What cruise line do we want? 2 young kids

[MMW37]

Hello,

I've been on 4 cruises (3 on Carnival, 1 on Dolphin years ago), and DH was there for my last 3. Since our last cruise, we have had two children, who are now 4 and 9 mo. I'd like to get back on a boat sometime in early 2017, when they will be 5.5 and almost 2. I'm considering Disney - we're taking our second trip to the World in a few weeks - but wonder if I should look at a few other lines too. Suggestions on itineraries also welcome.

 

We're thinking Caribbean, and our first choice departure ports are Tampa and New Orleans because we have lived in both cities and can stay with friends pre and post. Now we're up north, so we will probably fly to port. Flights are also very cheap from here to Orlando, so that's our third choice. We've been on Eastern and Western routes before, have vacationed in Belize, and will be spending a week in Grand Cayman this summer.

 

DH and I love food, and were not very impressed with what we have gotten on Carnival in the past. Our kids (baby too so far) are adventurous eaters and go to sit-down restaurants frequently - I couldn't ever see us at a buffet for dinner. I imagine that most nights we would eat as a family, put the kids to bed, and retire to our balcony with wine (so being able to bring our own is helpful). Maybe a short evening activity if child-appropriate We'd also want the ability to have a sitter (in room or kids' club) at least one night to allow us to go to an adults only restaurant. Our older boy would be welcome to try kids club activities on sea days, but I have no idea if he'd prefer that to hanging out with us - either is fine. I don't know about the younger one, and I like the fact that Disney has a toddler pool. Price is a factor, but not the most important - we expect to spend a little on vacation, as long as we're getting our money's worth.

 

What do you guys think? When we cruised before, we were into adventurous excursions and onboard nightlife, so it's hard to know what to look for! Thanks!!

[Bonnie J.]

Never been on Disney but your kids would probably love seeing Mickey, Donald, etc. Disney is more $$$ than other ships because they do not have a casino. I don't know if Disney has babysitting, they might. You could ask about that here on CC.

But Carnival is known for their kids programs and they have baby sitting until 3am. It is a slumber party for the kids but there is an hourly cost for this.

 

The little, old Dolphin was our 1st cruise in 1986! We loved that little ship, ate with 3 captains and were on her next to last cruise before she was sent to India. This was around 1992 I think. We miss her, the Seabreeze- which sank off our coast, and the Oceanbreeze. Dolphin also built the Royal Majesty which NCL bought and it became just the Majesty. We were on her a few times, small 1200 passengers. She is now Louis Cruises in England. Love small ships!

[Keith1010]

You have several options. Yes, Disney would be very special, especially for the child who will be 5 & 1/2. It is at sea as Disney is on land. Terrific line for families.

 

Other lines to consider are certainly RCI, Princess and even Celebrity. All have children's programs. Holland America does too.

 

You will likely pay more for a Disney cruise but it is very special.

 

Keith

[Krazy Kruizers]

I would go with Disney.

[zqvol]

Hello,

I've been on 4 cruises (3 on Carnival, 1 on Dolphin years ago), and DH was there for my last 3. Since our last cruise, we have had two children, who are now 4 and 9 mo. I'd like to get back on a boat sometime in early 2017, when they will be 5.5 and almost 2. I'm considering Disney - we're taking our second trip to the World in a few weeks - but wonder if I should look at a few other lines too. Suggestions on itineraries also welcome.

 

We're thinking Caribbean, and our first choice departure ports are Tampa and New Orleans because we have lived in both cities and can stay with friends pre and post. Now we're up north, so we will probably fly to port. Flights are also very cheap from here to Orlando, so that's our third choice. We've been on Eastern and Western routes before, have vacationed in Belize, and will be spending a week in Grand Cayman this summer.

 

DH and I love food, and were not very impressed with what we have gotten on Carnival in the past. Our kids (baby too so far) are adventurous eaters and go to sit-down restaurants frequently - I couldn't ever see us at a buffet for dinner. I imagine that most nights we would eat as a family, put the kids to bed, and retire to our balcony with wine (so being able to bring our own is helpful). Maybe a short evening activity if child-appropriate We'd also want the ability to have a sitter (in room or kids' club) at least one night to allow us to go to an adults only restaurant. Our older boy would be welcome to try kids club activities on sea days, but I have no idea if he'd prefer that to hanging out with us - either is fine. I don't know about the younger one, and I like the fact that Disney has a toddler pool. Price is a factor, but not the most important - we expect to spend a little on vacation, as long as we're getting our money's worth.

 

What do you guys think? When we cruised before, we were into adventurous excursions and onboard nightlife, so it's hard to know what to look for! Thanks!!

