Most Kid Friendly Ship?

[lucigo]

Which Carnival ship do you find to be the most kid friendly and why?

[Tapi]

What are the kids ages?

 

The Magic and Breeze will most likely offer the most, not only for the kids but also for the whole family.

Edited January 17, 2014 by Tapi

[lucigo]

What are the kids ages?

 

The Magic and Breeze will most likely offer the most, not only for the kids but also for the whole family.

 

Currently the kid is 10, but with autism he sometimes acts 6 and sometimes 16...but maybe thats more normal than I think LOL

 

Anyway....the older he gets (he has cruised 14x on Carnival), it seems as if something is lacking for families, and I guess I'm just looking for something different without having to change cruise lines. Carnival is absolutely wonderful in accomodating special needs.

 

I miss the days of hanging out with him in the fishy pool at the back of the Holiday, and am looking for new magical moments. :rolleyes:

[TeresaJ]

Have you considered Disney cruise line?

 

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[lucigo]

Have you considered Disney cruise line?

 

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I don't know if I can justify the cost, I'm worried there will be too many kids, and I don't know if they can accomodate his needs the way Carnival does. (Carnival lets us bring his frozen chicken nuggets and peas on board and they cook them for him every evening, then also serve him a piece of chocolate cake every evening for dessert.) It can be hard to explain why he can be verbal and appear so high functioning, and yet have such a brand specific limited diet).

 

Mostly its the cost. In November we parked next to the Disney Fantasy and I was drooling, especially since we had gone the entire cruise without a kids movie on the big screen and I could see that they were playing Wreck-It Ralph across the way! LOL

[jcearth]

Looks like you haven't tried the Dream class yet - any one of those would be the most kid friendly (huge areas for Camp Carnival, Circle C, and Club o2, as well as the arcade). The Magic and Breeze have the ropes course, and all 3 have a nice waterpark. The Dream also has the Fun Force dancers, who my kids loved (they taught a few classes to the kids throughout the week, and on the last day the kids performed a show).

 

As mentioned above, Disney could be an alternative. The Disney Dream is a sister ship to the Fantasy, but only does 3 and 4 day cruises, which aren't as budget busting. It has a the Aquaduck water coaster, as well as a kids waterslide. There is an interactive detective game that is loads of fun for kids and adults (you run all around the ship looking for pieces of artwork that come alive, in order to solve mysteries). The kids clubs are amazing, and they have tons of activites, as well as tons of interactive games to play. Yes, there are a lot of kids, but there are also a lot of staff in the kids clubs (not so much on the pool deck). Not sure, but I think that Disney would accomodate, and you might be able to even get a one on one staff ratio for your child. Also, the entertainment is top notch, and Disney's has a great private island. There is not a ton of adults only stuff, but as a family vacation, it works very well

[lucigo]

Thanks, looks like the Breeze might be a good choice for fall 2014, I've wanted to try again to get my husband to Grand Cayman (darn tenders in the weather!)

 

I am keeping my eye out for Disney deals, it would be great to try at least once. Of course if we go with Disney then EVERYONE will want to go and then it will cost even more! LOL

[cjknox]

Lucigo, thats like asking which Disney theme park is more kid friendly!:D

 

Seriously though any ship you choose will be kid friendly, but the newer the ship the more features available there will be.

[bondgirl007]

We really loved the Breeze. Kids ages when we were on the Breeze were 12, 14 &16. Our group ranged from ages 12 to 75 and everyone had a wonderful time.

[lucigo]

Lucigo, thats like asking which Disney theme park is more kid friendly!:D

 

Seriously though any ship you choose will be kid friendly, but the newer the ship the more features available there will be.

 

Ehh I disagree. I found the Triumph for instance to be one of the least kid friendly. No kids area, only the extremely loud, adult themed lido deck.

 

Just got off the Conquest, same issue. I liked it when we could enjoy the back pool but since they made it adult only not so much. Plus, 8 night cruise with no family friendly movie but 2 nights of football.

[riclop]

The Breeze lots more activities for the young ones.

[lucigo]

Thanks for all of the replies, I think we are going to have to try the Breeze!

[Talex831]

Dream, Magic, or Breeze. Disney will exceed the accommodations Carnival makes. Be forewarned, if you cross over to Disney it will be very hard to come back. We are frequent DCL cruisers, and frankly nothing compares for children or those needing special accommodations. The cost however has pushed us away the past year. We will only sail CCL Breeze, Dream or Magic for the kids because of being so spoiled by DCL.

 

 

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[Vitamin_Sea]

Have you considered Disney cruise line?

 

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Have you seen the DCL prices ? :eek:

 

You will get 2/3 CCL cruises, same price.

[TwinPrincessMermaids]

There have been a lot of posts on DIS about special needs children on DCL. You might do searches for them. As you know, frankly DCL is the number 1 cruise line for families and they do have experience in special needs, but you will want to do some research. There are a lot more posts on that forum about it.

 

Agree with PP about once you go DC! I was seriously let down this yr by CCLs abysmal service and decided that I was sick of constant in your face bingo, forced promenade thru Casino and sell sell sell infomercial style . I did think the CCL Dream was FULL of kids even in Feb. So I guess they like it. On the other hand, I didn't feel that overrun with kids on DC Dream..I think they are just so preoccupied! There are character dance parties and activities where they can get all that energy out after dinner. (Might not be a perfect fit for your youngster but it would get the loud ones preoccupied perhaps so it wouldn't be too much?)

