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I would love to try a cruise but the why are the prices so high and which boat has the best activities for children?

[paul929207]

Prices are what they are. Currently the cruise lines have been doing very well, so they don't have to lower prices to fill ships.

 

All the mainline cruise ships offer good children's programs. Most seem to feel Carnival offers the best combination of price and children's programs.

[sparks1093]

If you add up what you would spend on a moderately priced hotel, 3 meals a day and entertainment in a resort city and the prices don't seem so bad. When you factor in the fact that you are traveling to a different place every day so you are always seeing something new it is icing on the cake. As mentioned the main stream lines all have programs designed for children (and that's another thing to factor in the price- child care for several hours per day so you and your spouse can have time to yourself, how much would that cost for 7 days on a land based vacation?).

[SmoothFlying]

I would love to try a cruise but the why are the prices so high and which boat has the best activities for children?

 

DCL (Disney Cruise Lines) consider them the 'go to experts' for anything for small children. However, most all cruise lines will have a program for children. Just do your homework, here and any travel guidebooks with sections concerning cruises with children. And MOST of all, be sure their parents have a WONDERFUL cruise also. :)) GOOD LUCK !!

 

Mac

[Krazy Kruizers]

Welcome to Cruise Critic.

Disney is very expensive.

Don't choose a 3 or 4 day cruise -- those cruises tend to attract the party crowd.

[Shroy]

Our first ever cruise was on the Disney fantasy with my two girls 8 and 4 at the time. We loved the cruise and it set the bar very high. We noted there is so much to do on the ship that the process/character novelty wore off pretty quick. The kids didn't want to run to visit the princesses but rather keep playing. Although service , food, ship was amazing on Disney I feel it is overpriced now.

 

We are opting for the carnival sunshine this year as we feel offers more for the kids at a cheaper price. Yes It doesn't have princesses but it has much more.

 

Both are good options. I have also heard Norwegian cruise line is also a good family cruise line but have not tried it.

 

Good luck! No matter what line or ship you go on you and the kids will love it !

 

 

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[spookwife]

I would love to try a cruise but the why are the prices so high and which boat has the best activities for children?

 

Ship. boats are smaller vessels that are transported by ship.

 

dollar for dollar they are NOT high at all.

 

consider: for as little as $100 per person per day, you get:

 

room and board, transportation and entertainment. all included.

 

everyone has their own ideas about which cruise line handles kids best. the age, maturity and interests of the kids are a major factor.

 

 

compare in contrast that a week long trip to Disney in a Value Resort will cost you minimum $100 a day.. and that does NOT include food, transportation or entrance to the parks.

 

one thing you do have to understand that cabins can only hold so many people, by law, and you will be charged individually. so yes your 2 year old pays the same price as you and your spouse do. but at the end father day, the bottom line cost is usually very reasonable.

 

some cabins can hold more than 4 people( if you have a lot of kids). but they also tend to be much more expensive per person. an often economical middle ground is to book a balcony stateroom for the adults with a connecting, adjoining or nearby cabin across the hall for the kids.

[jagsfan]

Our first cruise, in 1984, was $300 each for a 4 day cruise. We had no window, neither did anyone else. The ship only had portholes. We didn't have a porthole, either, so it was dark till we turned the light on. The beds were bunk beds, so my husband climbed a ladder to sleep and banged his head on the ceiling...a lot.

The activities were pool games and bingo. Plus a horse race where people were the horses and moved according to numbers that were drawn.

The food was good, but not the variety offered today.

There was no room service, and food was only available during mealtimes.

The cost of cruising has risen along with everything else.

But the experience has multiplied. Cruise ships today have mostly cabins with windows or balconies. Upper berths are for 3rd and 4th passengers, not the 2nd one.

Room service is available for anyone wanting the luxury and free on most lines. Entertainment is included: Vegas style dancers, comedians, variety shows...you name it. On some ships you can go to an ice skating show or watch high divers.

If you watch for sales, are flexible with your dates, and especially if you're willing to pay for a guarantee, you can pay for the least expensive lowest deck cabin and wind up with one on a higher deck, but even the lowest deck is fine.

Try it, you and your kids will be glad you did.

Do go with a Travel Agent at least the first time. They can answer all your questions and help you find the right cruise.

 

 

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[Roz]

To help answer your question, what cruise line are you looking at and what time of year? Any cruise line is more expensive during spring break and over holidays.

 

Roz

[Essiesmom]

Go to the websites of all of the cruise lines and sign up for their email specials. Look for the lines that have Kids Sail Free (with two paying passengers int he same cabin). MSC has kids 17 and under sail free on most cruises. I believe NCL has a lot of kids sail free promotions.

 

My first cruise in 1972 was in a cabin with a porthole. the bed was a couch by day. the room had a sink. Toilets and showers were down the hall. Cost for 10 days was $350 solo. In today's currency that would be $2000, and I would probably be charged double that to have the cabin to myself. EM

[SeaThruU]

I would love to try a cruise but the why are the prices so high and which boat has the best activities for children?

