planning a family cruise- need some advice!

[apey9995]

Hello all,

 

I am new to CC and am in the process of planning a cruise for myself & husband, and two sons, ages 2 and 6. My husband and I have cruised before, but this will be the first time with the kids. We are planning to travel on the Carnival Victory to Half Moon Cay, Grand Turk, and Nassau. I've been reading the message boards and still have a few ?s hopefully someone can give me some help with.

 

1. My first instinct was to book a balcony room. My thoughts were that while my youngest son was napping, my husband and I could sit out there and read or have a drink in order to keep the room quiet for him. Also I figured with the rooms being so small with kids it would give us some nice "'extra" space. My only concern now is with safety... we would obviously keep an eye on the kids at all times, but still accidents can happen. I'm wondering now if it will just be a constant battle to keep the two year old away from the railing, and if the hassel is even worth it. Maybe an oceanview room would be better? Anyone have any advice/personal experience with this?

 

2. We plan to just enjoy the beaches in Grand Turk and Half Moon Cay, or maybe rent a cabana, but we would like to plan an excursion in Nassau if we can find one that works for all of us. I know there aren't too many things you can do with a two year old. I'm getting mixed reviews on Atlantis. Is it worth the money or not? Carnival also has a sea lion encounter with Atlantis excursion. Anyone done this before with kids? There is no minimum age.

 

3. Jacks shack in Grand Turk... its a bar. But I'm seeing alot of family reviews where people are taking kids there and saying its "family friendly". Kind of confused on that...

 

4. Does carnival have any rules about swim wings/arm floaties in the pools?

 

5. Any other tips for crusing with kids in this age group? I'd appreciate all the advice I can get :) If anyone has any reviews they have written, feel free to post the link!

 

Thanks so much!!

[rebeccalouiseagain]

I wouldn't worry about the balcony. The balcony door usually are difficult for kids to open in the first place. Once the novelty has worn off- I doubt that they will be overly interested in the balcony- more into the tv probably.

 

Just like at home- you have to watch a two year old- so that holds true for the balcony. Just make sure you close it when using the bathroom or something like that. I'm sure your six year old is tuned into the safety of the two year old as well. So that's a help.

 

You should have one since the cabins are a bit claustrophobic with four.

 

You can visit the little aquarium at Atlantis but won't be able to use the pools unless you pay a fee. It's up to you. The water slides are a bit scary in my opinion for kids that age. You might just want to make it a beach day there- which I think a two year old would like making sand castles just as much.

 

As long as your child is potty trained they can use the pools on the ship. If not- the pools on land usually allow kids in swim diapers. On Grand Turk there is nothing to do really other than use the pool at Margaritaville- which is where the ship docks. http://www.margaritavillecaribbean.com/welcome_grandturk.html

 

Don't forget that sometimes it is fun to stay onboard when the ship is in port and have the pool all to yourself!

[xrayvin]

I agree with previous poster. Go with the Balcony. When DH and I took DS for the first time with us we went with a balcony for the same reasons you suggested. It is great! When he needed downtime we would just sit on the balcony, same with night time. In order to have a great day the next morning we did go back to the cabin early. It was easier for DS to fall asleep without us right on top of him and it was nice to have a glass of wine and listen to the ocean prior to going to sleep. Establish the rules, no chairs up against the railing and no standing on the chairs. Those railings are tall!You will not regret the balcony. It made our cruise with a young child.

 

 

Recently we visited GT for the first time DS is now older (he was 7 ) but for what it is worth GT was his 2nd favorite island EVER (just shy of Aruba) He loved the sand, the warm water, attempting to snorkel and just playing. We found chairs on the Local beach. It is between the margaritaville area and Jacks shack. The chairs and umbrellas were free and they had coconuts they would open and put a straw in, DS loved that. (you can add rum as well if you want) It was a great day and very relaxing!

 

 

Jack Shack is a bar that is on the beach,(same as the local beach) they offer drinks and food. You do have to pay for chairs and umbrella, but it is a nice spot. We did not stay there because we could get the chairs free on the same beach closer to the ship. But I will say my mom and I did order a drink to walk back to our area on the local beach and it was yummy!

 

 

Nassau I cant say I have only been there with adults and we have only done excursions that would not be good for kids.

 

 

Half moon I will get to experience for the first time this september! I am very excited for it.

 

 

I have done a review that includes only GT but it was on the miracle, feel free to check it out. There are pictures of GT

 

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1576943

 

You will not believe how much different and amazing cruising with kids can be. Seeing everything through their eyes...it's magical! Enjoy

[apey9995]

I agree with previous poster. Go with the Balcony. When DH and I took DS for the first time with us we went with a balcony for the same reasons you suggested. It is great! When he needed downtime we would just sit on the balcony, same with night time. In order to have a great day the next morning we did go back to the cabin early. It was easier for DS to fall asleep without us right on top of him and it was nice to have a glass of wine and listen to the ocean prior to going to sleep. Establish the rules, no chairs up against the railing and no standing on the chairs. Those railings are tall!You will not regret the balcony. It made our cruise with a young child.

