Have a 3 yr old, which cruiseline?

[fv9]

Hello,

 

My wife and I (in our mid-30's) have never been on a cruise but are considering a July 5th Mexican Riviera cruise out of LA or SD. We will also have our 3 yr old daughter (turns 3 in may) and do not know which line/ship would be best. A friend works for RC and can get us a $225 onboard credit on the marincer of the Seas. However, the Carnival Splendor looks neat. We would want to use the kids club at times. Our daughter is pretty active so we need something that will keep her going. We also would like a cruise with other fun people around our age with younger kids for our daughter to play with.

 

Any advice is greatly appreciated as we plan on booking asap.

 

Thanks!

[crusinmama06]

Kids club would be equally good on both. When you subtract the $225 from the Mariner price, is it less than the Splendor?

 

I have a preference for Royal Caribbean, but I wouldn't rule the Splendor out. Price them both out, if you get a higher category on Carnival for the same price as a lower category on Mariner, and if they both left the same ports and same itinerary, then I would go with Splendor.

[fv9]

The price is cheaper for RC after the $225 credit. We are also open to other suggestions for cruiselines, etc. Thanks!

 

EDIT: I just looked on Carnival again. Looks like the are offering $120 credit per person. That would be a $360 credit vs. $225. Of course, we wouldnt want to irritate the friend at RC. Anyone have thoughts how the 2 ships compare, onboard amenities, etc?

[crusinmama06]

Reviews on Mariner are here...

http://www.cruisecritic.com/memberreviews/getreviews.cfm?action=ship&ShipID=274

 

Reviews on Splendor are here...

http://www.cruisecritic.com/memberreviews/getreviews.cfm?action=ship&ShipID=375

 

Mariner

Ice-skating rink

Rock-climbing wall

In-line skating

Royal Promenade (open 24 hours)

Johnny Rockets '50s-style restaurant

Portofino Italian Restaurant

Café Promenade

Ben & Jerry's ice cream

Vintages wine bar

Boleros Latin-theme lounge

Themed bars and lounges

Casino RoyaleSM

Golf simulators

9-hole miniature golf course

Adventure Ocean® youth facilities, including teen-only areas, Fuel and Living Room

Day Spa and Fitness Center

Full-size basketball court

 

 

Splendor is new. I know less about it.

It has a slide

It has a retractable roof

Thalassotherapy Pool

LED Screen by the pool to watch movies

9 hole mini golf

[fv9]

Reviews on Mariner are here...

http://www.cruisecritic.com/memberreviews/getreviews.cfm?action=ship&ShipID=274

 

Reviews on Splendor are here...

http://www.cruisecritic.com/memberreviews/getreviews.cfm?action=ship&ShipID=375

 

Mariner

Ice-skating rink

Rock-climbing wall

In-line skating

Royal Promenade (open 24 hours)

Johnny Rockets '50s-style restaurant

Portofino Italian Restaurant

Café Promenade

Ben & Jerry's ice cream

Vintages wine bar

Boleros Latin-theme lounge

Themed bars and lounges

Casino RoyaleSM

Golf simulators

9-hole miniature golf course

Adventure Ocean® youth facilities, including teen-only areas, Fuel and Living Room

Day Spa and Fitness Center

Full-size basketball court

 

 

Splendor is new. I know less about it.

It has a slide

It has a retractable roof

Thalassotherapy Pool

LED Screen by the pool to watch movies

9 hole mini golf

 

Thanks! I think the Mariner may be the way to go. The pool ssetup alone looks better than the Splendor.

[tink24]

The price is cheaper for RC after the $225 credit. We are also open to other suggestions for cruiselines, etc. Thanks!

 

EDIT: I just looked on Carnival again. Looks like the are offering $120 credit per person. That would be a $360 credit vs. $225. Of course, we wouldnt want to irritate the friend at RC. Anyone have thoughts how the 2 ships compare, onboard amenities, etc?

FYI - Carnival only offers the OBC to the first 2 passengers in the room, so your total OBC would only be $240.00. The Splendor has a really cool looking "splash zone" for little ones. Your 3 year old won't be able to appreciate a lot of the things on RCCL like the ice rink and rock wall.

[sarahcd]

We LOVE LOVE LOVE the Mariner. We sailed Eastern Caribbean - our kids were 5 and 8. They had such a good time. The 3-5 year old area has a slide and a ball pit that was very popular with my daughter. The counselors were great. Lots of art, games and stories. On pirate night all the kids paraded through the promenade and sang a pirate song. The counselors had them well in hand and I never worried about safety. When I tried to take a picture of my daughter playing in the kids' area on tha last day, they stepped right in front of my camera and said no pictures allowed for the safety of the kids. I hadn't ever thought of that, but I was very happy to know that they had!

[Ula]

I think Mariner would also be the way to go. Your daughter would love the ice show. Also the kids club is wonderful.

[fv9]

Thanks for all of your input. Now, we just need to see if swine flu will keep us from deciding to go to Mexico.