which cruise line is best for 10 and 12 year old boys for 1st cruise?

[aburnett]

I would like to take my grandsons (10 and 12) on a Carribbean cruise and just was hoping for some thoughts one which cruise lines might have the best entertainment, activities, fun on deck, etc. for his age group. When I go, I look for cruises with fewer kids and quieter atmosphere. Any help appreciated!

Ann

[Essiesmom]

I would think that age might be a bit beyond Disney, so any of the main cruise lines would suit:  Royal, Carnival, NCL, maybe MSC.  Would not recommend Celebrity or HAL, nor Princess.  EM

[amberlady34]

My daughter's 15 and 12 like the kids/teen clubs on Royal caribbean.  My older daughter has made freinds on every cruise.  They have been cruising since they were 6 and 10. They were ok with the kids clubs on Carnival. If you select one of newer bigger ships there is as lot more activities.  But the kids clubs keep them entertained on the smaller ships.

 

[leaveitallbehind]

RCI is a good choice.  DCL would be good as well, but will be measurably more expensive.

[CruisinFinsUp]

In my opinion it REALLY depends on the personalities of your grandsons.   A blanket statement of one line vs another may not apply.   

 

Our kids have been cruising since they were young and they state over and over that they prefer Princess.  They do not want the crowds and lineups on RCI or Carnival - the activities are not worth the crowds to them.  Our kids enjoyed the kids' clubs on Princess.   They also enjoy a quieter experience - they find other travelers their age and enjoy their vacation - they don't want all those things to do - they want a rest on their week away -  (you can see from my signature below that we have tried other lines - plus the kids have talked to other kids on board and have received first hand info on other ships and how the activities actually work - for example the lineups for the activities can be very long on the RCI mega ships making it less enjoyable).

 

So,  my advice would be to really think about how your grandsons like to relax, whether your family wants a more active or less active vacation - can your family enjoy crowds and lineups and scheduling activities in advance or if you prefer more down time and family time.   

Also consider that at that age and on their first cruise, you will be supervising them pretty closely and not letting them wander on their own - so how big a ship are you comfortable with if they want to explore all day long?    Do you want a medium sized ship with some activities (mid size RCI or Carnival) or a bigger ship with tons of things to do and see and everywhere to be (bigger RCI or NCL)?   

 

Convenient departure port, itinerary and price always are a consideration as well.   Regarding itinerary - consider shore excursions and what they would enjoy on the islands - make sure that there is something they would like to do on each island you would visit.  

 

If you are going without their parents, make sure you have all the proper documentation for permissions to take them away without their parents, plus allowing medical treatment authorizations - most of this should be notarized, so check with your family lawyer for details.   

 

[packer99]

My son was 11 when we went on the Norwegian Escape. He loved all the activities including the ropes course, arcade and slides. He only attended 1 kids club event.

[Itchy&Scratchy]

if activities and entertainment is what you need for them - Royal Caribbean (especially the newer ships) and the newer Norwegian ships (like Getaway/Breakaway and newer).

 

We love Princess for the much better food than RCI or Norwegian, but there is nothing to do for kids other than kid's club. Our 7 yo doesn't do kid's club, so the ship has to offer a variety of other stuff in order for us as a family to have fun. We have enjoyed fun as a family on both RCI ship (kid's pool, rock climbing, shows, ice skating, etc.) and on the Norwegian Getaway (rock climbing, ropes course, water slides, and shows, and DS also enjoyed the trampoline and Spider net).

 

If all your kids want is to play video games at the kid's club, Princess offers unlimited video game time, which is why my friends' kids love it so much.

[Aquahound]

4 hours ago, cruisintoddler said:

Our kids have been cruising since they were young and they state over and over that they prefer Princess.  They do not want the crowds and lineups on RCI or Carnival - the activities are not worth the crowds to them.  

 

When was the last time they cruised RCI?  From your signature, it looks like it was over 10 years ago.  I ask because I have found Princess ships to feel much more crowded than RCI, especially RCI's mega ships.  In fact, Oasis Class ships have been some of the least crowded feeling ships I've ever sailed.

[bury me at sea]

My grandchildren, older than yours, love Carnival.  They like the food, the opportunity camps give them to meet others their age,  and the activities available.

[Itchy&Scratchy]

1 hour ago, Aquahound said:

 

When was the last time they cruised RCI?  From your signature, it looks like it was over 10 years ago.  I ask because I have found Princess ships to feel much more crowded than RCI, especially RCI's mega ships.  In fact, Oasis Class ships have been some of the least crowded feeling ships I've ever sailed.

