Camp Carnival - Be Warned!

[Paumavista]

Sorry for the misunderstanding - didn't mean to be dramatic !

 

Well it certainly got more of us reading this thread - LOL.

 

I think your boys probably should have given camp another try on another day with another activity (as others have suggested)....and you're right, some kids love it....some kids not so much - doesn't that happen for all of us.......i.e. we expected to love/hate the food, movie, vacation destination...based on some one else's review and then formed our own opinion??

 

But just because I didn't like dinner one night in the main dining room didn't mean I stopped eating there.......

I think perhaps a snap decision was made not to participate in the club because they didn't like one activity....and they hardly had a chance to "connect" with other kids if they only attended once. If it was important for your family to each have some "alone" time (like another poster suggested) then I would have checked the club schedule, talked to the counselors and encouraged them to give it another try..........I'd suggest this with most kids.

 

My boys enjoyed the camps when they were little.....I think most younger kids enjoy it when given an opportunity to adjust & meet others. A lot of teens use the clubs to connect with one another and many times don't spend a lot of time "in" the club but it's an easy way to meet others at the beginning of a cruise. I always encourage them to GO at the beginning a couple times.....even for just a little while....then it's up to them.

[audcc77]

Sorry it didn't work out. I can relate.

 

We signed up our son at age 9 & 10 and he HATED it. He said it was just girlie stuff like crafts & dancing. We didn't force the issue. But then, a few years later, we made him go again at age 12. He really liked it that time and made some friends. He says he wants to go again this year.

 

Like others stated, the counselors make a big difference. Some of them are clearly just going through the motions.

[<3_2_Cruise]

My son disliked Camp Carnival at that age, so we did not make him go then.

 

But, don't give up. On the Fascination this past summer, we encouraged him to go to first activity, for 30 minutes, just to meet the others. We thought at 13, he might not want to hang out with mom and dad the whole time. He was not happy about it, but went anyway.

 

What a 360....we stopped by to get him after 30 minutes and he didn't want to leave. We could not keep him away for the rest of the cruise and had to plan our family time around the Circle C activities.

[Calicruzgirl]

My 5 year old son hates it regardless of the activities. He calls it school.

[pecandelight]

All sensible suggestions. We DID have them try it more than the one time. Believe me, we had steak house reservations one night so we told them they had to! My older son came out and told me he made a friend. That helped. Then he would only go in if the 'friend's' nametag was missing from the board (meaning that he was in the camp). It got a little better by the end but my point remains the same - their initial reaction threw us for a loop.

 

We didn't ever want to force them there if they hated it, but we did need some time to go do things as a couple.

 

We did not want a couples only vacation - but having them go to camp for 1-3 hours a day on seadays did not seem unreasonable to me! My goodness, at home if they were under my feet for 24/7 all week I would scream - why would it be any different on a cruise?

[DebJ14]

My own kids were not fans of Camp Carnival, but then they were not fans of any organized group activities. But, my oldest son's kids love Camp Carnival. We don't just plunk them in there for the whole day and evening however. They pick the activities they want to participate in and pass on those of no interest. We spend many hours with them playing miniature golf, doing the ropes course, water slides and splash pad each day and schedule excursions that they will enjoy. We sent them to Camp Carnival one evening they weren't happy about because we were going to the Steakhouse. Turns out they had more fun that night than any other time of the cruise. They actually begged to stay for Night Owls when we picked them up.

 

When our kids were in elementary school and junior high they spent 24/7 with us on the family vacation. My husband and I took a couples vacation every year and then we went to the casino, bars etc. I wouldn't expect to be able to do that when traveling with my kids. My DS and DIL are grateful for any time the kids are in Camp, but they too do not expect to be able to gamble and drink on the family vacation. They too take a couples vacation and we keep the kids at home for them, just as my parents did for us.

 

Just because your kids did not like Camp Carnival you should not issue a blanket warning to other parents because many kids do like it.

[RuthlessBoss]

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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I felt the same as you. It sounds like they were planning things kid free, which at time might be welcome, but Think they were too dependant on CC.

 

I just love titles that start with "warning", especially when thousands of kids have flowed through CC and loved it. Because their kids didn't like it, so what?

[cruizinisthebest]

I felt the same as you. It sounds like they were planning things kid free, which at time might be welcome, but Think they were too dependant on CC.

 

I just love titles that start with "warning", especially when thousands of kids have flowed through CC and loved it. Because their kids didn't like it, so what?

