Opinions/comparisons wanted: Disney vs Princess for families

[sparky605]

Considering Disney Magic, Princess Crown Princess (or possibly Carnival Freedom)

Have cruised twice so far:

Dinsey with the family - LOVED it

Carnival with husband (bargain cruise)- it was fine but not great.

 

Am considering another family cruise- This time looking between Princess (Crown Princess) and Disney. Would save a lot (Almost $2K) on Princess but primary concern is the kids. Is the entertainment any good for families on Princess? How are the kids clubs? We all love everything Disney so I am tempted to play it safe with DCL.

 

Also, I am tempted to give Carnival another try as they have a reasonable cruise that visits a particular port of call that I am dying to see- But I thought the entertainment was really poor on Carnival and that is important to me.

 

Our kids are going to 12, 11, and 5 at time of travel.

 

All opinions welcome- Thanks!!!:confused:

 

(I asked this on the main board and some helpful cruisecritics directed me here.)

[lizi116]

We cruised the Caribbean Princess this summer with our 12 & 9 year olds and they loved it. They really enjoyed the kids club - especially the 12 year old DS. He enjoyed ping pong, basketball and making new friends. 9 year old DD enjoyed arts and crafts. I felt that their were good options for family shows. And Movies Under the Stars was great! Good Luck!:)

[larronry]

I was on the Caribbean Princess last December and although we left our son at home (and regretted it) those with kids really seemed to love the ship and the activities. The crew loves having kids around. Although there were some things I didn't like about Princess I most likely will be sailing them again.

 

As for Carnival as you can see below I'm giving them a chance by trying out their brand new ship next December. It will be the biggest ship I've been on I think so we'll see if I like it since I tend to like smaller ships but from the description they should have a fantastic kids program and the decor should be a little more or should I say less irritating then some of their more flamboyant decor of recent.

 

Although I plan on doing a Disney cruise at least once with my son it is so much more expensive then any other cruise with the same itinerary. Such a shame to be paying so much just for the name.

 

I would say give Princess a try. Maybe Carnival but I don't know much about that ship.

[mjmalino]

We've only been on one cruise so far, and it was to Alaska on Princess. My 2 DS (9 and 8) absolutely loved the kids camp. If the activities are anywhere close to what they did on Coral, I am expecting my kids to be just as happy next year on the Caribbean Princess. What I liked, is that they not only had things like video games, karaoke, lego competitions, etc. type activities, but they also had enrichment activities. For example, when we were in Glacier Bay, one of the park rangers who boarded the ship went down to the kids camp and did a Jr. Ranger program with them.

 

I would give Princess a try, I don't think that you will be disappointed, especially with the kids.

[rebeccalouise]

Considering Disney Magic, Princess Crown Princess (or possibly Carnival Freedom)

Have cruised twice so far:

Dinsey with the family - LOVED it

Carnival with husband (bargain cruise)- it was fine but not great.

 

Am considering another family cruise- This time looking between Princess (Crown Princess) and Disney. Would save a lot (Almost $2K) on Princess but primary concern is the kids. Is the entertainment any good for families on Princess? How are the kids clubs? We all love everything Disney so I am tempted to play it safe with DCL.

 

Also, I am tempted to give Carnival another try as they have a reasonable cruise that visits a particular port of call that I am dying to see- But I thought the entertainment was really poor on Carnival and that is important to me.

 

Our kids are going to 12, 11, and 5 at time of travel.

 

All opinions welcome- Thanks!!!:confused:

 

(I asked this on the main board and some helpful cruisecritics directed me here.)

 

I used to be a Princess fan but have had some bad experiences with Princess. However, I have done both Disney and Princess and I think your kids would be happy on either line. The Crown is much larger than either the Wonder or Magic and I think the kids would have fun exploring on a bigger ship.

 

My son loved the youth program on Princess (he was 5 at the time). The older kids have a nightclub and many activities also.

 

I prefer Celebrity's youth program however and the kids on Celebrity seem to be having a ball. I like Celebrity better than all the lines- except Cunard. I thought that was fantastic.

