Ship/Room Class Help Please

[Bjkutnick]

Have an offer through casino for a "free" Carnival cruise. Only been on 2 cruises before and both were with Royal Caribbean about 10 years ago. We'll be traveling with our son who will be almost 5 when we travel. We are definitely more of an early to bed, early to rise family than night owls. I don't imagine we'll be spending a lot of time in the room, but I can certainly see value in having a little extra space. 

 

Since price would be the same for any of the below (aside from taxes which change a little), do any of the following stand out as either a particularly good choice or a particularly bad choice for ship and room category? Looking at Southern or Eastern Carribean in fall 2024.

 

Celebration- premium interior

 

Horizon- deluxe ocean view or family harbor interior

 

Magic- cove balcony, deluxe ocean view, or family harbor interior

 

Mardis gras- premium interior or family harbor interior 

 

Thanks in advance!

[jsglow]

LOTS of factors would go into my decision and my exact cabin designation would be significantly down the list behind things like the itinerary and the non-cabin amenities I'd like to have on the ship. So personally I'd switch up my decision to consider those other factors first.

 

As to cabin only considerations, my personal choice would be that nice cove balcony followed by the deluxe ocean view. I personally can't speak to a family harbor interior.

 

Have fun!

[VentureMan_2000]

Anything with a window or door to daylight.

[Essiesmom]

Is your 5y/o comfortable sleeping in an upper bunk?  Some of those interiors only have bunks.  EM

[Bjkutnick]

Thanks for the quick responses. Room type definitely only going to be part of the decision, but there are options with very similar or identical iteneraries (especially since we're pretty flexible with dates). That's why Jubilee isn't included on our list since we don't love the itenerary of what's available. I do probably need to do a better job of keeping in my head that newer isn't necessary better since none of these ships are very old.

 

As far as little one on upper bunk, I'm not sure. My gut says he would think it is cool, but if he's afraid of it I would probably sleep there.

[balcony bound]

Family Harbor is nice with kids, extra bathroom space too.

[Drazil65]

Mardi Gras family harbor room definitely.  You will get the extra space via the family harbor lounge in a more private area for those cabins only.  Also, all the bells and whistles and fun things to do on Mardi Gras.  

[firefly333]

3 hours ago, Drazil65 said:

Mardi Gras family harbor room definitely.  You will get the extra space via the family harbor lounge in a more private area for those cabins only.  Also, all the bells and whistles and fun things to do on Mardi Gras.  

That would be my pick too. I want the newer ship with more food options. Milk and cookies in a area for the little ones in the evening.  .. but then  newness would make a difference and I want mardi gras or jubilee, more than  ports. 

[cruisinqt]

The Magic is an older ship with less bells and whistles so it would be my last choice. The Horizon would be my second choice. My first choice would be a tie between the Mardi Gras and the Celebration, they are the biggest newest ships in the carnival fleet and are sister ships. They both have lots of extra restaurants to choose from, a roller coaster, and the design is a very new innovative concept for Carnival and my favorite so far. 

[lazydayz]

Agree re the Mardi Gras and family harbor would be good for your family. 

[Haljo1935]

Also think MG family harbor is a solid first choice. I would follow that by cove balcony because of the potential views of wildlife your son might have, but that would be a tie w/deluxe OV.

Safe travels  - enjoy your cruise!

[ARcruisin2]

another vote for either Family Harbor or Cove Balcony.

We didn't start cruising until our kids were older, but I've seen several reviews or comments from others saying it's nice to be able to put the littles to bed, then the adults sit out on the balcony and enjoy the the ocean. To this point, an interior will be just like being at a hotel...and the rooms are smaller than a hotel.

[Beav1279]

Another vote for MG Family Harbor. The extra perk of the family harbor lounge with coffee, drinks, breakfast, snacks, etc.. will be a blessing with a little one! No waiting in line or long walks to get food and/or drinks when someone is getting "hangry"! 🙂 

[Bjkutnick]

Thanks everyone. While there definitely seems to be some variability in personal preferences, sounds like family harbor on Mardis Gras (or celebration if that option opens up) seems like a good place for us to start. Then we can decide what we liked/didn't and adjust for future trips. Appreciate all the insight