 

 

We had never cruised until 2009 and decided to try it when our kids were 11 & 12. We all loved it and became hooked.

 

As others have pointed out if you add up all of the expenses of a land vacation it usually is cheaper to cruise. It is so nice to able to unpack once and be someplace different every day or so.

 

Our favorite cruise line for kids is Royal Caribbean. It has a lot of kid activities and on most itineraries have a ton of kids. Depending on your budget, you can go with their big newer ships in the Quantum or Oasis class or, a step down to Freedom class ships, which still have a lot of activities on board. Then there are "smaller" ships which are still nice too.

 

 

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[cb at sea]

Actually, smaller kids generally prefer a more "structured" camp than Disney provides....RCI, Carnival or Celebrity have highly rated "kids clubs".

 

Price are whatever the market will bear....folks will pay the price, so they keep charging!!!

 

Be aware that the fare is not "all-inclusive"....alcohol and sodas are extra, as are "fancy coffees".... Included in your fare is: ice water, regular coffee, tea (iced or hot) lemonade or flavored water, milks and juice at breakfast. Also are included are meals in the dining room and buffet...some ships have other smaller venues that are included...but all ships now have "extra fee" dining, too! Add to the cost of the fair the Per Person, per night tips...most lines now charge that to your account on a daily basis.

 

Excursions are another big $$ item. Most things in the Caribbean, though, are easy to DIY...a guidebook will be very helpful with that!

[navybankerteacher]

I would love to try a cruise but the why are the prices so high and which boat has the best activities for children?

 

If you do some arithmetic you might find that cruise prices are not "so high".

 

Find a hotel in any location you might want to spend time and find out what the room charge would be; add the cost of three meals per day; add the cost of snacks between meals; add the cost of seeing a movie in the afternoon (included on many lines; add the cost of attending a show each evening; add the cost of getting to see a different town every day or so.

 

If you understand what your fare buys, you may reconsider your question.

 

Finally, cruising on a ship, rather than a boat, will be less expensive and offer more activities .

[luddite]

I would love to try a cruise but the why are the prices so high and which boat has the best activities for children?

 

Prices are not particularly high.

 

Doing some research here on Cruise Critic will help you find the answers you want.

[teecee60]

 

I would love to try a cruise but the why are the prices so high and which boat has the best activities for children?

 

Supply and demand will always set the prices for cruises... and for years now there has been an over supply of cabins as new ships are built faster than the industry can fill all those empty cabins. If you are flexible with your schedule and willing to take a little time to shop for deals, cruising is an absolute BARGAIN! :)

 

Booking directly with a cruise line is almost always THE most expensive way. You can ALMOST ALWAYS find some really incredible cruise deals from on-line agencies... just do a search for last minute cruise deals, 90 day ticker or discount cruises. ;)

 

I just got off a 15 night Star Princess cruise to Hawaii for $799pp/$929pp inside/ocean view, with FREE gratuities, AND $500 OBC! :eek:

 

Just one example right now is the 18 January, 10 night cruise on NCL Gem out of NYC. $589pp/$686pp/$831pp for inside/ocean view/balcony. The balcony option comes with a free beverage package and a free dining package, and two extra passengers (your kids?) in the same room with you sail for only added taxes and fees. :cool:

 

Another example is the 16 January, 5 night cruise on Celebrity Summit for $225pp/$342pp inside/ocean view.

 

Another is the 26 February, 7 night cruise on NCL Breakaway out of NYC for $471pp/$539pp/$539pp!

 

And ALWAYS remember to call large ocean going vessels BOATS, not ships! The free entertainment it brings is SO much fun! :p

Edited December 26, 2016 by teecee60

[CasualCruisers406]

For those correcting ship vs boat...I served in the Navy on two different aircraft carriers. Both of which we referred to as a boat. ;)

It's really just semantics! In any case, I agree with what others have said about comparing the value to that of a similar length land-based vacation and you will likely find that cruising is a very reasonable (albeit, not "cheap") vacation.

[beachbum53]

I would love to try a cruise but the why are the prices so high and which boat has the best activities for children?

 

"So high" compared to what? Here's what I would suggest. Go and talk to a cruise specialist in your area. Look under "Travel Agencies" in the Yellow Pages, and look for an agency or agencies that mentions "cruise specialist" in the ad. And you don't have to limit yourself to just one agency. Talk to several. Ask friends or co-workers if they can recommend someone. If there's a Vacation and Travel Show coming to your area soon, that's a great place to talk to several different agents, all under one roof. We have one every year (in February) at the state fairgrounds. Since you have children, I'm guessing that you're limited on when you can go. Rates do tend to be higher when kids are out of school, like during the summer, but that's because of higher demand. When you talk to an agent, let him / her know when you can go, and roughly what kind of budget you have. If it's not doable this coming summer, start a vacation savings account now, and you'll be ready for it next summer. If you have to fly to the port of departure, be sure to include enough for airfare for all. If you break down the total cost of a cruise into what all is included, such as accommodations, meals, entertainment, transportation to each port you'll visit, plus on board amenities, you'll find that a cruise is the best "bang for your buck" when it comes to vacations.;)

Edited December 26, 2016 by beachbum53

[spookwife]

For those correcting ship vs boat...I served in the Navy on two different aircraft carriers. Both of which we referred to as a boat. ;)

It's really just semantics! In any case, I agree with what others have said about comparing the value to that of a similar length land-based vacation and you will likely find that cruising is a very reasonable (albeit, not "cheap") vacation.

