Cruise Newbie w/Kids Departing west coast - ideas?

[SnowRider250]

Our family is exploring the possibility of a cruise. We would be sailing with 4 kids ages 4,6,8,10. We hope to leave from Seattle/Tacoma or L.A. sometime in the Fall of 2010. (Sept - Nov) Probably a 7 - 10 day cruise possibly to Mexico.

 

Disney looked ok, but it looks like it may be geared a little younger than most of our kids. Does anyone have input as to which lines or ships to consider? We are total newbies to family cruising. The formal dinner thing with assigned seating is something we are not real excited about. We are not really into the party scene, but we would like to be able to feel comfortable turning the kids over to established programs that would keep them entertained. We are leaning towards R.C. or Carnival.

 

Any comments and input appreciated!

 

Thanks.

[6rugrats]

RCCL, Carnival, Princess and Disney don't have a cruise from Seattle to Mexico for your dates. I think you will have to depart from Los Angeles or San Diego. HAL has a cruise that departs from Vancouver to Mexico in Sept. 2010.

 

With four kids, you are talking about booking six people, so you will need two cabins. That means, you are going to pay the full price for the first two in the cabin, and hopefully, you can find a cruise where the third guest in each cabin is free or at a reduced rate.

 

You never have to participate in formal dining if you don't want to. You can always eat in the Lido, the informal buffet, or most cruiselines offer some sort of room service.

 

I would recommend you visit a travel agent, or contact the various cruiselines to get brochures that will provide you with more information.

[cb at sea]

Both RCI and Carnival now have a version of "anytime" dining...where you can go when you like (during certain hours!)

 

As far as a "party" scene...that's what's nice about cruising...you can participate or not...your choice.

 

Both lines have kid's clubs that your age children would love....once they hit the "teen" years, the magic seems to disappear!

 

On formal nights, Carnival has replaced "formal" with "elegant"---so folks tend to dress up a bit less than on RCI. Both lines have buffets where dressing up isn't "suggested"...if you'd rather utilize that option on the formal nights.

 

Go to both lines websites and request a brochure...that way, you can start comparing lines and accomodations. Unless you get 2 rooms, a family suite will be your best bet...ship's cabins are NOT very large!

[cruiselover57]

Our family is exploring the possibility of a cruise. We would be sailing with 4 kids ages 4,6,8,10. We hope to leave from Seattle/Tacoma or L.A. sometime in the Fall of 2010. (Sept - Nov) Probably a 7 - 10 day cruise possibly to Mexico.

 

Disney looked ok, but it looks like it may be geared a little younger than most of our kids. Does anyone have input as to which lines or ships to consider? We are total newbies to family cruising. The formal dinner thing with assigned seating is something we are not real excited about. We are not really into the party scene, but we would like to be able to feel comfortable turning the kids over to established programs that would keep them entertained. We are leaning towards R.C. or Carnival.

 

Any comments and input appreciated!

 

Thanks.

 

You may also want to contact each individual cruise line to see what types of children's programs will be offered at that time. If it's during the typical school year, activities might be limited (then again, they might have some if they know kids will be on board but not a lot as if it was the Thanksgiving or Xmas week).

 

Each line has excellent children's programs though.

[kitty9]

At that time of year, most kids are in school, so having a complete kid's program might not be available. Not many kids are able to miss school right at the beginning of the year, so that's something you need to realize unless you cruise during Thanksgiving. Also, longer cruises tend to attract older passengers.

 

If you're not into formal, Carnival might be a good choice as they have pretty much done away with formal nights. You don't have to sit with others at dinner if you ask for a table just for your family, but I have to say that meeting others has been a wonderful experience for many of us veteran cruisers.

[Arwenmark]

I suggest you consider NCL out of LA. They have very laid bag dining. No Jeans in ONE dining room for dinner and no shorts in any dining room at dinner but are fine at the buffet.

basically very little to no formality. and they have a decent kids program.

[SelectSys]

I would suggest you consider post this question on the family forum. You'll get lots of advice and opinions. Both Disney and RCCL are good choices with family. We went on the Mariner last spring and our kids had a good time.

[Cruisin' Chick]

Some cruiselines will have repo (repositioning cruises) from the Pacific NW to Los Angeles/San Diego in late September. I agree that you should sit down with a cruise specialist TA (one that has personal experience with going on cruises and doesn't have any bias against one line or another). He or she will know which ships are traveling where.

 

I would agree that any cruises in September (at least after Labor Day) will have fewer school aged kids onboard. Maybe some who are homeschooled. I know that our school district here (the second largest in the US) makes it very difficult for parents to take their kids out of school unless there's an illness. They want the money from the state ($/student/day). Back when my child was in kinder, we did take her out of school for a cruise in February, and she was one of only three 5-yr-olds. The kids' program was scaled down because of the small quantity of kids.

 

If you do decide on a Mexican Riviera cruise in late September, you will have a good number of ships to select from. Princess, NCL, RC, Carnival will have ships leaving from the port of LA or Long Beach. HAL, Carnival and maybe some others also have MR cruises leaving from San Diego. Sometimes, Princess has a MR 10-day out of San Francisco.

[TrentS]

Our family is exploring the possibility of a cruise. We would be sailing with 4 kids ages 4,6,8,10. We hope to leave from Seattle/Tacoma or L.A. sometime in the Fall of 2010. (Sept - Nov) Probably a 7 - 10 day cruise possibly to Mexico.

