New to RCI, Oasis or Jewel with kids?

[cbsmama]

Hi there! I'm kind of new to cruising (leaving for my second cruise in May), but I am trying to plan something for spring 2015 and I'm thinking we will try RCI.

 

We are trying to plan a cruise for ourselves (DH, DD [5 yrs at sailing], and me), another couple who will have a 3 yr old DS, and a couple with no kids (all the adults are mid-30s, or mid-30s at heart ;)).

 

We are trying to stick with a Saturday-Saturday departure to accommodate work schedules, so it makes the options a wee bit limited if we want to try to get a 7-day. The options that I have been looking at are the Oasis and the Jewel.

 

The ports on the Jewel are really intriguing, but I'm not sure if it will be a little too exotic for a 5- and 3-yr old. Even with my 5-yr-old DD, I am not keen to straying away from port in a taxi, so we try to stick with ports that have a lot to do close by, or a ferry/boat ride straight from the dock. The ports on the Jewel (out of San Juan) for the sailing we are looking at are:

Charlotte Amalie, St. Thomas

St. Croix, USVI

St. Johns, Antigua

Castries, St. Lucia

St. George's, Grenada

 

Although this sounds kind of awesome to me, I'm worried it would be little overwhelming for the kiddos and that there wouldn't be as much on board to entertain them. Unfortunately, the Adventure of the Seas schedule won't work for us for that week. The consensus on this board is that the Adventure works a bit better than Jewel for kids.

 

So, I'm also looking at the Oasis, which will be doing an Eastern itinerary to:

Nassau, Bahamas

Charlotte Amalie, St. Thomas

Philipsburg, St. Maarten

 

I guess my question boils down to exotic ports vs big ship--which would you do with kids this age?

 

I will offer that our upcoming Carnival Conquest cruise is going to Half Moon Cay, St. Thomas, San Juan, and Grand Turk. For us that will be two sea days, two "beach" days, a snorkeling excursion, and a little exploring around San Juan. I know there is a TON to do on the Oasis, and I'm guessing it's unlikely we'll be bored, but I don't even know if we would do anything in Nassau, so it feels like not a lot of port days for a 7-day cruise.

 

Anyway--would love to hear some thoughts on this. Thanks for the help! (and sorry for the rambling.)

[leaveitallbehind]

Hi there! I'm kind of new to cruising (leaving for my second cruise in May), but I am trying to plan something for spring 2015 and I'm thinking we will try RCI.

 

We are trying to plan a cruise for ourselves (DH, DD [5 yrs at sailing], and me), another couple who will have a 3 yr old DS, and a couple with no kids (all the adults are mid-30s, or mid-30s at heart ;)).

 

We are trying to stick with a Saturday-Saturday departure to accommodate work schedules, so it makes the options a wee bit limited if we want to try to get a 7-day. The options that I have been looking at are the Oasis and the Jewel.

 

The ports on the Jewel are really intriguing, but I'm not sure if it will be a little too exotic for a 5- and 3-yr old. Even with my 5-yr-old DD, I am not keen to straying away from port in a taxi, so we try to stick with ports that have a lot to do close by, or a ferry/boat ride straight from the dock. The ports on the Jewel (out of San Juan) for the sailing we are looking at are:

Charlotte Amalie, St. Thomas

St. Croix, USVI

St. Johns, Antigua

Castries, St. Lucia

St. George's, Grenada

 

Although this sounds kind of awesome to me, I'm worried it would be little overwhelming for the kiddos and that there wouldn't be as much on board to entertain them. Unfortunately, the Adventure of the Seas schedule won't work for us for that week. The consensus on this board is that the Adventure works a bit better than Jewel for kids.

 

So, I'm also looking at the Oasis, which will be doing an Eastern itinerary to:

Nassau, Bahamas

Charlotte Amalie, St. Thomas

Philipsburg, St. Maarten

 

I guess my question boils down to exotic ports vs big ship--which would you do with kids this age?

