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I have been on many cruises and also cruised out of LA. My suggestion to you is to pick a cruise on the Royal Caribbean ship Mariner of the Seas which does the Mexican Riviera from LA. Here's a link that shows you the options for July 2010:

http://www.royalcaribbean.com/findacruise/cruiseDe...

I have cruised on the Mariner and its one of Royal Caribbean's newer ships in the Voyager Class. It has a wealth of on board activities for you and your son including roller skating, ice skating, a basketball court, a rock climbing wall, a mini-golf course, and of course the gym, pools and hot tubs. Your son can use the gym starting at age 16. In addition there is a place on ship called Adventure Ocean that is for kids ages 2 through 17. It includes a teen living room and disco area where the teens on ship can hang out every evening until about 2:00 AM. All of the activities I have mentioned are free, included in the price of your cruise.

The ship also has a disco that you can go to free of charge, a nightly show in the show room and also an ice show a couple evenings in the ice rink. Here's a link that you can go to to look at all of the features of the ship:

http://www.royalcaribbean.com/findacruise/ships/cl...

be sure to click on the "virtual tour" link as it will then show photos.

You have several options for reserving. First you can get a travel agent to book for you; their services are free since they are paid commission by the cruise line. Or, you can book yourself right on the RC's web site. All of the instructions and information you'll need is right on the web site. If you get stuck there is a number on the web site that you can call for assistance. Or, you can just call the customer service number first and they will help you book.

You will be required to pay a deposit of $250 per person at booking and then you can pay the balance weekly, monthly, periodically, or however, as long as you pay the balance in full by 65 to 70 days before the cruise date. You can make payments right on line using your credit card.

If you want the same cruise for a lower price then check out the different dates that it is sailed and you'll see that the price varies by hundreds of dollars :

http://www.royalcaribbean.com/findacruise/cruiseDe...

If you want to save yourself some money you may want to pick a date when the price is lower. There are other ship and cruise lines sailing from LA, but I think this RC cruise would be perfect for you and your son. At least now you can compare prices.

I have a friend who is an independent travel agent. If you click on my avatar, I believe you will find you can email me and I'll be glad to send you her email address.

Aside from that, I recently booked a wonderful cruise on a Royal Caribbean ship, Rhapsody of the Sea, for a 10-day cruise that includes air fare from Los Angeles to Sydney and then sails up the east coast to north of Cairns, along the Barrier Reef, and back to Sydney, and then return air fare to Los Angeles. I booked through BJs Wholesale Club and got a big savings, getting an outside cabin for the cost of an inside cabin and no single supplement. My downpayment was 10%, with the remainder due in September for a December 1 cruise.

I'd imagine my independent travel agent friend could do as well or better by you, since she's been berating me for not using her and letting her get me a still better deal.

I certainly have finished the two, booked by way of a commute agent and on-line. it style of feels to be the comparable effect, i'm getting on the cruise and characteristic an excellent time. in case you comprehend the place you're going and it seems such as you do, do it on-line. the cost is not any diverse however the commute brokers do get a value from the cruise line so of direction they are going to say there is not any longer something like making use of an agent. Have super holiday.

I'd just look directly at carnival cruises, or Norwegian or whatever cruise line you are interested in for cruise dates.

Deposits are usually more than $50, but less than 1/2. But with Carnival if you get the "early rate" you pay more of a deposit, but the overall cost is much less.

Hello! I would work with Fox World Travel. I just tried searching on GoFox.com and they don't quite have the itineraries available on their site for July, but I would call Kim at 888-369-8785. She might be able to get you a reduced deposit and or/ savings book. She's great and can steer you in the right direction. Have fun on your cruise whatever you decide to do!

Royal Caribbean you must put 200.00 down. Also just go on the website put what you want and if it comes up there ya go.

I always use Cruises.com and in my experience they have always worked with me until we came up with a happy medium on whatever the issue was. They also have excellent rates!