 

I agree that you don't have to book 7 days to be wowed. Castaway is wonderful! Ours was only 3 day but it was far, far superior to our CCL 7 day recent cruise. Cost about the same but we had an exceptional double deluxe bathroom veranda room. Our upcoming 4 Day Magic interior is about the same (but our Disney Visas rewards and incentives have taken off HALF our cruise and we have only had the one since March and the 2% one since Nov!) So really it will be basically as cheap as CCL for us. We cruise in spring before school lets out and before hurricane season. We booked with 10% off coupon that came in the mail and booked it in July. Our room has gone up about $300 since then, so unless you get a short notice guarantee sale like we did (which was great!), you might be better off booking much earlier since with only four ships, they do tend to sell OK.

 

Maintenance was the nail in the coffin for us and CCL this yr, that's why we ended up on Disney for the first time ever. We endured constant ribbing from workmates about the Poop Cruise Triumph that happened about a week or two before we sailed. A week and a half after we got off the Dream, she was flying passengers back and cancelling the next sailing because of back up generators going offline. Was on the Triumph two hrs ago, but getting off a ship that got stuck at port less than two weeks after us? And was very disappointing besides? No thanks. Dad knew mom (who is a worrier) wouldn't step one foot on a CCL and booked her on DCL instead for their long standing reputation. He did the right thing and she had complete confidence and never batted an eye. Now all of us (plus more, 18 total now!) Are going on a 4 Day Magic (practically new) in about 100 days. Can't wait!!!

 

Stellar service, upscale technology and ship activities and good food and characters and Castaway and fireworks and incredible Broadway shows and no smokey casino etc.! We dont have kids but we love the DCL experience.

 

Catch it on DestinAmerica this week if you get that channel!

 

 

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[dadof2boys]

Carnival Breeze. My boys, 4 and 6 have been with us on it twice.

 

1. Candy store: like a real deal walk around, take a look, note things to earn as incentives and come back later during your 8 days on board that large of a store, candy store. Nothing like the tiny closets on the other carnival ships.

 

2. Waterpark: again, an actual water park. Buckets splashing, water guns spraying, hide n seek through the spraying, 2 awesome slides, structure to run around on type of water park.

 

3. Aft pool: yes, a warm (I don't know if it's officially heated but cruised in December and then again in August, always WARM) open until super late quiet pool that kids are allowed in next to superb pizza, better than half the places you will eat pizza at at home.

 

4. Arcade: freaken huge! Never before have I seen an arcade this great on a ship. You earn tickets and there are price dispensers. (All saved on your card) an awesome air hockey table with lights and sounds! Loved that place. Went sometimes without the kids.

 

5. Dive in movies: they actually played kids movies (I know your guy is older, but for us this was huge) we saw Tangled and wreck it Ralph all on the same cruise. Who needs Disney prices? They passed out blankets and we got fresh popcorn, ate our candy we picked out from the awesome store. All in the middle of the ocean! Amazing.

 

6. Super fun deck parties. Passed out glow stuff, and freebies and give always. Kids loved it.

 

7. The kids club. They love it. This ship is nice because the space is so large.

 

I could go on, but you get the point. Unlike every other Carnival ship we have been on.

[SportsMomof4]

I have to agree with everything said about the Breeze. We were on it December 2012 & 2013. My kids were busy every minute of the day (7, 15, 15 this past cruise).

 

DH & I want to venture on another Disney cruise in the worst way. My youngest was only 5 months when we went & since he loves cruising so much & Disney we know he would love it but I seriously cannot comprehend the prices. I can go on 2 Carnival cruises for the price of 1 Disney. I would much rather do 2 a year then 1 :rolleyes:

[lucigo]

Joe, when you got 2 kids movies on one cruise was that December or August? I'm really REALLY not happy that our 8 day cruise never had a kids movie and thats one of the reasons I'm looking around. Yes it was a repositioning cruise but had I known that made my son less important we wouldn't have booked it.

 

The only way we will ever afford a Disney cruise is if we sit on our cruise fund for this year and wait for a military deal. It could happen, and I'm considering it over the Breeze, just not sure!!! DH insists on a balcony, and it might be nice to try a cove.

[dadof2boys]

Joe, when you got 2 kids movies on one cruise was that December or August? I'm really REALLY not happy that our 8 day cruise never had a kids movie and thats one of the reasons I'm looking around. Yes it was a repositioning cruise but had I known that made my son less important we wouldn't have booked it.

 

 

 

The only way we will ever afford a Disney cruise is if we sit on our cruise fund for this year and wait for a military deal. It could happen, and I'm considering it over the Breeze, just not sure!!! DH insists on a balcony, and it might be nice to try a cove.

 

 

I think it was August, but I know for a fact they showed Tangled in December too. Just my opinion, December was way better than August. It was so hot and crowded. The actual crowd was also very different in August. A little more wild than December. The only thing is that I could have dealt with a little warmer weather in December. It was in the 80's and breezy. So when you came out of the water you ran for the towel.

 

Anyhow, I do remember that each night they would show two movies at the lido pool. I think the earlier one tended to be family friendly.

 

So I kid about Disney. If it wasn't so stinking expensive we'd be all about it. But as a teacher I'm off a lot. So we'd rather cruise more often.

[lucigo]

I think it was August, but I know for a fact they showed Tangled in December too. Just my opinion, December was way better than August. It was so hot and crowded. The actual crowd was also very different in August. A little more wild than December. The only thing is that I could have dealt with a little warmer weather in December. It was in the 80's and breezy. So when you came out of the water you ran for the towel.

 

Anyhow, I do remember that each night they would show two movies at the lido pool. I think the earlier one tended to be family friendly.

 

So I kid about Disney. If it wasn't so stinking expensive we'd be all about it. But as a teacher I'm off a lot. So we'd rather cruise more often.

 

We have the same "problem", quantity over quality I guess LOL

[kybluecruiser]

I would say breeze magic or sunshine. They all have great water works areas and sports square.