Carnival v. Royal Caribbean...with kids?
- Thread starter ms71069
- Start date
Fit_mommy
Cathlete
I think Royal Carribean might be better. Lots more physical activities on the larger ships! I want to go on an RC cruise b/c they have soooo much more to offer! I went on a Carnival cruise and it was great. I just think RC is the better way to go from what I've heard..with or without kids actually!
jodijodi
Cathlete
We were trying to make the very same decision and SIL said that RC has a rock climbing wall for kids, but Carnival has their "waterworks" which looks like a small water park! The kids took one look at that and the decision was made!
We're going over the summer to celebrate MIL's birthday! Should be fun!
We're going over the summer to celebrate MIL's birthday! Should be fun!
atiman
Cathlete
I love the Freedom class of ships on RCCL. They are big and have much to do for the young kids. There's rock climbing, ice skating, miniture golf, pools (great for the younger ones), basketball, flow rider (height restrictions) and kids clubs/activities.
We went on a Disney cruise and got off and got on RCCL cruise the same day. The Disney cruise was really good, but for our family RCCL won them over. My children were/are 13 and 10 (turning 14 and 11 on Wednesday).
We haven't tried Carnival, but have considered trying out some of the newer ships.
Edit: Here is somebody's trip review that did a great job of taking pictures of the Freedom. yOu'll have to look down the list for Rccl Freedom of the Seas
http://www.thepreismans.com/
We went on a Disney cruise and got off and got on RCCL cruise the same day. The Disney cruise was really good, but for our family RCCL won them over. My children were/are 13 and 10 (turning 14 and 11 on Wednesday).
We haven't tried Carnival, but have considered trying out some of the newer ships.
Edit: Here is somebody's trip review that did a great job of taking pictures of the Freedom. yOu'll have to look down the list for Rccl Freedom of the Seas
http://www.thepreismans.com/
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pugw
Cathlete
I've been on both and think either one would be fine. Carnival gets a bad rap a lot of times but I've enjoyed every cruise I've been on. We'll be sailing on Carnival's new Dream in June. Our last cruise was on on the Explorer from RC. I loved RC, too. Not that it matters but RC does have a Ben and Jerry's on a lot of their ships. 
I should stay away from RC for this reason alone.
I should stay away from RC for this reason alone. I've been doing a lot of research on both lines as well because I would like to go with our 6 year old daughter. From the majority of the reviews I've read I get the impression that Carnival is more the "party cruise" for the younger crowds where RC is more family oriented. I heard that both are a lot of fun, but I am leaning more towards RC.
Katie
Katie
ms71069
Cathlete
Thanks, everyone, for sharing all your opinions. I'm leaning more towards RC, but only because I like their itinerary better than Carnival's.
My next dilemma, though, is how many days at sea do I want? I think at least one (Carnival actually has a trip that is a different port every day), but am wondering if more than one will lead to bored kids. Any thoughts on that???
My next dilemma, though, is how many days at sea do I want? I think at least one (Carnival actually has a trip that is a different port every day), but am wondering if more than one will lead to bored kids. Any thoughts on that???
The health and safety problems with cruise ships concerns me-not to mention the environmental impact of dumping their sewage and trash in the ocean. I live in an area (North Florida) with many rivers and springs, and families seem to really enjoy trips in canoes and kayaks. Don't know how common these are, but we have riverside camp sites with screened sleeping shelters, picnic tables, and real bathrooms, and they're free. For the cost of a couple of kayaks and some camping equipment, families can a vacation every year in beautiful and treasured locations around the country-and come back thinner, stronger, and calmer.
I took my niece and nephew on a carnival cruise when they were 7, 9 yo and then a year later we went on royal caribbean. They preferred royal caribbean. They loved the miniature golf and now they have added so many more activities for kids and adults to do (if you like sports). We also found rc excursions to be better and preferred the ship overall. You'll have a great trip no matter which cruise line you take. enjoy.
