Princess line for family?

[lizi116]

We are planning our first family cruise (kids 9 & 12). I really wanted to go on Carnival or RCI, but I found a pretty good deal on the Caribbean Princess. I haven't seen too many things about the Princess line for families. Also, I heard that you have to pay for some shows and other "extras"? My DS and DH also like the basketball couts on Carnival. Does Princess have them? Any feedback would be appreciated!:)

[the4ofusandallourfriends]

We went on the Caribbean Princess last year. I can't comment on the kid's clubs because my kids won't go:mad: ......although others in our group went and loved it.

 

My kids (8 and 12, very laid back, just love the pool) loved MUTS (movies under the stars). When we booked our upcoming cruise on RCCL that's one of the first things they asked. Do they have MUTS?

 

It had the usual pay restaurants, but I don't ever remember encountering any pay extra shows or anything unusual:confused:, and we are very stingy about not needing to pay extra for anything.

 

Yes, they have a basketball court up forward on the 17th deck.

 

They also liked the little mini-golf (which I found pathetic and hot).

 

Have a good time!

[CruiseQueen13]

I love Princess for family cruising. My dd loves their kids programs and ranks them one of the best at sea. She has sailed Princess & used the kid's program at ages 8, 9, & 11. They have plenty to do, great counselors - lots of fun.

 

They do have a specialty restaurant that has a surchage, like most. However, we never pd for anything else - no shows, etc.

 

It's a good choice. Also dd LOVES their freshwater pools.

[lizi116]

thanks for the replys! Sounds like my kids will love it! Any info on what time the kids clubs end and how much babysitting costs are in the evening?

[CruiseQueen13]

It was a few cruises ago - I think it was 10:00 and the charge I believe $5 per hour, per child. Check though

[gracie65]

We are planning our first family cruise (kids 9 & 12). I really wanted to go on Carnival or RCI, but I found a pretty good deal on the Caribbean Princess. I haven't seen too many things about the Princess line for families. Also, I heard that you have to pay for some shows and other "extras"? My DS and DH also like the basketball couts on Carnival. Does Princess have them? Any feedback would be appreciated!:)

 

 

Here's a neat web site to check out

http://www.cruisingthecaribbeanprincess.com/

[Cruisin' Chick]

We took our daughter at age 5, 7 and 8 on Princess cruises. She really enjoyed it as much as Carnival.

 

When you first get to your cabin, there will be a packet of info about the program, info on the mandatory registeration meeting, and a day-by-day listing of activities. Just remember that you would need to sign up a day ahead of time for the post-10pm kidsitting and for any in-port kidsitting (this is free; but the room closes between 12 and 2pm so the counselors can get lunch, etc., so you have to plan any shore excursions accordingly).

 

When there is a significant number of kids onboard, there is a full slate of activities, including science activities relevant to the itinerary, in partnership with the California Science Center. For example, our girl made a model of a glacier on our Alaskan cruise, and did some activities about coral on our Hawaiian cruise. I think all of the cruises have the ever popular squid dissection.

 

When there are only a few kids onboard, expect the program to be pared down, with fewer activities. Of course, this will tend to be between September - early December, January til about a couple of weeks before Easter, and after Easter thru early June.

 

As for activities that cost, there really isn't any that I can think of, other than the pottery classes, computer classes and only a few of the arts and crafts (such as the lei making on our Hawaiian cruise). We have never eaten in the specialty restaurants -- these are the only ones that carry a cost. There's free ice cream in the dining rooms at lunch and dinner, and also in the Horizon Court (the casual buffet) in mid-afternoon.

[Griff4AU]

This April I (single Dad) took my daughters (11 & 13) on their first Cruise on the Crown. Two quick stories about how much they loved Princess...

 

 

1.) When we pulled in to St. Marteen, one of the massive RCL ships was next to us. Rock climbing wall.....big water slide..... the whole thing. My girls commented how 'very cool' that all looked, so I mentioned that next time we can go on an RCL ship. In unison, they both said, "No thanks, we want to stay with Princess". I was shocked, and pleased. I shared this with the Captain at the Captains Circle reception, and for the remainder of the cruise whenever the Captain (who was VERY visible throughout the ship, VERY!) or the Cruise Director staffer who was next to the captain saw my girls, they made a point of saying hello to them. That meant a lot to me.

