mpc863

Hi -

We have 3 separate reservations (as required by NCL). We have 2 connecting mini suites and for my family (husband + 3 kids) and another mini suite for my parents. We received the upgrade advantage email to bid on haven rooms. It would be great to do the 2 bedroom family villa but how does that work? We would only need one room then but technically you are only upgrading one reservation. What happens to the other room?

Thanks!

We have 4 kids and have always wanted to try Disney but it is really expensive. To the tune of almost 2 times what it costs us to go on RCI.

 

We have done 1 RCI cruise and 1 NCL cruise with the kids. They loved both cruises. There was more to do in the kids club on the RCI cruise but they preferred the NCL kids club because of the kids they met on the cruise and that there were less kids overall (Much smaller ship, NCL Jewel vs. Freedom of the Seas)

 

 

The shows on RCI's Freedom of the Seas seemed to have a better production value than those on the Jewel. More refined with better costumes and stage sets.

 

 

Food in RCI's MDR was better but we did love the specialty restaurants on NCL's Jewel. Also liked that there were more options for food.

 

 

The kids liked the (1) slide on the Jewel but on Freedom we went Ice Skating, Rock Wall Climbing, Miniature Golfing and Flow Rider. We stayed pretty busy on Freedom.

I can't say you'll have anywhere near the same experience on a non-disney ship but the kids will have fun regardless.

 

 

-Sean

Hfn

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We are doing HAL in July as part of a 14 person group. We are a family of 5 (kids aged 12,11, and 7) and have worked it out that our oldest will stay in another cabin (with his grandparents) so we don't need a second cabin just for our family. When picking a line for Alaska, getting in to Glacier Bay was a top priority as was a smaller ship. My kids have only cruised DCL so this will be a bit different for them. One of the things that intrigued me about HAL was that they bring naturalists on board for even the kids. While they don't have the nonstop activities in the clubs that we saw on DCL, there seems to be plenty to do after looking over the ClubHAL offerings. Also, having fewer kids may be a plus for us. Making a bestie because there are only 3-4 kids my daughter's age will likely make her more comfortable going to the club.

I think we are doing HAL in July as well. I wanted glacier bay and an indoor pool. Are you on the eurodam?

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On our last four RCI Radiance cruises the Solarium pool was open every afternoon during certain hours for families with children.

Good to know! We want to see glacier bay so rci is out for this trip.

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Good to know about the HAL ships. Looks like we are safe on Princess or HAL. I like the Norweigan Pearl but it's out with no covered pool.

I know that Alaska is about the ports, but I have 3 young kids who will want to swim! I'm having trouble finding current information on which ships have covered pools.

It looks like the coral, grand, and island princess have covered pools.

Norwegian - no covered pools?

Hal - not sure

Thanks in advance!

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I do know that the NCL cabins will be too small. 3 of us were really cramped in one of them. I hope you get something and have a great time.

Are the NCL rooms smaller than Princess?

Well Princess is out. They don't have any rooms in July that will allow 3 people in it. We have 3 kids so even with 2 rooms it's too many. I will try to figure out the other lines as well.

Even on ncl, the only ocean view rooms are the small portholes with obstructed view.

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Hi -

We just decided to do an Alaskan cruise this summer. Group includes my family (husband, 3 kids - 8,6,3) and my parents. This will likely be my parents only time to Alaska. Timing is July.

In my initial research on these boards I would like to include Glacier Bay. I think we want to do a 1 way itinerary to maximize time in port.

Given that and the ages of my kids, is there a ship/itinerary you would recommend?

Thank you!