How do we compare? What's "good"? We've never done a cruise before, so what do we need to know? Good websites to get this type of information? (Kids are girl 11, boy 7).
2006-09-13 14:20:56 · 14 answers · asked by DrJunk 3 in Travel ➔ Cruise Travel
Having cruised both with and without kids, I hope I can give you some help.
The first thing you look for is usually price. But I have learned that this isn't necessarily the best indicator of a good match. We have done both Disney and Carnival cruises with our daughter and for about the same price but with vastly different experiences. Hands down I would say Disney was the better match for our family.
Let me say the Carnival cruise was nice, but not outstanding. The room was okay, the service was okay, the food was okay; there just wasn't anything that really was outstanding with the only exception being the giant waterslide.
That being said, let me tell you the reasons I really prefer Disney for cruising. First, there is no casino. For us this was a plus because that meant there wasn't one entire deck of the ship we had to avoid because it was a cloud of smoke. There is plenty to do on the ship for adults at night; we had a great time going to the clubs after dinner every night and dancing while our daughter played in her kids club.
Speaking of the kids club, Disney has the best! You can drop your kids off at 9am and not have to pick them up until 1am! They will feed them, entertain them and wear them out! Of course we didn't leave our daughter there all day, but it was really nice to see how excited she was to go see her friends in the kids club. Carnival wanted $5 or 10 an hour after 9 or 10pm to watch your kids. Disney is free until 1am. Like I said, it was nice to be able to go to the clubs after dinner and know she was having fun.
The rooms on Disney are very large and include a small bathtub, which you don't necessarily need since your kids are older, but it was great when our daughter was little. Our inside cabin was the same size as a balcony cabin on Carnival. And it was really nice to have a curtain that pulls closed to give you a teeny bit of privacy. Although when your kids are in the club you can do what you'd like!
Disney service is unmatched on any ship in my experience. Our waiters really served us well, and our room steward was so good!
The best prices for Disney are in the off season, Jan-Mar. We went once the first week of April and there were plenty of kids on the ship. And since they match them up by age, the older kids don't feel like they are stuck with the babies. And the older kids have cool computers and stuff to play with.
Check out the reviews on www.cruisecritic.com and see what others are saying. I think you will find that most people really find Disney cruises exceptional. I guess if you hated Disney characters, etc. this wouldn't be a good match. But if you are a family wanting to really have a nice combination of time together and time apart, Disney is the ticket!
Happy Sails!
2006-09-14 05:04:03 · answer #1 · answered by S V S 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
There are a few cruise lines that might be "fun" for everyone.
Disney Cruise Line is an excellent choice for "kids" fun, however, if you think that is too young, Carnival and Royal Caribbean both offer on board activities for children, on most ships there is a pool, video games, and evening shows that are family friendly. Other ships have more specific things such as mini-golf, water slides, rock climbing. It would be best to decide what part of the trip is most important, where you want to go, then find a ship/cruise line that has the itinerary you are interested in AND fun things for the entire family.
Good luck! Cruising is great~!
2006-09-14 05:24:03 · answer #2 · answered by foxsmomnd 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Having sailed with 13 different cruise lines around the world. And having just return form my 143 cruise in 31 years.
I can say with out any hesitation. For a family with children the age of yours. Go DISNEY. There ships are incredible. Almost like being in Disneyland or Walt Disney World.
I own my own Travel Agency. Can sale who I want, but for a family? I always suggest Disney.
Only one other that comes even close to Disney Cruise?
Bring the Family to Hawaii and do a 4 Island Cruise with NCL.
They have great ships and the kids love the Hawaiian games & crafts they learn while on board.
Also feel free to contact me if I can be of assistance.
I do not take on new clinets, I work with repeat only now. But am always happy to give information or answer questions.
2006-09-13 17:06:04 · answer #3 · answered by Maui Boy 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Try Tripadvisor.com. Very good resource because all the reviews of any place you want to go are written by people that have been there. Real opinions, not what the hotel or whatever wants you to hear. Invaluable!!!
Considerations -
1) How many people?
2) How many kids?
3) How old?
4) How many days?
5) Where do you want to go?
