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Your idea to surprise your girlfriend with a cruise is romantic, but may hit a slight snag. All cruise lines require proper U.S.government travel documentation. In your case for a cruise departing & returning from Miami...she will require at least her birth certificate AND driver's license ~or~ a current US passport. If she does not bring the required documentations with her, she will be turned away at the port. As for the ship to choose, steer clear of NCL. I have been on over 20 cruises since I was a teen and found that RCCL offers the most to do. NCL's "freestyle" dining isn't exactly free. The free dining rooms are small and can accumulate quite a wait for a meal. Most of NCL's dining options require a fee to eat and you have to reserve times in advance (who wants to do all that when on a cruise?) NCL's deck space is not laid out properly as to provide walking/sunning space. There aren't enough beach chairs available for tanning. Entertainment for young folks isn't easy to find. Plus, unless you book a balcony stateroom/suite on NCL, you're treated like steerage. RCCL has much more entertainment, better shore excursions, better pool deck areas, and even an inside stateroom is treated just as well as someone in a balcony. To me, the extra $85 is well worth it. I booked my husband's 30th birthday cruise on NCL as a surprise based on it being what I could afford and wound up spending much more onboard than I would have on RCCL.

I'm 18, and I cruised on NCL Last year. I absolutely love NCL! We didn't really do the whole teens club thing but it was always packed and loud, so I think they had a good time. For my friend and I, we could go to the adult clubs and drink because the legal age on-board is 18 in international waters. As for the food, it is really good, but NCL is based on choice. The buffet was always good, and had plenty of choices. The Main Dining Room food was good most nights but lacks variety. This is because there are over 10 additional places on board to eat - they have a cover charge but they are all very good. The teppanyaki is delicious, as is the Italian and the steak house. Even if you don't go there, you'll always find something - the 24hr cafe (Blue Lagoon on my ship) was also very good, and great at 2 AM. Hope this helps!

I prefer Royal Caribbean. The food and service is going to be better. NCL has freestyle so does Royal. NCL has many more opportunities to spend more money on the ship so that $85 savings will most likely be eaten up in extra dining charges on NCL.

I am biased :) but call an independent qualified cruise specialist. They can help you decide and ensure you are matched with the right cruise line and ship. They can give you personalized service and great low prices. It cost you nothing extra and they will handle all the details.

Happy Cruising!

I have been on royal caribbean 4 night bahamas and it was the best experience I have tooken. I loved everything about royal caribbean. The food was amazing and all. There was nothing I didn't like. I was 13 then.

My meme went on an alaskan cruise on ncl and she said it was good but not great and she said the night food wassnt all that good. She didn't like it and I don't think I would have either.

You should just go with royal caribbean they are much better :)

Royal Caribbean all day. NCL is hit or miss at best. Never had a problem with Royal Caribbean. I am actually sailing them out of Port Canaveral on Friday.

Go to their site and sign up for their Crown and Anchor club. They will send you all kinds of good deals well below the costs you have above. I am taking a family of four with two rooms for under $1,000.

I have been on both cruise lines multiple times and I prefer Royal Caribbean hands down. In fact I don't like NCL at all now. Their service stinks and they don't have very good ships.

I have been on 3 cruises in my life and 2 of them for sure I was on Royal Caribbean, I had very good experiences with them. My sister and her fiance went on NCL and did not like it.

However, it depends on what kind of cruise you're going on. They did free style cruising and did not enjoy it as much as other cruises they had been on. It also depends on where you're departing from. They departed from NY, so it could be a different crowd where you'd be departing from.

From personal experience I really enjoyed RC, their ships are beautiful, staff was helpful and fun.

If your only choices are NCL or RC do RC.

I don't understand about Carnival though. I was under the impression there had to be ONE 21 year old per room (or per group if in joint rooms). Meaning as long as your 21 it doesn't matter if your girlfriend is only 20.

I've never been on a Norwegian cruise. I've had wonderful experiences on Royal Caribbean.