First time cruise with children on Pride in August - Suggestions please!

Good afternoon! We are going on the Pride in August with our boys. They will be turning 4 and 5 in September. My husband and I haven't cruised since our honeymoon 9 years ago, so while we are familiar with cruising, we are not familiar with cruising with the kiddos! We are very excited, but hoping to get some suggestions from other cruisers! I've registered the kids with the kids club. I think this is something they will really enjoy, but don't know if its something we'll utilize every day b/c we see this as a family cruise. We'll see! That being said, we also want to have a couple of nights out just the two of us since those are few and far between. So here are some questions that perhaps you can help me with...

* any particular nights best for utilizing the Owl babysitting service?

* any suggestions on where husband and I should go on the Pride when we drop the kids off? (particular bars/lounges that are nice, or is a specialty restaurant recommended?

Now for the Ports, are there any recommendations on things to do in Turks, Half Moon Cay, or Freeport with kids this age? We aren't really the type to book excursions through the cruise line - prefer to do our own thing and find they are too expensive. We are definitely cool with just going to the beaches. But open to suggestions.

Thanks!

Grand Turk and Half Moon Cay both have beaches within easy access of the port. Grand Turk also has a free pool near the port though it can get crowed.

Special dinner? Go to the Steakhouse.

Camp has dinner for the kids at 6 in the Lido.

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If you don't often get nights alone, the steakhouse would probably be worth it for you. There is an upcharge but if you make a reservation for dining on the first night you get a free bottle of wine (not very good wine!) or 50% off other bottles of wine. I have not done it yet, but am thinking about it for the next cruise (don't have kids so not normally looking for solace, ha ha). It seems like that would be a special evening for you as a couple but it's not too expensive. It's not crowded like the main dining room, food is better, and the service supposedly top notch. If you are fans of cheesecake, one person can order the huge cheesecake for dessert and you can take it to go and share that with a romantic glass of wine in your cabin.

We sailed the Pride last July with our 5 year old DS. We all had a great time! We weren't sure if DS would be into Camp Carnival either, but he ended up LOVING it. There was some switching back and forth between the 2-5 year old group and the 6-8 group the 1st day, but once he landed in the 6-8 group he was happy to keep going back.

On sea day mornings we game him the choice to go to Camp Carnival or swim in the pool with us. He always chose Camp Carnival! He wasn't a big fan of the saltwater pools. We'd pick him up for lunch, then hang at the waterworks area. He loved it!!!

In the evenings we again always gave him the option of hanging with us to see the show, see a movie, or play games, but he always chose Camp Carnival. DH and I usually headed to the comedy club to see one of the acts, then to the atrium to grab a drink and listen to music. We always picked him up before Night Owls and he complained that we did. But by the time we go back to the cabin, ready for bed, and he was asleep it was almost 11:00. Late enough for all of us! When you drop off in the evening they will ask you if they are staying for Night Owls. If they are not, be prepared to wait in line to pick up at 10:00! The line moves pretty quickly!

We did take advantage of dropping him off at the Lido a few nights so we could have dinner to ourselves. He wasn't a big fan of that, but I think it was because there aren't many food options and he is the world's pickiest eater. They publish the menu in the Camp Carnival schedule so we picked days we knew there was something he would eat.

As for ports, the only one we stopped at on our sailing was Freeport, which I highly recommend doing a ship excursion with kids. There isn't much nearby. We did the family beach excursion through Carnival. I think it would have been OK, but it poured buckets about and hour after we got there. What makes it family friendly is that there is a kids area that includes a playground, above ground swimming pool, and picnic tables for lunch. You drop your kids off there for lunch and playtime while you enjoy the beach. You can see the kids the whole time and can get them anytime you want. They painted shells, went swimming, ate lunch, and played - but then the thunder and lightning started. We did get to play on the giant inflatable obstacle course in the ocean before taking him in the kids area. It was cool, but in very deep water - life jackets were provided!

You'll have a great time!!!

