All have a cruise director whose job it is to make sure that you have fun. They all have party activities around the pool during the day on "at sea" days, all have a disco that stays open until the wee hours, all have a variety of lounges and bars, some with jazz or a piano bar, they all have a show for you each evening and some may have a comedian late at night.. All have a sports bar. Most newer and larger ships have multiple pools and hot tubs. But you need to look on line at the ships' features or ask your/a travel agent what the features are. Some ships even have pools and hot tubs that are for adults only. Carnival does have the reputation as the party boat, but there are parties on the others too. Carnival is the budget cruise line that most first time cruiser go on and the young folks in the 20 to 35 age range. But the other lines also have a mix of people of all ages and the older folks party just as hard, but you just don't hear them across the ship, or see them staggering down the hallways. You may get a better price with Carnival, but you will have a better cruise with the others that I have mentioned.So my suggestion to get the best cruise and price is to look at all of the cruise lines and, since Royal Caribbean is my favorite I suggest it ahead of the others.