Family Cruise-Spring break

[Newtocruising74]

We would like to take a cruise to the Bahamas over spring break. We have never been on a cruise before. I have heard to stay away from Carnival due to partiers over spring break; however, the cruise we are most interested in is on Carnival Sensation. Should we do a different cruise line?? Our kids are 10, 12, 13. We just want to make sure there is plenty of fun stuff to do on the ship as well as great stop. Any advice would be greatly appreciated!! Thanks!! :D

[chipmaster]

Depends on what you like

 

Carnival does live up to their marketing and image IMHO, though I haven't sailed it for a long time.

 

My take is all cruise do reflect their port destination and well as their company's themed experience.

 

Don't discount Carnival if you like value and the fun atmosphere, just don't get offended at activities you see at the pool ;)

[GTO-Girl]

We would like to take a cruise to the Bahamas over spring break. We have never been on a cruise before. I have heard to stay away from Carnival due to partiers over spring break; however, the cruise we are most interested in is on Carnival Sensation. Should we do a different cruise line?? Our kids are 10, 12, 13. We just want to make sure there is plenty of fun stuff to do on the ship as well as great stop. Any advice would be greatly appreciated!! Thanks!! :D

 

Short cruise.....Bahamas.....Spring Break......smaller older ship......:eek:. You can expect it to be pretty much a booze cruise.

 

But not just on Carnival, this is going to happen on any cruiseline on a short Bahama, Spring Break cruise because they are all going to be a smaller/older ship...........

 

With the exception of Disney Cruise line......

[Newtocruising74]

Thanks for the info!! So this is a 5-day that goes to Grand Turk and 2 stops in the Bahamas. Will that be safer to go on than say the 3-night or 4-night Bahama cruises regarding the booze-fest??? Or do we need to splurge a little and do like a Norwegian 7-day????

[spookwife]

We would like to take a cruise to the Bahamas over spring break. We have never been on a cruise before. I have heard to stay away from Carnival due to partiers over spring break; however, the cruise we are most interested in is on Carnival Sensation. Should we do a different cruise line?? Our kids are 10, 12, 13. We just want to make sure there is plenty of fun stuff to do on the ship as well as great stop. Any advice would be greatly appreciated!! Thanks!! :D

 

any cruise under 5 days will be nothing but college students getting their drunk on. absolutely NOT the time or place for a family with children.

 

even the 7 day cruises will be on the rowdy side although those will have more families aboard

 

 

the larger Royal ships might be better as there are more options theater family friendly without letting to party crowd get in the way.

 

stay way form any smaller or older ship in any Fleet. those are the cheaper ones and thus attract the poor staving college student crowd.

[geoherb]

I'd suggest finding a Royal Caribbean cruise for a family with kids that age. We went on one Carnival cruise over spring break and won't do that again.

[SuiteTraveler]

IMO you should do at least a 7 day with kids. Anything shorter will be a booze cruise/spring break partying cruise. In your situation, I'd probably pick a newer ship. Here are the ones that come to mind as ideal for your family and your kids age group:

 

Norwegian:

NCL Getaway

NCL Breakaway

 

Royal Caribbean:

RCCL Freedom of the Seas

RCCL Independence of the Seas

RCCL Liberty of the Seas

RCCL Oasis of the Seas

RCCL Allure of the Seas

 

 

Carnival:

Carnival Magic

Carnival Sunshine

 

 

Any Disney Cruise ship

[cb at sea]

I agree...ANY short cruise on ANY ship will have lots of partiers. Longer cruises, not so much! And, you don't need to join in any "party activities"...there are plenty of spots to be on the ship! We routinely sail during "spring break" times...and have never been put out or offended by the activities of others. It's not a frat house atmosphere!

Edited April 22, 2015 by cb at sea

[zqvol]

All the above posts talk about college students and boozee cruises, but they fail to ask the OP when they are going. 90% of ALL college spring breaks are over by the end of the 3rd week of March.

 

If you are traveling after that you can ignore all of the hype about booze cruises, it just doesn't happen, especially on Carnival with their rules about age limits in cabins that do not apply to other lines.

[declansdad]

We did a 5 night cruise with Carnival out of Tampa 3 years ago during the first week of March. There were a lot of college students on board but they certainly didn't ruin the trip or turn it in to a party cruise.

[Jorepa]

We did a 7 night western Caribbean with Allure of the Seas 22 - 29 March 2015. It was packed with families and we had no knowledge of party groups on this cruise. My kids are 14 & 15 and they had a great time meeting new kids and RCI entertainment for them was outstanding. We enjoyed it so much that we booked same again for 2016 spring break.

[boating girl]

We took a cruise during spring break time a few years ago (not realizing it was still spring break time) and were not disturbed by the teenage/college ages but by children in the 8-12 group. They ran up and down our hallways until 12 or 1 at night knocking on cabin doors, screaming and yelling. I guess their parents were out partying. Will most likely never take another cruise in March or April on any cruise line.

[Cruisin' Chick]

We've gone on a couple of spring break time cruises on Carnival. One was a three-day Baja cruise on Easter Weekend, and definitely plenty of college aged kids. More of an amusement for us than bothersome. The day after the Ensenada stop was sooooo quiet as undoubtedly any of the students were either sleeping in or praying to the porcelain gods.

