Celebrity with Young Kids?

[readyforacruiseagain]

Our first cruise was Celebrity with kids and we were hooked. They were 8 & 11 and I'll be somewhat negative, but Celebrity is not at the top end for family cruise lines. The first one was sparse in terms of children (the sailing after US Thanksgiving) and the Kids Club perfectly fine, but that isn't their forte. Kids didn't mind, had a great time and were treated wonderfully.

 

A 1 & 3 year old will be a lot of work (good thing you have family).

 

Not to come off as a curmudgeon, but dinners in MDR if the children start crying is off-putting.

 

BTW how many other kids on this family trip and why not Disney or a more family specific cruise line?

 

I understand it is a family trip, but a cruise in cramped quarters will be a tough one imo.

 

I'd wait 'til children were 5.

[amandajean06]

Our first cruise was Celebrity with kids and we were hooked. They were 8 & 11 and I'll be somewhat negative, but Celebrity is not at the top end for family cruise lines. The first one was sparse in terms of children (the sailing after US Thanksgiving) and the Kids Club perfectly fine, but that isn't their forte. Kids didn't mind, had a great time and were treated wonderfully.

 

A 1 & 3 year old will be a lot of work (good thing you have family).

 

Not to come off as a curmudgeon, but dinners in MDR if the children start crying is off-putting.

 

BTW how many other kids on this family trip and why not Disney or a more family specific cruise line?

 

I understand it is a family trip, but a cruise in cramped quarters will be a tough one imo.

 

I'd wait 'til children were 5.

 

Thanks for the input. The cruise is actually to celebrate my 30th birthday, so since cruising is my favorite way to celebrate anything, or nothing at all, a cruise it is! My own children are the only ones who will be attending. We actually prefer to save Disney for around the ages of 3 and 5 or so, in order for them to understand the concept of where they are and why they're there. Taking our son when he was 1 on his first cruise was a lot of work, you're right, but having family along was great and I wouldn't do it any other way from here on out. We strongly believe in immersing our children in our lives and developing strong bonds and memories with them from early on. Vacationing is one way of doing that. Cheers!

[Fouremco]

Thanks for the input. The cruise is actually to celebrate my 30th birthday, so since cruising is my favorite way to celebrate anything, or nothing at all, a cruise it is! My own children are the only ones who will be attending. We actually prefer to save Disney for around the ages of 3 and 5 or so, in order for them to understand the concept of where they are and why they're there. Taking our son when he was 1 on his first cruise was a lot of work, you're right, but having family along was great and I wouldn't do it any other way from here on out. We strongly believe in immersing our children in our lives and developing strong bonds and memories with them from early on. Vacationing is one way of doing that. Cheers!

A wonderful and rewarding philosophy that you'll never regret!

[readyforacruiseagain]

Re-read the OP. Many people just jump in without all the facts and pontificate.

 

I will reiterate that Celebrity and the Summit (an older boat) may not be the best choice if worried about the children.

 

Since you are saying the cruise is 2017 I take it the children will be almost 3 & 5?

 

Part of the fun or children is the kids club as they nurture their independence, make friends, wonderful staff and parents nearby.

 

As far as the MDR is concerned I love kids and am a big one too, but you never know when a child between 1-4 can have a tantrum and it is not easy on either the parents or those nearby.

[Jem 12]

Hi all, my family is considering our first cruise on Celebrity in 2017. It would be the Summit to Bermuda. Myself (28), husband (31), and kids (3 and 1).

 

 

 

We have only cruised Carnival and RCCL in the past, and only RC with our son when he was 1. We really like the departure port, itinerary, and stateroom size/layout options on the Summit. But, I want to ask those of you with experience if you feel that we will be openly accepted on X.

 

 

 

Our kids are well behaved and we are by no means the "let your kids run, scream, and do whatever they want" type of parents. We prefer to have them with us most of the time so kids clubs aren't a big issue, and we will be traveling with extended family which will help.

 

 

 

We have a more laid-back and low-key approach to the cruises we take: eat, lay out by the pool, eat, Bingo or casino, eat, show, bed. We aren't up all night or interested in a lot of constant activity.

 

 

 

My main concerns are what the overall climate of the other guests will be toward a family with small kids, as well as the employees. Would we be "welcomed?" Are there kid-friendly food options available in the MDR? Any small splash-type area that I could allow the kids to run through?

 

 

 

On our first cruise with kids, Enchantment of the Seas, our son was doted upon. I don't necessarily expect that again, but we would like to feel that we are welcome on the ship.

 

 

 

Thanks in advance for your help. I'll post this on the Family board too.

 

 

Hi we took an extended family cruise earlier this year on Allure, it was a fabulous holiday for us all, our grandchildren aged 3-18 all had a wonderful time and although the older ones loved the flow rider etc, the younger ones were happy with the pool. Our 4 year went twice for a couple of hours to the kids club, which she enjoyed but would have also enjoyed Celebrity just as much, the 3 year old although he was toilet trained was not allowed to club unless he could completely manage by himself which sadly he couldn't. We have taken our grandchildren also on Constellation they had a fantastic time. I think Bermuda would be a lovely itinerary for young children.

 

Our daughter had adjoining inside cabins for her husband and the two little ones this worked brilliantly, my daughter used to take them both down for an afternoon nap so that they would be good to go for dinner with us all in the main dining room. We did flexible dining but actually had the same table and wait staff every night.

 

The children sat through dinner and better behaved than quite a few of the adults nearby.

 

Are your children 1 and 3 now? If so by 2017 they will be hopefully be toilet trained and able to use the pools at least. They will be throughly spoiled by all the staff.

 

Jean

 

We have been on two Azamara cruises since our family cruise and although they have both been lovely our family cruise was really special,

 

Go enjoy and have a wonderful time.

[Got2Cruise]

I was on the Summit last August to Bermuda. My only warning is that there is only one pool that children are allowed in. If you want a lounge next to that pool you need to be a crazy chair hog. Families have it down to a science. Believe me. Lol

[cybx]

My wife and I have two cruises coming up (our first in a long time thanks to kids and career changes). The first one is to Bermuda this May and we'll be going alone and leaving the kids with the grandparents. The second is the Caribbean right before Christmas. I suspect there will be more families and children aboard this cruise.

 

We'll have a 4 year old and a 1.5 year old with us as well as 6-8 other family members. I suspect the 4 year old will want to stay with the kids club the majority of his time and probably won't come to the MDR, but maybe we'll give it a shot one night and see how it goes. I doubt the 1.5 year old would last through a 2 hour MDR dinner, and we'll all take a night to stay back with the 1.5 year old and stay out of the MDR.

 

That being said, if a child can handle a 2 hour dinner experience without bothering other guests then I don't see what the issue is. Age is irrelevant. However, if the child is being unruly and is crying every night, then I agree they shouldn't be there and it's on the parent to remove them.

[rampers75]

We did our first cruise on reflection with our then 18month old daughter and had a great time. Crew and passengers were all great . Our daughter did prefer the buffet and so we only had a couple of dinners in MDR.

Due out next year with our now 4 years old and 2 year old and everyone is looking forward to a great cruise

[Six-Eleven]

Is that splash pad on the summit?

[RCKM43]

Is that splash pad on the summit?

 

 

The summit does not have a splash pad.