Have you cruised without using Camp Carnival?

[ratherBcruizin']

Hi all. Dh and I keep flip flopping on going on a cruise this September with dd. She'll be turning 3 in September. I know CC starts at 2 but I seriously doubt she'd stay there without one of us. I could be surprised I guess but doubtful. We're concerned about having enough to do to keep her entertained. If we go to beaches during port calls I'm afraid the pool would get boring after not long. Not too mention that's alot of sun!

 

My parents would probably be going to so we'd have some backup. We took dd on a cruise when she was 13 months old and it was a bit rough back then. Teething...not sleeping well...grumpy...also I had read the boards WAY too much and just felt like everyone was staring at me b/c we had a *gasp* baby on board!! :eek:

 

Anyway it'd be between Carnival and Disney. And wowza is Disney expensive. We could get a balcony or higher on Carnival for what we'd pay for the cheapest inside on Disney. BUT we have been to Disney World a few times with dd and LOVE it. Also love that it's expected that kids will be on Disney where as even though Carnival markets itself as a family vacation, some still seemed shocked that a toddler would be there!

 

Ok, I'm rambling now. Any advice for cruising with a nearly 3 year old? Thanks.

[yuckylucky]

We took our then 2yr. old daughter on a New England cruise last summer. We brought her to Camp Carnival and our pager went off about 2hrs. after we dropped her off because she didn't want to stay in CC. Needless to say, she never went back! LOL...we found it okay though. My mom cruised with us so we all took turns walking around the ship and playing at the kiddie pool (although the water was freezing and couldn't stay in it long).

 

Our original game plan (in a Utopia), was for her to love CC. She would eat breakfast with us, go to CC while we relaxed in the sun for 2hrs., pick her up for lunch, play with her on the ship afterwards, take naps, feed her at the buffet, drop her off at CC so we could eat dinner, then pick her up and have fun until bedtime. Since that didn't happen, she was with us all of the time. And do you know what? It was fine! We never really felt like she was making us miss something. One thing we missed out on was bringing her to the shows at night. On the last night, we walked past the showroom and she heard the music and wanted to go in so we got seats near no one (in case she made noise), and she was totally fixated on the colorful costumes and the music so much that she started dancing on her chair...it was quite a scene. But also a great way for her to have fun and for us to sit down!

 

Disney is very expensive...we were fine with Carnival. Camp Carnival is really cute and the counselors are really sweet. There are lots of activities for the kids and it's nice that they break up the children into manageable age groups...I found that comforting. So, if your child will take to the camp, you're in good hands. As I mentioned briefly above, you get a beeper so if there is a problem, they beep you immediately. They have so many activities lined up for kids that I seriously doubt you'll ever be wondering what else to do. Camp Carnival is very strict about parents being in the play area with the kids so I will warn you that you cannot sit there for 30 minutes until your child is acclimated to the environment.

 

Don't forget the ship's arcade! We visited there a couple of times each day so she was able to hop on the ride-on games and think she was driving a car...free entertainment (provided that a paying child isn't waiting to use the ride, of course).

 

Sign her up the first day and if she goes, she goes. If she doesn't, it won't be bad. You're like me in that you have "reinforcements" (re: your parents)... my mom was our daughter's roommate and since my mom didn't like to stay up late, she always put her to bed while the hubby and I went for cocktails.

 

We're leaving in 11 days for a cruise on NCL Dawn...our daughter will be turning 3 on that cruise. I've been talking to her about Kids Krew and all the exciting things she can do. She feigns interest, I think. I won't be surprised if when we get there, she changes her mind and wants to be with us. But since we've been through it, we're okay with it.

