In-room sitting and family programming

[SeaTrekkers]

Which cruise lines other than RCCL offer in-room sitting?

What are the prices? How do you arrange it (advance or daily)? What hours do each of the lines offer the sitting?

 

Secondly, which of these cruise lines offer the best family-oriented programming? We have cruised Carnival but I find that while the kids can go to Camp Carnival, I would also like a balance of a cruiseline that offers a camp program but also for kids and parents to do things together. Thanks.

[kitty9]

Celebrity and Disney, along with RCCI, are the only ones to offer in cabin sitting. I think RCCI offers the best in multi-generational programs.

[crusinmama06]

Disney does NOT offer IN-cabin sitting.

 

RCCL and Celebrity do. And for some reason I am thinking Cunard *might* as well because I remember reading about the british nannies. But that might be in a group setting too.

 

You can look at some of the kid activities on the different cruiselines at the two links in my signature. One link has actual copies of the schedules and one link is my blog, at the bottom of the blog I outline each program.

 

RCCL does have "family activities" on some of their ships. They have Family Dance Parties, Family Scavenger Hunt, Family Karaoke and Family Ice Cream Parties.

 

On Carnival - the one main "family outing" was Family Build A Buddy (like Build A Bear)

[SeaTrekkers]

Thanks everyone. Cruisinmama, I notice that you have used RCCL several times. Can you tell me more about the overall programming on the RCCL ships? I hoped to use the in-room sitting and I wonder about the day programs and more so, the evening programs for adults that are not just in the casino and lounges.

[crusinmama06]

Thanks everyone. Cruisinmama, I notice that you have used RCCL several times. Can you tell me more about the overall programming on the RCCL ships? I hoped to use the in-room sitting and I wonder about the day programs and more so, the evening programs for adults that are not just in the casino and lounges.

 

How old is the child/children? There are some ships that are better for certain ages of children.

 

As far as "Evening Programs" - I will be the first to tell you that I do not go to shows - with the exception of some of the gameshows (Not So Newlywed Show and Quest) - there are just too many other things to do on the ship without me sitting in a theatre.

 

The RCCL ships that have Promenades have parades. They are also the ones with ice skating rinks so they have ice shows at night.

 

The new Oasis class that is going to start sailing in 2009 will have water shows in an AFT water theatre.

 

The newer ships have some fantastic things to do onboard - Oasis will have a CAROUSEL :eek: and a ZIPLINE :eek: (no added charge), and all new ships have the H20 Zone (kid water park), Surfing on the Flowrider, Rock Climbing, Adult only Solarium, Fresh water pools, Ice Skating, Mini Golf, Golf Simulator, Adult only Hot tubs that hang over the side of the ship, etc....

[SeaTrekkers]

Thank you. My daughter is an active 9 year old. She would enjoy the Ocean Adventure and we could both do the family activities. But, she crashes at night so I want to take advantage of the in-room babysitting for myself to get out.

 

Can you give me some leads on the best ships to start with Royal Caribbean which gives this type of combo? I have been reading the RCCL thread and this cruise line seems the best for us.

[crusinmama06]

Oh good, 9 is a great age because there isn't much they can't do onboard. :D

 

Here is the link to the kid compasses for the different ships...

http://s204.photobucket.com/albums/bb196/cruisinmama06/Royal%20Caribean%20AO%20Compass/?start=all

 

I would look for a Freedom Class Ship - Freedom of the Seas, Liberty of the Seas or Independence of the Seas.

 

Those ships have the most extensive lists of things to do on a ship.

