Camp Carnival - Be Warned!

[pecandelight]

Our whole cruise plan was changed by the fact that our kids did NOT like the camp. We thought we'd have time for relaxing, casino, 'couple time', etc. but our whole experience was shifted.

 

Our boys are 6 and 8 and their group activities (6-8 year olds) was very immature IMO.

 

They came out the first time and said "They made us sit down and listen to a story!!!". Even I thought that was ridiculous. They are not 3 year olds.

 

They are confined to a room - no outside or sports activities - and the most excitement I could imagine is the Wii and Playstation games for kids that like that kind of thing. My kids are active and love sports or age appropriate games. The camp seems geared toward girls who are generally more passive, enjoy crafts and things. They had Musical Chairs as one activity. Seriously?

 

Some kids were obviously fine with it or even really liked it, but we didn't imagine that our kids would hate it and so just wanted to plant that in people's minds so they could have a back up plan. Me and the hubby had to take turns going to the casino, etc. because the kids were with us most of the time.

 

The fact that it was cold weather and 3 days until we got to a port was very difficult. Not much to do as a family inside the boat for 3 days during the day. Nights were ok - by the time you ate there was a show or comedy show that took up your evenings.

[tomsuelaw]

I think this is hit or miss with every family and every ship.

 

For example, my girl is very social and loves kids club no matter what. My son, however, hates it. He doesn't like organized activities and prefers to do his own things. He is not social either.

 

I think it also depends on the group of kids that week. If an 8 year old boy makes some cool friends even a lame game can be fun with the right group. Not to say that lame games are ok ;)

 

It was nice of you to report and give parents a heads up. It is easy for all of us to go into vaca with certain expectations (even realistic ones) and then get bummed when it doesn't work out that way. This is why we try to stick with ships with water works....our kids are always happy with water slides :D

[nascarcruiser]

Sorry it didn't work for your kids. Some kids however enjoy it. Different strokes for different folks I would say

[pecandelight]

Yes, waterslides are awesome, but not when they are closed for all but 2 days. And one of those days was a port day so of course we're not staying on a ship for the waterslide!!

 

We had to be back from Freeport by 3 so the kids got 2 hours on the waterslide that day and then the next day it was open but chilly! Kids didn't care.

I was freezing just looking at them.

[pecandelight]

Yes, some kids def. enjoy it - and after reading rave reviews I never had a doubt mine wouldn't enjoy it also. The reality is that they didn't so I wanted to give people the benefit of my experience so they could plan accordingly.

 

But really - reading a picture book to 8 year olds? Who would think that is fun?

[cruizinisthebest]

Children are different. Not every child likes the camp. Fortunately for us, both of ours loved Camp Carnival. We used it mostly from the afternoons into the evenings, so they were with us during the day most of the time anyway. The slides and splash zone were a hit. I can see it dampening their experience if they weren't open for several days. Maybe the time of year didn't help. And my son was 9 when we went last year and wasn't read any story books nor confined to just one room. It was dependent on what the activities were. They definitely didn't stay in one room the whole time everyday. Sorry it didn't work out for you.

Edited January 30, 2014 by cruizinisthebest

[hihosilvers]

Like so many other cruise experiences, this one is hit-or-miss. So many variables to factor it. It really depends on the kids. I have three boys, and their opinions of Camp Carnival range from love to hate.

 

I think CC does a great job, all things considered. Remember, they are not catering to your child, but rather to the general public as a whole.

[serene56]

we tried camp for a 5 year old-- being in a class witth many babies was hard for her. She said the babies all were crying-- and no one was taking care to get them to stop and she said theyw ould tell her she needed to be quiet.

So she never went back that week

 

We tried the actiivities the next cruise-- she was 7 and she did a better job with participating.

 

 

didnt you get an activitty sheet of what was happening at the given time?

 

From reading the boards it sounds like many people revolve the cruise around kids participating in the program-- some kids dont participate and others just dont like it.

[cruizin4sho]

Sucks that your kids didn't enjoy camp carnival. I went on a cruise with my family about 4 years ago and my nieces and nephews, ages 8,9,11,12 absolutely loved camp carnival.

[hftmrock]

both my kids were not into it at all and I expected that to be the case. It didnt bother me because I would prefer them with me and DW. To me , its a family vacation and I want to spend as much time as possible with my family. With work, homework, functions, etc. I never get to spend as much time as I would like to with my family.

 

So for me... family vacation means spending quality time with my family.

 

each person is different as has been pointed out. Sorry this didnt work out for you.

 

(this is just my opinion. everyone has different opinions)

[tanyaewa]

both my kids were not into it at all and I expected that to be the case. It didnt bother me because I would prefer them with me and DW. To me , its a family vacation and I want to spend as much time as possible with my family. With work, homework, functions, etc.

 

Same. My kids did not like the carnival kids club OR the Disney kids club. Strange boys....

[frostedthreads]

I have a 10 and 12 year old girls that love crafting but HATED camp carnival. They said the adults running the camp were mean. We had sold them on camp carnival telling them there were video games, crafts, dancing, scavenger hunts. They came back with crayon drawings, and stories of watching tv. A few times they were moved to a conference room because there were too many kids who were younger in camp. I can see how a conference room would be boring on a vacation. Normally the girls will just go with the flow, so it had to be pretty boring for them to beg to stay in the room alone.

 

This next cruise, we do not plan to have them participate.

[MichelleChell]

I think it also depends on the staff. We have been on the Conquest and Magic and had very active fun camp staff. They kept the kids very active and did crazy stuff. Every time we went for pick up it would be loud and wild fun and the kids had a blast.