 

With regards to dinner on Carnival, our waiter rocked. Our daughter ate in the main dining room with us every night and our waiter had a plate of pizza, a hamburger, and a whole plate of french fries waiting for her every night. She always smiled and loved the attention. It's little touches like those that make you want to choose certain cruiselines...we would go back on Carnival with her in a heartbeat...heck, we would go back on Carnival without her in a heartbeat too! :) Pick the earlier seating and, if you can all fit, request a booth. We didn't request one but were assigned one and couldn't have been happier with it. It allowed our daughter to take turns sitting/standing next to each of us and it was safer than a dinner chair at a big table. Also, no one else was sitting with us so we weren't worried about disrupting other diners if she got ansy...which she surprisingly didn't.

 

You'll be fine whichever your choose...we've thought about Disney but find it too expensive...no qualms with Carnival from us...happy cruising!

[lubowiem]

But my experience is very similar to yuckylucky's. Before they were "camp ready" both of my children cruised with me and my wife. (Both with and without grand-parental support) The kids really enjoyed the kid pool, the shows and even the live music in the lounges in the evening.

 

As to the people being shocked that a toddler is there, I think that's really the minority. As long as the child is well behaved (and I have no reason to believe that she won't be) there is no reason that she can't go do most of what you want to do. (The casino is out, though)

[Laurin612]

My kids (who were 6 and barely 3 during their first cruise in April, 2005) LOVED going to the Kid's Club. I thought I might have some problems because my son (who had just turned 3 at the time of that cruise) had never been in daycare or left with a babysitter. The only time he had ever been without me or my husband was in the Child Center at our health club (which is pretty much like a Kid's Club).

 

But, to our delight, both kids had SUCH a good time they wanted to be in the Kid's Club every moment it was open! :D

[shellie100]

My barely 3-yr-old did not like going to the kids club on RCI, at least not without us. Anyway, things worked out fine. He loved going to the pool with us, which we did every sea day. Also, we brought our portable DVD player and he would sometimes watch a movie while I enjoyed some on-the-balcony reading time to myself. Since he still naps in the afternoons we wouldn't have benefited much from the afternoon session, anyway, and we usually slept-in and lounged around eating breakfast on our balcony, so we probably wouldn't have really been able to take too much advantage of the morning session, either.

 

I would have liked to have been able to take him in the evenings to the kids club, but he didn't really want to go, but it was OK, too. We brought the DVD player to dinner, which kept him occupied during the long meal, and we brought him to the louder shows where he a few toddler-type noises would not be disruptive. Other evenings we just walked around, listened to music, got ice cream, etc. Basically, we kept our expectations low and went with the flow. Sometimes it is almost better because we didn't feel compelled to do a bunch of organized activites that would have just worn us out :p

 

We did beach, catamaran, and snorkling-type excursions at every port and had a blast. Just use lots and lots of sunscreen everyday. Hats, too!

 

Have fun and good luck!

 

Shellie

[I&MsMom]

We took our first cruise when DD was 25 months. We choose Carnival because they take 2 year olds and change diapers. For no other reason. But we've had such great experiences, and it has been such a tremendous value, we've not been prompted to look elsewhere.

 

DD loved the Camp (she also has an older brother, so that was no doubt a factor.) However, I have a few suggestions that might help to acclimate your child to the idea.

 

First, take her to see the camp on the first afternoon when it is empty. She'll see how cool it is, without any scary strangers, and you can explain that it's closed, but if she is on her very best behavior, you will bring her back in the morning and she can play there. But that it's a special place just for kids!

 

Then, go to the meeting the first night. It will give you a chance to fill out the paperwork, and your daughter will have a chance to "meet" the counselors and see some of the other kids.

 

Then, go to the camp party in the disco after the meeting. Even if she's fading a little, I would pop in for a little while. She can dance and play with the other kids and the counselors. You can participate fully, or watch from the sidelines, depending on her comfort level. There will be balloons, and games, and she'll have a chance to interact with the counselors. Even if she is reluctant to join in, I would find a chair and settle in to observe for a while. IMHO this goes a long way to making the next morning more comfortable, as she will then see familiar faces.

