Does anyone else NOT use kids programs??

[Prinycesa07]

I'm very excited to cruise as a family vacation. Mine wont be in the kids programs at port. I want to experience those places with them. But on the ship? My almost 3 year old loves to run around, loves crafts and toys, she will be bored sitting in the sun with mommy.

[junglejane]

I'd like to expand on the point made by Evandive about the ages of kids affecting the issue. Our 2 DD's are now 15 and 11. We started cruising when they were 8 and 4. We've taken them on 11 family cruises, including 3 to Europe. When they were younger they tended to use the kids clubs a lot on sea days and in the evening. Our older DD is quite independent and started to tire of the kids clubs around age 11. But since she became a teen she has developed a renewed interest in the the teen program mainly as a way to meet others the same age -- even if she doeesn't participate in all the organized teen activities.

 

We have also taken them on lots of land trips (including pre-cruise land trips) where we've been together as a family 24/7. We've taken them to London, Rome, New York City, Washington DC, San Francisco. Most recently we went to Paris for 8 days over Spring Break. We had a great time seeing all the sites, dining and shopping together. But our 15 year old said she missed the chance to hang out in the evening with other teens like she did last summer on the Celebrity Equinox.

 

Lots of factors come into play. Age, temperament, whether your group already includes other kids or teens (siblings or friends) to hang out with. And what works one time might not work the next time! I'm curious to see how our younger DD does for our next two cruises. On our Christmas cruise, she'll be one of the oldest in the Princess kids group, but on our Celebrity cruise in March she'll just turn 12 and be one of the youngest in the teen program. We'll just see how she likes it and let her decide how much or little she wants to do.

[crusinmama06]

I agree 100% that it is ALL about what the children want. My children started cruising as infants/toddlers and couldn't wait until they were old enough to go to "ship school". I had to set my own rules about the times that the kids HAD to stay with us (meal times, port days, sea day afternoons at the pool.

 

If it were up to my kids - they would stay the entire time at the club. They literally can't get enough. And I make sure we do the ships with the best kids club staff so my girls are excited about their vacation.

 

But it is all about personality. My girls are extremely social. They love being with me but let's face it - as cool as mom is - I can't beat a dance party with their new friends.

 

Some kids don't like dance parties so it would be lame to them. ;)

[angelndscz]

Part of what appeals to me about cruising with preschool children is the kids clubs! I think sea days are a perfect time to let the kid(s) have fun with other kids and let mommy and daddy get some precious quiet time alone together.

 

We are just starting to think about our first family vacations, and when I consider other options (land based vacations, Disney, etc) honestly I feel like I'd be exhausted by the end of it. Not that we won't do those things, but I really, really like the idea of being able to take a family vacation and still get at least a few hours on sea days for alone time with my hubby. There will still be LOTS of time for family time together.

 

Edited to add: I think really this depends on the age of the kids. Older children and preteens are entirely different than my will-be 2 y/o for example. While I don't plan on using the kid's club as a "babysitter" for the whole week, I do plan to take advantage of it at least a few hours on sea days to reconnect with my husband as well. I'm a stay at home mom 90% of the time - so while I get to play with my son every day, sitting and sharing a quiet cup of whatever on a lounger with my hubby is a rare luxury. And quite honestly - a 2 year old will not have much to do on board with the adults, whereas a 10 year can enjoy more "grown up" things and adventures. I just don't want to be judged for WANTING to use the kid's club!! LOL. We've also cruised with DH's then 14 year old brother who we adopted - who used the club maybe once or twice, but mostly just hung out with us. TOTALLY different comparing a 14 year old using the teen club to a 2 year old using the kid's club. :)

 

 

I live 45 minutes from Disney and use to go to Disney all the time. My kids are a little tired of Disney right now. LOL. I am also a member of several Disney boards. If you go to Disney with little ones for a week, you have to schedule down days, like every 3rd day is a down day where you just stay at the hotel and rest. When my daughter turned 3 we got the entire family Disney passes and planned to stay for 4 days. By lunch on the 3rd day all the kids were asking to go home because it had been a marathon 3 days as our first family vacation there and trying to do everything in a short time period. What we started doing a couple trips later is each kid got to pick 1 or 2 things for their must-do list. We did those things first, then just filled in the rest of the day (or went home) with other things that the line or wait was not very long. We were going at least 1 Saturday every month for a year. Now we really only go when we have relatives visiting or special occasions like a birthday.

