Carnival Elation or VoyagerOS for first with kids

[qsterniecruise]

Hi, this is my first post. I have three kids ages that will be 18m, 3yr, and 12yr when we cruise feb 2012. I am torn between cruising on RCI VOS or the Carnival elation. Basically the cost of the carnival makes me want that one but the ice skating rink, etc makes me want RCI. We are talking a $1000 difference and this will be first time cruising with kids.

 

I guess my biggest thing is that if my RCI was just $3000 that would be fine but I'm well aware that additional costs come up (like oldest wanting to play in the arcade, etc).

 

So, for the budget minded families I need to ask. Which would you choose? What is the better value? Longer cruise with updated ship? or shorter cruise with less bells and whistles but a whole lot cheaper?

 

Thanks for your input. We already booked the RCI but I am considering cancelling.

 

On another note, I read on another thread that on Carnival the CC program has additional costs (special kid's parties and what not) Does Adventure Ocean have this as well? This is the problem that I am having with cruising, all of the extras for something that is supposed to be all-inclusive.

[qsterniecruise]

Editing to add that the Conquest is also an option for $500 less but I was worried about taking a 7-day cruise without the extra activities that RCI has.