 

If she's had a good time in the disco, and she's still going strong, there is a make-your-own-sundae party in the buffet after. Can't comment about this as our kids are always too tired, and a sugar infusion at that point has never seemed wise!

 

On the first morning, the camp opens 30 minutes early for a play period. For that half hour, you can join your child in the camp. However, when the camp officially opens at 9 you MUST leave. I've never done this, as I know DD would have a harder time seeing me leave after I've played there with her than she would being left when she sees no other parents are staying. But, you know your child, and I expect this helps some children or Carnival wouldn't do it.

 

I would also quietly speak to one of the counselors assigned to the youngest kids (they will be introduced at the meeting the first night). Let them know your child may be feeling some separation anxiety. I've seen counselors make very special efforts to engage reluctant children.

 

Another suggestion I would make is to leave her for a very short period of time the first morning. How long is dependent upon your child. You want to leave her long enough that she has a chance to settle in and start to have fun, but not so long that she starts to wonder where you are and how long she is going to be left there.

 

The first time I left DD, I lingered around the corner, peering in every few minutes for a while. I went back to get her after about an hour. She wanted to stay longer. I promised her that if she was very good I would bring her back after lunch. She was hooked, and the rest is history!

 

We've found cruising to be the best vacation with young kids. The counselors on Carnival have been just super. They have made it such a pleasure, both for the kids and for mom and dad.

 

Hope whatever cruise you choose you all have a great time!

[Cruisin' Chick]

My daughter was one month too young to be in Camp Carnival on her first cruise so she stayed with us. We didn't do any shore excursions...just got off in Ensenada long enough to go to the marketplace next to the pier.

 

On her second cruise at 3 years old, she couldn't get enough of Camp carnival. She would wake up and ask if it was open yet.

 

Since there isn't a charge, why not let your child check it out. Get the pager just in case she wants to leave.

[yuckylucky]

I have a few suggestions that might help to acclimate your child to the idea.

 

First, take her to see the camp on the first afternoon when it is empty. She'll see how cool it is, without any scary strangers, and you can explain that it's closed, but if she is on her very best behavior, you will bring her back in the morning and she can play there. But that it's a special place just for kids!

 

I would also quietly speak to one of the counselors assigned to the youngest kids (they will be introduced at the meeting the first night). Let them know your child may be feeling some separation anxiety. I've seen counselors make very special efforts to engage reluctant children.

 

Another suggestion I would make is to leave her for a very short period of time the first morning. How long is dependent upon your child. You want to leave her long enough that she has a chance to settle in and start to have fun, but not so long that she starts to wonder where you are and how long she is going to be left there.

 

The first time I left DD, I lingered around the corner, peering in every few minutes for a while. I went back to get her after about an hour. She wanted to stay longer. I promised her that if she was very good I would bring her back after lunch. She was hooked, and the rest is history!

 

These are great suggestions...as you may have read earlier from me, my daughter didn't take well to the camp. But hubby and I talk to her everyday about the Kids Crew (we'll be on NCL) and all the cool things she can do like she already does in daycare and she seems excited. I won't be surprised if she changes her mind on the ship and wants to stay with us. However, I am going to try your suggestions about visiting it early and talking with the counselors. I read on another thread that someone's child has separation anxiety and the counselors in Kids Crew really helped out with that.

 

So we'll see...again, thanks for the suggestions!

[Julienatul]

DH and I have been on many cruises mostly with Carnival but most recently with RCI. We just took our daughter 7 months on RCI and she did fabulous!!! It was not in any way any harder than it is at home. We kept everything pretty low key and tried to follow her same routine. She ate with us at dinner and slept on the deck in her stroller for naps during the day. She loved it. We took her to the beach and walked all around the ports. We didnt have any family with us so no time alone for DH and I except when she slept. It wasnt as relaxing as it was pre-baby but definitely great! All of our cruises there have been babies and young children on board. Carnival is known for being a family friendly cruise and I have heard it is as fun as Disney in Camp Carnival. I would say definitely go for it!