[crusinmama06]

We haven't done Princess yet (done RCCL, Carnival, Disney and NCL).

 

In my signature I have schedules for the kids clubs, including Princess if you want to take a look at the different activities available on each line.

 

You haven't done RCCL yet. I have to recomend those ships too (Voyager/Freedom class). At this point, those are the ships that MY kids keep asking for. ;)

[UMTerp]

Given the ages of your kids I would go Disney all the way!!! We have been on 6 cruises on the Magic and love it! The kids activities are going on all day and into the night (unlike some other ships). My kids had a great time!

 

We are trying Princess for the first time this year because we wanted to cruise to Alaska. If DCL was going there, we would cruise with them.

 

Good luck!

 

UMTerp

[serene56]

For your 12 year old I would steer clear of Carnival as their camps for that age is really lame. (youdo not want a bored 12 year old on your hands all week thats for sure)

 

Princess has a wonderful kids program that he would like. (I dont know if he would like everything Disney or not) but for a 2,000 $$ difference that is why i would pick princess

[Conrycol]

Disney is not worth the extra money. Go on Princess and have a great time. All that matters is spending this time with your kids.

[Kerry's Girls]

In my opinion, I would do Princess. I think Princess is better for adults, and the kids have fun no matter what. Even if the cost were the same, I'd lean toward Princess, but with that much savings to be had, you could splurge on an amazing cabin or on extra special adventures ashore.

 

Best,

Mia

[sparky605]

...

You haven't done RCCL yet. I have to recomend those ships too (Voyager/Freedom class). At this point, those are the ships that MY kids keep asking for. ;)

Thanks cruisinmama- I am seriously considering RCCL. The ships look really fun and I think that may be the way to please everyone. The 5 year old is happy no matter what, but the 11 and 12 year olds will love the RCCL ship- and the cruise we are looking at has ports that are hubby and my hearts desire.

Thanks for the kids club links

[kestrel]

We cruised several times with Princess, and enjoyed each trip.

 

However, they don't have a lot of connected cabins. I mean the cabins that are connected through inside doors, not through balcony dividers. This is really inconvenient for a family with 3 young kids.

[Dengail]

My vote would have to be RCCL also, Voyager or Freedom classes. If your kids are very active they will be stunned with all the activities and options. We LIKED Disney and the shows are the best anywhere, but my preteen and teens were bored at times. (although they did not complain) We could just tell. The ship they want to go back on is not Disney...

[helenb]

We've cruised on both DIsney and Princess (as well as RCI and Celebrity) and I would say that your kids will have a good time on Princess. The big difference is that there are no FAMILY activities on Princess, and the shows are geared somewhat more toward adults on Princess. But the kids club and attention at mealtimes, variety of foods available, etc. are still terrific for kids on Princess, and the $2k price difference is definitely worth it. You certainly owe it to yourself to try.

 

Of the 'upper middle class' cruise lines, IMHO Princess is the best for families, after Disney.

[dcrow72]

we've taken the kids a few times on Carnival and they participated in very few kid activities. Seemed the staff didn't involve them much and it seemed disorganized. They always found things to do. The last time they were about 11 (twins) and 13. Hubby and I just got off the Crown a few weeks ago (without kids!), and loved it so much, we're taking them next year on the CB repo from NY to PR. We scoped out the kids only areas on the Crown and they have everything you could think of! Their own pool, teen only hot tub, every video game, etc, outdoor play areas. I had posted a question about teen activities on the Princess board and someone scanned in and linked the teen activity "patters"; tons of things for them to do! I hadn't seen anything in the Patters so I was little worried that they didn't have things to do, but now I know that they have their own newsletter every day. I found the Crown to be far superior to any of the 5 Carnivals that we'd been on, and I won't even mention our horrific experience on NCL that I took 4 kids on and wanted to cry. Go with Princess, you won't be disappointed.

[serene56]

. We scoped out the kids only areas on the Crown and they have everything you could think of! Their own pool, teen only hot tub, every video game, etc, outdoor play areas.

