Family of 5 with big kids

[savandbarb]

Hi there,this question has probably been asked a thousand time but we have been away from RCCI for awhile and are coming back.we would like to take our kids on a cruise.Is there anyrooms that are better for a family of 5 two of the kids are 18 and 15 and the third one is just a little guy of 8? Is there anyships that are better then the others for kids on board( well be haved ones).Or itineraries that are better then others?

Please help if you can:)

[voyagerclassfan]

My kids are 15, 13 and 4 and we have gone on the Explorer and Navigator. I can say that as far as kids activities, they were amazing. The teen program and space, especially on the Navigator and Mariner were wonderful. I would recommend doing 2 connecting cabins opposed to a larger suite. It will probably be cheaper to do that anyway. This way you also have 2 showers and toilets. We have also sailed on Carnival and Princess. Even though I am upset with RCCL for now charging for things that used to be free and not allowing discounts, I still think the Voyager Class ships are the best out there.

[voyagerclassfan]

Also wanted to mention that if your travelling with kids, i think that Western Caribbean is a better itinerary. There is more to do that I think would interest them. Grand Cayman has stingray city which is wonderful, Jamaica has Dunns River Falls (not my favorite island but the falls are fun), Cozumel has alot of history and renting a jeep for the day is awesome and Labadee is a great fun beach day. Just my opinion...and we did Eastern and Western with the kids.

[TrentS]

The kids in my and my friend's families all love the Eastern much better than the Western. Jamaica was hated by all, and they loved the beaches on St. Thomas and St. Maarten the best. They can't get enough of Maho Beach on St. Maarten (where the planes land almost on top of you) and all want to go back there every time.

 

Whatever you do take them on a Voyager class ship, they'll LOVE it! Those are the best for kids. I'll also second the previous posters suggestion of getting 2 connecting cabins. You'll have to book 1 adult in each cabin, but you can switch around once you get onboard.

[voyagerclassfan]

Uh Oh....see what happens when you ask for opinions...LOL We definitly didnt like Jamaica at all but we really loved the falls. I think it depends on if your active or not. I still think Western has more to do if you want to do activities. Although we did love the history and Forts of San Juan and the beaches of St. Thomas, we much preferred to be busy. I thought, in my opinion, Western had fantastic excursions. We really loved sting ray city and the falls and Cozumel was gorgeous. But, I think it depends on what your family likes to do. I think Eastern has the prettier beaches and better shopping but Western, better activities. You will figure it out. I also agree with the poster about picking the Voyager Class Ships. They are the best. We really dont even care anymore if we get off the ship. They are wonderful.

[Shanafan]

Depending on what time of the year you go would depend on what itinerary I would choose.

 

I vote for the Eastern......without a doubt. Having done both several times, I booked the Eastern for our last couple cruises.

 

With 5 people you will most likely have to book 2 cabins. I would also like to let you know that Carnival allows 5 in a room in case getting 2 cabins stretches the budget too much. The rooms are larger than on RCCL so it is not a big deal....at least it wasn't for my kids.....we put 5 in our room......the youngest one being 13.....and we had no issues.

 

The Voyager class is great.......very big with plenty to do. This time we will bring the kids on the Jewel ( had to do 2 rooms )......smaller than the Voyager, but it has just about everything else the Voyager class does, other than the ice rink...which we never used anyway. ( My son plays ice hockey ----- he never wanted to use it. )

[savandbarb]

We actually just got bak on the 9th from a Carnival cruise( I see you did the spirit too:cool: ) and it will be our last with them.we have had so many problems that the only reason we kept going back is the dicounts kept geting bigger and the shwag got a little more interesting.I love free money:D .But we went on RCCI once a few years ago and really loved the Visions of the Seas.

I know the cabins are abit larger on Carnival but the peace of mind that everything will be done right is what were after.The Carnival experieince has been tramatic at best:( and we love cruising:D .

Is the Voyageur class ship about the same as the Spirit calls ships? we really don't need an ice rink we get enough of the white stuff up here and it is real:eek: .But the kids are very active kids and would love stuff like a basket ball hoop and rock climbing.As for excursions,one of my sons is an aspergers baby(8 years old) and is really into science stuff.I know he would love the electric balls in the casino on the Visions.

Any suggestions you have would be greatly appreciated

[zoe]

..........................I know he would love the electric balls in the casino on the Visions......

 

What is THAT? Electric balls?

[savandbarb]

What is THAT? Electric balls?

not that kind:D LOL.They are I think Plasma balls that sit on top of ornaments on the way in and out of the casino.If you touch them the electric current follows to your hand:cool: .They're neat.

[SharleneinTexas]

have you checked out the new 'stretched' Enchantment? those bungee trampolines look like they might be a hit.......:)

I would vote for 2 connecting cabins too.......Carnival's cabins might be bigger but unless they have 2 bathrooms, they can't compare to the convenience of separate bathrooms when you have teenagers! :D

I'd have to say that the western caribbean works for my family(15yr old DD & DH) but it would depend on what you enjoy..

 

Sharlene

[wannacruise655]

savandbarb, You may want to check out Celebrity Century, I think they still do east and west Caribbean.

 

They have what they call a Family Cabin, priced the same as all other oceanview cabins, BUT.....

 

These cabins will sleep 5, a double bed, two twins and a pullman, also a window ledge (approx. 4' x 6') that an 8year old would love to sleep in.

 

Thses cabins are fabulous for the price. They are aft cabins looking out at wake. I think these cabins are one of the best kept secrets in the industry.

 

I found out about them monitoring these boards, my TA didn't even know about them.

 

Century is a beautiful ship, we loved it. took two high school age boys.

 

ML

[TrentS]

Is the Voyageur class ship about the same as the Spirit calls ships? we really don't need an ice rink we get enough of the white stuff up here and it is real:eek: .But the kids are very active kids and would love stuff like a basket ball hoop and rock climbing.As for excursions,one of my sons is an aspergers baby(8 years old) and is really into science stuff.I know he would love the electric balls in the casino on the Visions.

Any suggestions you have would be greatly appreciated

 

The Voyager class ships are much larger and have many more things on board them than Carnival's Spirit class ships. Trust me, your kids WILL LOVE THEM, and love the kids programs on them!!! In addition to the ice skating, there's rock climbing, roller blading, mini golf, a full basketball court, and much more.

 

I would disagree with the Celebrity suggestion for kids. The Century is a nice ship, but can't compare to the Voyager class ships. There are also family cabins (Royal Family Suites, and Family Oceanview) on the Voyager class ships, and they just have so much more to offer kids, and everyone else.

[savandbarb]

Now comes the dumb question...Is there specific names of ships that are Voyageur class that I should be researching other then the obvious Voyageur herself?( they really need to put a face for duh! smiles choices)

[jwlane]

researching

 

rccl.com

[savandbarb]

thanks I'll try that!

[bluehorizonlover123]

My boys are older like yours and they enjoy any cruise we take them on. We have been on Carnival, Princess and RCCL and NCL. As long as they go to the disco the first night they are sure to hook up with others their own age and then will have people to hang with for the rest of the cruise.

[TrentS]

Now comes the dumb question...Is there specific names of ships that are Voyageur class that I should be researching other then the obvious Voyageur herself?( they really need to put a face for duh! smiles choices)

The "Voyager class" ships are the Voyager of the Seas, Explorer of the Seas, Adventure of the Seas, Navigator of the Seas, and Mariner of the Seas.