This won't help with the "being alone", but a suggestion of what to do with the children. Bring them to the Dr. Suess Green Eggs and Ham Breakfast. I believe it's held on the last sea day, and they usually have a sign up table set up as you embark the ship. It's $5 per person, but the characters come to the table for pictures and to chat with the children. We're bringing our granddaughter and I made these "iron on" designs to put on the back of our tee shirts----that's the type of food served

If you do drop them, go to the steakhouse as suggested. My wife and I also preferred the piano bar. I think any venue that you can visit and enjoy without the kids is worth it.

This won't help with the "being alone", but a suggestion of what to do with the children. Bring them to the Dr. Suess Green Eggs and Ham Breakfast. I believe it's held on the last sea day, and they usually have a sign up table set up as you embark the ship. It's $5 per person, but the characters come to the table for pictures and to chat with the children. We're bringing our granddaughter and I made these "iron on" designs to put on the back of our tee shirts----that's the type of food served

 

Yes! The Green Eggs and Ham breakfast was great! We did this last year and plan to on our cruise in a few weeks. The food was great and it was fun!

You may also post this on the Family Cruises Forum under Special Interest Cruising for more tips.

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We have done this cruise a few times with kids of various ages. If you want a pool, go to Margaritaville in Grand Turk. It is a short walk from the ship and it has a huge, free pool, with music. You can buy drinks and/or food but you don't have to. When we go, we pretty much spend the whole morning in the pool. You don't even need a lounger because the water is so perfect. The beach is right there as well. Half Moon Cay is one big beach and there is also a playground on the beach for kids. Gorgeous. I can't wait to go back.

Our daughter has been on a number of cruises with us already and she turns 5 next month. We've seen and heard the same thing about the kids clubs with the kids really wanting to go back each day. Play it by ear and no matter what they'll have fun. There is a card/game/library that is very helpful with games for the kids as well.

For your time alone I would hit up the Alchemy Bar - great drinks, terrific stratosphere - just have to watch the times they are open/closed.

The ports - Freeport I would use as a day on board where they could use the small kids water section and pools without many others around. Those areas can get busy with older kids after port days/sea days. Half Moon you'll have your choice of many things with it being a private area, enjoy the beach and let the kids have fun in the sand. Grand Turk also has a terrific area just off the ship - Margaritaville (even if not drinking) is a great place to visit and there is a nice pool that is large enough that you'll have room to hang out. There are also private cabanas you could rent. This is also a good port for excursions though and to get out from the port area.

My tip is to prepare for anything - we took ours to Bermuda this last time and between her previous cruise and that one experienced car sickness - Went to the beach great time but crowded and rocky ride back to the ship, in the rain, she threw up on me (inside a towel so no one even noticed) and then we took 45 minutes in line to get back on board... No prepared!

There is also the extra fee Sushi restaurant (Bonsai Sushi) on the second floor (I know kids are often not accepting of that kind of food and it is less formal than the steakhouse).

I would recommend Night Owls on a night before a sea day - that way there's no alarm set for a tour or excursion for the next day.

Some options for grown up time are:

The casino;

The night club (though it doesn't always get hopping until late);

+18 comedy shows (or really, any comedy shows because it's doubtful your 4/5 year olds will sit through family comedy shows);

Serenity area (even in the evenings, it's a night comfortable place to sit and relax absent any kids);

Your cabin.

Good afternoon! We are going on the Pride in August with our boys. They will be turning 4 and 5 in September. My husband and I haven't cruised since our honeymoon 9 years ago, so while we are familiar with cruising, we are not familiar with cruising with the kiddos! We are very excited, but hoping to get some suggestions from other cruisers! I've registered the kids with the kids club. I think this is something they will really enjoy, but don't know if its something we'll utilize every day b/c we see this as a family cruise. We'll see! That being said, we also want to have a couple of nights out just the two of us since those are few and far between. So here are some questions that perhaps you can help me with...

 

* any particular nights best for utilizing the Owl babysitting service?

* any suggestions on where husband and I should go on the Pride when we drop the kids off? (particular bars/lounges that are nice, or is a specialty restaurant recommended?

 

Now for the Ports, are there any recommendations on things to do in Turks, Half Moon Cay, or Freeport with kids this age? We aren't really the type to book excursions through the cruise line - prefer to do our own thing and find they are too expensive. We are definitely cool with just going to the beaches. But open to suggestions.

