Taking kids on their first cruise, but have some Camp Carnival?'s

[nicole276]

DH & I have been on three carnival cruises and have really enjoyed each of them. We are thinking about taking our kids, DD 5 & DS 3, this winter. Before I start with the questions, we are pretty committed to carnival at this point because we found some really reasonable rates, so I just really need info on Camp Carnival. Thanks! Anyhow, I guess my biggest concern is that I know if I try to leave my son he will cry. He goes to daycare three days a week and has for over a year while I am in college, but still cries when I drop him off. They say it just lasts a few minutes and he is over it, but will Camp Carnival deal with that okay? We really would only take them there probably for short times when DH and I wanted to hit the casino, or have a couple drinks, etc. We don't plan to leave them in there while in port or anything.

 

I guess just give me any advice you have concerning the kids club. Like I said, we have always enjoyed our vacations on Carnival, and this seems like such a great way for us to have a family vacation and Dh and I to get some down time too. Any advice would be greatly appreciated, or if you have a link or anything describing Camp Carnival in more detail, that would be great. Happy to be back on the boards again, thinking of cruising, and always find the answers I need here. You guys are great!

[#1TravelMom]

Definately try Kid's Club. We've seen many children crying, but it rarely lasts for more than a few moments. The staff is great with the kids and gets them involved quickly in fun activities. You can always drop them and leave and sneak back in and peak in on them as often as you like to see how they are doing. I don't think I've ever talked to anyone who had a child refuse to stay.

[cb at sea]

They will deal with it...they will distract him and get him interested in whatever they're doing. If they can't console him, they will call you...no fear!

[LAdad]

My DD4 cries when we leave her but the staff distract her within a few minutes. My DW and I feel alright leaving her like that because they lend us a really handy ship phone that works anywhere on the ship. We've been called twice... first time to pickup my DD4 for dinner because we were running late and second time because my DS7 wanted to stay for the optional late night Owls Night party and didn't want to get picked up at 10pm. I think they priortize the phone for the 5 and under group... but once we get it for our DD4 we tell the 6-8 yo counselors to call us there for my DS7. You get the ship phone and a charger on the first day and turn it in on the last night. We also use it to call the cabin and other numbers on the ship... truly awesome!

[Julienatul]

They will "deal" with it only for a few minutes. You will be issued a pager or cellphone and they will call you to come get him/her if the crying lasts more than a few minutes. My kids are daycare kids too and I have found Carnival to be the least comforting of the lines. When my kids were younger they would call every time to come get them after a few minutes. In fact, my DD never even used the camp until she was almost 4 because they would always call us. Multiple ships multiple sailings. Its more like an activity service than a daycare. If your child is happy and wants to participate they can stay. If they are the slightest bit uncomfortable they will call you to come get them.

[jules1121]

If your kids are still 5 and 3 when you cruise they will be together in the same group. :)

 

You will get a phone so you can call and check on them and there is a video screen outside of the room ( I believe this is the norm but was the case on the two ships I have used CC) so you can either watch for a few minutes or come back and check on your child.

 

My DD has been going to the same daycare since she was a little baby and still often cries or gets clingy when I drop her off but I know she is fine soon after (does the same with a babysitter or church nursery). I expected the same behavior would happen at camp carnival and it did. DD has gone to camp carnival now when she was 2 and again when she was 3 and it was the usual of cry, cling for a few minutes and then she was fine. Usually we would stop by and check on her via the video monitor before picking her up. If she really looked like she was having fun we would go do other stuff and come back. I only had camp carnival call me one time when DD had an accident and needed a change of clothes.

[nicole276]

Thanks for the answers! Ugh, just can't decide. I would completely book one if the stinkin flights weren't more expensive than the cruise :) We are from Indiana, and I'm not sure we want to drive 15 hours or spend over $1000 on flights. Sounds like so much fun though.....

 

My kids would be in the same group, so i know that would be helpful because DD 5 would have no issues going to camp. I asked DS's teachers this morning when I dropped him off, and they said he usually only cries for like 30 seconds after I leave and then is over it. We will just have to see!

[mikesteg]

In fact, my DD never even used the camp until she was almost 4 because they would always call us. Multiple ships multiple sailings. Its more like an activity service than a daycare. If your child is happy and wants to participate they can stay. If they are the slightest bit uncomfortable they will call you to come get them.

 

We've had the same experience. Our twins will be just 3 (37 months) on the next cruise so we're going in assuming we won't get much out of Camp. I think that's a reasonable assumption for any parent since you just don't know when a child will react badly to a situation.

 

Also, kids are not in daycare, so its not a surprise that they don't do real well. Actually, DD does fine but won't stay w/o her twin brother. DS just won't stay and the camp folks don't seem to make much effort to acclimate him.

 

But it's still a cruise! :D