OMG...large family, broad age range..???

[mscreneet]

Im now trying to plan our next family cruise for 2012. We will have several people going with infants ( I will have a 2 year old and a 1 year old) and also with kids ranging in age from 7-17.

 

Normally we cruise Carnival however im trying to find the most bang for our buck this time.

 

1.We want loads of kids activities, however just as many adult activities.

2. We don't want those family members who are seniors to feel like they are stuck in the middle of a kiddie amusement park (therefore we will probably avoid Disney cruise line this go-round

3. Great clubs and nightlife for those adults in their 20's and 30's in our family who still like to party hard.

4, Casino action for some of the older family members who love pulling that lever all day...lol

5. Babysitting service for those with kids 1 year old or just slightly older

 

Is Carnival going to be our best bet? or should we venture into looking at NCL and RCCL.

 

 

This will also be a first time cruise for a few of the families who are new to cruising with us. Im trying to be considerate of everyone. We want to stick with something around 4-6 nights.

 

Please help!!!!!

[sarahc78]

Im now trying to plan our next family cruise for 2012. We will have several people going with infants ( I will have a 2 year old and a 1 year old) and also with kids ranging in age from 7-17.

 

Normally we cruise Carnival however im trying to find the most bang for our buck this time.

 

1.We want loads of kids activities, however just as many adult activities.

2. We don't want those family members who are seniors to feel like they are stuck in the middle of a kiddie amusement park (therefore we will probably avoid Disney cruise line this go-round

3. Great clubs and nightlife for those adults in their 20's and 30's in our family who still like to party hard.

4, Casino action for some of the older family members who love pulling that lever all day...lol

5. Babysitting service for those with kids 1 year old or just slightly older

 

Is Carnival going to be our best bet? or should we venture into looking at NCL and RCCL.

 

 

This will also be a first time cruise for a few of the families who are new to cruising with us. Im trying to be considerate of everyone. We want to stick with something around 4-6 nights.

 

Please help!!!!!

 

Have you thought about Celebrity? We had gone w/ RCCL and really liked them... but it is a completely different cruise when you go Celebrity. Service was amazing as was the food.

 

I would think with the broad range of peopel you are trying to please it would be the best bet. I would go w/ one of the newer Solstice class ships. They have activities geared for EVERY age group. Relaxing yet fun stuff for the older family members, but also TONS of activities for the kids and younger adults.

[IttaBit]

I like Royal Caribbean. Some of the newer ships offer daycare and babysitting services for children as young as 6 months and that can be helpful when trying to plan an evening of adult entertainment. Also, some cruise companies do even offer children's programs for kids under 3. Also the newer ships, Allure and Oasis are HUGE with some of the most amazing activities...we're booked on the Oasis, going with a 1, 6, and 12 yo...can't wait!! You should check them out. Disney cruises are also great for younger children but to be honest my husband wasn't that impressed.

[mscreneet]

I we had not really considered Celebrity. My parents cruised with them a few times in the past and didnt care much for it so we pretty much tried to stick with the ones that were liked by those family members who have cruised before. Thanks for the suggestion though....

 

 

Have you thought about Celebrity? We had gone w/ RCCL and really liked them... but it is a completely different cruise when you go Celebrity. Service was amazing as was the food.

 

I would think with the broad range of peopel you are trying to please it would be the best bet. I would go w/ one of the newer Solstice class ships. They have activities geared for EVERY age group. Relaxing yet fun stuff for the older family members, but also TONS of activities for the kids and younger adults.

[mscreneet]

Thank you so much. Ill look into those ships now to see if they have sailing dates posted as of yet for next June. We will be sailing with a 1 ,2, 13 and 16 year old (YIKES!!!) This will be our first cruise with the babies so its going to be interesting. I dont so much mind them not being able to go camp carnival or daytime activities, I just want to make sure that we can at least get a few nights of babysitting. Luckily with all the family members that are going, we should be able to get a little help there as well.