Thanks!

In GT, my boys enjoyed the open air tram that did an island tour. You can find them at Island Trams and are just a short walk down the beach to the left. They will get you back to the cruise port in plenty of time to enjoy the port and the beach. If you walk to the right (easier if tide is out) you will pretty much have the beach to yourself.

HMC as others have said is simply a beach day. Relax and enjoy. Think you can feed rays here if you are looking for something tame but unique for the kids.

Freeport - Calabash eco tours gets great reviews but I haven't used them. I contacted them about our upcoming cruise and our port time is so short I am not comfortable. But here, I would say that it is really important to plan something because the port is so industrial and the beach is a 20 minute cab ride away. Since they got hit by Matthew last year, it seems like a lot of the snorkel options aren't available and I am having a hard time picking something. I think we are actually going to book thru Carnival for ease here. So I wouldn't discount that if like me you are struggling to find an independent tour. Its a pretty island once you are out of the port so definitely worth it.

If you enjoy comedy and can handle a little bit of "adult humor" definitely take advantage of the night owls program and go watch "The Quest". It was the most fun thing we did on our last cruise and we definitely plan on doing it again. Not sure what day or time it is, but watch for it!

Stay on board the ship when it's in Freeport. Your kids can participate in kids club activities and you can have your pick of spots on the Serenity Deck. Then you can all get together for some family time at the Waterworks and you will have the place almost completely to yourselves.

My spouse and I skipped Freeport (kind of a dump anyway) when we were on the Pride last October and had the most fun that afternoon at the Waterworks. There were no kids around and just a handful of other adults. So we didn't have any lines for any of the water rides. Fun, fun, fun!

Freeport... dump? Hmmmm... Gold Rock Beach...

Port Lucaya...

And the Rand Nature Center...

Always interesting to see comments like this.

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Freeport... Taino Beach and Tony Macaroni Conch Experience...

Garden of the Groves... Freeport

Unexso is also on Grand Bahama Island (where Freeport is) and the Tongue of the Ocean.

Some people stay on the ship or get off at the port and walk around with no plan to see anything... then complain about it.

And they miss BILLY JOE'S... No picture, up to you to Google it to research.

And when you get back to your midwestern, southern, or mid-Atlantic town, by all means let everyone know you are a Grand Bahama expert... and it is A DUMP.

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Someone suggested the steakhouse the first night, but according to a review I read recently Camp Carnival isn't open the first night so you would have to take the kids with you. I would get a reservation for another night instead. The only times I took my daughter the sign up for camp was the first night and then activities started the next day. Have a great cruise.

Candi

We have used a tour company in Freeport called Pat & Diane Snorkeling... They pick you up right at the pier, drive to the boat, you have lots of time in the water, and the guides are absolutely fantastic with the kids, even the littlest ones. If the group is big enough, they will use the bigger boat, which has a slide and rock climbing wall as well. Google them. Very professional and enjoyable, great communication, and they do not charge you until the day of the excursion.

We have used a tour company in Freeport called Pat & Diane Snorkeling... They pick you up right at the pier, drive to the boat, you have lots of time in the water, and the guides are absolutely fantastic with the kids, even the littlest ones. If the group is big enough, they will use the bigger boat, which has a slide and rock climbing wall as well. Google them. Very professional and enjoyable, great communication, and they do not charge you until the day of the excursion.

They are really good and have been there for literally decades.

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Thank you for the info regarding Pat & Diane! We are cruising on 12/17 and I was struggling finding something to do in Freeport.

Thank you for the info regarding Pat & Diane! We are cruising on 12/17 and I was struggling finding something to do in Freeport.

I would contact them now. When I asked about something for our cruise in October they indicated they were not running anything then.

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I would contact them now. When I asked about something for our cruise in October they indicated they were not running anything then.

 

 

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It's funny you should say that! I emailed them immediately after my post and they've already written me back and told me that the only excursion that will be available to me (since we're only in port from 7am-1pm) is the Sea Safari Snorkeling Tour since it only lasts 3 hrs.