[calikak]

The one time we were on a cruise with DS when he was old enough for kids' club (he had just turned 2 and we were on Carnival), he didn't want to go. He wanted to be with us instead, and he didn't get why he couldn't be with us and had to go to what he perceived as daycare (not as a fun activity specially for him). Which, actually, I didn't have a problem with--it's a family vacation, and I work full time, so spending time with him isn't a chore. It sure would have been nice to be able to leave him with the kids' club so we could eat dinner in the dining room on that cruise (he was not at a maturity level where he could have behaved appropriately through a sit-down meal), but whatever, the buffet certainly isn't the end of the world.

 

On our next cruise, he'll be almost 6, and we'll give him the option of going to kids' club, but I'm guessing he won't be interested. Which is fine, we'll just do stuff together instead. I know when he's 17, he'll be at the teen center and want nothing to do with Mom and Dad, and that's cool too.

[Warm Breezes]

The one time we were on a cruise with DS when he was old enough for kids' club (he had just turned 2 and we were on Carnival), he didn't want to go. He wanted to be with us instead, and he didn't get why he couldn't be with us and had to go to what he perceived as daycare (not as a fun activity specially for him). Which, actually, I didn't have a problem with--it's a family vacation, and I work full time, so spending time with him isn't a chore. It sure would have been nice to be able to leave him with the kids' club so we could eat dinner in the dining room on that cruise (he was not at a maturity level where he could have behaved appropriately through a sit-down meal), but whatever, the buffet certainly isn't the end of the world.

 

On our next cruise, he'll be almost 6, and we'll give him the option of going to kids' club, but I'm guessing he won't be interested. Which is fine, we'll just do stuff together instead. I know when he's 17, he'll be at the teen center and want nothing to do with Mom and Dad, and that's cool too.[/quote]

 

Don't be so sure of that....My DS at 17 still wanted nothing to do with the teen clubs just last year. He preferred hanging out with us and his sister (14).

[Onessa]

The one time we were on a cruise with DS when he was old enough for kids' club (he had just turned 2 and we were on Carnival), he didn't want to go. He wanted to be with us instead, and he didn't get why he couldn't be with us and had to go to what he perceived as daycare (not as a fun activity specially for him). Which, actually, I didn't have a problem with--it's a family vacation, and I work full time, so spending time with him isn't a chore. It sure would have been nice to be able to leave him with the kids' club so we could eat dinner in the dining room on that cruise (he was not at a maturity level where he could have behaved appropriately through a sit-down meal), but whatever, the buffet certainly isn't the end of the world.

 

On our next cruise, he'll be almost 6, and we'll give him the option of going to kids' club, but I'm guessing he won't be interested. Which is fine, we'll just do stuff together instead. I know when he's 17, he'll be at the teen center and want nothing to do with Mom and Dad, and that's cool too.

 

Never tried a cruise on a line where a 2yo was included in kids clubs with our dd, but as soon as she was old enough we'd have her "try" the first night. She always seemed to find a couple of other girls her age withwhom she clicked. She was happy coming to dinner with us and then one of us would bring her to the club and she'd be happy with her friends and the activities. She had always been in great daycare programs so even if she HAD perceived it to be daycare, she wouldn't necessarily have seenit as a negative. She is pretty social and likes to spend at least part of her day with her peers.

 

Even on the cruises when we were cruising with friends, all the kids would spend at leastsome of there time together in the clubs .

