IslandLife17

We are in room 2353, which is a cove balcony on the Magic. Our last cruise on Horizon we were on the 8 deck with a decent balcony. How is the view? 

That IS interesting! Ha. I am always tempted to try Carnival again...I did it once as a girls trip in grad school and we felt a little out of place on the Party Boat. But I have heard so many families rave about their trips. Do you have favorite ships for me to look into? The one that sails most frequently closest to us is the Carnival Pride, and CC describes it as a "louder" ship. Hmm...

 

Also, you guys sound exactly like us!

We just got back from our Carnival cruise and loved it. It was the 8 day our of NYC, so lots of families. I didn't notice any partiers/obnoxious behavior, but I tend to stay in my own lane while on vacation and only pay attention to me and mine. Previously DH and I had sailed RC for our honeymoon and it was okay, but nothing we felt we had to do again. We got off the ship last week and started looking into another Carnival cruise immediately. My sister who has sailed with several lines (RC, Carnival, and Princess) said she liked her Carnival cruise the best. Granted our kids are older so the kids clubs were not a priority for us, so I can't speak to them.

Back this week and had an amazing time!

The one bummer was that we didn't get to the kids clubs, at all. My younger DD managed to find 3 friends in the pool that she hung out with, but older DD never really found anyone. They both still loved the whole experience though. Once we got comfortable with the layout, we had no issues letting them go and do things on their own. All in all a great family vacation.

We were on the same cruise. Totally agree about the Liquid Lounge. Shows were great but you had to get there early. Elevator service was hit or miss, though I admit I was probably causing some of the delays when I would inadvertently hit the wrong floor on the screens (sorry!)

So nice you were able to move rooms for that family!

Ok I’m going to give the answer to the what if scenario. My son was ten months old and we went on a family cruise to Bermuda. Because we cruise yearly we got him a passport. He had always been healthy but had his first bout with bronchiolitis in Bermuda. The ships doctor decided he was too unstable to come home on the ship. We were rushed to the hospital and after a few hours we were cleared to leave the hospital, but they said to wait at least 24 hours before flying home. This was Friday about 7 pm. One thing to know is Bermuda is a very expensive island. Because we had passports we were able to fly home on Sunday. If we didn’t have it, it would have been at least two more days of missed work and extra bills. Turns out it was $100 well spent.

 

 

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Yikes! I'm glad everything worked out! This was exactly why I insisted we get the kids passports.

Hi lennythenose, Our daughter (17) is also internationally adopted and we have booked our first cruise with her. My husband and I have cruised before but not since we adopted her 15 years ago. She currently does not have a passport and I thought if you returned to the same port you sailed from that no passport was needed, only a birth certificate. I have been curious about the need for one for her though. Do you think she needs one? Also I hear others talking about close the loop rule. Do you know what that is?

 

Thank you!!!

This is a technicality. If anything happens and you need to fly out of a foreign port, you will not be able to without a valid passport. So while you "technically" don't need one for closed loop cruises, you are taking a risk. As I mentioned in an earlier post, the U.S. State Dept. says everyone needs a passport for any cruises, even if the cruise line says you do not. The cruise lines strongly recommend that everyone passenger over 2 have a valid passport. Since your child is 17, I believe the passport would be good for the 10 years, under 16 and they are only good for 5. This also might be nice to have handy if she has any college plans that might involve semesters abroad.

We are taking our first cruise with our kids in June. We got them passports. The travel agent insists we don't need one. However the cruise line strongly recommends each passenger have one and more importantly, the U.S. State Dept. says you absolutely need one - even if the cruise line says you don't. If one of my kids were to get sick/hurt and we were "stuck" in a foreign port because we didn't have the right documentation to fly out, I would never forgive myself.

https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/international-travel/before-you-go/travelers-with-special-considerations/cruise-ship-passengers.html

Thank you both! While we haven't cruised as a family we have traveled pretty extensively with them, so both are pretty good with traveling etiquette. But I'm feeling reassured now :)

We are heading out in June for our first family cruise (Carnival Horizon) and trying to plan so everyone has fun and is safe.

If you've cruised with your tween/teenaged children, what are some tips? Any specific rules that you have them follow (ie: don't go into another person's room, etc.) If they want to go do an activity while you are poolside, is it safe/reasonable to let them? How do you get in touch while on the ship (neither have cell phones just yet)? Not sure if either will have any interest in kids clubs. We want them to have fun and not feel like they have to stick to us the whole time. TIA!

Are there things for kids to do that are not associated with the kids clubs on ships? When we've stayed at other land resorts, there might be a hoola-hoop or dance contest, or a painting activity, etc. This was open to all kids, and no one had to be signed in to anything.

Any of the cruises I'm looking at have at least one full sea day. I don't think my kids would be into the kids clubs (I'm totally fine either way if they decide to or not) But it'd be nice for some diversion for them.

