OregonGirlie Posted January 17, 2007 #1 Share Posted January 17, 2007 We just got back from cruising on the Carnival Pride on Sunday with our kiddos. They're 8 mos, 2.5 years, and 4.5 years. We were not thrilled with Carnival, and would like to try a different line. We'd like to try Disney, but their prices seem very, very high - so that' probably be a 2008 cruise for us to save for. We'd like to take another cruise this year (Sept - Nov sometime), and were thinking of trying: Princess, NCL, or RCCL. We had 2 (not adjoining - but had the balcony divider opened) balcony cabins on the Pride. We all ended up sleeping in the 1 cabin anyways - but oh well. At the time we cruise our kids will be 1.5 years, 3 and 5 years. We'd like another balcony - it was one of the highlights of being on the ship. What cruiseline would be good for this - if we can all stay in one room it'd be nice, but if adjoining rooms are cheaper then that works too. Itinerary wise, we're not picky. Not Alaska, or Pacific Coast, or Mexican Riviera. Other than that - who cares. :) Any suggestions on a good line for kids that age? I know it's hard to get 5 to a room, and i've read tons of threads on it, but not found one line I'm commited to yet. :( Anything but Carnival. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cruisin with the kiddies Posted January 17, 2007 #2 Share Posted January 17, 2007 Hi there Just wanted to say well done for travelling with the kids so young. We went on the diamond for xmas/new year 05/06 for 19 nights my boys were nearly 7, 5 and 2.5yrs It was a great cruise and catered for the kids from 3 onwards but were able to take the youngest in for a play but had to stay. We are from Australia and will be travelling to the states for a 3 week holiday which inc the 7 day diamond princess cruise in April 07. Im excited as the youngest is now 3.5 and is able to go to the kids club with his brothers and we will be able to have some time to ourselves too. There are family suites and adjoining cabins on this boat which has the door to the cabin next door inside. This was great as the kids had their own bedroom, bathroom and could still come into our room in the middle of the night if they wanted to. Hope this helps and Ill check back incase you have any queries. Regards Danni Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cruisin with the kiddies Posted January 17, 2007 #3 Share Posted January 17, 2007 Take care Regards Danni Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
icanflossu Posted January 17, 2007 #4 Share Posted January 17, 2007 Try Royal Caribbean's family oceanview rooms if you can give up the balcony. They sleep six with a great layout. There is the big bed with a curtain between that and a sofa sleeper. BUT, there is also a little room with a curtain that has bunk beds and a little closet in it. I am much more comfortable with my kids in my own room but still want some privacy. Otherwise, I would try connecting balcony rooms, if you plan ahead they are pretty easy to come by on RCL. We found the kids club was great on that line. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
I_Live_2_Cruise Posted January 17, 2007 #5 Share Posted January 17, 2007 OregonGirlie- Just wondering what you didn't like about Carnival? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
crusinmama06 Posted January 17, 2007 #6 Share Posted January 17, 2007 What happened with Carnival? Just a little warning, I spent $10,000 on our DIsney Cruise and I have to say it wasn't the best cruise of my life. :eek: I've had better for much, much, less. If you want to do Disney, then head to Disney World and stay at Wilderness Lodge Deluxe Resort...your kids will thank you. ;) It's tough to suggest another line for you because I need to know what's more important to you. Carnival and NCL are the only ones who would take kids that age at the kids club. RCCL starts at 3, with over 1 for in cabin babysitting. So what didn't you like at Carnival and maybe we can help you? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OregonGirlie Posted January 18, 2007 Author #7 Share Posted January 18, 2007 Thanks for the help! :) Our youngest we don't plan to use babysitting for, so that's not an issue - just the 2 boys (will be 3 and 5 at the time). With Carnival, there were a lot of things that just added up I guess. The playroom being closed the few times we'd need it (early afternoon, and while getting ready for dinner). We didn't like the public middle of the ship smoking areas - with my athsma and kids it bothered me a lot. The pools were very small, and crowded. The food outside the formal dining room was not very good and kind of cafeteria like. The ship felt kind of tacky and gaudy. My hubbie thought that our balcony cabin felt like a room out of the 70's. The adult life was pretty boring too. The one night we actually did put the boys in the kid room and had our daughter with my MIL, we were bored. The dance club music was awful, and the casino was way smoky. We did enjoy the piano bar, aside from the crazy patrons there. The shows were kind of cheesy. I don't know, it just was not what I was expecting at all. My hubbie's aunt compared it to a stay at Motel 6 for the feel of it. I wasn't even that impressed with the midnight dessert buffet and only ate pineapple and grapes. I guess we're picky. :confused: Don't know if that helps narrow anything down with the other cruise lines or not. Good to know about Disney though - I think we'll probably do a WDW trip instead of the Disney cruise line. So what does that leave then - Princess, NCL & RCCL? Which would be the best for getting a balcony room to fit 5 people? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OregonGirlie Posted January 18, 2007 Author #8 Share Posted January 18, 2007 Thanks for the help! :) Our youngest we don't plan to use babysitting for, so that's not an issue - just the 2 boys (will be 3 and 5 at the time). With Carnival, there were a lot of things that just added up I guess. The playroom being closed the few times we'd need it (early afternoon, and while getting ready for dinner). We didn't like the public middle of the ship smoking areas - with my athsma and kids it bothered me a lot. The pools were very small, and crowded. The food outside the formal dining room was not very good and kind of cafeteria like. The ship felt kind of tacky and gaudy. My hubbie thought that our balcony cabin felt like a room out of the 70's. The adult life was pretty boring too. The one night we actually did put the boys in the kid room and had our daughter with my MIL, we were bored. The dance club music was awful, and the casino was way smoky. We did enjoy the piano bar, aside from the crazy patrons there. The shows were kind of cheesy. I don't know, it just was not what I was expecting at all. My hubbie's aunt compared it to a stay at Motel 6 for the feel of it. I wasn't even that impressed with the midnight dessert buffet and only ate pineapple and grapes. I guess we're picky. :confused: Don't know if that helps narrow anything down with the other cruise lines or not. Good to know about Disney though - I think we'll probably do a WDW trip instead of the Disney cruise line. So what does that leave then - Princess, NCL & RCCL? Which would be the best for getting a balcony room to fit 5 people? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
2Cruise4Ever Posted January 18, 2007 #9 Share Posted January 18, 2007 On NCL's Dawn, Star, and Pearl, there are family suites that sleep 5. We stayed in one (AB Penthouse) on the Dawn in 2005 and are going again this year. We have 2 kids (4 and 9 now) and we absolutely loved it! Both enjoyed the kids crew so much they begged us to go every chance they got. It might be worth looking into... BTW, adorable kids!!!! Happy Sailing :D Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SUNNY D Posted January 18, 2007 #10 Share Posted January 18, 2007 Try Royal Caribbean's family oceanview rooms if you can give up the balcony. They sleep six with a great layout. There is the big bed with a curtain between that and a sofa sleeper. BUT, there is also a little room with a curtain that has bunk beds and a little closet in it. I am much more comfortable with my kids in my own room but still want some privacy. Otherwise, I would try connecting balcony rooms, if you plan ahead they are pretty easy to come by on RCL. We found the kids club was great on that line. Do you have to call for pricing on this cabin type? I'm not sure when we would like to go and I like being able to search different dates and get pricing, however when I try putting in 2 adults 4 kids, its always too many people per cabin and it won't allow me to continue online. Even R/C site will only allow up to 4 in a cabin when you try to do a query online. Are there any sites that let you find out about how much it is for 6 people in the family ocean view cabin, at different times of the year? I never knew that there was a cabin out there that would allow 6 so I am really interested in this. Thanks for any help. :) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mermaid70 Posted March 25, 2007 #11 Share Posted March 25, 2007 I have been reading these posts for a couple of weeks and I really appreciate all the advice, this will be our first cruise 4/15 on the Pride, I actually just found this Family thread? is it called and these family tips are really helpful....I get scared hearing the bad ones about Camp Carnival on the Pride, I hope we all have a good time, we are pretty easy going and are just going to go with the flow, my biggest concerns are that we have 2 girls, our youngest turns 3 on 4/2 and she will not potty train, we keep telling her she will not be able to swim to get her to do it but it is not working, our other daughter is 9 1/2 and I dont really have any concerns about her other than there not being enough kids on the ship.....How do you know how many kids in their age group are on the ship? I looked at the times that they take the kids and i guess i just wonder how the timing works to go to do something with the hubby and then be back?.....We want some alone time but want family time too, and with the 3 yr old not being able to swim are there other things we can al d on the ship together??? by the way Cruisinmam06 i have read alot of your posts and thanks for all the tips and info...... Here we come Carnival Pride Aril 15th! Donna Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fivefirsts Posted March 26, 2007 #12 Share Posted March 26, 2007 April 15 starts Spring break in the northeast and TONS of families head out for cruises. Talking to our TA we had a hard time finding an affordable one for that week. Luckly, we found one that leaves out of NYC that works great for our circumstances. Also you could check out the Roll Call for your ship by date to see how many other families with kids may be cruising. Enjoy! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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