6) When do you want to go? August-Nov is cheapest because it's hurricane season. Prices start going up in March.
7) What kind of room do you want? Inside cabin, port hole, window, balcony. (You gotta get a balcony - trust me!!!)
8) Where on the ship do you want to be? Bow, stern, port side, starboard side, deck #3 or deck #11.
9) What day do you want to leave? Sat, Sun, Mon, Thur
10) Can you book airfare through the cruiseline?
11) Freeport Bahamas is boring. Don't go there. Looks like K-mart loading dock.
Carnival is great for kids. Lots for them to do. Princess is more adult oriented and affordable. Royal Carribean same as princess but more expensive.
2006-09-13 14:43:39 · answer #4 · answered by Jim C 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Disney would be an obvious choice. If you are looking for something not so commercialized, check out the Clipper cruises. They are a lot smaller and have really interesting excursions that large ships don't offer. I've never been on a Clipper, but it looked on the Travel Channel like they provided much more worthwhile experiences. Of course, Disney is great for fun and relaxation. My 6 year old had a great time and keeps begging to return.
2006-09-13 14:37:39 · answer #5 · answered by skeptic 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Royal Caribbean, Carnival, Princess, Disney are all family contributors-oriented and function great classes for toddlers. of those 4, Disney is the main costly, and Carnival has a tendency to be the low fee. cost relies upon on length of cruise, style of cabin (indoors, oceanview, balcony, suite), itinerary, or maybe the deliver you're crusing on. normally, the latest ships fee the main. fees are optimum throughout the time of circumstances of optimum call for - summers and school breaks. and via the summer season, the cruise traces deliver many of their ships to Europe. decreased furnish contributes to greater cost besides. you would be responsive to that cruise deliver cabins are smaller than many motel rooms; 4 people in a single cabins is... particularly comfortable. So one project you desire to to check out is area-by utilising-area cabins with a connecting door (very such as you will locate in some lodges). some ships have family contributors cabins, yet those oftentimes have a minimum occupancy of 5. Cruise fees are quoted in step with guy or woman, double occupancy, different than taxes and expenditures. in case you're taking a cabin that could sleep 4, the 0.33 and fourth people interior the cabin normally pay a decrease cost. There normally are no longer newborn fares. for sure, in case you e book 2 cabins, you're unlikely to get that decrease cost for the 0.33 and fourth guy or woman interior an identical cabin. Cruise fares contain accommodations, food, and onboard entertainment (such as the youngsters' classes) yet do no longer contain alcoholic beverages or shore excursions. maximum traces additionally do no longer contain soda of their fare the two; you need to purchase a pass it is nice for limitless soda for the dimensions of the cruise, or pay by utilising the can (and those passes won't be able to be shared).
2016-11-07 06:51:07 · answer #6 · answered by sturms 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
We took our 11 and 17 year olds on a cruise in May. Carnival has alot of programs and activities for the kids. Check with the crusie company to see what they offer as far as children's facilities and programs. My kids loved it so much they are already asking where to next time.
2006-09-14 03:38:53 · answer #7 · answered by shhhhhhhhhhhimhiding 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
We use Carnival for vacations for the family and it is great, they have Camp Carnival and my boys love it. there is even late night babysitting or as the kids are told a "party" this cost a little extra.
All the Ports of call have something for everyone. At Nassau their is a great pirate museum, a zoo, and more. the other island have a lot too you just have ot look.
we are leaving in 10 days for our second family cruise would not want to vacation any other way.
2006-09-14 15:21:57 · answer #8 · answered by Noble Angel 6 · 0⤊ 1⤋
start with a travel agent its a good place to start all cruise lines should have a childrens program i know rccl does and there great for what i understand there is something for every one on these big ships check out all cruise lines web sits for info on family cruising but any way have a great vacation
2006-09-14 01:47:59 · answer #9 · answered by williamsv 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
disney would be good for families. i know it sounds juvenile, but it is a really nice cruise ship for adults too. carnival is also nice for families. they also have lots to do for the kids. royal caribbean doesn't seem to have as much for the kids to do. have fun!
2006-09-13 14:41:11 · answer #10 · answered by jenms2000 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