 

Dd is now 16yo and while she will still go to the first night mixer at the teen club,the friends she meets there are really not interested in hanging out at the teen club. Now days if she meets some nice kids her age she will spend some time with them, but now more than whenshe was young, she would rather spend time with mom and dad. She hates missing a meal in the mdr, likes the shows, and the live music

[askimdog]

My daughter who just turned 8 does not care for Kids Club/Camp Carnival. She finds it to loud and rowdy amongst other things. We have never been fans of it either, the few times we tried it all we heard from the staff there and our daughter was:

 

"Remember for only $$$$ you can stuff a toy bear"

"Tell your parents for only $$$ you can come to the later dance party"

" If the child returns for $$$ she can _______"

 

Seemed to much "promises" and promotions.

 

All in all, very little time happens for her to be there. Port days are up early, eat or skip breakfast, all day in Port exploring museums, visiting schools/orphanages, nature trails ( we don't do beach stuff,atvs, ziplines, tubing etc.) and finding local foods. Tired when back on board it is near dinner. This leaves precious time for an ice cream run or pool dip before bed (8:30).

 

Sea days she likes the pool, board games with family and often with Port activity and since we cruise during school season, she ends up catching up with her homework.

 

If we can squeeze in a musical show with her after dinner, it is all the best, she loves the big shows but struggles to keep awake after dinner.

[nolegirl18]

These boards have been very helpful as we plan our second family cruise. I wonder, though, if anyone else cruises as a family and doesn't use any of the kids programming? We have traveled extensively apart from cruising and my sons (ages 13 and 10 now) have never chosen to participate in kids club type programs. We enjoy staying together as a family and experiencing places together. They are good travelers, adventurous eaters, and love seeing and learning new things. (Example - last year we went to Paris and were discussing the possibility of taking a day to see Versailles. A cousin's husband said it might be boring for kids and not to waste a day. My then 9 yr old was offended and said "He obviously doesn't know us!")

 

We have always told them that if anything in kids programs looks like something they want to do, we are happy for them to try it. It hasnt happened, though -they've always wanted to experience the ports/cities/etc right along with us and we are certainly happy to have them with us. Luckily they get along great and we love to hangout together as a family.

 

I am not judging anyone who uses kids clubs - they are wonderful I'm sure. It is just confusing that anytime I see any reference to how good a ship is for families, it is almost always discussing the merits of the kids program which in our case would separate our family in a way we don't want. Is there anyone else out there that approaches family traveling like we do? Again, NOT making any judgments at all, truly just curious....

 

 

We use them, but my kids don't love them! However, My husband and I always make a point to find "our" time on cruises as well. I've never used them during the day...that is our family time but in the evenings after dinner my husband and I go on dates w/out the kids. I have found this helps us relax more which in turn makes our daytime activities more fun. We do all dining and excursions as a family, and on days the ship is in port overnight my kids are with us. I personally would never leave the ship w/out my children. My kids are very good sports about going and make the best of it. They know they cannot sit on the Serenity Deck, go into the Casino or sit in an adult comedy show. They do this for us...we do the waterslides for them! Works for our family.

[Sparkygirl]

This really depends on the family. My DH is a stay at home dad so for him having just a couple hours to himself is precious and our DD needs the interaction with others. Does that mean we take our child and never see her except at bedtime...NO! Each family finds a balance that is right for them.

[WAHMto5]

We always leave it up to the kids if there are activities that they want to go to during the week. Though we did find that on the Disney Cruise, they wanted to spend quite a bit of time in the kids clubs due to their great services!

[momof3cruisers]

We use them, but my kids don't love them! However, My husband and I always make a point to find "our" time on cruises as well. I've never used them during the day...that is our family time but in the evenings after dinner my husband and I go on dates w/out the kids. I have found this helps us relax more which in turn makes our daytime activities more fun. We do all dining and excursions as a family, and on days the ship is in port overnight my kids are with us. I personally would never leave the ship w/out my children. My kids are very good sports about going and make the best of it. They know they cannot sit on the Serenity Deck, go into the Casino or sit in an adult comedy show. They do this for us...we do the waterslides for them! Works for our family.