 

I like Royal Caribbean. Some of the newer ships offer daycare and babysitting services for children as young as 6 months and that can be helpful when trying to plan an evening of adult entertainment. Also, some cruise companies do even offer children's programs for kids under 3. Also the newer ships, Allure and Oasis are HUGE with some of the most amazing activities...we're booked on the Oasis, going with a 1, 6, and 12 yo...can't wait!! You should check them out. Disney cruises are also great for younger children but to be honest my husband wasn't that impressed.

[patseacruiser]

I loved the Epic. Great for kids of all ages - plenty of activities and water slides, bungee trampoline, etc. Nice big casino. Adults only pool and area. Good food in main dining room. Specialty restaurants - totally optional if you don't want to spend extra because the regular dining rooms are very good. Excellent shows for both old and young - Blue Man Group, Cirque, Headliners comedy, Legends In Concert, Howl at the Moon dueling pianos and the list can go on and on.

[foxesden1]

We did a cruise like that a few years ago. We did Disney.

[boulders]

Disney doesn't have casinos, so I'd give them a pass.

 

I think RCCL would have a good balance of activities for the older kids and adults, babysitting for the young ones, casino action and late night entertainment. Celebrity might be a little sedate for those who like to party hard.

 

Most lines don't have the dates for June, 2012 posted yet. RCCL's Allure and Oasis do, but not for the other ships. Give it another 6 weeks.

[emmtee]

How large is your group? I love NCL, but their freestyle dining might not work so well if you all want to eat together. They don't have traditional dining at an assigned time. Freestyle dining is great if it's just a few of you, but it would be hard to all show up and expect to get tables together without a significant wait.

[luvmylilangels]

I think you should absolutely do the Allure or the Oasis. I am going on the Allure in 3 weeks with a family of 21!! We range from age 2 to 80. Only one person has cruised before lol!! The ship is offering absolutely everything we need in every age range. Our casino people have a casino, our clubers have clubs, our kids have a kids club (in room babysitting is also available). I mean there is something to meet everyone's needs. There are so many room categories so everyone was able to afford to go!! That was important. Here is a link to a recent cruise compass from an Allure Western Cruise. It includes the Adventure Ocean's activities as well.

 

http://travel.webshots.com/album/579629116GfQxVq?start=156

 

I planned and did everything myself! I started last April learning everything about the ship etc. I booked directly through Royal Caribbean's Groups Department. They were so helpful every step of the way! At no time did I think I needed a Travel Agent. When you book through the Group's Department you must have at least 8 cabins reserved and you can pic the exact room you want for each family. It was $500 flat deposit per room not per person. And once you pick out what rooms you want etc they will give you like a 30 day hold to get the deposits together to pay. Also you get a free berth(or what they call a Tour Conductor credit) based off of the amount of the most cabins sold. That helped me out alot since there are 5 in my immediate family alone(2,5,11,34,35). And a side note when you look at the deck plans any room that has a black diamond on it sleeps 5(there is the Queen bed + Sleeper sofa that sleeps 2 + a pullman that comes down from the ceiling). I got a Boardwalk cabin that is like this but they have them in most categories.

 

Depending on the cruise and how early you book they also may offer what is called Group Amenities Points. We got 4 for our cruise so everyone will get a $50 OBC per cabin. Not a lot but hey it will help.

 

The Group's Department automatically gave us the 6pm dining time which we were all happy with. It can be the one time we can all meet up and be together because we are sure we will be all doing are own thing throughout the day.

 

Like I said I did all the planning myself and we are about to set sail in 20 Days!! Everyone cannot wait and it will be the most wonderful experience we will all be able to have together! Please let me know if you have any questions. I would be happy to help out any way I can. :D

[sailinglisa]

I would wait and see what the Freedom of the Seas will be doing. If they are doing alternating 7 day eastern/western caribbean cruises out of Port Canaveral, then this is the ship I would book! Plenty of casino action, great night life, traditional dining which would probably be the best option for your group, in cabin babysitting for the youngest ones (over 12 months old) and a baby splash for the diapered ones too.