Infinity Hawaii - 6140 and family questions

[CruiseMob]

We just booked our family on the April 2007 Hawaii cruise on the Infinity in stateroom 6140 and I have SO many questions.

1. Can someone give me details on the stateroom - good and bad? :)
   
2. At the time of the cruise DD will be 4 and DS will be 11 - are there lots of family activites we can do together - or is it mostly kids in the clubs and adults elsewhere? We like doing things together.
   
3. The kids really want to have beach time in Hawaii, but I didn't see any excusions for just a beach visit anywhere - does this exist? I saw a beach and scuba, but DD will be too young as the age limit is 5.
   
4. Do they have shows and movies that are appropriate for younger cruisers also? - OK, you guessed it, the only cruise we've done so far was Disney, so all the shows were enjoyed by everyone. :p
   
5. What are good family excursions in Hawaii for the age group I'll have?

That's all I have for now, but I'm sure I'll think of a million more before we sail. ;) Any information will be greatly appreciated - Thanks.

[Cruise Arizona]

I hope I can help. We did the 14 day Infinity to Hawaii in Novmeber of this year, and my kids, DD 7 & DS 9, had the time of thier lives. Both of them said they liked it better than Disney World.

 

 

1. Can someone give me details on the stateroom - good and bad?

I tried to go on line and see what cabin you are in, but the Celebrity site doen't seem to be working right now.

 

We had a regular, 170 sqft cabin. With 4 of us, it was a little tight but not horrible. Closet space was a little cramped, I had to double up things on the hangers. We had the queen size bed, and the upper bunk and the single sofa bed. When that sofa bed was out, it made it a little bit more tight, but again not horrible. Just be neat and stay organized, and you'll be fine.

The suite cases fit under your bed, and you can keep one near the edge for dirty clothes ect.

 

If you have a bigger cabin, or one with the two upper births I think you'll be even more comfortable.

At the time of the cruise DD will be 4 and DS will be 11 - are there lots of family activites we can do together - or is it mostly kids in the clubs and adults elsewhere? We like doing things together.

 

There are many activities that you can do together, but mostly kids time and grown up time. On the warm sunny days you can always have time together in the pool. Some of the activities that we enjoyed with our kids included the all ages hula lessons, ice carving demonstration, fruit carving demonstrations, family bingo, family disco, family karaoke, and family scavenger hunts. Since your daughter will be one of the younger ones she may enjoy having you participate in many of the arts and crafts type activies in the kids club. As long as your kids are well behaved they will be welcome most anywhere at adult activities except for maybe bingo, the casino, wine tasting ... any thing that would be exclusively adult. But they can come to the disco before 11:00. There were quite few kids at the Sock Hop. We had a great time dancing with our kids at the Captains Club party. We did a combination of family and separate activities. We kind of had to fight for that family time, but we did enjoy dinner together every night.

 

 

1. The kids really want to have beach time in Hawaii, but I didn't see any excusions for just a beach visit anywhere - does this exist? I saw a beach and scuba, but DD will be too young as the age limit is

The best thing for your family may be to do what we did and rent a car or take a cab to do your own excursion. In Kaui, there is a beach close by the pier, cab ride distance. Or you can go about 12 miles to Poipu beach. The public beach there is excellent for swimming and snorkeling. You can access any beach through the Hotels. I called several of them before my trip and they said the the public is definitely welcome on the grounds, and on the beach, but you just can't use the pool unless you are a hotel guest.

 

Get a Hawaiian guide book and read up on the beaches that would be best for your family then you could decided if you want to rent a car or take a cab to get to the ones you want to see.

 

In Kona, we did a private charter deepsea fishing/snorkel combo through Kona Seasport. For around $500 you get to fish and snorkel, all equipment provided, lunch provided, and a snorkle guide to show you all the fish. We had to take a cab to the Marina and back, but this was an awsome excursion. They would probably have the little one keep her life jacket on while snorkling.

1. Do they have shows and movies that are appropriate for younger cruisers also? - OK, you guessed it, the only cruise we've done so far was Disney, so all the shows were enjoyed by everyone. :p

My kids really enjoyed the production shows. They are pretty much G rated vegas style shows. They are only about 45 minutes, so they aren't long enough to bore the kids. There was enough energy, colorful costumes, lighting effects ect. to keep my kid entertains. Don't miss the "Celebrate the World" show. My kids loved it. On other nights some of the solo singers and performers might be a little boring for them. And the kids club has activities till 10:00 so they might be just as happy in the kids club.

 

In Honolulu, they had a terrific hula school with 7-14 year old kids. This was an excellent show, but some of the slower hula numbers might be a little boring.

 

They do show kids movies and videos in the kids program.

1. What are good family excursions in Hawaii for the age group I'll have?

We pretty much did everything on our own. We did a drive around Kauai and ended up at Poipu beach. In Honolulu we went to Pearl Habor and hiked Diamond head, and then checked out the King Kamehameah statue and the Iolani palace. The Pearl Habor tour was great for our ages, but might be a little boring for the 4 year old, but for the 11 year old I would highly recommend it. If you want to just take in the beach, you could easily jut take a cab to Waikiki.

 

In Hilo, again we rented a car and drove up to Volcanoes National park and did the Crater Rim Tour and Thurstons Lava tube nature hike. This would be an easy tour for your age group. Renting a car takes some time in Hilo. The offices at the rental cars agencies there don't seem to handle the huge influx of cruise passengers very well. DD, DS and I waited for an hour for DH to return with the rental car. It was just hard to process that many people at a time. If you plan for this, maybe with DH getting the car and then phoning when he's leaving the agency, then you could go down to meet him then, and not have to stand on the pier.

 

For Kona, I highly recomend Kona Sea Sports, but you could also take a cab to the beach. Just pick one that looks good from your guide book.

 

In Lahaina, everyone was so exhausted from the previous day's snorkel excursion, Only I went ashore and did some great souvenir shopping. I just walked around town, and found everything I was looking for. I was back in time to join DD, DS and DH for lunch onboard.

 

That's all I have for now, but I'm sure I'll think of a million more before we sail. ;) Any information will be greatly appreciated - Thanks.

[CruiseMob]

Thank you so much for your detailed replies, you've been immensely helpful and I really appreciate it. I was so glad to hear about the entertainment and activities and I'm going to take you wonderful advice and pick up some Hawaii books to help with excursions. I know we HAVE to do Pearl Harbor and Volcano National Park, but other than that we're totally open. Thank you again!

[2ladies]

6140 appears to be a Royal Suite!! Very nice - I am envious!! Large and fab balcony. However, just make sure that there are enough individual beds as presumably the two children cannot share a convertible sofa!!

[CruiseMob]

6140 appears to be a Royal Suite!! Very nice - I am envious!! Large and fab balcony. However, just make sure that there are enough individual beds as presumably the two children cannot share a convertible sofa!!

How would I find this out? The room is listed as accomodating 4 so we assumed the sofa bed would accomodate 2. Our last cruise was with Disney in a similar room and it worked out fine with my DH and DS sharing and me and DD sharing. We had a queen bed and a sofa bed. But if the sofa bed is smaller, I'm not sure we could do that, especially since DD will be 2 years older. How do I find out the details of the room's sleeping arrangements?