 

 

this pool area-- is it just for the teens? is it a family pool?

[hightownCO]

Did Disney with daughter when she was 11. She didn't like the origanized activities at all. Geared too young. If she hadn't hooked up with some kids her age and older on line before hand she would have been miserable (although we love WDW!)

 

At 12, did Carnival. Again, she didn't like the kids club at all. Her age group, 12-14 too often combined with the 9 - 11 group and they geared to the lowest common demoninator - the younger age. This was on the Victory. Again, if there weren't kids her age with us, would have been miserable.

 

At 13, did Princess and their grouping is 13-17 with their own digs/teen center. She loved that. While you're kids are younger have heard very few complaints about Princess kids programs.

 

I wouldn't spend the extra money for DCL. If I want Disney, will go to the parks!

[dcrow72]

it looked like a splash pool for younger ones. the older kids had their own hot tub on the other side. there are 2 large family pools on the lido deck and 2 smaller adult only pools. plenty of family places. One of the pools faces the MUTS screen.

[serene56]

it looked like a splash pool for younger ones. the older kids had their own hot tub on the other side. there are 2 large family pools on the lido deck and 2 smaller adult only pools. plenty of family places. One of the pools faces the MUTS screen.

 

 

do the princess camps take the kids swimming??

[helenb]

Princess Kids' Club does NOT take the kids swimming at ANY age.

 

The Crown teens hot tub is for teens only, but teens can go WITH [parents in any of the regular hot tubs on board.

[Cruise-Uh-holic]

Disney is not worth the extra money. Go on Princess and have a great time. All that matters is spending this time with your kids.

 

DIsney is so worth the extra money!!

the kids love it. the kids clubs are free ,soda is free ,movies that are currently in land theater are free, entertainment is fun for the whole family.

for us nothing can compare to Disney. it just sets the standards to all cruising

[Cruise-Uh-holic]

Disney is not worth the extra money. Go on Princess and have a great time. All that matters is spending this time with your kids.

 

DIsney is so worth the extra money!!

the kids love it. the kids clubs are free ,soda is free ,movies that are currently in land theater are free, entertainment is fun for the whole family.

for us nothing can compare to Disney. it just sets the standards to all cruising

[gameover]

I've sailed with the Family on both Disney Magic and Carribean Princess and if money was no object I would say Disney would win hands down.

 

With that being said Disney costs much more. It was worth every penny but it requires much more saving.

 

Both Disney and Princess have very good programs. Kids enjoyed both very much and made many friends.

 

Disney clubs pretty much occupy one entire deck (since there is no Casino) but of course there were 800-900 kids on the ship. On princess when we went in April I would be surprised if there were more than 80.

 

The other difference is that the Disney clubs were open from 6am to 11pm. On Princess it usually was open a few hours at a time in the morning, noon, and night.

 

Overall Disney has the edge for experience but its not worth spending thousands more every time

[mskongfused]

We are just back from the Grand Princess. I only have a 4 year old. But there were almost 700 kids on our sail (infants to 17). There is plenty for the kids to do and for the adults! I saw lots of kids in groups hanging out by the pool or eating together. And also with the kids staffdoing group activities! Everyone seemed to be having a great time.

 

The only draw back was the pool. The 2 family pools are really nice (one under the MUTS screen) but they are 5 to 7 feet deep. Pefect for your older kids, but not so much for the 5 year old. They did have a small kiddie pool. DS loved it, but at peek times it was kind of crowded. As for the shows, they are geared more for the older crowd, but my son wanted to go with us to the dance shows and loved them. But they have the kids programs running during those times so your kids have a choice!

 

I would do Princess again in a heartbeat. And my DS has been whinning about wanting to go back everyday since we returned.

[Dawn935]

We cruised on the CB in Dec 06 with 13 & 11 year olds. They both loved the ship and found plenty of things to do and met lots of friends. I also recall there was at least one family comedy show in one of the lounges; the comedian's name was Carlos Oscar and we all enjoyed it.