What about bringing 8 & 10 y/o boys?

[Lurontravel]

Hi, we've traveled all over, from riverboats in Russia (when the older one was a baby), Celebrity in Europe and South America, Royal Caribbean all over the Caribbean, HAL in AK, etc. Is Oceania going to suit them? I wouldn't think that Oceania has a kids club. That is fine by us, our boys enjoy the enrichments, reading quietly, pools offered on other lines. What might Oceania have that they would enjoy? Also, my husband really enjoys his poker games, are these offered on Oceania?

Thanks.

Laura

[StanandJim]

Hi, we've traveled all over, from riverboats in Russia (when the older one was a baby), Celebrity in Europe and South America, Royal Caribbean all over the Caribbean, HAL in AK, etc. Is Oceania going to suit them? I wouldn't think that Oceania has a kids club. That is fine by us, our boys enjoy the enrichments, reading quietly, pools offered on other lines. What might Oceania have that they would enjoy? Also, my husband really enjoys his poker games, are these offered on Oceania?

Thanks.

Laura

 

Sorry but I don't think that Oceania would work for you. There is really nothing for the kids, and while they may be beautifully behaved, it is not fair to ask them to "behave" for an entire cruise.

 

Poker is offered only intermittently in the Casino.

[LHT28]

Oceania does not have a kids club so if they are able to entertain themselves that is good, depending on when you are sailing keep in mind there are very few children onboard.

The holiday Sailings may have a few more than normal

You know your children best.

Bring things for them to do ..they do have some movies, I am not sure on the selection of children's books but the library is well stocked for adults

There is 1 small pool

If it port intensive cruise they may enjoy the ports

 

Lyn

[cruzmaven]

There is a poker type table game in the casino but not a regular poker table, and no poker tournaments or cash games. Hopefully this will change on the Marina.

 

I think there are better choices than O for families with young children. Disney, RCL, Celebrity, even Crystal all have children's programs and children dedicated facilities on their ships. I see you've sail on all of these except for Crystal, so you're familiar with what is offered. O does not have any of these types of programs or facilities.

[caribbeansun]

+1

 

Hopefully on Marina :cool:

 

There is a poker type table game in the casino but not a regular poker table, and no poker tournaments or cash games. Hopefully this will change on the Marina.

[Lurontravel]

Thanks for the replies. Our older son never goes to the children's programs on other lines, and the younger one is now following suit. They do, however enjoy enrichments. We are lucky to still be in touch with one of the guest speakers who did several talks that we attended on one of our recent cruises (AK), and the children and I have been exchanging packages, mail and email with her since arriving home. What a great experience it has been!

 

It sounds like some folks might be unhappy having children on board? I would certainly not want to offend other passengers by bringing aboard children, and possibly make my children uncomfortable. There certainly are other lines out there that we have enjoyed, and more that we might find ourselves more comfortable on at this juncture in our lives. I tend to look for itinerary and timing (preferably sailings when there are not a large number of children) when choosing a cruise, then at the cruise brand. I happened to see an intriguing itinerary in an Oceania brochure I received in the mail today. Boy am I greatful to CC and the board and all of you folks who so quickly and graciously replied.

[Paulchili]

It is unlikely that anyone would actually object to your well behaved children but there are not likely to be many other (if any) children around.

If you and your kids are comfortable with this and you love the itinerary, then just do it.

[mcpa66]

On Regatta (i guess in all ships) there's Game Room with a cabinet full of Board Games.. it may help...

[ShopperfiendTO]

Thanks for the replies. Our older son never goes to the children's programs on other lines, and the younger one is now following suit. They do, however enjoy enrichments.

 

It sounds like some folks might be unhappy having children on board? I would certainly not want to offend other passengers by bringing aboard children, and possibly make my children uncomfortable.

 

Honestly, if your boys are truly solitary kids who like to keep to themselves and do not require others to keep them entertained or occupied while on board, and can do this for at least 10 consecutive days, then O will be fine. However, few kids are like this.

 

O's strong suits are food, ports, and service. Nothing really in the "keeping you happily busy (other than eating) while on board" department (it's there, but it's mediocre at best, but that's not an issue for most of her passengers).

 

Some folks might be unhappy having children on board, but I think the some would number fewer than a handful. Most folks, having children and grandchildren, probably just have the view that in their honest opinion that the young ones will not really enjoy the cruise and consider it boring... small ship, no "fun" things like big waterslides, boradway shows, rock-climbing, etc. (the pool is small and hardly swimmable, mostly to sit in, but there is shuffleboard, DVDs and table tennis...)

 

There have been children on the O cruises we've been on. The children didn't run around and tended to be (at least this is the impression I got in observing them in around the ship when our paths crossed) the "strong, silent type" of children and seemed to be having a good time. If your boys are of this disposition, then I think that O may suit them quite well. If they're active, I think that there are better cruises out there for them to enjoy.

[loum140]

On each of my 5 previous Oceania cruises -- with the exception of the Trans Atlantic -- there have been 1-2 teens/tweens aboard. Oceania offers enrichment lectures, golf putting, shuffleboard, ping pong, chess, a pool, karaoke and of course DVDs and the aforementioned game/card room. The only downside is that your boys would probably only have themselves (and you) to share some of these activities with, though there are daily tournaments where large numbers of passengers participate.