 

I will offer that our upcoming Carnival Conquest cruise is going to Half Moon Cay, St. Thomas, San Juan, and Grand Turk. For us that will be two sea days, two "beach" days, a snorkeling excursion, and a little exploring around San Juan. I know there is a TON to do on the Oasis, and I'm guessing it's unlikely we'll be bored, but I don't even know if we would do anything in Nassau, so it feels like not a lot of port days for a 7-day cruise.

 

Anyway--would love to hear some thoughts on this. Thanks for the help! (and sorry for the rambling.)

 

In a word, Oasis!

[kruzerci]

Oasis hands down. No question about it.

[palofmine]

In a word, Oasis!

 

 

Agree, Oasis. SO MUCH to do, and has Disney Pixar experience.

[liljay6915]

While that is not my favorite itinerary for Oasis. Oasis is a better ship hands down. I think the adults and children alike would prefer it more. Now if you care more about Ports then Jewel is the way to go

 

 

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[akcruz]

Agree, have not been on Jewel but with kids that age unless they are wonderful travelers Oasis is the winner. We have been on Allure twice and still haven't seen it all. You will not be bored.

 

As for Nassau they have a really cute zoo (Ardastra Gardens) that would be perfect for kids that age (roaming flamingos, bird feedings/shows, etc) and the timing to get there works with the shortened/early port time.

[liljay6915]

Agree, Oasis. SO MUCH to do, and has Disney Pixar experience.

 

It's Dreamworks not Pixar but not a huge difference but matters to some

 

 

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Edited March 31, 2014 by liljay6915

[CruiseDude_83]

I think that sailing on Jewel will be much more fun for the adults than the kids. We will be sailing on Jewel in September with our 1 year old so it will be a first for us with her in tow.

 

As for Oasis there will be so much more for the kids to do and the adults as well. We have sailed both Oasis and Allure and we have loved both ships. Both times it has been just me and my DW. I would go with Oasis over Jewel as you and the kids will both have a great time. The ship may be bigger with more guests onboard but there is so much more to do. I could hardly tell that there were more people on board than on the other small ships.

 

Whichever you choose have fun and enjoy your family vacation.

[sharpasice]

Absolutely LOVE Oasis..was on in October. Going again in August and again October of 2015!

[sunny07]

We just got back from Oasis with our 3 kids and I think the children in your group would love Oasis. The water zone is great for kids that age plus kids club if they would like that. Orient beach in St. Marteen is beautiful and the children would have fun playing on the beach. They may see some topless but at that age not really a big deal. we snorkeled at the other islands which the 5 year old could do or just enjoy the boat ride. The Oasis provides so many activities for all ages that it would be really hard not to have a great time!

[pkflamingo]

Just got back form a southern Caribbean on Jewel with a 15 yr old and 8 yr old. The 8 yr old got bored with the kids club during the day but enjoyed the evening sessions. Sea day was miserable due to never being able to find any outdoor seating. I'm glad we only had 1 sea day.

[nelblu]

OASIS or ALLURE--a lot more to explore and do.

[Familygoboston]

Oasis os designed with areas for kids in mind, Jewel is designed on the old cruising model, of lounge, dining in the formal dining room, production show, casino, lounge model. That doesn't sound like it would appeal to a 3 or 5 year old does it;) The ports are great on those southern itineraries, but for toddlers they are long days touring, when really they'd rather be splashing at a pool or beach wouldn't they?

 

Oasis has a fun Boardwalk for the kids to explore. Many places to dine where you can have a quick fun meal or snack with possibly a little "entertainment" on the side (the Johnny Rockets folks sing and dance) There are multiple pools and while the ports are not the most "adventurous, they all offer a great beach scene for little ones. The evening entertainment includes the lounges and casinos if your little ones are in the kids program at night, but if not, the aqua show, aerial theater show and Dreamworks stuff will captivate and delight them.

 

In 10 years they will love the Southern Caribbean adventure! but I've learned don't frustrate myself by trying to do too much too soon with children who are too young! We took to at their pace, and now we have very adventurous travelers! :D