 

Disney looked ok, but it looks like it may be geared a little younger than most of our kids. Does anyone have input as to which lines or ships to consider? We are total newbies to family cruising. The formal dinner thing with assigned seating is something we are not real excited about. We are not really into the party scene, but we would like to be able to feel comfortable turning the kids over to established programs that would keep them entertained. We are leaning towards R.C. or Carnival.

 

Any comments and input appreciated!

 

Thanks.

 

To Mexico take the MARINER OF THE SEAS from San Pedro (Los Angeles)... http://www.royalcaribbean.com/findacruise/ships/class/ship/home.do?shipCode=MA

 

Royal Caribbean has the best kids programs of any ship, better than Disney even!

 

Royal Caribbeans "Freedom class" and "Voyager class" ships (Mariner is one of those) are simply amazing. They're gorgeous and have more on them, and more to do than any other ships afloat. They appeal to all age groups, and are the perfect ship for families and first timers.

[pg.]

Well, it may not apply since I am not sure Disney does that route,,but I personally think your kids are EXACTLY the right age for that cruiseline. Kids generally seem to love that line,, at least up till about 12, or so.

 

Living up here,, ( Victoria) I always see repositioning cruises from Vancouver down south( in news paper etc) ,, or to Hawaii.. as you know ,, there is not winter Alaskan cruises,, so the ships have to all go south. The deals are great.

 

I personally do not see them as great kidie cruises though,, frankly, the crowds are older,, and well, the with more sea days,, and its not warm till you hit Mexico really.

 

I would fly to La and cruise down to Mexico if I was you.. but who knows,, there is probably someone on the Family Cruising board who will comeup with a great idea.

 

Good luck, and have fun.

[boulders]

I agree with the poster who said that Disney would be perfect for your kids ages, but Disney isn't sailing the west coast in 2010.

 

My other recommendation would be RCCL. The only ship sailing to Mexico in 2010 is Mariner of the Seas. They have quite a few cabins that sleep 6. As a parent with children in the same range as yours, I wouldn't want mine in a separate cabin. RCCL also has many connecting cabins. Other cruiselines don't have many.

 

Don't be afraid of the main dining room. It's actually quite fun!

[TrentS]

Lots of kids in that age group in my family, and I have several friends with kids in that age group, who have been on all the major lines. They wont go back on Disney after going on the Freedom and Voyager class ships. They all agree that the facilities and programs on those Royal Caribbean ships are far better than Disney.

[yogi2929]

My kids favorite cruise was a three day repo from LA to Vancouver on HAL when they were 8 & 11. We hit a storm and we couldn't keep them out of the pool. :eek:

 

Carnival Spirit does 8days out of San Diego. Carnival Splendor out of Long Beach (LA) has the largest kid's club area in Carnival's fleet. Both ships have connecting cabins. That way you will have two bathrooms!

 

You won't go wrong on either RCCL or Carnival. Choose your date and price it out.

[Fredr]

Hello,

 

I would like to suggest an alternative for you. I understand that this is not exactly what you want to do but with 4 kids it might make some sense.

 

There are some excellent and very reasonably priced 7 day cruises from Seattle round trip to Alaska in August and September. I know that you live in Alaska but I also sense that you want to try a cruise. Going on a 7 day cruise from Seattle will be much less expensive than having to fly to Los Angeles or San Diego for a cruise.

 

The kids can go to the kids program while you and your spouse enjoys some relaxing times.

 

Princess and RCCL are two cruise lines you should consider, as they have something for everyone at a reasonable price. I have not been on Disney Cruise, and Carnival is nice as well but we prefer Princess or RCCL.

[yogi2929]

The formal dinner thing with assigned seating is something we are not real excited about. We are not really into the party scene, but we would like to be able to feel comfortable turning the kids over to established programs that would keep them entertained. We are leaning towards R.C. or Carnival.

 

Any comments and input appreciated!

 

Thanks.

 

 

Sometimes there can be a wait to get a table for six in open dining. You can request table for 6 in assigned. Early seating is the best choice for assigned because the kids programs start after first dinner. Some parents feed the kids in the buffett, get them to the clubs, then they go to dinner in MDR.

 

Welcome to CC!

[yogi2929]

Hello,

 

I would like to suggest an alternative for you. I understand that this is not exactly what you want to do but with 4 kids it might make some sense.

 

There are some excellent and very reasonably priced 7 day cruises from Seattle round trip to Alaska in August and September. I know that you live in Alaska but I also sense that you want to try a cruise. Going on a 7 day cruise from Seattle will be much less expensive than having to fly to Los Angeles or San Diego for a cruise.

 

The kids can go to the kids program while you and your spouse enjoys some relaxing times.

 

Princess and RCCL are two cruise lines you should consider, as they have something for everyone at a reasonable price. I have not been on Disney Cruise, and Carnival is nice as well but we prefer Princess or RCCL.

 

 

 

HAL and Princess have been in Alaska for years. My kids have really enjoyed HAL their 3 HAL cruises (the one repo and 2 Alaska). The Alaska Cruises are not the typical HAL cruises. The age range on the pax is huge, lots of kids. The kid's clubs are not as huge as RCCL or Carnival but they did do a wonderful job with the kids.

 

One of our favorite ports was Icy Straight Point. Saw the town in 2007 and have good memories.

[Fredr]

Yogi,

 

 

 

I agree with you that there are other nice cruise lines in Alaska. My point here is that with 4 kids, the OP might want to keep it simpler and cheaper and yet, have a truly great family vacation which they will cherish for years.