Camp Carnival for almost 4-year old

[aggie_gal]

We're looking at going on a cruise on the Magic and taking our son. The time we're thinking of going, he will be 3 3/4 (almost 4). We've never cruised with kids, so i realize it will be drastically different that our previous cruises. Anyone care to share their experiences with taking a youngster on a cruise with them? It looks like it will be myself, my husband and son in one room and my husband's parents in another cabin. We're looking at getting adjoining balconies (open the divider) instead of adjoining cabins, just to help with the privacy factor and to have a bigger balcony.

We've been on the Magic cruise that goes to Cozumel, Grand Cayman and Jamaica. We're debating between doing that route again or going south to Cozumel, Roatan and Belize. Any suggestions on excursions that are kid friendly on either itinerary?

[gtalum]

If your son is used to a day care setting at all, then I'm sure he will love Camp Carnival. He may be shy at first, but our daughter has always had a lot of fun there. The Camp carnival staff has been amazing on every cruise we've taken with our daughter. Cruising is actually a great way to travel with a child because of the child care angle. Pick a few activities that your child will love (they'll give you a schedule for the whole week on the first day) and plan around those. Since he's under 5, you'll be offered a phone that they can use to contact you anywhere on the ship in case there is any problem. Each night after the first night, you'll have the option of letting him eat dinner with Camp carnival in a special roped-off section of the Lido buffet. We do this with our daughter some nights on the cruise so that we can have a relaxed dinner alone, but we bring her other nights for a family dinner.

 

With a young child you're probably best off sticking to beach excursions, as opposed to physically challenging ones. I don't think you can go wrong with either of the two itineraries you've mentioned, but do be wary if you go to Jamaica. It's a beautiful place, but you should be aware of your surroundings there even more so than in the other ports.

 

You do have the option of keeping your child in Camp Carnival while you go ashore, but personally we've never been comfortable with that.

Edited February 19, 2013 by gtalum

[aggie_gal]

He goes to daycare now, but he knows all his friends there. I'm a little concerned since he won't know anyone in Camp Carnival. However, he goes to gymnastics right now and there are different kids in his class some weeks and as long as his teacher is there, he does fine. I don't plan on dumping him there all day, but I figured it's set up for children his age, so I thought he'd probably enjoy that more than sitting on deck reading a book. :rolleyes:

As far as excursions, we are planning on beach excursions. If we go with the Western Caribbean itinerary, we might consider the turtle farm at Grand Cayman...we know he won't enjoy the sting-rays.

Thanks so much for your feedback!

[sb4ever]

My daughter went on her first cruise when she was 4 and had a blast! We couldn't keep her out of Camp Carnival. Her favorite parts were the different face paintings.

 

We did the Grand Cayman/Cozumel/Roatan/Belize itinerary. Unfortunately, a passenger got deathly sick en route to Grand Cayman so we were unable to port as they needed to go straight to Cozumel to get him to a hospital (the ship ended up going to Costa Maya instead - which wasn't kid friendly, but Camp Carnival was open and my daughter didn't know any different).

 

Grand Cayman has a sting ray excursion and also a turtle farm that are supposed to be family-friendly. There is not a lot for the little ones in Belize. In Cozumel, we were able to do a dolphin encounter. My daughter was fine with the life-jacket, but she was just tall enough to touch the shallow end of the pool, so I ended up holding her most of the time. Roatan has an excellent excursion to a park with some monkeys (I can't recall the name).

 

In any event, I think it's a pretty nice itinerary with a small child (with the exception of Belize).

 

Have fun!

[SadieN]

The Family board has lots of ideas when cruising with kids.

[DISNEY1975]

I took my almost 4 year old years ago (she 9 now) and she had a blast! I was the one almost in tears!!! I let her go for an hour and sat outside the door, on the stairs, reading a book. I went back in and she didnt want to leave. She begged to go back every day. Turned out great as I could watch an evening show, then go back and get her. She went for an hour or 2 every night.

 

Our last cruise, at age 8, she spent 50% of the cruise at the kids club!!

[Colorado Kat]

Camp Carnival is perfect for kids that age. The counselors are terrific, and the kids always seem to have a good time.

 

Enjoy your cruise!

[serene56]

the very first night will be a family dance party go. its an hour and they feature ice breaker type of dancing. plus funship freddie will be dancing too.

 

camps are not opened 24 hours.

 

actually on sea days they open at 10am and close at 12:45

opens again ar 2pm

closes at 5and opens at 7

 

you will get a daily activity sheet for the entire week. go over the sheet ane find out what he wants to do.

 

activity is broken down to 30 minute increment activity

activity are broke down in 30ou will be given a pager so if there is a problem they will page you

Edited February 20, 2013 by serene56

[aggie_gal]

Thanks so much for all the feedback! I don't have a problem with the Camp Carnival hours...the evenings aren't much of a problem. He usually does fine at restaurants, so we're planning on taking him to the main dining room for dinner and probably breakfast. We're just not big fans of the Lido, but will take advantage of it if necessary. Our little guy LOVES pasta, so I have a feeling we'll be eating at Cucina Del Capitano for lunch at least a couple times (no complaints from me!).

