drinkTHEkoolaid Posted October 19, 2012 Posted October 19, 2012 Has anyone taken kids on a cruise ? Considering taking a cruise for next family vacation and wondering if anyone has some solid advice. How old were your kids at time of the cruise ? Did they like it ? Did you feel it was safe? What activities did they enjoy? What cruise line did you take ? How many days? Where did you go? Any advice would be appreciated
Just Jack Posted October 20, 2012 Posted October 20, 2012 (just a friendly bump) To answer your questions.... no 0 don't care yes none Princess 14 Australia/New Zealand I did see some kids on board, and they do have "clubs" the kids can go to, to get away from their parents. Some other lines, like Disney, cater more to kids. I think Royal Caribean also. On our ship, Saphire Princess, I really didn't see much for kids to do.
KD in CA Posted October 20, 2012 Posted October 20, 2012 My brother took a Disney cruise and said it was great for the kids --- they spent the whole day in the kids' club. But it definitely depends on which cruise line so do your research.
Garion Posted October 20, 2012 Posted October 20, 2012 Took my one and three year old one carnival cruise line trip along with extended family for my parents wedding anniversary. For us the experience wasn't worth it with those little ones. It was close but my one year olds nap schedule meant we were back in the room a lot and everyone was hitting the sack at 8pm to allow the kids to sleep.
Vetriano Posted October 20, 2012 Posted October 20, 2012 I have done two cruises with my daughter and wife. The first when she was probably four, it was a new boat I think holland America eurodam. It was a cruise to no where left from NYC was at sea for three nights. Me and my daughter had a great time. She had asked from that time when we would go back This year when my dauhter was eight we did a Baltic sea cruise- we have to go to eyrope every year because we have family to visit- so the cruise left stockholm, helsinki, st Petersburg, Riga, gdansk. My daughter says it was her favorite vacation ever. Entertainment and food was great, a lot of international passengers, they had a kids club, climbing wall. We all definitely would do it again. We left the cruise in Poland, to visit family. This was the right age for a real cruise, glad we did not do this type of $ earlier. I wouldn't do any location -Disney, skiing or cruising greater than five days. But that's just our preference
buffaloboyinATL Posted October 20, 2012 Posted October 20, 2012 Has anyone taken kids on a cruise ? Considering taking a cruise for next family vacation and wondering if anyone has some solid advice. How old were your kids at time of the cruise ? Did they like it ? Did you feel it was safe? What activities did they enjoy? What cruise line did you take ? How many days? Where did you go? Any advice would be appreciated Just went on a 7 day cruise on the Disney Fantasy in early September. It was a great time and I would do it again in a heartbeat. My kids are 11, 9 and 3 and they had a great time. The cruise was a bit spendy (roughly $6K) but was well worth it. We went to St. Marteen, St. Thomas and the Disney private island, Castaway Cay. Feel free to PM me if you have specific questions or want more details. The kids had a great time and my wife and I got some time to ourselves and still had plenty of time to enjoy the vacation with the kids as well.
We Come In Peace Posted October 20, 2012 Posted October 20, 2012 Has anyone taken kids on a cruise ? Considering taking a cruise for next family vacation and wondering if anyone has some solid advice. How old were your kids at time of the cruise ? Did they like it ? Did you feel it was safe? What activities did they enjoy? What cruise line did you take ? How many days? Where did you go? Any advice would be appreciated Once I traveled with Hun-Hanapu and his descendants from the 5th to the 11th dimension. Hun-Hanapu's eldest spent the entire time kicking the back of my stasis chamber. It was an entirely joyless experience.
Fan in San Diego Posted October 20, 2012 Posted October 20, 2012 My wife took my two teenagers ( 18 and 17) on a cruise to Alaska and they loved it.
CosmicBills Posted October 20, 2012 Posted October 20, 2012 My wife took my two teenagers ( 18 and 17) on a cruise to Alaska and they loved it. I've only been one cruise -- was with the whole family (20+). I spent the time in the casino. It was fun, made some scratch, but the cruise life wasn't for me.
cwchze Posted October 21, 2012 Posted October 21, 2012 been on plenty of cruises. best thing we ever did was shooting skeet of back of boat leavng the bahamas in middle of the ocean.absolutely incredible(they dont allow that anymore,,fn terrorists} last cruise took kids 2 years ago ages 17 + 14 at time.went royal carribean out of tampa to cozumel and cancoon.we were worried about everything but we never saw them but at dinner.they were in the kids club having the times of their lives..made friends with kids from all over u.s.both of them told me that it was the most fun they ever had.we didn't have to worry about drinking etc.it was all supervised.One night we were coming out of a late show and all the tv's on deck were showing the huge kids dance party on the top deck..there they were right in the middle of it.. If you can research cruise line and enjoy..
WWVaBeach Posted October 21, 2012 Posted October 21, 2012 We cruise quite a bit but never w/kids. If you do take kids don't let them in the adult pool (there's a reason it's called the adult pool) & keep them out of the hot tubs. My recommendation would be leave them with there grandparents and you & your wife have a nice cruise for the 2 of you.
CosmicBills Posted October 22, 2012 Posted October 22, 2012 we should cruise together. My wife and I live at the adult pool on these ships--nothing more relaxing. Is that code for something?
Just Jack Posted October 22, 2012 Posted October 22, 2012 Is that code for something? The adult pools it is okay for european sunbathing.
DDD Posted October 22, 2012 Posted October 22, 2012 (edited) Took four kids age 9 and under for a week cruise in the eastern carribean and had a fantastic time. Holland America offers a kids club (Club Hal) where you can drop off the kids even when in port. This came in handy especially when the lady and I wanted to go to dinner in the formal dining room. We took and easter cruise and there were lots of other kids but I think Holland America generally caters to an older crowd. The kids liked the pool, seeing the ports, movies, shows, the continuous supply of ice cream and cookies available, tour of the kitchen, steel pan lessons, shuffleboard, and just exploring the decks. Safety was always a concern for me and did not leave them unattended while on deck as the safety railings were easy to climb especially for active boys. The only part that sucked was that my kids had to pay full adult price including my 2 year old son which was criminal. Edited October 22, 2012 by Mr. Wonderful
WWVaBeach Posted October 22, 2012 Posted October 22, 2012 we should cruise together. My wife and I live at the adult pool on these ships--nothing more relaxing. Heading out again on Nov 11th on Norwegian Dawn. Belize, Honduras, Costa Maya & Cozumel Mx.
Chilly Posted October 22, 2012 Posted October 22, 2012 I'm heading out on November 24th on the NCL Epic. Love that ship! it's like a floating vegas.
WWVaBeach Posted October 23, 2012 Posted October 23, 2012 I'm heading out on November 24th on the NCL Epic. Love that ship! it's like a floating vegas. Great ship. We cruised on her when she was brand new.
WWVaBeach Posted November 20, 2012 Posted November 20, 2012 Heading out again on Nov 11th on Norwegian Dawn. Belize, Honduras, Costa Maya & Cozumel Mx. Back from this cruise and it was great. By far one of the best itineraries we've been on. Would highly recommend both the ship and the itinerary!
Chilly Posted November 21, 2012 Posted November 21, 2012 Nice! Have you been on the Jewel? I'm interested with Norwegian starting to sail her out of Texas in 2014
mead107 Posted November 21, 2012 Posted November 21, 2012 We are doing Nova scotia out of Boston next year.
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