 

The title of the thread is unnecessary. If you take your children on vacation, you should be prepared to have them with you 24/7. Couples time may not work out, but OP certainly could have done adults things here and there by just taking turns watching the children with the spouse.

[cruzinlisa]

There are no babies in Camp Carnival.

 

Could have been a whiny 2 year old. Could have been mine last cruise. ;)

 

It is good to have reasonable expectations. Truthfully, the expectation should be that your child may not want to spend any time there. Last cruise DD was 2 and DH and I anticipated that this would give us a little time alone, to have a quiet dinner and maybe a show a couple of days or brunch on sea days. DD HATED it. They would call us after an hour or so that say that she was crying and wanted us to come back. Sadly, during this cruise there were times that we needed a break. DD did not nap much so she was cranky and she had a couple of two year old meltdowns. It was a little stressful. And I love her to pieces. So I can only imagine what others thought when they saw her having a meltdown!

 

SO we decided that this next cruise she is old enough to stay with grandma and grandpa. Maybe in a couple of years we will take her. We may try camp carnival again, but I won[t have any expectations.

Edited January 30, 2014 by cruzinlisa

[cruzinlisa]

All sensible suggestions. We DID have them try it more than the one time. Believe me, we had steak house reservations one night so we told them they had to! My older son came out and told me he made a friend. That helped. Then he would only go in if the 'friend's' nametag was missing from the board (meaning that he was in the camp). It got a little better by the end but my point remains the same - their initial reaction threw us for a loop.

 

We didn't ever want to force them there if they hated it, but we did need some time to go do things as a couple.

 

We did not want a couples only vacation - but having them go to camp for 1-3 hours a day on seadays did not seem unreasonable to me! My goodness, at home if they were under my feet for 24/7 all week I would scream - why would it be any different on a cruise?

 

No, its definitely not unreasonable. Certainly if you were at home they would play outside (weather permitting) or with their toys. Unfortunately kids sometimes have different plans. :(

[pecandelight]

I felt the same as you. It sounds like they were planning things kid free, which at time might be welcome, but Think they were too dependant on CC.

 

I just love titles that start with "warning", especially when thousands of kids have flowed through CC and loved it. Because their kids didn't like it, so what?

Dependent on Camp Carnival? Please. Everyone on this board raving about it 1 month ago gave me a false impression that wow, maybe 3 straight seadays would prompt the kids to do something besides play ping pong. I'm crazy for thinking my kids might want to be with other kids and have fun? Yeah, I'm nuts.

 

Yes, for the last time (because I don't have time for troublemakers), it is a warning for parents that think the camp will entertain their kids - it MIGHT not. I didn't say NOBODY LIKES THE CAMP -OH MY GOD, DON'T GO THERE!!

 

By the same token, just because some kids liked it would you also say "So what?" like you did to me? Get some help.

[SmogMonster]

Sorry your kids didnt like it but i dont know that I would blame Camp carnival. As you heard from the replies there are many who love Camp carnival and some that don't. My kids love it and usually spend most of their free time there.

 

i do agree with you that parents need to prepared and realize that their children might not like it or want to go. Plan accordingly.

[pecandelight]

Sorry your kids didnt like it but i dont know that I would blame Camp carnival. As you heard from the replies there are many who love Camp carnival and some that don't. My kids love it and usually spend most of their free time there.

 

i do agree with you that parents need to prepared and realize that their children might not like it or want to go. Plan accordingly.

 

Thank you -This was my ONLY point.

 

We were prepared to have kid-free time once in a while and it threw us for a loop. I am not blaming Carnival - except that their 'activities' are definitely not age appropriate. I've worked with kids my whole life and have a couple of them. My kids aren't sheltered, but they aren't hyperactive either. They are normal and most 8 year old boys don't play musical chairs or like to dance.

 

We are not experienced cruisers so only knew what we read on here. I remember reading "Couldn't pull the kids out of there...etc." So of course, I thought we could take them there, they would love it and we could go to a show.

 

Not to stir the pot, but why a family would book a cruise knowing their kids had to be with them 24/7 is perplexing. What about all the adult activities on board? We can't partake? Then why go on a cruise? Go to Disney. I can go to my bedroom at home at night and sit there for a lot less $ than paying for a cruise!

[lukeduke07]

We were worried at first with our kids too. Once they stepped foot in Camp Carnival they didnt want to be anywhere else! Every kid is different.