Can anyone point me in the direction of children's menus for the MDR??

One last thing...now we're somewhat considering going on the Sunshine. NOLA is about 7-8 hours drive. It's a long drive, so we'll have to decide as a group where we want to sail out of and on which ship. They don't offer a cove balcony, but the pictures of the "new" ship look tempting!

[grandmacani]

We just took a cruise with 31 family members last week on the Paradise. 13 of those were kids. Most 14 and under. The younger ones were 2/ 4 yr olds and 1 / 2 1/2 yr old. The minute the younger kids walked into camp carnival they didn't want to leave. The youngest was our grandson and tho he goes to daycare my DIL was a little hesitant. After his first two hours there, and their two hours to enjoy the ship she was sure they had made the right choice. Grandson loved being with kids his age. The other kids of all ages did go to the groups for their age group and we had to pry them away for family pictures. The parents carried around schedules for the activities it was funny to see the kids spread out. They were on their merry way.

[dadof2boys]

Your 3 and half year old will love it. We just got back from the Breeze and our guys were 2 and 5. Neither have gone to daycare as mom is home, but our 5 year old is in preschool. They both love it. Like others have said we always looked at the activity's first and make sure its during times we think they will enjoy.

 

We are actually going on the Magic in September. They are super excited. During the day we (I) end up taking them to the pools/waterpark. DW is not a big swimmer. Then we have lunch and nap, then they go to camp in the later afternoons and usually stay until 10:00 pm. They did do 2 of the night owl parties until midnight on our last 8 day cruise. Seriously you guys will love it.

 

In port we just do beach type things, no excursions. Making the best memories. Have fun. If you have nay questions let me know. Our 5 year old has been on 6 cruises and our now 3 year old 5 cruises. So we have a lot of experience with cruising with little ones.

[wranglerguy]

he will love it, my DD is 3 now and she asks to go to CC when we cruise. she will be 4 on our dream cruise and if the pattern keeps going she will love it even more.

[malenursewtx]

Hello, we are cruising carnival magic on June 1 out of Galveston, to Grand Caymen, Jamaica and Cozumel. We are taking a 2yo and 4yo. We have never cruised with kids before. I was wondering if you had any suggestions on what to pack for them as far as beach toys and flotation things, like floaties for the arms of rafts. Thanks!

[092306]

Our son was 3 when we went and had a so -so experience. There were a lot of crying kids and my son wanted out of there as soon as that started. We're hoping that he'll like it more on the next cruise when he's 4. Based on the schedule they give you of all the fun stuff planned I really thought he would love it. Fingers crossed he will next time. I do think reading off some things on the schedule that he would like will help to get your son excited about going.

 

As for the menu, I don't have a link, but every night in the MDR there's chicken nuggets, pizza, hotdog, hamburger, pasta, PB&J, fries, steamed vegetables and a few desserts like cookies, brownie and banana split. There might be other things I'm forgetting but those are the basics.

[ETinCA]

Go for it and have fun. Our kids started before that and still love it. Both platinum cruisers and they are 10/13

 

 

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[SadieN]

Kids can order from the regular menu and adults can order from the kids menu.

[Quilcruisers]

Hi there. I have taken my son on cruises since he was 4 years old and he goes every year with us. He thoroughly enjoys every part of the cruise from camp carnival to port excursions and even dining in the dinning room and formal nights. We travel with my in laws and my son is the only child of our party of 6. Camp carnival is excellent for when He has social time with kids his age and he goes there most days and even the baby sitting at night while we go out. Love it! And it allows them to explore the world with the rest of us.

 

 

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[Quilcruisers]

Also my son is a very picky eater but loves the breakfast selections and loves seafood and even lobster so he usually will eat with us on formal night. By the time he finishes the meal he is ready to change clothes and go to camp. The night owl is an extra cost but is minimal. It allows the adults to go to late shows or casino and we know our kid is being watched and having fun. During the day if he wants to go he will go there and we will hang out at the serenity area or sit and read. Overall it's a great way for all of us to enjoy vacation together yet get some time apart to explore .

 

 

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[Catrin]

Our little guy LOVES pasta, so I have a feeling we'll be eating at Cucina Del Capitano for lunch at least a couple times (no complaints from me!).

 

We have been cruising with our kids for a long time. Our middle son, who is now 15 has been on 11 cruises. The kid is a pasta freak. Always has been.

 

And... EVERY SINGLE CRUISE... EVERY NIGHT .. in his 11 cruises, he has ordered plain pasta with parmesean cheese. Yes, he has ordered other things to go with it on occasion (Now includes shrimp cocktail nightly)... but Pasta at dinner has always been a staple.

 

No need to go to the Special Restaurant!!

 

Camp Carnival is a great place for the kids. We have had our kids (now 9, 15, 19) in all groups. The staff is well trained and provides a fun experience for the little ones!!

 

They Do provide a dinner each evening too. Just in case you would like a dinner for just adults. The menu is available on the schedule. They take all the kids to the Lido Deck for a fixed menu meal. My daughter loves to do that at least once each cruise.. it is special for her to eat with her new friend and easy for us!

 

Good Luck.. you will find it is a different experience, but a perfect family vacation!

Catrin