 

If you have found an itinerary you like, you might want to check out the Roll Call for that partiicular cruise and post any concerns you might have there.

[StanandJim]

We are perhaps in the minority here, in that we have actually sailed on Oceania with children in our group.

 

While those children were also very well behaved, in retrospect, their parents agreed that it might have been better to wait until the children were older before taking an Oceania cruise.

 

 

There are a number of issues to consider:

• When the food is as good as it is on Oceania, adults naturally want to linger over their meals.
  
• The intellectual contests (team trivia, Name That Tune, et al) are not only geared toward adults, they are geared toward older adults. Will your children enjoy playing in a contest where they are asked to name Ozzie & Harriet's sons?
  
• The Athletic contests are also geared to that demographic. Contests may be spirited, but don't expect your child to get the chance to burn off much excess energy.
  
• The pool area was obviously not designed with children in mind. It is of such a size that ANY roughhousing will disturb other guests; there is no diving board; and the pool is of a uniform depth from end to end (approximately 5 feet).
  

One set of entertainers in the main lounge, on our particular cruise, was a married couple whose ten year old son was traveling with them, and had been for several cruises. This poor child was desperate for companions of his own age. He shadowed the like aged children in our group to the point where they became uncomfortable, and asked their parents to intervene.

Fortunately, the matter was handled discreetly by the ships social staff, and nobody was embarrassed in public, but I still think back on that lonely child with sympathy.

[Bruin Steve]

Allow me to chime in as well...

 

I also think there are much better choices for people traveling with 8 and 10 year olds, no matter how they typically behave...

 

On our 2006 Nautica cruise, there were several kids and teens (maybe 15 or 20)...They all looked incredibly bored and out of their element...Though we don't mind kids on board, it seemed some of our cruisemates did...Yes, though not EVERYONE, there are some people who choose lines like Oceania (smaller ships, no kids programs) in order to avoid kids...

 

On our Nautica cruise this past July, I do not recall seeing any kids or young teens...though there were a fairly decent number of college aged kids on board...The college kids did just fine...but most of these were apparently with their parents and there for the educational aspects of a cruise to Egypt, Israel, etc. And, at that age, they are beyond needing any sort of "outlet"...

 

We've taken our kids on many cruises--from the ages of 3 and 5 up to in their 20s...I don't think I would have ever taken them on Oceania until they got into their college years at a minimum...

 

The ships are fairly small with very few of the amenities and attractions of the larger lines...They are fine for "adults" like us who beat a daily path from cabin to dining room to lounge/bar...But, we are fine with good food and conversation...Kids, OTOH, even good well mannered ones, are easily bored...they tend to need some alternatives, some variety...Also, I really think they'd rather talk to or hang with other kids...

 

There really isn't all that much in the way of programs and activities--it's a smaller ship with only 600-700 passengers and not as many venues in which to hold events...there cannot be 6 or 8 or 12 things going on at once like on large ships...

 

Really, my first choice for cruising with kids would always be Royal Caribbean--lots for the kids to do, plenty of others their age...Failing that, I'd look to Celebrity, Princess, whatever...something with a larger ship and more to do, something with a kids program (even if they don't use it, it still attracts other families with kids)...

 

Of course, you may not find as interesting an itinerary on those lines as you will on Oceania...so, it causes you to weigh bringing the kids versus some other options: 1) Waiting to do the itinerary a few years down the line or 2) leaving the kids at home--or, more likely, finding them some other alternative (ie camp) during those same dates...

 

Good luck...

[canuck.qc]

I have been following the daily blog "Magic from the Med." from editor in chief of C.C. Carolyn Spencer Brown. She is on a Disney Med.Cruise, it seems to be a great cruise for people with kids. I am sure your kids will thank you for this choice.

[hondorner]

My "kids" are (son) 39 and (daughter) 40, and I wouldn't bring either of them (and their families) on Oceania. We took a family cruise with them and 3 grandchildren about a year and a half ago, and we sailed Carnival -- it was nowhere near as bad as folks around here like to say, and the "kids" and grandkids loved it. The children loved Camp Carnival, the adult "kids: are of the generation that does not even start their evening until 10 PM, and we rolled up our evening at 10 PM just like we do on Oceania, except this time we babysat the children while the 30-somethings played. Perfecto.

 

We didn't care for the smokers,the fixed seating or the formal nights, but we really never noticed any of them because we were with our families, not off by our curmudgeonly selves.

[jpalbny]

My "kids" are (son) 39 and (daughter) 40, and I wouldn't bring either of them (and their families) on Oceania.

 

Hmph...

 

We've been cruising O since we were younger than that, and we love it! Guess that makes us unusual...?:p

[pacheco18]

And there are many of us who choose O because there are no kids on board.

 

I do not mean to offend -- but that is simply the truth.

 

It simply makes no sense to me to take two young children on an O cruise when there are so many other lines where they would truly be welcome and where there presence would be anticipated.