[NorthTexasCruisers]

We took our kids on their first cruise this past June. They were 8, 9, 9. It was understood that they had to spend at least 2 hours a day in Camp. This was difficult for our 9 yo DS. He prefers being with Mom and Dad and is a little quieter than the girls. He would go when required and spend the rest of the time with us. DH and I enjoyed the one-on-one time with him.

 

Our 8 yo DD enjoyed camp and the activities. But after dinner, she was ready to stay in her room and watch cartoons. When she's tired, she goes to bed. She was rooming with Grandma so this worked out pretty well.

 

Our 9 yo DD LOVED camp. Loved everything about it. Wanted to stay for all the activities and the late night parties. On the day with the party til 3, I figure she spent 15 hours at camp THAT DAY. She wanted to eat dinner with them instead of us.

 

We tried to allow them to set their own schedules (within reason). After all, this was their first BIG vacation. We spent the whole time bringing the kids from one event to the next.

 

On a funny note: DH and I went on the same ship (Magic) this month for our Annual Vacation Without the Kids. We are walking around and he keeps saying "I didn't know this was here, I hadn't seen that." He was totally surprised by the Serenity deck.

[RuthlessBoss]

Dependent on Camp Carnival? Please. Everyone on this board raving about it 1 month ago gave me a false impression that wow, maybe 3 straight seadays would prompt the kids to do something besides play ping pong. I'm crazy for thinking my kids might want to be with other kids and have fun? Yeah, I'm nuts.

 

Yes, for the last time (because I don't have time for troublemakers), it is a warning for parents that think the camp will entertain their kids - it MIGHT not. I didn't say NOBODY LIKES THE CAMP -OH MY GOD, DON'T GO THERE!!

 

By the same token, just because some kids liked it would you also say "So what?" like you did to me? Get some help.

 

Reread the first post and see how it's written. Since the first one, you've changed your tune. You'll see why you got certain responses after reading it.

[pecandelight]

Reread the first post and see how it's written. Since the first one, you've changed your tune. You'll see why you got certain responses after reading it.

 

Nope, not seeing it.

Not changed my tune.

 

Carnvial has the camp because they KNOW that parents need/want it. Otherwise, they wouldn't offer it. For the people on these boards saying "Oh my god, it sounds like she wanted a couples vacation!"....do you not see how ridiculous that sounds? Carnival offers lots of activities for adults. They want the parents to go. That's why they have a free babysitting service. Do you think they're doing it to be nice and just provide jobs to childcare workers?

 

The camp was not appealing to me or my boys and I pointed out why. Are opinions not allowed on the site anymore? I missed that message.

[hftmrock]

Thank you -This was my ONLY point.

 

 

Not to stir the pot, but why a family would book a cruise knowing their kids had to be with them 24/7 is perplexing. What about all the adult activities on board? We can't partake? Then why go on a cruise? Go to Disney. I can go to my bedroom at home at night and sit there for a lot less $ than paying for a cruise!

 

my question would be why not. When I go on vacation, its a family vacation. I want to be with my family. I want to share as much as I can with them. I dont think I have ever been on a vacation while I had kids that I didnt design the vacation for 'all of us'

 

I enjoy being with my children. they grow up fast enough when I will not be with them. They enjoy spending quality time together. I cant think of having a vacation without them. My most special moments with my children are during vacation.

 

My children's favorite vacations have been cruises. We go to events together, we go to dinner together, we go to the ports together, we chill in the room together. One of my favorite memories is playing cards in the room with my family. we laughed so hard that we could barely breath... I would rather chill or just play cards with my family then go off to the casino or some other place...

 

This is just the way I see things... ymmv

Edited January 30, 2014 by hftmrock

[hftmrock]

oh and 1 more thing...

 

but why a family would book a cruise knowing their kids had to be with them 24/7 is perplexing

 

they dont have to.... they WANT to and I WANT to... I never felt a negative to having my kids with me 24/7.

[pecandelight]

my question would be why not. When I go on vacation, its a family vacation. I want to be with my family. I want to share as much as I can with them. I dont think I have ever been on a vacation while I had kids that I didnt design the vacation for 'all of us'

 

I enjoy being with my children. they grow up fast enough when I will not be with them. They enjoy spending quality time together. I cant think of having a vacation without them. My most special moments with my children are during vacation.

 

My children's favorite vacations have been cruises. We go to events together, we go to dinner together, we go to the ports together, we chill in the room together. One of my favorite memories is playing cards in the room with my family. we laughed so hard that we could barely breath... I would rather chill or just play cards with my family then go off to the casino or some other place...