 

and you call yourself a Squid. Boats are Submarines. not surface vessels.

 

and carriers aren't even that, they are hazards to safe seamanship.( according my CRUDES spouse)

[CasualCruisers406]

and you call yourself a Squid. Boats are Submarines. not surface vessels.

 

and carriers aren't even that, they are hazards to safe seamanship.( according my CRUDES spouse)

 

LOL...It's all good! I noticed your screen name, and have to mention that I was also married to a spook for the better part of 14 years. :D

And, FWIW, I WAS airwing, so perhaps not much of a squid at all (other than over 2 years sea time)

[navybankerteacher]

For those correcting ship vs boat...I served in the Navy on two different aircraft carriers. Both of which we referred to as a boat. ;)

It's really just semantics! In any case, I agree with what others have said about comparing the value to that of a similar length land-based vacation and you will likely find that cruising is a very reasonable (albeit, not "cheap") vacation.

 

Of course some people like to refer to their vessel as a "tub", a "scow", a "bucket of bolts" or whatever - but, when it comes to choice of actual terms, no real seaman will call his ship a boat - or his boat a ship.

[Cruisin' Chick]

"So high" compared to what? Here's what I would suggest. Go and talk to a cruise specialist in your area. Look under "Travel Agencies" in the Yellow Pages, and look for an agency or agencies that mentions "cruise specialist" in the ad. And you don't have to limit yourself to just one agency. Talk to several. Ask friends or co-workers if they can recommend someone. If there's a Vacation and Travel Show coming to your area soon, that's a great place to talk to several different agents, all under one roof. We have one every year (in February) at the state fairgrounds. Since you have children, I'm guessing that you're limited on when you can go. Rates do tend to be higher when kids are out of school, like during the summer, but that's because of higher demand. When you talk to an agent, let him / her know when you can go, and roughly what kind of budget you have. If it's not doable this coming summer, start a vacation savings account now, and you'll be ready for it next summer. If you have to fly to the port of departure, be sure to include enough for airfare for all. If you break down the total cost of a cruise into what all is included, such as accommodations, meals, entertainment, transportation to each port you'll visit, plus on board amenities, you'll find that a cruise is the best "bang for your buck" when it comes to vacations.;)

 

definitely consider this advice. Ask your friends, family members, co-workers if they have been on a cruise (most likely many have, as I've discovered nowadays) and if they used a TA they can recommend. Best would be if the TA is a cruise specialist (one who has been on many cruises and knows the ins and outs). sit down with one with time of year you can go, where you want to go, what kind of budget. also the ages of your kids (which may help).

 

Cruising is actually a great value for a vacation. You didn't say how many would be cruising with you, but if there's your spouse and a child or two, you can often save on the 3rd and 4th passenger, depending on the cruise line. If you go with an inside (the three of us have always stayed in an inside or an ocean view to save money), go with the free activities (the children's program is complimentary on all cruise lines...with very few, if any, activities that have a fee), eat in the included dining venues (as opposed to specialty restaurants), sightsee on your own....and so forth, you might end up not paying a lot more than your fares/tips.

 

By contrast, last school year, we did quite a few road trips to visit our girl, who was in college a distance from home. Our car rental, gas, hotels, meals, any sightseeing, bridge tolls...these trips were certainly not inexpensive.

[HardToPort]

I would love to try a cruise but the why are the prices so high and which boat has the best activities for children?

 

Negotiating your way through all the different cruise line offerings (ships, departure ports, itineraries etc) is tough for a newbie.

 

Contact a TA (travel agency) with a good reputation for your first cruise. TA's do not charge more than booking direct and often have perks that they alone offer. This is because many TA's purchase large blocks of cabins at reduced pricing.

 

Some of us (myself included) like to peruse the various cruise websites and we can separate the wheat from the chaff pretty quickly. For your first cruise, get professional help.

 

Cheers!

[Cuizer2]

I would love to try a cruise but the why are the prices so high and which boat has the best activities for children?

 

Prices are based on supply and demand. Supply is fairly constant, meaning prices are mostly based on demand. Periods of high demand generate higher prices. Periods of low demand generate lower prices.

 

Example, by switching from an ten night cruise in January 2017 to an eleven night cruise in December 2016, on the same ship with the similar itineraries and the same cabin, I saved about $2,200 dollars.

 

The best cruise lines for children are Disney, Carnival, Royal Caribbean and NCL.