[OzAbroad]

Depends on the children I think - personally I always like some well behaved kids on board. Not so keen on bad mannered ones but then I am not fond of the adult version either.

 

O does not cater for kids that want to be entertained in the kids club way, but it is not a designated child free zone. So cruisers with an allergy for children should probably find a line that does not welcome them.

[orchestrapal]

We are currently on Insignia and there is not a child or teenager to be found.

Just watched the MSC Musica empty out next to our ship and several people were heard to comment "look at all those kids, boy are we lucky we're on Oceania. We hope you can find a line that will suit your boys better than O would.:)

[LHT28]

We have had a few children on our O cruises but the most on one cruise were about 6 ...4 belonged to the group of performers

 

Most of the children that cruised were very well behaved ..no running, jumping & screaming if they even got a little loud the parents seem to be right there to settle them down

 

It is not like the mass market ships were kids are running amuck while the parents were no where to be seen

 

Only you know if your children will enjoy Oceania

 

Lyn

[JackfromWA]

I've cruised O extensively including a 35-day trip in 2007 and I'm taking my 12-year old son, Casey, and my parents on the 35-day Capetown to Singapore in December 2010.

 

While I believe Casey would prefer a larger ship with more kids, and activities geared toward children, I expect it will be OK. The reality is that if we don't take this trip now, we may never go. In a few years my dad will be 80 and the years are taking their toll. Waiting for Casey to be college age to travel on Oceania means he will never go with his grandfather, as he will probably be senile or dead. I know this sounds morbid, but my father, like many men his age, has health concerns that make that outcome likely. The itinerary is fantastic, the opportunities for intimacy and communication are boundless and while I won't go out of my way to annoy any other passengers, if a few don't like my fare-paying reasonably well behaved son on their cruise, it's their problem. Not mine. It's taken me a long time to learn that what other people think about me is really none of my business.

 

Long after a few disgruntled passenger have complained about the annoying kid who yelled too loudly in the pool, my dad, mom son and I will have our family memories of spending a month together over the holidays exploring parts of the world we've never seen.

 

Now if we were only going for a week I'd choose Princess, Royal Caribbean, Celebrity, Disney or Carnival. But going for a month there aren't too many options and Oceania, in my estimation, is the best deal out there in cruising.

 

As Mark Twain famously said, "“Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things you didn’t do than by the ones you did do. So throw off the bowlines, sail away from the safe harbor. Catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore. Dream. Discover!"

 

Just my 2 cents. Your mileage may vary. AND I reserve the right, when the cruise is over, to say I was wrong!

 

Jack

[LHT28]

I've cruised O extensively including a 35-day trip in 2007 and I'm taking my 12-year old son, Casey, and my parents on the 35-day Capetown to Singapore in December 2010.

Jack

 

Nice to see you back on the forum Jack.

Glad to see your Mom & Dad are still cruising

Hope you will time to do another journal

We so much enjoyed the last one ;)

 

enjoy your cruise

 

Lyn

[LuAnn]

the trip sounds wonderful...and I know you will all have fun...some of my best memories of cruising are with my parents, while they were able..and since they are no longer cruising on the earth's seas..it makes those times even more precious!! LuAnn

[parallax]

Oceania is very port intensive, which is why I enjoy the line so much. I assume your family will be out exploring the various sites and will be gone for most of the day. Accordingly, the lack of kid programs is no great lost and the need for distractions for the kids should be minimal. Your kids seem accustomed to the environment and therefore I do not believe they would have any problem on the ship. On my recent Oceania trip, I did not find the children to be the problem, it was the passengers who had a sense of entitlement and ordered the staff around like they were indentured servants.

[Ms Understood]

Sounds like a great adventure, Jack. I am taking 3 teenagers and a 21 y/o old this summer on our first O cruise and I am comfortable with my decision as I know they are well behaved, well travelled kids who know how to act in fine restaurants and foreign countries. I would not take a toddler on a cruise with no kids program but older kids who can entertain themselves are better fellow pax then the obnoxious, never happy, malcontents that we have occasionally encountered in the past. Have a great trip.

----------------

Helen

[Mura]

Have the rules changed when I wasn't looking? I thought the age limit was 13!

 

I will admit that even on Renaissance, where the age limit was supposedly 18 or 19, we saw one or two teens that we were sure were underage (maybe 16 or 17) but they were lovely teens and no one complained. Ren was planning on lowering the age limit to 13 (as I recall) but went bankrupt before that could take effect.

 

When Oceania started up it was my understanding that they were keeping the same limits. Maybe they have changed now, that is why I am asking.

 

I will say that as averse to my husband and I are to many children (not yours, of course), any children we've seen on Oceania cruises have been beautifully behaved and happy to be surrounded by adults.

 

But if the rules HAVE changed, and younger children are permitted, as long as they are happy to be by themselves ... then it should work.

 

We just got off an NCL T/A that had a fair number of children on board and they had a wonderful time, but there were programs for them. Oceania just doesn't have the facilities (as has already been said) to set up separate childrens' programs.

 

Of course, it could also depend on the itinerary you are considering.