 

If you are cruising for the kids then if you can afford it Disney is the way to go. If you are cruising for adventurous excursions and onboard nightlife, which is for the adults, and not so much for the children, pick any other line out there, they all are pretty much the same unless you go to the luxury lines and those lines would prefer that the kids stay home.

[TrulyBlonde]

My Grandson who is turning 5 in a few months loved his Disney cruise last year.

This year I am sending our whole family to celebrate his 5th birthday, including my 80 yr old Father. It will be my 1st Disney cruise too and from what I hear, they are very special for young ones.

[gymbomb]

Very few cruise lines offer child care for under 2 (actually for under 3). Royal Caribbean, NCL Escape (but not their other ships), and maybe Disney? Not sure about that one as it is out of our budget so we have not researched it.

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[SuiteTraveler]

We had friends who did Disney for their little girls. It was really cute. The little girls wore their Disney Princess costumes. There is also this thing called Fish Extender which they participated in:

http://www.wdwinfo.com/disney-cruise-line/fish-extender-basics.htm

 

If you don't want to make a Fish Extender, you can buy one on Etsy or on Ebay. My friends shipped the stuff for the Fish Extender to their pre-cruise hotel - in your case, you could ship it to your friend's house. Our friend's kids loved the Fish Extender and getting a little trinket every day of the cruise.

 

I think with your kids age group, you really should do a Disney Cruise now while this will mean a lot to your kids. I think it will be a wonderful family memory.

 

Then the next cruise that might be right for your family would be an NCL cruise on one of NCL's mega ships: Epic, Getaway, Breakaway or Escape - these have a full scale waterpark with 3 - 5 major slides, a ropes course, mini golf, rock climbing, a great kid's club, lots of different restaurants onboard. I think when your kids are a bit older - such as late grade school or middle school, they would love RCCL's mega ships such as Oasis of the Seas or Allure of the Seas which has flow riders, zip line, rock climbing and some of the most spectacular shows at sea including high diving, ice skating, acrobatic, and a Broadway musical. RCCL and NCL also have mini children's waterparks onboard their mega ships. RCCL's mega ships have a carousel, one has bumper cars as well. These ships also have lots of different restaurants. In fact the Oasis and Allure are such great ships, many people don't bother to get off in port. These were the first two ships ever built to be THE DESTINATION and RCCL did a great job on them. Where these RCCL mega ships feel rather like an amusement park, the NCL mega ships feel rather like a Las Vegas Casino Resort with a waterpark. The casino is at the heart of these ships with the restaurants and lounges surrounding it. BTW, the suite experience on NCL is awesome and something you might consider with a 2 bedroom, 2 bathroom suite. On RCCL and NCL, I recommend making dining reservations in advance and we only eat in the specialty restaurants at night because they are so good - it's more like a land-based restaurant experience.

[MMW37]

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The little, old Dolphin was our 1st cruise in 1986! We loved that little ship, ate with 3 captains and were on her next to last cruise before she was sent to India. This was around 1992 I think. We miss her, the Seabreeze- which sank off our coast, and the Oceanbreeze. Dolphin also built the Royal Majesty which NCL bought and it became just the Majesty. We were on her a few times, small 1200 passengers. She is now Louis Cruises in England. Love small ships!

 

 

Seabreeze was my ship - my friends and I were shocked when she sank! We went as a high school senior spring break trip, and it was the only line that would allow 5 x 17 year olds and 1 x 18 year old to cruise alone. We had an amazing time, and it certainly hooked me on cruising.

[MMW37]

Cool, thanks everyone! Yeah, the price point of Disney is higher than I'd like, but I'm kind of thinking it might be worth it for the kids' first cruise. 5 day is a little more doable $$-wise than 7, but a shorter trip might be better for the kids for their first one anyways. From what I've read they are one of the only lines that does offer childcare for very littles, and allows them in some kind of splash/water area in a swim diaper. Then we can try another line next time. I really want to do Alaska in a couple of years, but thought Caribbean would be better for their introduction.

 

Fish extender sounds fun! I've been all over Disboards planning our WDW trip, so we'd definitely do that. I crochet and my MIL is a master with fabric so I'm sure we can come up with one between us. I'll keep researching, but I think I'm still leaning Disney for this trip. Thanks, I love CC!

[mjkulp00]

We have done 2 carnival and one Disney cruise. Our kids were 10 and 11 when we took a 4 day Disney cruise for their first one. It was amazing!!! Wish we could take Disney every time. The shows were so much better on Disney. Atmosphere, everything about it. We participated in fish extender too and my kids loved delivering gifts and looking for gifts each time we returned to our cabin.

[Cruzaholic41]

I'm with everyone else here. If you're willing to pay the Disney price, go for it. Otherwise, the kids would love any of the newest RCI, NCL or Carnival ships.

[EGG]

I would also check the price of Royal Caribean Oasis which just moved ports.