 

This is just the way I see things... ymmv

 

And that my friend is called your opinion...you are more than entitled to it and I respect it. Am I not welcome to my own?

 

Every family is different. Don't profess to know why I am cruising, let alone the dynamics of my family. Again, why do you think all the cruise lines have a camp for kids? Are all those kids not on a family vacation?

 

And sorry if I'd like to have some sexy time with the hubby! Call me crazy!!!!!!!!!!!!

[cruizinisthebest]

And that my friend is called your opinion...you are more than entitled to it and I respect it. Am I not welcome to my own?

 

Every family is different. Don't profess to know why I am cruising, let alone the dynamics of my family. Again, why do you think all the cruise lines have a camp for kids? Are all those kids not on a family vacation?

 

And sorry if I'd like to have some sexy time with the hubby! Call me crazy!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

You can have sexy time with your hubby. You just have to find a way to do it. Book two rooms for one thing. Usually isn't more money than 4 in a room :p. I'm sure you manage at home, so no different on vacation. You cruised during the colder months. Perhaps that was part of the problem. Hard to enjoy the deck and the slides if it's cold. Plus you mentioned the slides weren't working for a time. You might want to rethink your trip and go when there are more children onboard- Spring Break, Summer, holidays. The camp could have combined the group ages if they weren't a whole lot of kids.

 

You and your husband could have done things separate and enjoyed the ship as adults. Also, yes there are many threads on here with people raving about camp. But I remember when I looked into cruising wit the kids for the first time last year, I saw some not so good opinions on the camp mixed with the raving ones. Knowing how introverted my son is, I was fully prepared for him to be clingy the entire time. It was surprising that he loved it so much.

 

I would suggest you try the cruise again and tweak your plans and your expectations. No you may not be able to chill with your hubby like you would if the kids weren't there. But there's no reason why you can't find a way to do some adult things AND spend time with your kids. Did you go to the orientation and the first day's events so they could meet other kids? Did you talk to them about camp ahead of time so they knew what to expect? All of that helps. So try it again and adjust your expectations. As they get older, they may like it better.

 

I see your from Trenton. What's up homegirl.

I live East of you by the shore. ;)

[Daddyfto]

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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bingo!

[squakittymaus]

Coming from someone who grew up on Carnival ships, trying the different kids club groups from age 7 til 18, I never really liked the activities. They always did seem like the activities were made for younger kids than the group that did them. I would usually go to the club the first day and meet other kids/teens my age, and then we'd find other things to do around the ship, not involved with the kids club. It depends on if you trust your kids to roam the ship alone with other kids. My parents did.

 

 

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[hftmrock]

And that my friend is called your opinion...you are more than entitled to it and I respect it. Am I not welcome to my own?

 

Every family is different. Don't profess to know why I am cruising, let alone the dynamics of my family. Again, why do you think all the cruise lines have a camp for kids? Are all those kids not on a family vacation?

 

And sorry if I'd like to have some sexy time with the hubby! Call me crazy!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

 

where did I say I know why you are cruising? where did I say anything about your opinion. you gave yours and I gave mine... when did I ever say you are not entitiled to your opinion...

 

I think you need to re-read what I wrote. I never said anything about your experience or said it was wrong for you. I just said what was right for me...

 

its all good... lets take a step back please

[Cruise life]

My own kids were not fans of Camp Carnival, but then they were not fans of any organized group activities. But, my oldest son's kids love Camp Carnival. We don't just plunk them in there for the whole day and evening however. They pick the activities they want to participate in and pass on those of no interest. We spend many hours with them playing miniature golf, doing the ropes course, water slides and splash pad each day and schedule excursions that they will enjoy. We sent them to Camp Carnival one evening they weren't happy about because we were going to the Steakhouse. Turns out they had more fun that night than any other time of the cruise. They actually begged to stay for Night Owls when we picked them up.

 

When our kids were in elementary school and junior high they spent 24/7 with us on the family vacation. My husband and I took a couples vacation every year and then we went to the casino, bars etc. I wouldn't expect to be able to do that when traveling with my kids. My DS and DIL are grateful for any time the kids are in Camp, but they too do not expect to be able to gamble and drink on the family vacation. They too take a couples vacation and we keep the kids at home for them, just as my parents did for us.

 

Just because your kids did not like Camp Carnival you should not issue a blanket warning to other parents because many kids do like it.

 

I don't gamble, but I do drink around my children at home, why would I not on vacation? This makes no sense to me as a responsible drinker. Completely agree with not leaving your children long hours.

 

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