 

We also went on a Royal cruise and the staff was very mellow and my kids were very bored with them. They even had an outside area to play in and never got taken out to it.

[Hawkwynd]

As the others, I am sorry to hear you're boys didn't like the camp, we are leaving next week for our cruise and all my 8-yo daughter talks about is going to the camp. Of course it will only be in the evenings and during sea days but it will be up to her. She went when she was 5 and had a great time... and as you point out, it could be completely different from boys to girls.

 

I do agree, reading aloud a book is more geared toward the lower end of the age range but the other part of me thinks I like that better than just having them veg in front of a TV or playing non-stop video games (which my daughter would do without complaint, unfortunately).

 

We are going to try to do some family things together with the camp as they happen, hopefully that will improve interest as well.

 

We too are looking forward to some couple time (and at least one night at the steak house).

[hihosilvers]

we tried camp for a 5 year old-- being in a class witth many babies was hard for her. She said the babies all were crying-- and no one was taking care to get them to stop and she said theyw ould tell her she needed to be quiet.

So she never went back that week

 

There are no babies in Camp Carnival.

[ScottsSweetie]

It not only depends on how your kids will adapt, but also the mix of kids in the group that week. Our boys loved it the first time, and hated it the second time.

[Isa65]

I can relate. My 11-yr old boy HATED Camp Carnival.

And we've tried different ships.

For some reason he really likes Adventure Ocean on Royal Caribbean, so we just don't bother signing him up at CC anymore.

[maurinsky2]

We are going with a 17 year old, a 16 year old, and a 13 year old. I will be shocked if any of them want anything to do with the organized activities.

[Momto2cuteboys]

When my boys were 3 & 5 we checked out the kids camp on RCCL but never even went back. We had so much fun playing with our kids we just never got around to taking them back. This cruise will be their first on Carnival, and being older they may enjoy it more, but we're not counting on it. They'll be 10 (turns 10 4 days before we go) and 7 (almost 8) - but since they'll end up in different groups I'm not counting on them wanting to go at all unless it's an activity where the groups are mixed up.

 

I actually think my husband would get bored without them - he doesn't want to sit in the sun and read like I do. :) He'd much rather play in the pool, walk all over the ship checking everything out, and goofing off with the boys.

[Cruise life]

We go thru Capers and pick what the kids will do carefully. Their interests have changed...they now like animal towel folding class, for example. We never miss Wii- we have a Kinect and for some reason they like this change. It's important to go to the parent/child activities so you can meet the other kids and the staff, make sure you introduce yourselves and try to connect with at least one other family and one counselor per age group. We always discuss what they did every time we pick them up so we can fine-tune the next day's activities. If they don't like the dancing classes, we cross them off the list. Once we had a counselor tell us one of our boys was isolating himself and not participating which was great because we knew we had to change something. We discussed everyone having alone time with certain activities and it was not optional- each of us had to pick a two hour block away from each other. Families don't spend 24/7 together at home, don't attempt it on a ship!! Once our child understood we were planning time apart and time together, no debating, he picked what he wanted to do and we all had time to ourselves and enjoyed our family time more.

 

 

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[tomsuelaw]

Yes, waterslides are awesome, but not when they are closed for all but 2 days. And one of those days was a port day so of course we're not staying on a ship for the waterslide!!

 

We had to be back from Freeport by 3 so the kids got 2 hours on the waterslide that day and then the next day it was open but chilly! Kids didn't care.

I was freezing just looking at them.

 

Yes, closed water slides do suck!! Last time we were on the Dream, they only closed the larger water slides (drainpipe and twister) for 2 of the days. The racers and littles kids water areas stayed open. The racers were enough to keep them occupied....even my 13 years old nephew. Sorry to hear yours kids did not get much water park fun :(

[momof3cruisers]

Funny how different kids are as well as the Camp activities. My boys hated CC for exactly the opposite reason. They said it was loud and chaotic with way too many planned activities and they wanted to be able to hang out and chat with new friends. They were 10 and 11 at the time. We did let them a few times go meet friends at the camp and then they would go get pizza or ice cream. They also liked the scavenger hunt. Otherwise, they would just hang out with us or in the room with their older sister. In fact, my kids loved staying in their cabin all together....room service! :cool:

[Cruise life]

I think it's also important to tell your children that many counselors are from foreign countries and may have accents that are new to them. Starting a long happy camp experience is like any new school setting or moving to a new town. Start slowly, prepare, be informed. I wish I had someone to guide me through camp in the beginning...leaving one's child or children with strangers can be very difficult and it helps to know how others eased their children into the camp routine. Camp is one of the main reasons we have continued with Carnival...the children now know exactly what to expect and we have had some great times at camp (think breakdancing with the pros on the Dream in the main theater). We also feel comfortable leaving the boys so we can do a grown-up excursion at times. Maybe the title could have been softer, but it did grab my attention. The worst thing that has ever happened at camp for us was my 7 year old boys learning to sing, "Hey, sexy lady...", LOL.

 

 

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[LMHC]

Our kids really liked Camp Carnival overall. We have been on other lines and Carnival's program is certainly on par or better than others. That being said there were certain activities that they really did not like so we would get an activity plan for the week and they would schedule the times/activities they wanted to attend and the times they knew they would not enjoy it, so they spent time with us. It was also a nice way for them to meet other kids from around the ship so when they saw them around it would be like seeing their friends. Sometimes a good group leader can make it more fun and individualize it a bit and other weeks staff seems less interested. We always encourage them to give it a try and usually after a day or two of warming up they really like it.

[pbsteve]

I would have to suggest next time you take couples cruise, don't bring the kids. It sounds like you didn't want a family vacation this time, so perhaps leave the kids at grandma's

 

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