 

2.) So as I am checking on to the airport in San Juan (with 5 full suitcases - traveling with girls!), I notice one of the smaller suitcases is extra heavy. Of course it breaks the 50lb weight limit, so for once I am the guy who has to hold up everyone in line and rearrange luggage. Why was the smallest suitcase the heaviest? Well because my girls took EVERY cruise brochure Princess had in the Future Cruise Sales office and stuffed it in my case. Every brochure, and these are the big, heavy paper stock printed brochures.

 

They loved Princess. They loved the MUTS and both still stay in touch with some of their buddies from the kids clubs. Now it may not have been as great had we been on a smaller ship, but they loved the Crown... Yes, we'll do it again. And I have also been on the Caribbean Princess, and I prefer it over the Crown for the staff on board.

[merela]

and I'm a little worried about how inconvenient Celebrity is for people with kids. So I would highly recommend Princess cruises if you have never cruised with kids before. Here is why you should pick Princess:

 

1. On board self-laundry service (coin operated, just bring laundry detergent in a ziploc bag and quarters and you are set. They do sell laundry detergent on board, but it's easy enough to pack laundry detergent, so why pay more). This will reduce the packing of clothes by 1/2 to 1/3.

 

2. Kids' clubs are wonderful, but your kids may or may not want to go.

 

3. 24hour buffet so your growing kids can eat any time of the day.

 

4. Anytime dining, so you are not locked into early seating and late seating. Although reservation is still recommended for anytime dining, it's still nice to know you can show up at 7:30pm and get seated.

 

5. Kids over 3YOs are allowed in indoor pools.

 

6. Free internet service after you have cruised with Princess 5 times or more.

 

7. All the new movies (new in terms of all new DVD releases). So if you don't have time to go to Blockbuster, you can catch up on all the latest movies in your own cabin or in Princess theatres.

 

I've posted Princess kids' patters (kids' club programs for the 4 age groups) and kids' menu before. Search this board for them.

 

BTW, I don't remember seeing basketball courts in the kids zones, but I think there are basketball courts for adults on the sports deck. All the stage shows are free. Many cabaret-type shows maybe off limits to kids under 21 because they are performed in lounges that serves alcohol. But the main shows are definitely open to everyone including kids.

 

There are lots of competition on the ship (golf and paddle tennis) that your children can probably participate in. These competitions are meant for adults, but if your children are good enough, they can win medals. There are many opportunities for kids to win prizes if they participate in the kids' club programs.

 

Depending on the number of kids on the ship, your 9YO and your 12YO may or may not be grouped in the same age group. Your older child can go down to the younger child's group, but your younger child cannot go up to the older child's group.

[rebeccalouise]

Your kids are going to love Celebrity. Don't worry. I have sailed on Celebrity,Princess, Carnival, Royal Caribbean, Norwegian and by far prefer Celebrity and Celebrity's Fun Factory. It never closes. The kids can dine with the other children each night- allowing the parents to dine in peace.

 

Don't know how old your kids are but I know that the younger kids have an absolute ball. I sat with a 9 year old at dinner and she was too shy to go to the Fun Factory but I encouraged her to go and she had the time of her life! She was sorry she didn't go sooner.

 

If you like Princess, you are going to LOVE Celebrity.:)

[CruiseQueen13]

Here here Rebecca. I agree - Celebrity is fantastic (my personal fave Constellation). We are huge Princess fans and LOVE Celebrity. Celebrity is our #1 with Princess a close 2nd. You'll love it.

[TropicalSnowflake]

I never think that kids would not be welcome or would not have fun on most cruise lines anymore. Thanks to Cruise Critic and the increasing "family market" of cruisers, I feel confident that we can find at least SOMEthing to do on any of them. Just a side thought about family cruising....:)

[mjmalino]

My DH 2 DS and I took our first cruise ever to Alaska and I have to tell you that the kids absolutely loved it! My sons are 9 and 8 and they totally loved going into the kids camp. In fact, my DH and I told them that we wanted them to go the first session to meet others, but then it was up to them. They asked us every session if they could go. They even wanted to go on port days (which was pretty much the only time with the exception of meals that we saw them). The dining room menu was ok, the kids went back and forth between that and the adult menus since the kids menu stayed the same and my 9yo is picky.