 

Julie

[ratherBcruizin']

Thanks for the responses everyone. Dh and I still have not made a decision and to be honest, I'm getting pretty frustrated about it.

 

I'm not concerned with my dd being with us all the time. I'm a SAHM, so used to that. I was mored concerned with her getting bored and acting up. We love that on Carnival she could stay in the club if she wanted to, whereas on Disney it's not an option b/c of her age. But on the other hand on Disney we could go in and stay with her which is not an option on Carnival. We like that Carnival has the buffett for each meal. I believe on Disney for dinner it's still a sit down meal.

 

Dh said let's just go back to Disney World and be done with it, it's easier! But still Disney World 3 times in 12 months?? I think we're making this entirely too difficult! :rolleyes: Hubby and I seem to be good at that for some strange reason. ;)

[crusinmama06]

I would not choose Disney just because you can go into the nursery with her. The nursery is really just one room with a few toys...nothing that you would want to spend the day at anyway.

 

We've been on both sides. On our Disney cruise, my youngest was 7 months old. We looked at the nursery, thought it wasn't for us and we ended up taking her everywhere we went with no problems. On the same cruise, my oldest (then 5) REFUSED to leave the Disney kids club and often had to be dragged kicking and screaming out of the club at MIDNIGHT cause I needed some sleep. ;)

 

When that same daughter was 2 and onboard a Norwegian Cruise...she didn't like to stay at that club for more than an hour. I was paged almost as soon as I left her there.

 

Last year we did the back to back with Disney Cruise Line and Walt Disney World for 2 weeks. This year we chose to just do WDW. The kids had an awesome time. On our next cruise, (RCCL Freedom) our youngest will be 3 and maybe ready for a little kids club time on her own.

 

Have a great time with whatever you choose!

[abitaturbodog]

Choose Carnival, save the $, and take a chance that she'll love the kids club. If she doesn't, you won't be missing out on anything, because with Disney you would end up spending all of your time with her in the nursery anyway.

[lynnj73]

Thanks for the responses everyone. Dh and I still have not made a decision and to be honest' date=' I'm getting pretty frustrated about it.

 

I'm not concerned with my dd being with us all the time. I'm a SAHM, so used to that. I was mored concerned with her getting bored and acting up. We love that on Carnival she could stay in the club if she wanted to, whereas on Disney it's not an option b/c of her age. But on the other hand on Disney we could go in and stay with her which is not an option on Carnival. We like that Carnival has the buffett for each meal. I believe on Disney for dinner it's still a sit down meal.

 

Dh said let's just go back to Disney World and be done with it, it's easier! But still Disney World 3 times in 12 months?? I think we're making this entirely too difficult! :rolleyes: Hubby and I seem to be good at that for some strange reason. ;)[/quote']

 

That is sooo funny about disney world. We go to disney way to often because it is just plain easy. We were there last september and again in march. We love it the kids love it etc. We are going on our third carnival cruise in Nov. Our first, my son was just over a year. He loved it. He had freedom in the halls on or on deck when it was not crowded and we could easily put him in his stroller. Our next cruise, he was 2 weeks shy of camp carnival. Still a great time and we could take him to the play room for a few hours on sea days. Just early to bed and early to rise. We also take cruises with a lot of port days. We like to be out exploring even if we are schlepping the strollers along. Now both my kids are camp age at 5 and 2 and I am hoping they enjoy it. We actually cruised disney pre kids and think the kids would really enjoy it but the cost is just not worth it too us. Carnival staff have always been great with my son. I didn't know there was so much opposition to kids cruising until I read this board. Makes me so annoyed. We deserve a nice vacation too and those who want to avoid kids should pick a less family friendly cruise line. Just had to jump in with my 2 cents and say "hi" to another disney fan!

