Liberty of the Seas or NCL Dawn to Bermuda with preschooler?

[flyaway]

(Cross-posted from RCI forum)

 

Hi guys,

 

We are currently booked for the 5-night Liberty of the Seas from NJ to Bermuda in May 2015. We have cruised about 6 times on Disney (Dream once and Magic/Wonder the rest of the times, including an upcoming trip in October) and twice on the Celebrity Century. We've actually been wanting to try RCI for awhile, because of all of the cool activities available onboard--ice skating, rock climbing, etc.

 

BUT--we can get a 7-night (with three days in Bermuda instead of two) on the Norwegian Dawn for slightly cheaper than we can do the 5-night on Liberty of the Seas. Or spend a bit more and get a suite on the Dawn. :)

 

What do you think? Would we be disappointed by the Dawn? How do you think the kids' programs compare for very small children (age 4)?

 

Thank you!

[Sauer-kraut]

I would go cheaper....

but NCL doesn't have a nanny service if you want to go ashore and leave the youngster behind.

 

Since the destination is more important than the ship for this itinerary the ship is secondary, its just used as a hotel. Save the money over RCL and use that to get the dining package, or to spend on shore as Bermuda is an expensive island.

[big al]

(Cross-posted from RCI forum)

 

Hi guys,

 

We are currently booked for the 5-night Liberty of the Seas from NJ to Bermuda in May 2015. We have cruised about 6 times on Disney (Dream once and Magic/Wonder the rest of the times, including an upcoming trip in October) and twice on the Celebrity Century. We've actually been wanting to try RCI for awhile, because of all of the cool activities available onboard--ice skating, rock climbing, etc.

 

BUT--we can get a 7-night (with three days in Bermuda instead of two) on the Norwegian Dawn for slightly cheaper than we can do the 5-night on Liberty of the Seas. Or spend a bit more and get a suite on the Dawn. :)

 

What do you think? Would we be disappointed by the Dawn? How do you think the kids' programs compare for very small children (age 4)?

 

Thank you!

 

NO comparison here, the Liberty Of The Seas for a child is fantastic...just those special H20 pool areas are fantastic for kids...flowrider ( surf simulator) to try surfing ( even though they are young..)...I have seen them dress the kids as pirates and walk them thru the ship with everybody clapping and smiling...you can't compare a 160,000 ton ship to a 92,000 ton ship...not fair...I have cruised both, and while we loved the Dawn she is not in the same league as the Liberty, IMO...Arcade/ game room is fantastic & huge..kids have their OWN hot tubs and pool areas, something lacking on the Dawn.they have PARADES down the Royal Promenade at night with all kinds of colorful costumes from countries all over the world...very festive!!!.as far as the ice-skating shows, they are wonderful & sometimes they bring 4-5 kids out on the ice & and ride them around the skating rink in this car- the kids love it..( a word of caution- it is chilly in there due to the ice, so make sure child is dressed properly..)if this is about money, that's different..if it's about what ship the 4 yr. old would prefer, easy- the Liberty!!

 

Big Al

[meglet]

No offense meant to your toddler, but YOU are the one(s) that need a vacation and you are the one(s) that will remember it. Will the toddler know what he or she is missing? It strikes me as kind of like families that spend a ton on taking their small children to Disney with all the money for the park passes and the thing the child is most enthralled with is the swimming pool at the hotel. The Dawn has a special children's area with pool, slide, small tables and chairs and child friendly buffet area. Treat YOU. Happy parent(s) make for a happier child.