If you stay on board while ship is in port, are the facilities open or closed?

[jfpb]

we will be traveling with our children on the carnival triumph in august. this will be our first cruise ever. when the ship is in the port of call, are all the things on board, pool, restaurants, spa, gym, camp closed? Or are they open for use all day. we'd like to go on some excursions without our children, and want to know if that will be a possability. are cruise ships like hotels? are the amenities always available even when the ship is in port? please advise.

[jfpb]

This will be our first cruise ever. Since we'll be traveling with 2 small children, I don't see us spending much time off the ship. Is there anything to do? Is everything closed until the ship sets sail? How is camp carnival for a 2 year old and a 7 year old. Please advise.

[Cotton]

I've stayed on board a coupla times when we're docked. Everything's up and running, except the casino and gift shop. They have to be closed while in any port. Food is always available, and the bars are open. It's really nice to have a nice, quiet deck to sun on while most passengers are off the ship!:D I've read several posts where Camp Carnival is open, and parents leave the kiddies, so they can enjoy the ports, but don't know details. More answers will follow, I'm sure.

[jfpb]

thanks I'm a little nervous about taking the kids.

[MyImagination]

Just curious, which ship and itinerary?

 

 

Have a great cruise!

[SoCalgirl]

The casino and the shops will be closed, but the dining room and casual restaurants will be open, the pools will be open, and there will be some activities (not as many) happening on board during the day. It is generally a quieter day on the ship since most people go into port.

 

Sorry, I have no experience with Camp Carnival since I have no kids but someone else will be able to answer that for you!

[jfpb]

we're going on the triumph to st. john & halifax.

[jfpb]

thanks for the info I really appreciate all the help I can get

[DiaDeGuadalupe]

I believe that Camp Carnival is open during port days, but if I remember correctly, they do close for a couple of hours. It should tell you in your Capers what the hours will be. Hope that helps!

[bphman]

You can take advantage of the Spa since they often run specials on Port days. Also, the pool area is nice and quiet.

[colette5479]

Camp Carnival should be open for limited hours during port days. If I am not mistaken , they take a couple of hours off during the afternoon. The library should be open and sometimes they have board games in there. I remember once seeing a movie being shown in one of the lounges. Just check your capers for the events. Have fun!:)

[blyle]

My capers from last week do not list camp carnival as being open . They must have a separate capers just for them.

[colette5479]

My capers from last week do not list camp carnival as being open . They must have a separate capers just for them.

 

I believe they do. I think it is delivered to your room seperatly. It's been two years since my last CCL cruise so I may be mistaken.:)

[SueSun]

We did this same cruise on the Victory a few years ago and are ready to go again on the Triumph this July. When we arrived in Saint Johns, we stayed on the ship since the big tours included Lobsta Bakes and watching the Tide come in and out. Since we live in New Engand, we decided to stay on board (been there done that) ....my two boys and a few others had the waterslide to themselves ALL day. Band played poolside and NO LINES ANYWHERE. Once passengers started to arrive on board again.....line for waterslide grew to 20+ minutes....by that time my boys were exhausted from running up 3 or so decks to get back to the top.

 

The only Camp Carnival we did was the overnighter and both of my boys "kinda" liked it, they dropped them off at 6AM or so. That did interfer with the boys sleeping the next day (out like the dead)....

 

Halifax was wonderful!!!!!! Got off there last time...will not miss it this time~!!!

[MamaMicki]

Hello,

 

Hey, I just wanted to tell you that you are going to have a great time. I have been on 2 cruises with small children. First one was with a 1 year old, second one was with a 1 and 3 year old. We did have problems with our kids catching colds toward the end of the cruise. That was really the only problem we had. The great thing I hear about Carnival is Camp Carnival. We will be going on our third cruise in December with the kids. They will be 2 and 4. I am really excited. We have never been on Carnival before, but it sounds like it is a cross between Royal Caribbean and Disney. We had at thread going a few weeks ago that was great. It was about what to pack for small children. On our last cruise we had to bring baby food, what a pain. You won't have that problem, but here is my list. I packed EVERYTHING you could think of. Including a small inflatable pool for our balcony. We drove so we didn't have to limit our number of bags. here is my packing list of stuff for the kids. Some of the stuff you might need some you might not. Anything disposable is great.

We even brought our VCR/TV combo on the ship. It was the greatest thing!! We are going to pack it in our luggage this time. Wish us luck on that one!!:D Well, your going to have a great time, and I am sure the kids will love Camp Carnival from what I have heard. THe main thing is that your 2 year old doesn't mind being left. That is the only thing that could throw a monkey wrench in your plans. Make sure the little one is fine with that. Also I have heard that you need to go to the meet and greet the first night. They have games and a big dance party. Also, I will try and find the link that has the Camp Carnival Capers so you can see the different activities. Another thing is there is a huge amount of information on old threads. There is a really great thread called "Carnival Secrets they usually don't tell you" I took notes on that one.

Well, I hope this helped!! I'll check back and see if you need anything. Take Care!!

http://community.webshots.com/album/299741566PLYKOu Camp Carnival

 

http://community.webshots.com/album/251415322yTPJCQ Carnival Capers

 

List

Bibsters

Pull ups

Spill mat

Disposable sippy cups

Videos

Coloring books

Crayons

Play dough

Wet wipes (4)

Diaper cream

Oragel (2)

Infant motrin (2)

Children’s Motrin

Benedryl

Syringe for medicine

Infant cough medicine

Children’s cough medicine

First aid kit

Baby carrier

Bottles

nipples

Bottle liners

Formula

Yeast infection medicine Monistat 7 day cream..(really good for bad diaper rash)

Cheerios

Baby toothbrush

Baby toothpaste

Flash light

plastic grocery sack for dirty diapers

Eucerin Cream

Zip lock bags

Changing pad (if possible)

Night light

Potty chair

High Chair Tray

Baby bath wash

Bug spray (botanicals)

Sunscreen

Extension cord

Batteries

Walkie Talkies

Backpack

dishwashing soap

tv/vcr

bath toys

Hand sanitizer

Tote bag

Adult Tylenol

Wine J

Baby Toys

Sound machine keeps out unwanted noise in the hallway

Monitor. Great if you have a balcony