Need advice for first cruise with children

[BlessedBeingMom]

We are about to book our first cruise with our children. They are 7, 9 & 11. Our son will be celebrating his birthday on the cruise. He will be 8 years old, but it will be his second birthday. ;) Can you figure out when we plan to travel? ;) Our oldest daughter turns 12 at the first of March, so we want to travel before her birthday, as she wants to be with her sister in the kids' activities. They are homeschooled, so we don't have to worry about the school calendar when planning our vacation.

We will be celebrating our 15th wedding anniversary a few months early by taking this cruise. We've only been on one cruise before, which was in 2007, without kids, for our 10th anniversary. We sailed on the Holiday out of Mobile in early February that time. This time, we plan to sail on the Elation out of New Orleans.

Our 9-year-old daughter tends to get carsick, so I'm definitely planning to try to get a room that is midship, probably on Main deck. I also tend to get carsick, but took meclizine (Bonine) every day during our cruise and had no problems, even on a day when we had very rough seas with dishes crashing everywhere in the dining room.

We only plan to get one room. We don't plan to be in the room all that much anyway, and many times, two of our kids end up sleeping together in a twin bed at home, so I don't even think we'll need a rollaway bed.

How much time did you spend with your kids on your cruise, and how much time were you apart? Did you dine together for supper, or let them dine with the other kids? We like to try to do things as a family, and our kids are well-mannered & usually well-behaved (for the most part). I saw on some of the sample pages of kid club activities that they had kid activities scheduled even on days in Mexico, but I would rather take the kids on our excursions with us.

And, what time did you choose for dinner? We have the options of early, late or anytime (whatever that is called). I like the idea of having the same table with the same server every night, but not sure how that fits in with the kid activities.

Any other advice for cruising with kids would be greatly appreciated, as I plan to book our cruise later on today.

Thanks so much!

[Essiesmom]

" two of our kids end up sleeping together in a twin bed at home, so I don't even think we'll need a rollaway bed."

 

I would rethink that statement...This is what your quad room will look like:

 

 

Which of you is going to sleep in an upper so the kids can have the big bed? Even split, the twins are not as wide as a standard twin, 35" instead of 39". I would definitely get the rollaway. If you can work it out without using it, leave it folded up. Because if you refuse it, and then need it, it may not be available, having been alloted to someone else.

I don't think I would want two kids in an upper...EM

[cb at sea]

If you go for traditional dining, (my favorite!) then book the early seating time, as that will "fit" with most of the kid's evening activities.

 

Your kids are at the prime age to enjoy the kid's club...once they hit their teens, they tend to be a bit pickier about organized activities.

 

Some folk's kids LOVE to be there as much as possible....others will only go to one or two special things during the day. I'd just play it by ear and go with the flow! I'd definitely take the entire family ashore.....that's really precious "family" time!

[SadieN]

Looking at the pix from Essiesmom---

 

If you keep the lower beds apart you will have more 'room' in the cabin.

In an OV one bed will be under the window and the second will be across from the vanity. Not too romantic but doable.

 

There will be hooks next to the upper bunks. We have found a 6 pocket 'shoe holder' at the Dollar Tree works great as a nightstand for those sleeping up there.

[BlessedBeingMom]

Which of you is going to sleep in an upper so the kids can have the big bed? Even split, the twins are not as wide as a standard twin, 35" instead of 39". I would definitely get the rollaway. If you can work it out without using it, leave it folded up. Because if you refuse it, and then need it, it may not be available, having been alloted to someone else.

I don't think I would want two kids in an upper...EM

 

I will keep this in mind. However, at home all the kids have loft beds, so they are used to sleeping up high. And at home, my DH & I share a queen bed, and on occasion we'll have one of the younger two kids in bed with us (if sick, really bad weather, etc.) so we are open to that arrangement as well. We are pretty laid-back & definitely willing to go with the flow. :)

[eh2zed]

You are cruising during Feb. 29, 2012. Do I win a prize????

[lesleyswimcoach]

We did the Carnival Sensation(same class as Elation) last spring with our kids(5 & 8). We splurged on a Grande suite and loved it. If you don't care about a balcony/bigger bathroom you will be fine. We had to put pillows between our kids because they didn't want to sleep together! My daughter and I both get carsick and we were fine. It was calm on our cruise(not an ounce of rain!) so I don't know how it would be with a storm. We took benedryl at night just in case and we were okay. I bought her the wristbands but she just played with them. We are cruising in April on the Jewel out of Tampa. I plan on having both items on hand just in case. Hope you enjoy your first family cruise! My kids love it!

