Anyone take their family on a cruise?

[forgop]

I'm contemplating taking the wife and kids (ages 6, 5, and 2) on a cruise at the end of the year. I've never been on a cruise and think it'll be a nice getaway. Does anyone know if getting a suite is my only option for us to be in one room?

Any words of advice as to why I shouldn't go on a cruise? I'd do Disney with them again, but I really don't want to do Disney again until we're beyond the stroller stage.

[Barteur]

Cruise are really nice for famillies.

The only cruise line (I think) that is allowing 3 kids per standard room is Carnival so you could save great money there. But you will be a bit thight.

I am doing cruises twice a year and I really enjoy it. I like the fact of having my hotel following me at all these nice places.

Let me know if you want me to elaborate a bit

Frenchie

[cbsmokin]

My 3 kids (5, 7, 11) love cruises. They choose it over Disney. The suites are expensive, but worth it, gets the kids a separate sleeping area and their own TV, plus a balcony for you to smoke on.

The best benefit is that your kids actually learn something about the world (culture, poverty, etc.) while having a great time.

Do it without hesitation.

[Smokin Gator]

I started cruising because of my kids 15 years or so ago. They love it and so do I. No matter what their ages (or yours) there is alway a lot to do. Highly recommended from my end.

Oh... I can't speak to the suite situation as we always got two rooms. Early on each one of us would stay in a room with a child. Later on... we had the kids stay in one room and we had another.

Several members of my family just came back from a cruise threw the Mediterranean. Started in Marseilles, two stops in Italy, Sicily, Tunis, Barcelona, and back to Marseilles. Cruises aren't my thing, but if I was to go on one it would be to Alaska.

[Blueface]

For kids the age of yours, I highly, highly, highly recommend a Disney cruise.
They are amazing.
The characters are all over the place for the kids and accessible easily, not like in the parks.
The food is great.
There are three dining rooms. You rotate each night to a different one. One of them starts out black and white, and well, won't ruin it for you if you go. You will have to see it for yourself.
The specialty restaurant is awesome.
Lots of things to keep the kids busy and let you and wife relax.
I have been on many cruises but nothing will ever compare to my trip on Disney for overall family fun.
They are pricier than most cruise lines but look into it as what you get in return is amazing. After all, as usual, if it is done by Disney, it is done right.

I've been on a ton of them Duane. There are ships out there now that have "family suites" that are basically two rooms ( kind of like adjoining rooms but there is no door in between these types of rooms )

You will be glad to know that most cruise lines have kids areas where the crew will entertain them the whole day if you wish. I have been on Disney and Princess, Carnival, Holland America, Royal Carribean, Cunard and Celebrity.

All in all I think the best lines is with Celebrity and Princess because of the food and kids entertainment. Disney tends to charge more because well,,,it's Disney and from what I learned they are not any better than the other lines but you will feel like you are on a boat full of kids because Disney is all about family and that doesn't mean that's a bad thing.

As was said you will want to relax and have a good time and there are other variables as to what you like,,what is important to you and what your expectations are. Feel free to PM me about this as I can also direct you to those places where you can get the best rates.

[Blueface]

Originally Posted by Cigary

You will be glad to know that most cruise lines have kids areas where the crew will entertain them the whole day if you wish. I have been on Disney and Princess, Carnival, Holland America, Royal Carribean, Cunard and Celebrity.

All in all I think the best lines is with Celebrity and Princess because of the food and kids entertainment.

Totally agree on Celebrity being what I would call the favorite. However, it is likely not going to come at a cheaper price than Disney. Probably about the same.
While all the cruise lines you list do in fact have stuff for kids, the difference to me with Disney is it IS for kids. Adults will certainly enjoy also but the whole ship is designed to cater to kids whereas the others you list have programs and things for kids but not their main cup of tea. Drawback to some is they don't have a casino.

In the end, may not be OP's main focus to have a "kid" specific vacation but thought since his three kids are so young, the best thing would be a family vacation truly designed to cater to the children as the main guests. I am very familiar with all the cruise lines you mention and there is no way any of them come close to catering to kids as Disney does.

That said, they are all fun. Cruising is fun. I like it so much I have been on four this year already and have a fifth planned for this December. If money is an issue, shop online for best deals as there are many to be had right now. As an example, Royal Caribbean has a balcony on Navigator of the Seas for the first week of December for only $449 per person, regularly over $1,000 (Same ship in January is $1,800 for that room). You can also look into adjoining rooms and open the middle door.

I enjoyed the Disney Cruise with the kids. They were 6 and 5. The evening shows with the characters were amazing, the kids were riveted. Castaway Cay, Disney's private island was another highlight. The buffet was set up right by the beach and non-alcoholic drinks were free also. It was very relaxing and the kids loved the sand and sea shells. The childrens programs also give you time with the wife.

[tchariya]

If you are considering children, cruise with Princess or Disney's Big Red Boats!

go to cruisecritic.com to review them.

Princess Cruises still has a cigar lounge...and allow you to smoke on your private deck.

If 5 of you are going, you might need a mini-suite. Call the cruise line to see if they dont mind having 2 adults and 2 kids and infant in 1 room. Just remember that most rooms are tiny. you won't be spending much time in them.

Just as a reminder to all those who cruise on the same Cruise Lines. We cruise a lot on Princess and now are Platinum members and the more you cruise with a specific line the better treated you are. With our status we get an automatic upgrade in cabin so that means when we book a Balcony we get upgraded to Mini Suite. Also, we get free Internet and free dry cleaning of all laundry. We get streamlined check in services and well as "comped" services,,,so staying with a cruise line does get you advantages.

[forgop]

Originally Posted by Blueface

For kids the age of yours, I highly, highly, highly recommend a Disney cruise.
They are amazing.
The characters are all over the place for the kids and accessible easily, not like in the parks.
The food is great.
There are three dining rooms. You rotate each night to a different one. One of them starts out black and white, and well, won't ruin it for you if you go. You will have to see it for yourself.
The specialty restaurant is awesome.
Lots of things to keep the kids busy and let you and wife relax.
I have been on many cruises but nothing will ever compare to my trip on Disney for overall family fun.
They are pricier than most cruise lines but look into it as what you get in return is amazing. After all, as usual, if it is done by Disney, it is done right.

Not gonna do a Disney cruise. #1 is cost at the moment and my MIL is already going to take my 2 girls on a Disney cruise in June 2010 anyway. I'll be cursed if I spoil that for her.

[forgop]

Originally Posted by Cigary

I've been on a ton of them Duane. There are ships out there now that have "family suites" that are basically two rooms ( kind of like adjoining rooms but there is no door in between these types of rooms )

You will be glad to know that most cruise lines have kids areas where the crew will entertain them the whole day if you wish. I have been on Disney and Princess, Carnival, Holland America, Royal Carribean, Cunard and Celebrity.

All in all I think the best lines is with Celebrity and Princess because of the food and kids entertainment. Disney tends to charge more because well,,,it's Disney and from what I learned they are not any better than the other lines but you will feel like you are on a boat full of kids because Disney is all about family and that doesn't mean that's a bad thing.

As was said you will want to relax and have a good time and there are other variables as to what you like,,what is important to you and what your expectations are. Feel free to PM me about this as I can also direct you to those places where you can get the best rates.

Impressive...although I should have known this considering you were around to help Noah build the ark.