 

My kids really didn't like them much either. We did have two night we went out on our own and the kids just stayed in the cabin. The oldest is 15 so we were fine with that. I did hope for a bit of time on the Serenity deck, but no luck. Daytime was definitely family time. We had fun.....but my husband and I are going w/o them next spring.

[spunkyhungry]

When my brother and I were teens, he didn't go to the teen program at all. I went to 2 activities. So I know what you mean. We mainly did activities with our family, too. Plus we're shy, so that deterred us a bit.

[sjb.illinois]

Part of what appeals to me about cruising with preschool children is the kids clubs! I think sea days are a perfect time to let the kid(s) have fun with other kids and let mommy and daddy get some precious quiet time alone together.

 

We are just starting to think about our first family vacations, and when I consider other options (land based vacations, Disney, etc) honestly I feel like I'd be exhausted by the end of it. Not that we won't do those things, but I really, really like the idea of being able to take a family vacation and still get at least a few hours on sea days for alone time with my hubby. There will still be LOTS of time for family time together.

 

Edited to add: I think really this depends on the age of the kids. Older children and preteens are entirely different than my will-be 2 y/o for example. While I don't plan on using the kid's club as a "babysitter" for the whole week, I do plan to take advantage of it at least a few hours on sea days to reconnect with my husband as well. I'm a stay at home mom 90% of the time - so while I get to play with my son every day, sitting and sharing a quiet cup of whatever on a lounger with my hubby is a rare luxury. And quite honestly - a 2 year old will not have much to do on board with the adults, whereas a 10 year can enjoy more "grown up" things and adventures. I just don't want to be judged for WANTING to use the kid's club!! LOL. We've also cruised with DH's then 14 year old brother who we adopted - who used the club maybe once or twice, but mostly just hung out with us. TOTALLY different comparing a 14 year old using the teen club to a 2 year old using the kid's club. :)

 

I have to agree with you. We took all 4 of our children (we are a blended family, 2 from each) to Disney/Universal/Sea World for a week over Christmas with our inlaws. Wow. Wonderful time but so oh-very-exhausting. So yes, for us we are definitely looking forward to the cruise in December (our first with the kids, just the 2 this time) as a chance to enjoy some family down-time as well as alone grownup time. We plan to let the kids try out the kid's club and see what they think. The wonderful thing about this cruise, I think, is that there are so many options and such flexibility.

Like all aspects of parenting, I think you have to do what works best for YOUR family and YOUR kids. Happy sailing!

[irvington]

We are the same. My sons are 10 and 13. We just got off a cruise yesterday and I couldn't get them to go to the kids' club. My older son used to like them when he was younger for the crafts, but so many of them at resorts are bad, he kind of went off them. My 10 year old is very social so I was surprised he wouldn't go -- he's the kind of kid who is happy to meet other kids at playgrounds etc. But they were happy and busy with the pool, going to movies, going to lectures and music performers and shows, and of course all the eating adventures. They've traveled a lot and like many adult things, so maybe I shouldn't have been so surprised.

 

ETA: Ages do make a big difference! I remember one heavenly Hawaii trip where we shared a sitter with another family and could eat adult meals. But the boys were 2 and 5. Now they can go to the movies on board by themselves, so that's the break time. Also it helps that they have each other and get along well.

[Onessa]

The teen program really is not the "kids" program. On all cruises we've been on since DD turned 12YO, she really has little interest in the teen programming, but does appreciate it as a place to meet other kids her age.

