Advice please!

[JoKen1]

I'm going to be taking my newphew, age 35, my other nephew age 30 and his daughter age 8 and my nephew's girlfriend age 28 on a cruise with me, I'm 50.

 

Everyone has left it up to me to plan the trip. Since I'm paying they said they are willing to leave everything up to me as to where we go, what ship and when.

 

Since my great niece is only 8 I am going to plan the cruise for this coming summer.

 

My question is where would be a good a place to go that all ages will enjoy and most of all which ship would be best for everyone?

 

If you were bringing an 8 year old girl would you plan to let her go to the kids camp the ships offer or would you plan on being with her the whole time? I'm not sure what she would enjoy more.

 

It's scary to think of an 8 year old being away from us while on the ship but then again, I think she may be tired of hanging out with adults the whole time.

 

Of course off the ship she will be with us all the time.

 

Thanks for the advice. This is most likely going to be a one time trip where we all get to go together so I want it to be the most fun we can have.

 

Oh, I'm looking for a 7-10 day cruise.

 

Joanne

[NanciRDH]

Wow! You've got some big responsibilities here! lol. Every kid is different, so that's hard to predict. My kids LOVE both Camp Carnival and Adventure Ocean (Royal Caribbean) We tend to prefer Royal Caribbean because of all the onboard activities. We've cruised with grandmas all the way down to 6yo's, and all were happy. Are you thinking a beach kind of vacation, or Alaska? We've done both, and enjoyed them immensely, but they're definately two different trips. :)

[mjmalino]

My 2 DS love Princess kids camp. In fact, my older son (now 10) would rather go to camp then into port. My kids have enjoyed both the Caribbean as well as Alaska. I liked Alaska more as I think it gave my kids a chance to see things like the glaciers, which may not be around much longer and totems. Living in California, we aren't that far from beaches, so while the Caribbean was very nice, Alaska was fantastic! As for the kids camp, I think it should be her choice. Sign her up the first night (there is no charge) and let her look at the activities planned. I would also ask her to go try it out that first morning and let her decide for herself if she woudl like to return and how often. The reason I suggest having her go that first morning is so that she can meet friends while everyone else is doing the same; it may be harder for her to bond with others a few days later when everyone has already formed their groups.

[cb at sea]

I can't imagine that an 8 year old would want to be with the family the entire time, when there are TONS of other kids to play with! Plan on her utilizing the kids club most of the time! There's nothing "scary" about it! The counselors are highly trained and educated...she'll have a blast!

As far as WHERE to go---that depends on your family! Some love the "learning experience" of Europe or Alaska, some just want relaxation and the Caribbean is great for that! Just because you've been "put in charge", don't let that dissuade you from getting their opinions!

Once you decide on a destination, you can start researching things to do---excursions, things on your own....a guidebook on your ports is INVALUABLE to having a great vacation!

[lds26]

Because we have only sailed on Carnival I can only base my reply on that. We have the Freedom booked in November. Its an 8 day 5 port cruise. From what I hear Camp Carnival is the best. The other 2 cruises i was on had many children and the kids were almost non-existant. I have heard that the kids loved CC.

[beachgirl75]

hey there!!!! well i just back from a cruise with my ten yr old girl and she LOVED every minute of camp carnival!!!! We leave again in january and thats all she talks about<<<<< they have slumber parties....the WII , activities galore and pool parties!!!! i also took her with me when we were in key west and bahamas to sight see and buddy she was ready to hit camp carnival again!!! she met so many kids from all over the usa and she still writes to one of them often>>>> so don't worry about it,,,,,she will love it,,,,,they have their own foods, etc also there and it gives you a chance to hit the bars, casinos etc>>>>>> have a great time!!!!!!

[beachgirl75]

URL=http://www.cruisecritic.com][/url]

[crusinmama06]

You can't go wrong with Royal Caribbean, Princess or Carnival for a family cruise that will appeal to an 8 year old. ;)

 

So look at prices. Look at the ship. Pick which one YOU would like to sail. And I assure you, if it's one of those 3 lines, you will have no problems keeping an 8 year old happy. :D

 

The kids club pages are at the link in my signature. You can see what each line offers for that age.

[JoKen1]

Thanks everyone! Any ideas on where an 8 year old would like to go?

[beachchick]

I don't mean this to sound snotty, truly I don't, but have you considered asking her or her father? What does she like to do? Is she a "girly" girl or a bit of a tom-boy or, like I was, some of both? Is she outgoing or a tad shy? What are her interests?

 

I would suggest that you narrow down the destinations to places you are interested in visiting and then sit down and talk about them with the others. I urge you not to base your choices solely or even primarily on what/where your grand niece wants/likes or thinks she will want/like. I think that an 8-y/o is almost certainly going to enjoy many different itineraries, but perhaps the adults (you especially as you are paying and the others have told you that they will go where you want to go) will have more specific preferences.

 

It's really hard to say which cruise line, ship, or itinerary will be "best" for you and your family because it depends on so many factors (such as what you all like or dislike, how active you want to be, what kind of cruise style you prefer). I think you probably can't go wrong with RCI, Carnival, or Princess as far as children's programs. Unless your grand niece is particularly shy or clingy, I can't imagine that she won't want to spend at least some time in the children's program. The cruise lines do a good job and go to great lengths to ensure safety as well as fun.

 

Hope you all have a wonderful time.

 

beachchick

[spanner14]

Thanks everyone! Any ideas on where an 8 year old would like to go?

 

I think if you pick the right ship or cruiseline first then you can look at itineraries second. For us, my DD can't wait to go on RCI's Freedom because of the H20 zone and the programme at Adventure Ocean; I think she is a lot less bothered about the actual ports.

 

That said, she's a real mermaid and she just wants it to be warm enough to swim every day hence our choice of Caribbean.

 

We showed her the brochure before we booked and she got so excited about the H20 zone and the free ice cream machine on the pool deck that she wasn't too fussed about where the actual ship was going.

 

It's difficult trying to choose for everyone but as far as your great niece goes, if she's anything like our daughter, she'll want a great pool area, ice cream, a really good kids' club, and shops. Not necessarily in that order!

 

Good luck! :)

[JoKen1]

I think I'm going to go with the Freedom also and the Caribbean. It sounded like the nicest ship for everyone and the ports are great as there is shopping, beach and history to be seen so there is enough to make everyone happy.

 

Thanks for all the advice.

 

Joanne

[crusinmama06]

I think I'm going to go with the Freedom also and the Caribbean. It sounded like the nicest ship for everyone and the ports are great as there is shopping, beach and history to be seen so there is enough to make everyone happy.

 

Thanks for all the advice.

 

Joanne

 

RCCL Freedom? Eastern or Western? Now we can narrow down some choices for you to do with her. :D