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pjlippert
Cathlete
Hi there,
We took our son, then four years old, on a Disney cruise a few years ago. It was very nice as far as accomodations. We had a balcony which is where we watched the fireworks from. Wonderful!! The Oceaneers club for the younger kids was fantastic. The quiet pool for adults only was just what the doctor ordered! The service was impeccable- in true Disney fashion. The food was very delish! I loved the fact that there was almost no smoking or casinos.
My one complaint is that there weren't enough activities for adults. I guess from what I've read here it is because it is quite a small ship by comparison. In fact, there was an RC ship docked next to our ship and it was massive compared to the Disney line.
To answer the question of getting off the ship at port. My son and I stayed on the ship for the first stop (Bahamas) and our family stayed on board at the second port. This was AWESOME as we had the ship practically to ourselves. My son went on the water-slide about 50 times!!
So, now you all have me in the mood to take another cruise!! Thanks for giving me the bug!!
Pam
We took our son, then four years old, on a Disney cruise a few years ago. It was very nice as far as accomodations. We had a balcony which is where we watched the fireworks from. Wonderful!! The Oceaneers club for the younger kids was fantastic. The quiet pool for adults only was just what the doctor ordered! The service was impeccable- in true Disney fashion. The food was very delish! I loved the fact that there was almost no smoking or casinos.
My one complaint is that there weren't enough activities for adults. I guess from what I've read here it is because it is quite a small ship by comparison. In fact, there was an RC ship docked next to our ship and it was massive compared to the Disney line.
To answer the question of getting off the ship at port. My son and I stayed on the ship for the first stop (Bahamas) and our family stayed on board at the second port. This was AWESOME as we had the ship practically to ourselves. My son went on the water-slide about 50 times!!
So, now you all have me in the mood to take another cruise!! Thanks for giving me the bug!!
Pam
Pearlstrand
Cathlete
I've been on quite a few cruises on each cruise line. I think I'd choose RC over Carnival.
Regarding itinerary: I enjoy having a day at sea, rather than going to a port every day. You don't have to get off the ship (we've skipped a couple, for different reasons), but there is less to do on board when the ship is in port because many things (shops, casino, activities) are closed at that time.
Hope that helps!
Regarding itinerary: I enjoy having a day at sea, rather than going to a port every day. You don't have to get off the ship (we've skipped a couple, for different reasons), but there is less to do on board when the ship is in port because many things (shops, casino, activities) are closed at that time.
Hope that helps!
livviesmom
Cathlete
My vote is for RC
I also like RC over Carnival. My entire family went on 7 day a RC cruise last year on the Freedom of the Seas. We had a great time. We had kids from age 7-14 and none of them ever got bored. There is so much for kids to do: ice skating, rock climbing, splash zone. My daughter's (age 7) favorites were family karaoke and family disco nights. She had a blast.
My favorite is not having to cook or clean for 7 days. Now thats what I call a vacation.
All this talk about cruising makes me want to go again.
I also like RC over Carnival. My entire family went on 7 day a RC cruise last year on the Freedom of the Seas. We had a great time. We had kids from age 7-14 and none of them ever got bored. There is so much for kids to do: ice skating, rock climbing, splash zone. My daughter's (age 7) favorites were family karaoke and family disco nights. She had a blast.
My favorite is not having to cook or clean for 7 days.
Now thats what I call a vacation. All this talk about cruising makes me want to go again.
pink_fortitude
Banned
DH and I have been talking about a cruise, and this single post has made up my mind as to where we can't go!Not that it matters but RC does have a Ben and Jerry's on a lot of their ships.
Melissa
atiman
Cathlete
Not that it matters but RC does have a Ben and Jerry's on a lot of their ships.
And if you stay in the "Ben and Jerry's Sweet," which is located above the shop, you get free ice cream coupons for the duration of your trip! The room is decorated in cow theme and there's a big old cow butt facing you when you look out the window to the promenade.