 

If you are at all interested in knowing what was done in the fun zone on this cruise, let me know as I brought home the funzone patter and I can list it for you.

[Keith1010]

When our children were younger we took them on several Princess cruises and, yes, they offer a wonderful program for the kids. We were very pleased with the program and more importantly our children were please as well.

 

Keith

[lizi116]

If you are at all interested in knowing what was done in the fun zone on this cruise, let me know as I brought home the funzone patter and I can list it for you.

 

I would appreciate it if you can list the funzone patter.

 

Also, we definately bookes our Princess cruise. We are on the Caribbean Princess leaving on Aug 12! Very excited!:) :)

 

A couple more questions -

 

Any recommendations on excursions in St. Marten or St. Thomas?

 

My 9 yr old is an EXTREMELY picky eater. Usually I take peanut butter along with me for her sandwiches or toast. Do they have PB&J's, or should I bring her a jar of PB just in Case?

 

Thanks everyone for the great feedback!:D

[mommykim]

To the poster who is worried about Celebrity don't be. They are fantastic! My son who is now 11 has cruised on most of the different cruise lines and Celebrity is his favorite. That doesn't mean that he doesn't like Princess, he does. A Lot. He just likes Celebrity better. He likes them because they have planned activities for each day and they do them plus he gets to eat with his friends each night. When I asked him to rate his top 3 cruise lines he says Celebrity is a big number one followed by Carnival and then Princess.

[bralli]

We just got back from the Diamond Princess Alaskan southbound with our 3 and 6 year old girls and I found the kid's programs to be stellar. There were plenty of kids on the ship. Typically they are open after 7pm for the evening sessions. For us, we were mistakingly given the late seating (8 pm) and it actually ended up being pretty nice. We fed the kids at the buffet around 6:30, dropped them off, and then enjoyed a relaxing dinner in the dining room.

[mjmalino]

I apologize, but my scanner is not working. I copied the activities from their patter. On sea days, the fun zone was open from 9-12, 2-5 and from 7-10 (10-1am was group sitting and the only time that they charged a fee). There was also the option of leaving them there during port days between 8-5, but since we did not use that I do not have the activities.

One other thing to note is that my kids came home with medals, keychains, totems and t-shirts (and more that I can't think of right now) from their time in the funzone. My kids absolutely loved it!

 

On our northbound Princess cruise to Alaska this is what the kids did:

 

First day

 

Morning:

make new friends

name game and ice breakers

Fun Zone Tour

Make a Gecko

Lego Competition

Cruisers Choice

 

Afternoon:

T-Shirt coloring contest

Fun Zone photo

Ice Cream party

T-shirt judging

ship trivia hunt

 

Evening:

face painting

sword making

games

movie

 

Second day (Ketchikan until 2)

afternoon:

cruisers choice

caricatures

charades

lean about Totem Poles and make one

video games

 

evening:

Kids met at Horizon court for a kids dinner?

cards and casino night

 

Third day (Juneau--Funzone only in evening)

sports night (fooseball, long jump, basketball)**

**3-7s stayed in Fun Zone for activities, 8-12 went to sports deck for some.

 

Fourth day (Skagway--Funzone only in evening)

face and hair painting

disco night

team jeopardy

 

fifth day (Glacier Bay)

Morning:

cruisers choice

puzzle competition

glacier watching

Make a dreamcatcher

 

Afternoon:

Glacier bay ranger visit

junior ranger activities

RC racing

survivor game and dodgeball

cruisers choice

 

evening:

karaoke night

 

last day:

morning:

cruisers choice

visit from the captain

fish frame suncatchers

carnival science

beads bracelets and necklaces

talent show rehearsal

 

afternoon:

kids talent show and family game show

pizza party

 

evening:

pajama party

wild and crazy games

chill out with cartoons

[lizi116]

Thanks, MJ. Wow! I had no idea that there were so many activities! My kids are going to have a blast!!

