k_immi_e Posted August 6, 2020 #1 Share Posted August 6, 2020 Hi there! We were supposed to be on Radiance this October, so bummed it didn’t work out. We took the FCC & OBC option and am looking for our next cruise. But this time we are going to take our daughter. We are looking at either of these cruises and need advice on which one would be more kid friendly. She will be 4 at the time. We want to make it a great family vacation and try to do as much as possible together and not just leave her in the kids club. The two cruises we are looking at are: Mardi Gras- April 23,2022 to San Juan/Amber Cove/Grand Turk or Mardi Gras- April 30,2022 to Cozumel/Mahogany Bay/Costa Maya I feel We can’t go wrong with either, just wanted to get others experience. thanks! kim Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare lazydayz Posted August 6, 2020 #2 Share Posted August 6, 2020 With a young child, I would pick the Western itinerary. These ports are easy and kid friendly. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MamatoJack Posted August 6, 2020 #3 Share Posted August 6, 2020 My son was just 5 on our first cruise, we did an Eastern route. He wasn't keen on San Juan, no beach time and while the fort was neat to walk around, it was HOT and a lot of walking. I think he would have preferred a Western, there are a lot of kid friendly excursions to do, Though with that Eastern you could do it with the port area at Amber Cove, free beach in front of Grand Turk and walk to the Fort. So no transfers required (if you are worried about that). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MeredithNC Posted August 6, 2020 #4 Share Posted August 6, 2020 We have cruised with children and now grandchildren. Eastern/Western are both good - though I prefer the beaches on the eastern. With a child that young excursions can be limited. A beach day is always perfect - make sure you bring some water wings for her. The kids club is only for specific hours so you will have plenty of time to play with your daughter. We had one grandchild that hated the kids club - she ended up with us all week and we still had a great time. A lot of wonderful memories! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jodyneel Posted August 6, 2020 #5 Share Posted August 6, 2020 We have a 1, a 2, and a 4 year old (2, 3, and 5 at next cruise and have cruised every year). We love Playa Mia in Cozumel for the little ones, particularly Buccaneer's Bay. https://www.playamia.com/park-attractions/free-included-attractions It's not a Carnival excursion as far as I know (but I believe it was in the past), but it was a major factor in the itinerary we chose for our February cruise (Covid willing). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
k_immi_e Posted August 6, 2020 Author #6 Share Posted August 6, 2020 To confirm... Eastern is the San Juan Cruise & Western is the Mexico cruise. I get them mixed up all the time 😂 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare ninjacat123 Posted August 6, 2020 #7 Share Posted August 6, 2020 I think beach days are a great choice for young children. Having said that, I just asked my two daughters, 18 and 20 years old now, what they liked best about our cruise when they were 4 and 6. "What cruise?" they asked. I reminded them of where we went and the other family that travelled with us. No recollection. If your child is having fun, doing whatever, great. If not, well they may not remember it anyway. Good luck! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jetsfan58 Posted August 6, 2020 #8 Share Posted August 6, 2020 Whatever you choose kids will find a way to be Happy. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Darcy03231 Posted August 7, 2020 #9 Share Posted August 7, 2020 I'd go with the western itinerary. We cruised a lot with our children when they were young and it seemed to us that there were a lot more child friendly shore excursions on that itinerary. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
k_immi_e Posted August 7, 2020 Author #10 Share Posted August 7, 2020 (edited) We have decided! Thank you all for your advice. We are going to..... MEXICO! Whooo! The countdown begins.... 630 days 😂. We choose the Western itinerary based on your guys feedback as well as when looking at the ports on YouTube, it seemed the Western had more choices than just beach days. Sloths in Mahogany Bay! thank you again! Edited August 7, 2020 by k_immi_e Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare Eli_6 Posted August 7, 2020 #11 Share Posted August 7, 2020 We have done the Western Caribbean with young kids. They LOVED it. We had a 4 and 6 years old on the Vista. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
k_immi_e Posted August 7, 2020 Author #12 Share Posted August 7, 2020 Also... my 4 year old will be actually turning 4 on this cruise. So that will be fun! We will be spending it in Costa Maya! Woo! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KatieBug28 Posted August 8, 2020 #13 Share Posted August 8, 2020 If you are going to Costa Maya I highly recommend checking out Maya Chan! Our kids are still talking about it more than a year after our visit. The food is FANTASTIC, the beach is wonderful, and they have all kinds of beach toys (and folks that will help the kids with them while mom and dad relax!). They also had a "create-your-own" smoothie competition that was a huge hit. And agreed, the sloths in Honduras are so fun! We absolutely loved that excursion! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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