 

 

Recently we visited GT for the first time DS is now older (he was 7 ) but for what it is worth GT was his 2nd favorite island EVER (just shy of Aruba) He loved the sand, the warm water, attempting to snorkel and just playing. We found chairs on the Local beach. It is between the margaritaville area and Jacks shack. The chairs and umbrellas were free and they had coconuts they would open and put a straw in, DS loved that. (you can add rum as well if you want) It was a great day and very relaxing!

 

 

Jack Shack is a bar that is on the beach,(same as the local beach) they offer drinks and food. You do have to pay for chairs and umbrella, but it is a nice spot. We did not stay there because we could get the chairs free on the same beach closer to the ship. But I will say my mom and I did order a drink to walk back to our area on the local beach and it was yummy!

 

 

Nassau I cant say I have only been there with adults and we have only done excursions that would not be good for kids.

 

 

Half moon I will get to experience for the first time this september! I am very excited for it.

 

 

I have done a review that includes only GT but it was on the miracle, feel free to check it out. There are pictures of GT

 

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1576943

 

You will not believe how much different and amazing cruising with kids can be. Seeing everything through their eyes...it's magical! Enjoy

 

 

This is great to know... thank you! My husband and I have been to half moon cay before, and it was our favorite stop! We can't wait to go back.. you will love it. Just a very laid back relaxing beach stop! We rode horses while we were there also, which was a fun experience!

 

About to read your GT review, thanks for sharing!:)

[apey9995]

I wouldn't worry about the balcony. The balcony door usually are difficult for kids to open in the first place. Once the novelty has worn off- I doubt that they will be overly interested in the balcony- more into the tv probably.

 

Just like at home- you have to watch a two year old- so that holds true for the balcony. Just make sure you close it when using the bathroom or something like that. I'm sure your six year old is tuned into the safety of the two year old as well. So that's a help.

 

You should have one since the cabins are a bit claustrophobic with four.

 

You can visit the little aquarium at Atlantis but won't be able to use the pools unless you pay a fee. It's up to you. The water slides are a bit scary in my opinion for kids that age. You might just want to make it a beach day there- which I think a two year old would like making sand castles just as much.

 

As long as your child is potty trained they can use the pools on the ship. If not- the pools on land usually allow kids in swim diapers. On Grand Turk there is nothing to do really other than use the pool at Margaritaville- which is where the ship docks. http://www.margaritavillecaribbean.com/welcome_grandturk.html

 

Don't forget that sometimes it is fun to stay onboard when the ship is in port and have the pool all to yourself!

 

Thanks so much! This is very good to know. I didn't realize the aquarium at Atlantis was free. Thanks for the info :)

[cb at sea]

Ditto the balcony....it's a non-issue for small kids! It will be a nice place to "hang" while naps are in progress!

[maureencruiser]

two connecting insides will give you 2 bathrooms and more space and no worries about balcony...kids nap in one while you watch tv in other....probably will cost less than 1 balcony, depending on ship/date...

[Sandpiper10]

Our DD's 1st cruise in 2010, they were 3 & 6. For GT, we paid $80 and rented a golf cart from Nathan (his contact info is somewhere on the GT board)for the day and explored the island and even had a beach to ourselves. We stopped at Jacks shack and we didn't care for the food, but it is beautiful there. We are not 1's to take our kids to a bar, but it was a nice calm atmosphere the day we were there. Also, don't be afraid to take the kids to Margariettaville. There was a kid friendly part of the pool away from the partying and drinking.

Nassau....grabbed a taxi at the pier and went to Astoria gardens zoo. With admission and rt taxi, total cost was $60. The girls loved it.

We leave next Sunday for their 3rd cruise, 1st with a balcony so I can't help you out there. Don't be afraid to set "cruise rules" and be firm. They need to understand no climbing on the rails and chairs on the balcony and around the boat.

Another thing we do is take a break each day in the room for them to unwind, even when getting back on the boat from a port. We also keep our girls on their daily routine and had them in the cabin by 9pm so we didn't end up with cranky kids.

[apey9995]

Our DD's 1st cruise in 2010, they were 3 & 6. For GT, we paid $80 and rented a golf cart from Nathan (his contact info is somewhere on the GT board)for the day and explored the island and even had a beach to ourselves. We stopped at Jacks shack and we didn't care for the food, but it is beautiful there. We are not 1's to take our kids to a bar, but it was a nice calm atmosphere the day we were there. Also, don't be afraid to take the kids to Margariettaville. There was a kid friendly part of the pool away from the partying and drinking.

