New cruiser - have questions

[wickedlady08]

Hello,

 

I"m new here and have some questions regarding which cruise line I should choose for my 1st cruise.

 

I am planning on cruising with my husband (we our both in our 50's) and my daughter and her family. Since she has young children (1,6 & 8 y.o.) they want a line with children's activities and babysitting. My husband and I enjoy fine dining and wine, theatre, art. THe two lines that I seem to like are Princess and Celebrity. I'm not sure if those would be good options for my daughter's family. I looked at Carnival and I don't think I would enjoy their ships. I'm looking for sometime more quiet with not too many teens and young people. She likes DIsney but I Find them quite expensive and think we can do better when it comes to cost.

 

We are also planning on cruising when the children are in school as oppose to the busier time of year when schools out.

 

ANy suggestions or recommendations?

 

Thank you :)

 

Jessica

[Keith1010]

Jessica, both Princess and Celebrity are nice choices but I would look hard at one of Celebrity's newer class ships and you'll find that Celebrity has better food and service than Princess. Don't get me wrong Princess is nice but Celebrity will be a little nicer and based on what you described a nice choice for you and the family.

 

Keith

[6rugrats]

I also would skip Disney and Carnival. Neither Celebrity nor Princess have any drop off programs for the one year old.

 

Celebrity babysitting info:

 

http://www.celebritycruises.com/footer/faqResults.do?faqId=376&faqSubjectId=48&faqSubjectName=Age+Requirements

 

Princess youth program hours of operation:

 

http://www.princess.com/learn/onboard/activities/youth_teen/hours_operation/index.html

 

The one year old is not old enough for group babysitting on Princess, and there is no private babysitting. One year old will not be allowed in any regular pool on either line.

 

If babysitting is important, your choice is Celebrity.

[paul929207]

Also, at least on Princess, the one year old is too young for the kids program. Children must be 3 and toilet trained. I do not know Celebrities rules.

[Cruisin' Chick]

It could be that you're trying for an one-size fits all cruiseline. You should find a cruise specialist (a TA that specializes in cruises) that is knowledgeable about taking toddlers and kids on cruises.

 

One thing to consider too is that the older kids might want to be on a ship with several other kids (which sounds like something you don't want). So going at a time when school is in session may not be the best thing (and if the kids aren't homeschooled and are in a school district where going on a vacation when school is in session, the parents are going to have to deal with that -- and believe me, it can be a royal pain to convince a school not to penalize your kid for missing school).

[skandls]

Have you considered the Oasis or Allure? There are a lot of shows and music. Art?(Not sure what you mean.) Food - there are several specialty restaurants - yes they cost extra and the food is very good. Royal is also rolling new menus for the main dining room. I have not used the childrens programs but most people find them to be very good.

 

Celebrity is better for food and wine - but maybe on the quiet side for the younger members of your family.

[Krazy Kruizers]

Remember that if you choose a time when the majority of the children are in school, that means fewer children on the ship -- and on some cruise lines, they tend to cut back on the staff in the children's area during slack times.

 

You are going to have a tough time finding something that will suit each of you.

[Bonnie J.]

Carnival has babysitting until 3AM. This is a 'slumber party' in the kid's area not in your cabin. I believe there is an extra cost for this.

When we were on Princess a year ago we had to be the yougest on board and we were 67! I was surprised that their kids program went from 9 to 12 then 2 to 5. It didn't go all day long like carnivals does. We really saw no kids at all.

We think of Celebrity as more of a country club cruise not many kids.

Do look into Royal Caribbean. They have a good program for kids. But as was said there is nothing for the one year old that I know of on any cruise ship. They would be with you or their parents the entire cruise.

[dorisis]

Have you considered the Oasis or Allure? There are a lot of shows and music. Art?(Not sure what you mean.) Food - there are several specialty restaurants - yes they cost extra and the food is very good. Royal is also rolling new menus for the main dining room. I have not used the childrens programs but most people find them to be very good.

 

Celebrity is better for food and wine - but maybe on the quiet side for the younger members of your family.

 

I think this might be the best compromise for the diverse age groups.

 

~Doris~

[panoramaofthepast]

Hello,

 

I"m new here and have some questions regarding which cruise line I should choose for my 1st cruise.

 

I am planning on cruising with my husband (we our both in our 50's) and my daughter and her family. Since she has young children (1,6 & 8 y.o.) they want a line with children's activities and babysitting. My husband and I enjoy fine dining and wine, theatre, art. THe two lines that I seem to like are Princess and Celebrity. I'm not sure if those would be good options for my daughter's family. I looked at Carnival and I don't think I would enjoy their ships. I'm looking for sometime more quiet with not too many teens and young people. She likes DIsney but I Find them quite expensive and think we can do better when it comes to cost.

 

We are also planning on cruising when the children are in school as oppose to the busier time of year when schools out.

 

ANy suggestions or recommendations?

 

Thank you :)

 

Jessica

 

As much as I like many aspects of Royal Caribbean, if you want fine food, you don't want RC. IMHO, it is their weakness.

 

Princess would probably be the best "fits all" for you, but the child care may be an issue. I echo another poster - talk to a travel agent who specializes in cruises.

[wickedlady08]

Thank you everyone for your suggestions. We realize that the 1 y.o. will have to stay with us at all times. I am now wondering if it would be better for the children to go when school is out. We want them to be with other kids so they can also have a good experience.

 

I do plan on speaking with a cruise specialist but it looks like RC may be the suited for our family.

 

Jessica

[skandls]

There are always children on the ship - probably due to year round schooling. If you go during schools out vacation times - the prices will be higher and the kids programs more crowded.