 

As for your picky 9 yr old eater - I have one, too. Did they have basic foods that many picky kids like? Mine likes pasta (sauce on the side), pizza, mac & cheese, PBJ and grilled cheese. A few others, but those are the main items for her.

[Cruisin' Chick]

If you look up the phrase "picky eater" in the dictionary, you may see a photo of my girl. She absolutely loved the pizza on the Island Princess. Also liked the hot dogs and the different types of bread. She tried ribs at a birthday party last fall and loved it so I'm hoping they'll be some on her next cruise (I'm not sure how to make them).

[mommykim]

Thanks, MJ. Wow! I had no idea that there were so many activities! My kids are going to have a blast!!

 

As for your picky 9 yr old eater - I have one, too. Did they have basic foods that many picky kids like? Mine likes pasta (sauce on the side), pizza, mac & cheese, PBJ and grilled cheese. A few others, but those are the main items for her.

 

If there is a basic food that she likes and you don't see it on the menu talk to your head waiter and they can likely make something that'll work. Special orders don't scare them even if they're for PB&J.

[mjmalino]

 

As for your picky 9 yr old eater - I have one, too. Did they have basic foods that many picky kids like? Mine likes pasta (sauce on the side), pizza, mac & cheese, PBJ and grilled cheese. A few others, but those are the main items for her.

 

I was actually surprised that they didn't have mac and cheese on the menu. They did have hamburgers, hotdogs, chicken finger, fish sticks, grilled cheese, "spaghetti snakes". My 8 yo (not picky at all) loved the alphabet soup. We were lucky in that even though one of them is picky, my Dh and I were able to get both of them to at least try some of the selections on the adult menus. My picky eater really liked the beef tenderloin,and he was able to get the hamburger from the kids menu with bacon. My younger one really enjoyed the lobster tails and king crab legs.

[mjmalino]

If you look up the phrase "picky eater" in the dictionary, you may see a photo of my girl.

 

You know, my 9yo DS is so funny. We actually think that he stores up food in case he needs to go without. What I mean by that is that we usually did breakfast it the Horizon court. His breakfast would consist of (and mind you, at 9 yo, he is 55 inches tall and 60 pounds): 2 omelets, 2 waffles, pancakes, bacon, muffin and fruit. That was more than my DH and I put together! I think he does this so that if he doesn't like what he gets for lunch or dinner, he doesn't have to eat a lot.

[Dawn935]

Our family cruised on the CB in December 06 and our kids loved it. My 13 yo son loved going to the teen club in the evening but our 11 yo daughter went to the shows with us a few times instead of the club. She didn't go as much but had no problem making friends in the swimming pool.

 

Their highlights included: family comedy show with Carlos Oscar, comedy with Steve Morris, MUTS, eating around the clock, pool, and the islands.

 

 

They ate with us in the dining room at early seating. They both ordered fettucine alfredo off the everyday appetizer menu almost every night. By the 3rd night, the waiter asked if they wanted a chicken breast on it to make it their entree. They also enjoyed eating in the dining room for breakfast and lunch and the waiters & assts. were great to them.

 

In St. Maarten my son & I went on the sailing regatta. He was given the job of timekeeper for a 6 min. practice round and then on the way back, the captain let him steer the boat for a little while. Needless to say, he was thrilled. My husband took our daughter on the dolphin excursion and they loved that as well.

Since we all wanted to do different things in St. Thomas, we decided to hire Henry from EEE tours for a private tour. He gave us a tour of the island in the morning including Mountaintop and the St. Thomas rainforest & then dropped us for lunch. He returned & we went to the straw market, the Paradise Point tram, the liquor store & to Coki Beach, where my son & husband rode waverunners. While driving, he pointed out sights and public buildings, gave historical information, political info (which my son loved), and even stopped a few times along the road to show the kids native fruits. Henry was wonderful to us & the kids especially enjoyed being in his open air taxi in their own row & passing other taxis jammed with people.

Hope this helps - I think your family will have a wonderful time on Princess.:)