As pretty much a new cruiser, I have no idea when the best time to book the cruise is. We are planning the week of February break, so it's usually a busy time for most vacation options.

I've seen some pretty good deals, and it seems as though room choices are already limited. At the same time, I'm still in research mode and not ready to commit. Also, we have to fly in to Florida. In laws winter there and the plan is to head out of NY a couple of days early and then head to the cruise. Southwest (our preferred carrier) doesn't even come out with their February schedule until late June/early July for February. And if flights are ridiculous, we probably wouldn't go. Driving would take two days and we don't have that kind of time, especially on the way back.

At the same time, I'd hate to miss out on a good deal. Kind of feeling like if we can get a great deal on a cruise, then the airfare will work itself out.

What to do?

Looking at Carnival Valor for a 7 day Eastern Caribbean cruise. It would be me, DH and our two daughters (9 and 10 at time of sailing) To get some perspective, when we've stayed on Disney property, we always chose a Value resort because we are hardly in the room. But, I did think the last visit was a bit cramped...

That said:

As of right now I could book a balcony room for about $2,700. It says it sleeps 3-4...

I looked at upgrading to a suite and the price went up over a grand...:eek:

Worth the upgrade?

Yes, insurance is a must! For our last planned vacation our outgoing flights were cancelled due to a winter storm. It took us two more days to finally get out. We would have completely missed a cruise:eek:

The term "gobsmacked" suggests the OP might not be American. Need to know what cruises they're considering to be able to give a definite answer. Not only do cruise lines vary, but every cruise season seems to produce more cut-backs.

Hehe, I am very much American, just really into British novels:o

We are considering either Disney (and I know we could bring alcohol on board with them) and that most drinks are included. Though there seems to be some weird clause about where drinks are ordered to be included. :confused: And then Carnival. I've heard mention a "soda card" for their ships.

I've been searching through both the Disney site and Carnival but both sites seem a bit unclear about the policy.

I was on the Valor when it was new. Funny, seeing it called an older ship. I belive Magic is older, as well?

Yes, the Magic is one of the older ships, but being Disney I'm less concerned about that.

I would love to check out their private island, just not as keen about doing so in February. I heard from those who did this year that it was quite chilly there.

We are looking into a family cruise for February of 2016. As we've been to WDW three times, I started with their cruise line.

They have a 4 night on the Magic which would be do-able. But I don't love the port options (their private island, and Nassau)

Then I looked at Carnival. For about the same price, we could take a 7 day cruise to the Eastern Caribbean on the Valor. I like the port options better as well.

Disney pros - we are obviously familiar with the Disney brand:p, and our kids at 9 and 10 would still enjoy Disney themes. Time wise 4/5 days cruises are perfect for us.

Disney cons - price, and ports. We are going to escape the weather in New York, and I think the ports are too chancy for the time of year. We were just in WDW in February and we FROZE (and unlike Anna, I WAS bothered:D ) Freezing on whats supposed to be a warm weather vacation would probably ruin it for me. :o

Valor Pros - ports, price. More "bang for the buck" more days, upgraded room, etc.

Valor cons - older ship, Carnival "brand" is unknown to us.

Unknowns:

Beverages - I'm unsure of the drink situation on either ship. I understand Disney allows you to BYOB, but that most drinks (non-alcoholic?) are included in the cost? I have no idea what Carnival's beverage policy is.

Food - we like to pack our own snacks and such when we travel. Are we allowed to bring some of our own food? I hate getting hungry at 11:00pm and not having food.

Kids clubs: are not a factor in our decision as I don't know if my kids would even want to do them.

So, WWYD?:D

Are beverages included in the cost of cruises? I know this seems like an odd question, but when we took out last cruise (13 years ago:eek: ) I seem to recall things like soda and alcohol not being included. We sailed Royal Caribbean and I don't even remember if we could have brought our own beverages?

We are not huge soda drinkers, but occasionally like to have wine or beer (probably more so while on vacation:D )

I'm trying to factor in all costs so we aren't gobsmacked when its time to leave:)

Sort of our first cruise...

We had our honeymoon on a Royal Caribbean ship. Not even sure which one, it was so long ago:eek::D

Buut, 13 years and two kids later we are considering a cruise for either next year or the year after. If the price is right, we would probably go in Feb 2016, but if we have to save then it would be Feb 2017.

Only February because Hubs is a teacher, we don't like to pull the kids from school, and we like to get away from winter in New York.

Anyway, I am feeling very overwhelmed at this stage - and it's just the beginning. First, there are so many cruise lines. And while price is a big consideration, I also don't want to settle and be unhappy with the ship. Saw a great deal for a Carnival ship with our dates, perfect price, but then someone said it was an older ship and another said they smelled sewage the entire time they were on board :eek: Royal Caribbean has some, but they are more $$. We have been to WDW 3 times and think our kids would LOVE a Disney cruise, but I think I wasn't as thrilled with their port choices...

Phew! So how did you decide which cruise line to go with? Were you happy?