 

The next one was a 7-day Caribbean one on the Paradise, back when it was a no-smoking ship. Plenty of families -- no misbehaving kids at all (my daughter was 3 on that one). When we went post-cruise to Key West, we found it very noisy and filled with spring breakers.

[BullDawg91]

We did 5 day Disney the last week of March into April. Being Disney ($$$), certainly no booze cruise. To pricey & dull for the college crowd! We loved it though.

[Newtocruising74]

Thank you so much for all of the responses!!! I keep hearing basically any cruise over spring break will have some college partiers so just choose where we really want to go.

 

Next question, we are trying to decide between 2 Royal Caribbean cruises, one to Costa Maya and Cozumel, a Bahamas cruise, or Carnival cruise to 3 Western spots, or Bahamas cruise. Will all of the ships have something to do for our kids, ages 10 to 16?? Do I base which one we do off of the actual cruise ship and what all is on board or the actual stops we are going?? The kids really want the Bahamas, but none of the cruise ships look amazing?? I am so torn because we have never cruised before so just not sure how to decide it all!! We would rather not spend a TON of excursions so leaning towards Bahamas cause we can just relax on the island and walk around. Any advice???

 

Thank you so much!!!

[kvickers]

Sounds like your in the same situation as I am, except my kids are a little younger. Look forward to more responses to your question:)

[Newtocruising74]

To: KVickers

 

It is insane the amount of things I have looked up about all of this, and I am just overwhelmed!! From what I get from everything I have looked at, every single cruise ship has mixed reviews, good and bad. As far as partiers on the ship, you just never know who is going to be on board. I am trying to stay away from the cheapest ones to try and avoid some of this. The Carnival Sunshine looks to have a ton of stuff for kids to do. I am trying to just fine one cruise day and the rest at ports so we can be off the ship the majority of the time during the day. The excursions can be super expensive so I think we are leaning towards a 5 day Bahamas cruise with 1 cruise day and 3 Bahamas stops. I figured we can wonder around the beach for free and relax and not have excursions at every Bahamas stop to save some money!! Of course, I keep second guessing that decision too!! ha!! :D

[BullDawg91]

Thank you so much for all of the responses!!! I keep hearing basically any cruise over spring break will have some college partiers so just choose where we really want to go.

 

 

 

Next question, we are trying to decide between 2 Royal Caribbean cruises, one to Costa Maya and Cozumel, a Bahamas cruise, or Carnival cruise to 3 Western spots, or Bahamas cruise. Will all of the ships have something to do for our kids, ages 10 to 16?? Do I base which one we do off of the actual cruise ship and what all is on board or the actual stops we are going?? The kids really want the Bahamas, but none of the cruise ships look amazing?? I am so torn because we have never cruised before so just not sure how to decide it all!! We would rather not spend a TON of excursions so leaning towards Bahamas cause we can just relax on the island and walk around. Any advice???

 

 

 

Thank you so much!!!

 

 

I don't know what you mean about "just relax on the island and walk around". What island? You certainly can't do that at Nassau. I'm not being snarky, just wondering what your expectations are from the ports.

[declansdad]

I don't know what you mean about "just relax on the island and walk around". What island? You certainly can't do that at Nassau. I'm not being snarky, just wondering what your expectations are from the ports.

 

 

All we did on Nassau was walk around. There is a nice walking tour that takes your through some of the historical areas.

[Winnigirl]

Royal Caribbean, Norwegian and Carnival are all going to have lots of activities for kids. Depending on your 16 year old - it's a toss-up. There will be a teen club - but whether that would be fun for your son/daughter, only you can answer. I would - if finances allow it - choose a seven day cruise with either Royal Caribbean or Norwegian. Don't think that you must take the cruise line's excursions. There will be plenty of excursions available at whatever islands you stop at. Do a little research and don't be afraid of taking an excursion with a "local". You will be inundated by tour companies offering all kinds of excursions the moment you step off the ship. Most are well regulated and perfectly safe. You will be shown what they have to offer on an excursion. Once you choose one you will be escorted to a van that usually holds 8 to 10 people. Once it is full - off you go. Nassau, Bahamas is pretty safe for walking around - but it's not that exciting for kids. You can catch a cab to one of the beaches for a reasonable price.

[njmomof2]

Can you give us the week you're considering, which will help others give you advice on your options?

 

I have boys who are now just over 12.5 and 17. They've been cruising since they were 4.5 and 9. We started on Liberty of the Seas (Royal) and have basically stayed with Royal ever since. While the slides on Carnival and the ropes on NCL are nice, my kids love the rock wall, flowrider and ice skating that are on the larger Royal ships.

 

They no longer care much about the ports. Like you mentioned, excursions can be expensive, even when booked with independent tour groups (if you have 5 in your family). Our family prefers cruises with at least 3 sea days, because that means that all of the activities are open longer and they get their fill of climbing and riding. and the younger one loves the open skating.

 

I think much of the choice has to do with the things your kids like to do. It may sound weird, but my kids have told me that if we aren't sailing on a Freedom class or above ship, they'd rather not cruise. So for me to have a great vacation, I want my kids happy and engaged. So that dictates my choice of ship.

 

I have been to Nassau and Freeport and frankly, don't find them exciting in the least. We don't even bother getting off the ship. And if you were to do an excursion to Atlantis, that costs a lot.

 

Not sure if this is helping, but just some of my thoughts when I consider what ship to book.

Edited April 28, 2015 by njmomof2