Which cruise line for families, besides Disney?

Question

I am looking for a family cruise. I know Disney would be best, but it's too much for us. I've been on Carnival and don't really think it's for kids with their vegas shows and everything. Any other cruise lines that are good for kids? Any non-smoking cruises? My daughter has asthma. Thanks!!

Answer 1

I recommend the new Royal Caribbean ships Freedom of the Seas and Liberty of the Seas. We went on voyage # 23 on Nov 5th, 2006 on the Freedom of the Seas. This ship is designed to attract young people and families with kids. It will compete with Carnival and Disney because of its features.

I was somewhat surprised that check-in for a ship holding over 4,000 passengers went so quickly. The check-in could have been even faster if they had more than one person checking Set Sail Passes at the door and opened more stations to take security photos for the Sea Pass. As it was it took less than 45 minutes.

I will not try to list all of the great new and different things on this ship as they are available on the Royal Caribbean web site. http://www.royalcaribbean.com/findacruise/ships/class/ship/home.do;jsessionid=0000ncGbPcFCRWhw0J_CMfaNxZq:10ktmevl6?br=R&shipClassCode=FR&shipCode=FR

Our cabin (8560) was great, as nice as any I have had. It was very roomy and had plenty of space for clothing. The balcony was huge and only needed better chairs for relaxing, like loungers, to make it the best. I give the ship’s Spa a rating of A+ for the quality and diversity of equipment and the fact that it has both a steam and sauna, plus a speed bag and a heavy bag to go with a boxing ring. Each treadmill, elliptical, stepper and bicycle had its own TV screen and you could select the channel you watched (had to use your own headphones for sound). There were plenty of pools and hot tubs, and an abundance of lounge chairs around the pools and on other decks. It was not hard to find a seat. THere is a special pool area just for kids (but us adults go too) call the H2O Zone. Its like a mini water park for kids. It has an ice skating rink, basketball court, the rock climbing wall, and a mini-golf course.

The formal dining room is a three story room that is elegant. The food was good and so was the wait service for dinner. We didn’t feel the same for breakfast and lunch, but it was acceptable. The room service was great with food usually delivered in 15 to 20 minutes. The ship has a Johnny Rockets restaurant and a min street in the middle of the ship with a pizza parlor.

The entertainment was good, except one comedian who stuck, and the last show was really good. Another big plus for this ship is its’ stop at the Royal Caribbean’s private island, Labadee. The island is huge and has a variety of beaches and activities (like Jet Ski and para-sailing). There were enough lounge chairs for everyone and plenty of shade trees. They even have a tram to take you from one end to the other and sand wheel chairs for the handicapped. The beach party food was nothing special, standard foods like hot dogs and hamburgers, etc. The one thing that we needed was a map of the island so we would know where things were.

I don't know of any non smoking cruises but ships do limit certain areas for smokers. Generally the right side of the ship is for smokers; ask when you reserve which it is.

The Liberty of the Seas will launch this May and have an EAstern Caribbean itinerary. Its identical otherwise to the Freedom

Answer 2

As you continue to move towards more upscale cruise lines, the less they are suited towards children.

We started taking our daughters on cruises at ages 5 and 7, starting with the Disney cruise.

We have also taken them on the Royal Carribean and Carnival twice.

My girls felt Royal Caribbean was too stuffy for them.

My girls prefer Carnival...the 24-hour a day pizzeria, ice cream 24x7, the kids clubs events. They both seem to make vacations friends though Camp Carnival.

Carnival discontinued their only non-smoking cruise a number of years back. I don't know of any other cruise line that still offers a non-smoking cruise.

Answer 3

I can understand your dilemma. We are currently planning our fifth cruise. All have been with Carnival. I agree that some of the shows are NOT for kids(maybe not for adults either!) For the most part we were pleased with Carnival. They did seem to make an effort to warn guests ahead of time when the shows were R rated. We are also Christians, and we skip the bars, casinos etc. We have skipped Disney for the same reason as you guys...some of us work for a living!!! Carnival Ecstasy is a non smoking ship. My mother in law is a part time travel agent. If we hear of anything we'll let you know. God Bless and have fun!

Answer 4

For the past 3 years my family (15 people total, 7 are kids) has sailed with Royal Caribbean. They have activities for kids, and actually have different groups for each age group, so that the kids can spend time with other kids their age and also do activities that they can relate to. And the adults do not have to stay with the kids, so it's like a free babysitting service. They also put a bracelet on the younger children so that if they are at a group activity and God forbid, there's an emergency, the child will be brought directly to where you are stationed to meet in an emergency situation; which creates less of a worry for you. And then at night there are shows, that are family appropriate (the adult shows are later at night, and the cruiseline emphasizes that they are adult shows).

And the larger ships also have a lot of recreational activities that are family orientated; for example the Voyager and Explorer both have an ice skating rink, a rock climbing wall, mini golf, roller blading/skating, a basketball court, ping pong tables, an arcade, a room full of board games, and a movie theatre.

http://www.royalcaribbean.com/gohome.do < visit their site to learn more about each ship and see everything they offer

Good luck and have fun on your vacation!

Answer 5

I just find a way to save up as much as possible for Disney! If you want the best you have to pay for it :( I'm a single parent and its really tough, but I cant stand the other cruise lines. Every cent is worth it and believe me I would only spend money if it was worth it!!!!

Also have you tried to call disney cruise line direct and talk to them about really wanting to come but the price is a bit high, I do this and if you get a nice person they will cut you a break. Also take the cheapest room!!! You barely spend anytime in it so don't waste money on the room or any extras.

Answer 6

norwegian seems to be pretty family oriented a lot of the entertainement wont be directed, directly for the kids but when i went is was mostly older couples and families so their was not really any loud partying or obnoxious behavior. I booked our cruise for less than $500 a person through vacationstogo.com the norwegian eastern carribean was a very nice vacation but you will have to wait till next winter comes around it looks like to take a norwegian cruise in the carribean.

Answer 7

I would suggest Carnival cruise. I have cruised with them 3 times. All of the meals and are included and they are unlimited.

Answer 8

Here is an excellent site with some wonderful options 4 U.

Answer 9

worlds of fun and oceans of fun