 

Those ships have

--the H20 zone, the sports pool, the Adult only solarium and the Flowrider (surfing simulator) - all freshwater

--You can eat in the two adult specialty restaurants (Chops or Portofino), plus there is a 3 tiered dining room, or less formal meals in Windjammer (buffet), Jade (asian buffet), Johnny Rockets, Sorrento's Pizza (pizza, salads, breads, desserts), Cafe Promenade (sandwiches, bakery items, specialy coffees and tea), Ben and Jerry's

--Mini Golf, Golf Simulator, Rock Climbing Wall, Ice Skating Rink, Boxing Ring, Gym and Spa

--the Promenade will have Parades during the day and night

--shopping in the Promenade

 

And of course - for the adults there is the casino, many different bars/clubs

[SeaTrekkers]

Thanks Cruisinmama. I wasn't as keen on those freedom class itinraries but the ships sound great; perhaps will have to recehcek the itineraries. There is one itinerary for the Adventure of the Seas that fits our plans. Is this ship good? I see that the Voyager class has many but not all of the freedom class amenities.

 

This is my first day of research but I am already starting to narrow my choices with your help.

[SeaTrekkers]

P.S. at least the freedom class itineraries for our travel time are not fitting us; we hope to travel Mar 2009.

[crusinmama06]

Yes, it seems that the Freedom class does go to the same old itineraries (which is annoying to me...lol)

 

But as far as ships - you're right, the Voyager Class (Navigator, Explorer, Adventure, Mariner and Voyager) are all the same as the Freedom class with the exception of the H20 Zone, the Flowrider and the centilevered hot tubs on the Freedom Class.

 

Here are the ship itineraries for March 09 - the one big difference is obviously that Adventure leaves from San Juan - so airfare would have to be to San Juan...more expensive airfare.

 

Adventure of the Seas - San Juan, Puerto Rico; Oranjestad, Aruba; Willemstad, Curacao; Philipsburg, St. Maarten; Charlotte Amalie, St. Thomas; San Juan, Puerto Rico

 

Liberty Western - Miami, Florida; Labadee, Haiti; Montego Bay, Jamaica; George Town, Grand Cayman; Cozumel, Mexico; Miami, Florida

 

Liberty Eastern - Miami, Florida; San Juan, Puerto Rico; Philipsburg, St. Maarten; Labadee, Haiti; Miami, Florida

 

Independence Eastern - Fort Lauderdale, Florida; San Juan, Puerto Rico; Charlotte Amalie, St. Thomas; Philipsburg, St. Maarten; Labadee, Haiti; Fort Lauderdale

 

Independence Western - Fort Lauderdale, Florida; Belize City, Belize; Costa Maya, Mexico; Cozumel, Mexico; Fort Lauderdale, Florida

 

Freedom Western - Miami, Florida; Labadee, Haiti; Ocho Rios, Jamaica; George Town, Grand Cayman; Cozumel, Mexico; Miami, Florida

 

Freedom Eastern - Miami, Florida; San Juan, Puerto Rico; Charlotte Amalie, St. Thomas; Philipsburg, St. Maarten; Miami, Florida

[SeaTrekkers]

CM, I estimated the lower airfare plus higher cruise price for the Freedom of the Seas out of Miami and the higher airfare but lower cruise price for the Adventure of the Seas out of San Juan and they come out approximately equal. All being said, I do like the itinerary of the AOS better for this stage of our cruising.

 

We would enjoy the H2O Zone of Freedom but DD is too young for the flow rider anyway I think. So, it looks like the AOS as an all around choice for us. One day and my choice is made! Thanks.

[crusinmama06]

CM, I estimated the lower airfare plus higher cruise price for the Freedom of the Seas out of Miami and the higher airfare but lower cruise price for the Adventure of the Seas out of San Juan and they come out approximately equal. All being said, I do like the itinerary of the AOS better for this stage of our cruising.

 

We would enjoy the H2O Zone of Freedom but DD is too young for the flow rider anyway I think. So, it looks like the AOS as an all around choice for us. One day and my choice is made! Thanks.

 

 

Well actually Adventure of the Seas does have Adventure Beach...let me see if this picture works here...

 

 

And this thread was created by someone who saild AOS many, many times. All you have ever wanted to know about AOS is here...

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=691783