[BlessedBeingMom]

Forgot to mention that we are also used to close quarters from camping. :) And the kids shower at night & DH & I can do morning, so that should be okay too.

Thanks for all the advice!

[Smithkids5521]

How much time did you spend with your kids on your cruise, and how much time were you apart? I am sure every family is different, but for my family, we really tried to spend the days together. Swimming, playing mini golf, bingo, basketball, etc. Port days the kids went with us on any excursions. In the evenings, we would bring the kids to buffet and get them dinner and then the kids would go to camp so DH and I could eat a quiet dinner together in the MDR. This wasn't every night and there were a few nights we ate dinner with them in buffet or kids came with us to MDR.

 

Did you dine together for supper, or let them dine with the other kids?

We ate breakfast and lunch with them everyday, but like I said most nights the kids either ate with us at buffet or MDR or at the very least we would sit with them in buffet and chat with them while they ate (then DH and I would eat our meal in the MDR later that evening). We did let them eat with their friends from camp on the last evening. Next cruise I may let them eat again with camp friends a couple of times.

 

And, what time did you choose for dinner? We have the options of early, late or anytime (whatever that is called). I like the idea of having the same table with the same server every night, but not sure how that fits in with the kid activities. We had the anytime dining and really felt it worked best for my family. Of course, that does not mean it will work best for you. What we liked about the anytime is that we never felt rushed to make it to dinner by 6pm. If we spent the port day off ship and wanted to take a nap when we got back on board, we could do that and have dinner later (say 7pm). Plus, it worked out great for us since we could take the kids to eat dinner at buffet, drop them off at camp and then head to MDR for a romantic meal when we were ready to eat. If we wanted to drop kids off at camp and then head back to our room for a glass of wine...well, we could. I don't like being told what time to eat while on vacation, but like I said- some families prefer to have a set schedule. BTW- we still had the same server each night- he knew our names and that i liked to have coffee with my warm chocolate melting cake and 2 sides of ice cream...;)

 

Any other advice for cruising with kids would be greatly appreciated, as I plan to book our cruise later on today.

Thanks so much!

 

I guess the only advice I can give is this- be sure to take time for just yourself and DH. I really think that is what is so great about a cruise. There is lots to do as a family, but having the camp carnival available allows us to have some alone time. Previous vacations we have taken to places like Disney World, while wonderful and lots of fun- we were all together 24/7. By the end of a 9 day Disney vacation, the kids were fighting over every little thing and I couldn't wait to send the kids back to school and go back to work!:eek: After a cruise, I am sad it has to end...;)

 

Other tips: bring a power cord for the room and bring googles for the kids to use in the pool. Salt water really stings...

And last tip- have a great cruise!! :) Happy birthdays and happy anniversary!

[A&Jfamily]

Keep in mind that u will have the option of letting the 9 and 11 year olds have sign in/out privileges....

 

We tend most mornings to have breakfast together....but now that my oldest is a teen, he can stay out later and is often allowed to sleep in. During the day, my youngest likes camp in the morning and I will have "me" time....gym, serenity deck etc. Lunch is together as a family. Afternoon is typically family time with pool, putt putt etc. Dinner is at 6. Don't like anytime dining with 5....very very hard to get seated due to limited larger tables. Also like having the same wait staff....they learn the kids likes and have milk and fruit on the table when we arrive. It's nice to get the special treatment.

 

After dinner, they r more than ready for camp which gives some nice adult time for shows, casino, hot tub etc. Don't tend to b late night people, so they are off to bed at 10 which we get some relaxing time on our balcony.

 

Shore excursions, except when my youngest was very young, are always as a family.

 

For me it is all about balance. A cruise is a great vacation for everyone because everyone can get to do their own thing at times, but also come together for some great family memories. Good luck striking that balance that works for you! Happy travels

 

For me, it is all about balance,

[Ggdean]

My 3 are little so our cruising style will be different. something you might want to try is having a meal or two solo with each child. One thing with 3 is that you seem to never get the one on one time and the cruise gives you the opportunity to do so.