Help us decide.

[Univfire]

There are 5 of us in our family. The three children are currently ages 6, 3, and 4 months. We are wanting to sail sometime in March, April, or May of next year. The kids will be 6, 4, and 1. (There is a possibility of us taking my parents as well.)

 

Money is not as much of an issue as is VALUE. My DH, myself, our DD who was 2 at the time, and my mother all sailed on Disney's Wonder 4 years ago. Prior to that I sailed on RCCL's majesty in 99. My mother has sailed Carnival in 97.

 

I'm torn as to what cruise to book. On DISNEY we liked the size of the rooms (had a cat 5 I believe with balcony) and it seemed like it would be fun for the kids. We loved Castaway Cay, too. We also liked the separate adult area. We didn't care for the food or the long lines we had to wait in to meet the characters (4 day cruise).

 

When I cruised on RCCL I was bored a lot, there wasn't much to do back then, IMO. The food, however, was awesome. I like that RCCL has a casino.

 

My mom loves Carnival. She says there is an awesome night life and the food was great too. She says cabins were small.

 

My kids are happy go lucky. They love going to kids programs (such as at church, or the program at the grocery store, etc). They also like swimming and that sort of thing. They have no separation anxiety and they don't need a lot of structured activity, although they do enjoy that too.

 

I know RCCL now has the rock climbing wall, the mini golf, etc. However, I have heard that is all at an additional cost. It's no big deal, I'm just wanting to see what we are getting for our money. So being a DCL may cost more up front, there was no extra cost I can remember on the ship. They didn't have the rock wall, ice skating, or any of that either though. But if it is available my kids will want to do it, make sense?

 

Carnival is just super cheap. I don't know what they really offer.

 

We would like something that will be fun for the kids. My husband and I like good food and night life (we also like the casinos, which DCL doesn't have). I hate when everything shuts down early. Ideally, if my parents go, they would get up early and would want to go to bed early with the kids. My DH and I like to sleep later (not too late though) and stay up all night. Ideally we would like to spend some time with our children but get quite a bit of alone time that we never get at home due to work schedules.

 

So based on this, what cruise line, what ship, and what itinerary would you do?

[lostie]

I've been on Carnival and liked their food and nightlife. This was before I had kids, but they do have Camp Carnival which I've heard many other parents rave about. I am going on NCL next week and I have 2 DSs and hope they enjoy the kid's clubs and pool. I know DCL is great too, my mom took my son when he was 4 and he loved it. All are good choices, but if you want nightlife for you and DH, I'd probably go with NCL or Carnival. Check out price and itineraries to see what's available.

[sas80]

RCCL does NOT charge for the rock climbing wall, golf course, ice skating (bring socks), etc.

 

RCCL does charge (reasonably) for Johnny Rockets, specialty coffee, chops, portofino, etc.

 

My sister brought my nievce on RCCL and my niece (7) did nojt ever want to leave Adventure ocean.

[crusinmama06]

Sas is right. RCCL does not charge for anything extra...except $3.95 for Johnny Rockets, but that's a surcharge and you can order as much as you want off the menu. And then $20 pp for the adult specialty dining restaurants Portofino and Chops. And Ben & Jerry's is a charge as well as any specialty coffees. Everything else is included (there is a cafe promenade deli on some ships and a sorrento's pizza, all free)

 

Carnival pretty much has the biggest cabins (when you are talking non-suites). If you book suites, then it all balances out. And suites on RCCL come with loads of extra perks (Grand Suites and above)

 

Check out the Freedom class (Freedom of the Seas/Liberty of the Seas) on www.rccl.com The water park alone was worth it for my kids