Nassau....grabbed a taxi at the pier and went to Astoria gardens zoo. With admission and rt taxi, total cost was $60. The girls loved it.

We leave next Sunday for their 3rd cruise, 1st with a balcony so I can't help you out there. Don't be afraid to set "cruise rules" and be firm. They need to understand no climbing on the rails and chairs on the balcony and around the boat.

Another thing we do is take a break each day in the room for them to unwind, even when getting back on the boat from a port. We also keep our girls on their daily routine and had them in the cabin by 9pm so we didn't end up with cranky kids.

 

Thanks for the info! A golf cart rental is a great idea! Havent hear that one yet, but would be much easier on the little ones than walking (and easier on me instead of pushing a stroller! haha). Hope you have a nice time on your upcoming cruise!

[angelndscz]

It would be more likely that your 2 year old would run out into the hallway while you and your DH were on the balcony as the hallway door is much easier to open and you can't hear what is going on in the room while on the balcony (with door closed). Easily fixed if you block the hallway door.

[2CuteKiddies]

2. We plan to just enjoy the beaches in Grand Turk and Half Moon Cay, or maybe rent a cabana, but we would like to plan an excursion in Nassau if we can find one that works for all of us. I know there aren't too many things you can do with a two year old. I'm getting mixed reviews on Atlantis. Is it worth the money or not? Carnival also has a sea lion encounter with Atlantis excursion. Anyone done this before with kids? There is no minimum age.

 

Blue Lagoon Island has dolphin encounters and is also a nice place for a beach day. We did a beach day with lunch there and enjoyed it.

[bearette]

I ditto the balcony. With kids you are in there more then you think and if you can afford it it is a nice feature to have.

 

Ctevk out the boards for your ape fix ports to find more on things to do there.

[mjkacmom]

Thanks so much! This is very good to know. I didn't realize the aquarium at Atlantis was free. Thanks for the info :)

 

Nothing except the lobby and the casino at Atlantis is free! If you just want to do the aquarium, you will save money by getting there yourself and buying a pass there. I would never waste $500+ for the aqua-adventure pass with a 2 year old - the place is huge, and most slides have height restrictions.

 

I second a PP about Blue Lagoon - you will take a water taxi there, and the water is nice and calm. Even the beach at Atlantis is rough.

 

We travel with kids, and always get a balcony. Have you ever heard any news story about a child falling overboard on a cruise? The balcony is high, and the doors are hard to open.

[mmbrocker]

Nothing except the lobby and the casino at Atlantis is free! If you just want to do the aquarium, you will save money by getting there yourself and buying a pass there. I would never waste $500+ for the aqua-adventure pass with a 2 year old - the place is huge, and most slides have height restrictions.

 

I second a PP about Blue Lagoon - you will take a water taxi there, and the water is nice and calm. Even the beach at Atlantis is rough.

 

We travel with kids, and always get a balcony. Have you ever heard any news story about a child falling overboard on a cruise? The balcony is high, and the doors are hard to open.

 

Last time we went to Atlantis we only went to the aquarium. You're right, there was a fee, somewhere around the $12ish range if I remember right? It was interesting .. but I really don't know if I'd take my boys (3&5), I just don't think it would hold their attention. Then again, my last trip there was in 2007, so who knows now.

 

I second the balcony. Our last cruise was with only 1 son in an OV cabin (granted, it WAS RCI) was so crowded there was NO FLOOR SPACE AT ALL. Once we put up a pack n play we had to do acrobatics in order to get to the bathroom at night. Now, with my 2 boys? ONLY a balcony for me. I will gladly go a little less often to save up.

 

Isn't there a pirate museum in Nassau? Not sure good ages for it, but I'd check it out.

[mjkacmom]

Last time we went to Atlantis we only went to the aquarium. You're right, there was a fee, somewhere around the $12ish range if I remember right? It was interesting .. but I really don't know if I'd take my boys (3&5), I just don't think it would hold their attention. Then again, my last trip there was in 2007, so who knows now.

 

I second the balcony. Our last cruise was with only 1 son in an OV cabin (granted, it WAS RCI) was so crowded there was NO FLOOR SPACE AT ALL. Once we put up a pack n play we had to do acrobatics in order to get to the bathroom at night. Now, with my 2 boys? ONLY a balcony for me. I will gladly go a little less often to save up.

 

Isn't there a pirate museum in Nassau? Not sure good ages for it, but I'd check it out.

 

I believe it's up to $40 pp, more if you book it from the ship.