[stacyinpa]

Can you offer suggestions as to what to do with the young children all day? to make a long story short.....i am already booked for RC Mariner for December, BUT

i just got 3 foster children ages 11 mo, 9 mo, and 2 when we sail. My own daughters are 12 and 17, plus me and dh. RC does not allow a 2 yr old in their adventure club, where as camp carnival does....and please dont misunderstand me, it is not to dump the 2 yr old all day but a place for him to interact and play too in a secure environment.

 

I have been trying to read the family boards and I know some will say we are crazy and to 'leave the little ones home' but that I wont do.

i am just looking for ideas as to whar we can do all day with the little ones if we stay on the Mariner......and if we change to Carnival, what suggestions do you have for the 2 little ones who cant go to CC.

 

These little ones have been thru alot and really are good-behaved, happy-go-lucky kids.....its a shame some have to start out life this way. If they come up for adoption we will take them.

 

In the meantime---I am looking for tips/advice as well. And please, if your going to respond to leave them home, your answer is NO. They are apart of our family and go where we go.

 

Thanks a bunch-

Stacy

[Kerry's Girls]

I took my one-year old twins on Princess, so they were too young for to leave them in the kids area, but I didn't care - since they have to be with a nanny five days a week while I work, I wanted to spend all of my vacation time with them - you just have to be ready for a little-to-no-romance vacation.

 

Stacy - We never ran out of things to do, even though we only got off the boat in one port. The days FLEW by. Basically it was: get up; order room service coffee for me and milk for the girls while I got dressed for breakfast (the girls went in their pajamas, which looked enough like play clothes); after breakfast, dress, then a walk around the ship and a trip to the kids play area (they allow underage kids as long as they're with a parent); after lunch play in a blow up pool and/or dancing to the band by the pool; nap; dress for dinner; after dinner we'd go to the disco before it opened - the lights and music would always be going so we had our own party before bedtime. Plus, there were always kids out and about, so an on-the-spot playdate would happen. A cruise is great with kids for the same reason it's great for adults - since everything is done for you, all you have to do is enjoy each other.

 

Have a great trip!

 

Best,

Mia

[ratherBcruizin']

That is sooo funny about disney world. We go to disney way to often because it is just plain easy. We were there last september and again in march. We love it the kids love it etc. We are going on our third carnival cruise in Nov. Our first, my son was just over a year. He loved it. He had freedom in the halls on or on deck when it was not crowded and we could easily put him in his stroller. Our next cruise, he was 2 weeks shy of camp carnival. Still a great time and we could take him to the play room for a few hours on sea days. Just early to bed and early to rise. We also take cruises with a lot of port days. We like to be out exploring even if we are schlepping the strollers along. Now both my kids are camp age at 5 and 2 and I am hoping they enjoy it. We actually cruised disney pre kids and think the kids would really enjoy it but the cost is just not worth it too us. Carnival staff have always been great with my son. I didn't know there was so much opposition to kids cruising until I read this board. Makes me so annoyed. We deserve a nice vacation too and those who want to avoid kids should pick a less family friendly cruise line. Just had to jump in with my 2 cents and say "hi" to another disney fan!

 

Hey Lynn! Guess what we picked? Yep, Disney World! It's too funny that you went last September and March. Those are the same months we went too! Going again this September (week of Labor Day). DH and I just decided we'd like to give DD another year before we attempt a cruise. There is just too many things that can go wrong, especially in hurricane season. Plus DD just adores the place, all of us do. In her eyes all planes lead to Disney World. Once she's completely out of accidents, napping, car seats, and able to handle dinners longer than 12 minutes, I think we'll be back to cruising.

[lynnj73]

have fun!! I'm sure you visit disboards. My kids think the only thing in Florida is Disney. They are excited about the cruise but keep asking to go back to disney next time. My dh is already talking about going in Feb. if he gets his promotion. Say hi to mickey for us! Lynn