is it worth it to cruise from NY?

DH and I would like to take a cruise in Sept/Oct. of this year, so I've been trying to do some research. I've never been on a cruise before so I'm totally lost.

We'd like to cruise out of NY b/c DD who is almost 3 will be with us. But I've been finding that you lose about 4 days crusing out of NY.

Should we suck it up and just fly to FL to cruise out of a port there?

Can anyone recommend a cruise line they enjoyed that sails out of NY?

Edited to add would also like something that is kid friendly

TIA!

Message edited 7/27/2010 12:46:44 PM.

Re: is it worth it to cruise from NY?

we cruised from ny to bermuda which is a lot closer than going to the caribbean
we spent a full day at sea going there and coming home but it was nice and relaxing
the convenience of leaving from ny is great! so much easier than flying!

we spent the rest of the time at 3 different ports in bermuda which was perfect
however,
IMO, i wouldn't sail any further south than bermuda bc u do lose island time..i would recommend flying then cruising if u weren't going to bermuda


carnival is very kid friendly

Re: is it worth it to cruise from NY?

My friend just came back from a NY cruise to Bermuda and LOVED not having to worry about flights.

Re: is it worth it to cruise from NY?

Friends did this in early spring, and they said it was VERY cold. Just be aware of this esp if you are going in october. the days at sea may be pretty chilly and you wont be able to enjoy anything on the deck outdoors like the pools, etc, until you get to the caribbean.
I personally would just fly the 2.5 hrs to FL and depart from there, if possible.

Re: is it worth it to cruise from NY?

We have cruised out of NY to the Carribean-I got such bad cabin fever I wanted to jump off the boat before we got to San Juan. Too many days at sea, not enough island time. IMO fly down or cruise to Bermuda(probably most kid friendly).

Re: is it worth it to cruise from NY?

Each departure location has different ports of call, depending upon the cruise length.
NY cruises tend to stay more north, Bermuda and Bahamas.
Florida departures tend to do Eastern/Western Caribbean.
Puerto Rico departures tend to do Southern Caribbean.

Since you are travelling with a 3 year old, why not look into the Disney Cruise ? It leaves out of Florida, not sure which port though.
We just sailed out of Ft. Lauderdale in April on the Oasis of the Seas. Ports of call were St. Thomas, St. Maarten and the Bahamas.
Next year we sail out of San Juan and hit Barbados, St. lucia, Antigua, St. Maarten, and St. Croix.