 

On some cruises she and her friends used it as one of the places where they "hung out". Typically, if the teen director tried to involve them in some activity, they'd find some place else to hang. On one cruise the kids program director let some 11YO "age up" into the teen program -- I never saw any other cruise where the teens so actively avoided the teen lounge area :)

[cg_abby]

Here is a view from a kid/teen perspective...I've been on two cruises, one when I was 13 and my little bro was 8 and one when I was 15 and my brother and cousins were 13, 11, 10, and 9. We have looked at the kids clubs but never seriously considered using them. For us there is way too much to see and do, whether as a family or split up, to use them. We have always preferred "making our own adventures", relaxing by the pool, going to shows and presentations, etc on sea days, and port days are always full of family activities.

 

On both cruises if the adults needed some alone time, I would be in charge of the younger kids and we would have a great time going to the buffet, getting ice cream, swimming, or watching movies. Obviously this won't work for a 2 year old but once the kids are mature/old enough to handle themselves, let them do it. I have always enjoyed the independence a cruise gives me- on a land vacation, I could never just take my brother and walk a few blocks away to a restaurant without my parents, but on a cruise it's no big deal.

 

As a teen the "teen club" areas/programs have always turned me off. I'm around hundreds of teens every day at school, I come on vacation to get away from them and enjoy some calm! The teens clubs just seem so crazy, rowdy, and honestly, obnoxious. I am not going on vacation to play video games or get hit on by a bunch of guys. I have seen teenagers on my past cruises doing pretty scary things because their guard is down and they think there will be no consequences... no thanks. I am not "too cool" to be with my parents and I do enjoy being with my family.

 

We leave for an Alaskan cruise in two days and you will find both me and my brother spending time with each other, our parents, and our grandparents. There will be many activities for all of us to do and we won't be bored. And my brother and I can always hang out on our own for a few hours to give my parents a break :) This is what has always worked for my family and probably always will. If we were much younger, felt the need to socialize more, or my parents did not trust us, yah we might have used the clubs. There is a time and a place for everything, and what works for us may not work for someone else.

 

I say above all it should be the choice of the kids- it is their vacation too. I cannot imagine a parent just leaving their kids in the club for a whole week- why even bring them on vacation? I think a few hours at a time is fine but all day every day? I guess if the kid enjoys it that much, then fine, but give them some options.

[jojabis]

The way I read the OP was that is was frustrating that the only family cruise info was about the kids clubs. I want to know about the ship, the staterooms, fun things to see and do with the kiddoes. I want the cool tips like the shoe organizer or some other thing that will save our sanity. I would love to see more of that.

 

just a thought

[Cruisin' Chick]

The way I read the OP was that is was frustrating that the only family cruise info was about the kids clubs. I want to know about the ship, the staterooms, fun things to see and do with the kiddoes. I want the cool tips like the shoe organizer or some other thing that will save our sanity. I would love to see more of that.

 

just a thought

 

But just think of it this way: if you have questions about a specific ship, you're more likely to get them answered if you post on the cruiseline's area. Same thing with getting tips about what to bring (non-kid oriented things). I imagine that most people who don't have kids do not go here to read the topics. Why should they? And those who have questions about bringing kids will often be directed to this area.

[nyyhoneybee]

The only time my sister and I ever used kids club was when I was 10 and she was 8 and that was our first cruise. Any other cruise we spent time together as a family. Sure, we split up and went our separate ways if there was something one of us wanted to do, but I don't think she and I even looked at the kids club after that trip.

[Gymjenn14]

Went on a June cruise to Alaska with HAL and the kids club was one of the best parts of the cruise for my 7 year old daughter. She is an only child, so no siblings to play with, and aside from the pool and board games in the library there was little for her to actually "do" on the ship. There were about 7-10 kids consistently in club HAL and every night she chose to eat dinner in the Lido and then go to club HAL for the evening instead of eating in the MDR with us. on sea days she was in the kids club for all three sessions of kids club and made some very good friends for the week. She was never made to go to club HAL, but always chose it when given the option. That being said we never went off the ship without her (although that is an option) and we only did one late night (10-12pm in club HAL for $10).