I agree. My 7 yo can't wait to go back to RCI in less than 2 months. There is nothing for him to do on Princess besides soaking in a hot tub. There is a ton of fun activities for all of us on RCI ships.

Edited January 14, 2019 by Itchy&Scratchy

[SuiteTraveler]

Here are the best ships for 11 - 12 year old kids with tons of things to do for everyone:

 

RCCL

Oasis of the Seas

Symphony of the Seas

Harmony of the Seas

Allure of the Seas

These ships have the best evening entertainment for the whole family including a Broadway show, high diving show, acrobatic show, ice skating show and much more.  There is a ton to do onboard all day long and very active youth clubs.  They have multi-bedroom suites which can be quite reasonably priced for a large family group.

 

NCL - these ships are the direct competitors to the above RCCL ships

Getaway

Escape

Breakaway

Epic

These ships are similar too staying in a Las Vegas casino hotel with lots of specialty restaurants and a full scale waterpark. and ropes course up top.  The entertainment is good, but not as good as on RCCL.  The Haven offers suites and exclusive access to The Haven bar, restaurant, pool, sundeck, etc.

 

MSC 

Seaside - another ship with a waterpark.  This is a more Italian ship. and the best way to go on this ship is in the Yacht Club which makes it an all inclusive experience that the adults will appreciate greatly.  There is a different show each night but only 45 minutes and mostly music based.

 

Carnival

A step down from the above, but if the boys have not cruised before, they. will love:

Magic

Horizon

Vista

Breeze

Recommend avoiding Carnival's older ships.  But these newer ships have a waterpark and active kids clubs.  I must admit, they changed their menus and I have not been happy with the food since at dinner - we took to paying extra to eat in the steakhouse every night.  Shows are mediocre.  A lot of reliance on comedy club with blue humor not so much family entertainment.

 

 

[CruisinFinsUp]

"plus the kids have talked to other kids on board and have received first hand info on other ships and how the activities actually work - for example the lineups for the activities can be very long on the RCI mega ships making it less enjoyable)."

 

For those that quoted the first part of my paragraph, here is the rest of what I wrote. 

 

My kids have made friends with other cruisers, keep in touch over social media in addition to seeing them again on Princess cruises.  Their friends have been on RCI ships and Prncess ships and have described their experiences in detail.   Based on those current experiences, from friends their age,  our kids have said "no"to RCI.   

We've offered.  Our kids over and over again have said they prefer the relaxation style of Princess to the "lots todo"style of RCI.   

 

My point to the OP is that ship choice re level of activity really depends on their grandsons' personalities.  Not all kids like the same things.   

 

Hope that explains it better. 

 

 

Edited January 15, 2019 by cruisintoddler

[Cruzaholic41]

17 hours ago, Aquahound said:

 

When was the last time they cruised RCI?  From your signature, it looks like it was over 10 years ago.  I ask because I have found Princess ships to feel much more crowded than RCI, especially RCI's mega ships.  In fact, Oasis Class ships have been some of the least crowded feeling ships I've ever sailed.

 

I totally agree. RCI is much better for kids than Princess. Just another case of people making assumptions without actual experience. 

[Itchy&Scratchy]

On 1/14/2019 at 9:54 AM, cruisintoddler said:

 (you can see from my signature below that we have tried other lines - plus the kids have talked to other kids on board and have received first hand info on other ships and how the activities actually work - for example the lineups for the activities can be very long on the RCI mega ships making it less enjoyable).

for some kids it's better to have activities and line up for them (RCI) than not have any activities at all (looking at you, Princess).

[Harry and Lucille]

Sorry. I don't understand. You are looking for a good entertaining cruise for your grandsons to have many activities to enjoy but, you don't want other kids on board? Not going to happen.

 

[SuiteTraveler]

I think that if they went on a ship in an exclusive suite enclave such as The Haven or The Yacht Club they would have the best of both worlds - not so many kids in these areas, but outside of the exclusive area, kids clubs and lots of things for the kids to do.  Admittedly RCCL doesn't have that, but it does have the adults only Solarium.

[Itchy&Scratchy]

5 hours ago, Harry and Lucille said:

Sorry. I don't understand. You are looking for a good entertaining cruise for your grandsons to have many activities to enjoy but, you don't want other kids on board? Not going to happen.

 

I think she meant that when she goes alone, she seeks out quieter atmosphere with fewer kids, but now she wants to take her grandkids with her, and wants to find a fun cruise with lots of activities.