Kid Friendly, Extra Costs, Rooms, Food questions

[fancymeetingyouhere]

I've never cruised this line.

 

I was wondering if this line is recommended for kids during spring break.

 

What are the dining options/costs.

 

Are the balcony rooms large enough for 3 ppl.

 

Is the food good.

 

Do they nickel and dime you.

 

Are they over crowded.

 

The hubbies are staying home and my friend and I want to bring the kids on a cruise for spring break - wondering if we can try this line. I have tried RCCL, X, Carnival with the kids b4 and regent w/o the kids. I liked all the lines so far but wouldn't attempt to bring kids on Regent. Is this line suitable for kids and teens and Moms.

[lukes]

I few details would help, how old are the kids, which ship are we talkign about?

 

But just going on generic info -this line must be good for kids during spring break it is always packed with kids during spring break, summer holidays, christmas etc.

 

Our children are older so we have never used the kids the program, but the kids program receives great reviews here.

 

Depending on the ship - dining included is 1 or 2 main dining rooms, Blue Lagoon (diner type food), buffet, room service, pool side BBQ's. Each ship will have a variety of specialty - fee restaurants. The fee ranges from $ 10 - $ 25 per person. Which brings us to - Is the Food good?. Food of course is always subjective. But we find the food excellent. My girls are somewhat fussy and always find something they like. I enjoy anything I don't have to prep, cook, clean up after. We usually eat main dinning rooms, IMHO the food is excellent, well prepared and presented. We don't find a need to pay extra at the specialty restaurants.

 

Do they nickle and dime?. Unless everything is included what line doesn't. Yes NCL does, but having said that I find it really depends on the what you want to do. You can go on a cruise and spend very little and we have, or you can spend a lot and we have. Kids program does not cost, but tipping is recommended. $10 p/p tips are auto added to your on board account and you really do not have to tip more than that. You don't have to buy pcitures, spa treatments, shop, hit the casino or play bingo. Drinks including soda are extra, but we find comparibly priced to any regular bar or restaurant.

 

Sorry don't know about the balcony rooms.

 

Is the ship crowded? They all will be at spring break but really depends on the ship

[fancymeetingyouhere]

Thanks for the reply. It sounds like it's comparable to RCCL and Carnival and I guess for spring break that is just what I need. THe kids are 13,12,8,7 so they can also keep themselves entertained.

[lukes]

The biggest difference with NCL is the freestyle dining. Some love it, some hate it. We love it, dine when you want where you want. However if you are use to traditional it may take some getting use to. You do not have the same wait staff each night and some people miss that personal service that familiarity can create.

[Adkmom]

I've never cruised this line.

 

I was wondering if this line is recommended for kids during spring break.

My kids loved NCL but it may be really crowded at spring break. Then again so will all the ships. This will effect their experience in the kids programs.

What are the dining options/costs.

Buffet free/ main dinning rooms free/ specialty extra charge but boards report kids eating off kids menu are free/ extra places like Blue lagoon free.

Are the balcony rooms large enough for 3 ppl.

Depends on how much room you require we slept 4 in an ocean view and it was crowded but we are a close family and spend very little time in the room.

Is the food good.

I thought it was good better by far then Carnival but not exceptional.

Do they nickel and dime you.

Yes and no. Extra activities have extra cost.

Are they over crowded.

Durring spring break they may be but so will every other ship and resort. WE do not travel during spring break.

[CanadianTwosome]

I can't comment on Spring Break from personal experience, but based on posts here and basic logic, it's a good bet that every ship will be crowded and those that offer kids' programs will have lots of them aboard.

 

I can tell you that as a parent, we love NCL. We tend to be earlier diners than most, especially with a ten year old that plays hard, so being able to head to the dining room when she's/we're hungry and not worry about a set time is great. The different venues also give us plenty of variety and she's been able to try some really interesting things that we don't regularly serve at home. I wish she hadn't developed such a taste for escargot, though... they're never cheap on an appy menu!! :p (at least she didn't like the caviar!)

 

The Kids Crew is also really good, at least on the larger, newer ships that were built for it. With four kids of varying ages, I would recommend not booking an older ship such as the Dream or Majesty, and going with one of the newer ones that have more amenities and were designed with areas specifically for kids and youth.

 

Also, I recommend having your kids attend the first evening's activities, even if they think they're too cool or that it will be 'boring' or 'lame'. The first night is when the most kids will be there, so even if they never go back, it's the best opportunity to meet other kids on board that they might be able to have fun with. :)

[cruisenshop]

I have an 11 year old. We have done quite a few NCL spring break cruises. The last two, however were over Easter, so the census of kids was over 600! With that said, they had plenty of room for all of the children and plenty of staff ready to work with the numbers. Our daughter loved the camp and begged to go to hang with her new friends.

 

I would recommend that you consider whether you would consider the surcharge restaurants as "nickel and diming". I don't, and we enjoy going to them. I feel they are worth the price. Our daughter joins us for Teppanyaki and Southwestern. We eat at Cagney's and Le Bistro while she is at kids camp.

 

The balcony is big enough for 3. We usually do a minisuite for three, not that much bigger but concierge availabiity. That is a big plus for the reservations for dining.

 

We have also traveled with family and older kids. The teens enjoyed the freestyle nature of the cruise and met a lot of other nice kids. Smoothie cards are a good idea for the teen age group.

 

Good luck deciding.

[ringmaster]

We took the 16, 11 and 8 year old last year on their first cruise. They loved it SO much they BEGGED us to go on another. NCL was great, the kids loved the food options. If they wanted to get to kids club, they'd grab a bite in the buffet, occasionally they'd give in and eat with us and really enjoyed the food. They always found something to enjoy. Whi;e ut 16 year old had a bit more freedom, she did participate in the organized activities and can't wait to go again.

 

We never took the kids to a "pay" dining.

 

We, too will be cruising during spring break and will brace for the huge number of kids, but all it means is more fun for the kids and more friends to make.