First time (as a family) cruisers need advice

[sr5242]

we are considering going on a 4 or 5 day cruise with our then 5 yr old twin boys. my dh and I have cruised many times, but never with our kids yet.

 

we can only afford carnival and this point, but my last carnival cruise (albeit 15 yrs ago) was SOOOO awful with just the lowest common denominator, boom boxes in the cabins, etc that we were afraid to even leave our cabin sometimes.

 

have things changed? what are the chances that we will have a decent trip?

 

thanks for any input.

[MamaParrotHead]

We honestly couldn't have asked for anything more than Carnival provided. We were very comfortable and felt quite "pampered" for the duration of our trip. I think as long as you research which ports have family fun activities and which ships have what you're looking for, you're in for a fun family vacation.

[ancfun]

We sailed a few years ago with our 3 boys (10, 6, 5 at the time) and really enjoyed the cruise. Our children loved camp carnival and wanted to stay there. When we stopped in the Bahamas, the boys actually stayed at Camp while we went into town. I have no issues with taking the children on Carnival, it is becoming vary family friendly.

[markandstacie00]

If you ask that question on a Carnival board, of course you are going to hear raving stories. That said, I think you would love Carnival. I will also say that Costa costs less and sometimes has kids sail free deals.

[LHP]

4 day cruises "can still be" more of a party attitude than a 7 day, but we have never had any problems.

 

We have always been pleased with Camp Carnival. They have been consistant on the 14 different Carnival ships we have had our boys on.

 

As for the "boom boxes", you can get bad neighbors on any cruise where "families" are going to be in large numbers. Sadly that is not unique to just Carnival. That is the luck (or unluck) of the draw. Until parents learn to be real parents, the chances are always there that you will get some numb skull next to you.

 

Personally, I would give it another try.

[caribbean dreams]

4 day cruises "can still be" more of a party attitude than a 7 day, but we have never had any problems.

 

.

 

I agree, if you want to get the full feel of Carnival, a 7 day or longer would be nicer but i can understand the price situation.

Go and have fun, if your cabin neighbor gets loud, call security but i dought that will even happen.

I started taking my youngest cruising with us when she was 4 (now 13) the first thing that she said every morning was "when can i go to Camp Carnival"

Carnival has changed alot in the past 15 years but i don' know if they will every recover from that "party ship" image they used to have because there are so many people out there that are not willing to get them another try all these years later.