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I'm a first-timer 3/26 on Explorer


newcruzr

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I saved up for a while to take my husband (and our DS age 7) on a cruise for DH's 40th B'day...now the time is growing near and I don't have a clue what to expect? So here are my burning questions:

 

1. Will son (age 7) be OK in a navy blue sportscoat, tie and kahki's on "formal" night?

2. What shore excursions are a "must" for Belize, Costa Maya, Cozumel and Grand Caymans?

3. What is ship-life like?

4. What are the kid's clubs like...is it a baby-sitting service or will my son have lots of fun?

5. I've been reading no kids in pools...but what about a 7 year old? Is this just little (i.e., un-potty trained) kids?

6. Tell be about the nightlife...is it kid friendly?

7. What do you wish you had known prior to your first cruise?

 

Many thanks to all....by the way, if you're cruising on the Explorer on the 3/26 Western Caribbean, we love to meet new people!

 

Thanks,

 

Karen

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I'll try to answer as many questions as possible.

 

1. That outfit sounds perfect for your 7 year old son for formal night. One suggestion, since there are 2 formal nights have him come with you to one formal night but the other one let him go with the Adventure Ocean crew to Johnny Rockets or the Windjammer (unless he really likes fancy foods in which case indulge him).

 

2. The only one I can really comment on is in Grand Cayman - you have to do the Stingrays. This is the best place in the world to see them and they are amazing. Make sure you choose an excursion that goes to Stingray City. You might want to post port specific questions on the Ports of Call boards.

 

3. The Explorer is big so it's like a small city. You can relax by the adult's only pool or go to the spa for a massage or go to the casino while your son goes to Adventure Ocean. Or you all as a family can play mini golf together, swim in the main pool together, walk down the Promenade, see the shows.

 

4. Adventure Ocean is more than a baby sitting service. They offer tons of different activities. In fact, a lot of parents have troubles prying their kids out of AO. There is an in-room babysitting service at night though if you don't want to send him to AO.

 

5. No kids in pools means you have to be potty trained to enter the pools. Your 7 year old should be fine. Also, there is an Adventure Beach area that has a small water slide for kids as well. Now, he still won't be able to enter the Adults Only Solarium (including the solarium pool).

 

6. Most of the shows in the main showroom are kid friendly plus they will offer trivia games etc in some of the lounges. Most of the late night shows are NOT kid friendly (Quest, Love and Marriage, late night comedy show etc.). Make sure to go to see the ice show, though, as that is amazing! Also, Adventure Ocean offers programs for the kids in the evenings as well so he may want to go to those.

 

If you have more specific questions, you might want to ask them on the Royal Caribbean board as you might get more responses. Also, make sure to join your Roll Call as I'm sure people on your cruise have been talking back and forth and can offer suggestions as well. The link for your Roll Call is http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=199262.

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1. The things you describe for your son will be perfect.

 

2. In Grand Cayman it's the Stingray City tour where you can get in the water and actually feed the stingrays.

 

3. Activities on board vary from ship to ship. You will receive a daily newsletter that will detail each day's activities. There will be lots to do, so don't worry about being bored.

 

4. The kids club is not a babysitting service. They have organized activities that are age appropriate. The groups are divided by age so your son will probably be in a group of 7 to 9 year olds. He will love everything.

 

5. The no kids in pools is for non-toilet trained kids. They don't want stuff from the diapers contaminating the pools.

 

6. Nightlife depends on the activities. The kids club will be operating until 10 pm with a group "sitting" experience until about 2am (that's the only time you have to pay for the kids club---after 10pm if you decide to leave your son there.) The main shows in the theater can be for kids, but I would say that bringing the kids into any of the bars and lounges probably isn't the best idea and your son would be bored. The evening clubs are really for adults. Your son won't be allowed into most of the comedy shows as those tend to be adult humor. And he won't be allowed into the adult disco.

 

7. I wish I had known how addicting cruising is. I've been on 42 cruises, with number 43 coming up on Sunday and number 44 in mid April---from Buenos Aires.

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I appreciate the advice. I can't even imagine 43 cruises...wow! I have a feeling I'm in for a jaw dropping experience...when we see how big the ship is...and when we see all there is to do. I appreciate the pieces about the Adventure Club for my son. I'll share them with him. Also, thanks for making a newbie feel welcome here.:D

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Hola Newbie,

 

Most of your questions have been covered except for your shore excursions. Do a google for excursions in each port. The Caymans is Stingrays all the way. Nativeway has a Rays, Reef and Rum Point tour that is great. If I had a 7 year old in tow in Coz, I would have to take him to Paradise Beach or Chankanabb Park ( if the Park is open by then). The must-do in Belize is CAVE TUBING. We used Marvin at Wet & Wild, but I have seen good reviews on others, too. Yhonies, Coral Breeze and Reggies to name a few. I haven't been to Costa Maya but the ruin tour with Ivan has great reviews or you can veg on the beach. I saw a beach break with an open bar for $25 @.

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