If you had to go on another cruise line with kids.....??

[goofyme]

dcl booked up during spring break....has anyone been on any other cruise lines with their kids that have been on disney? would you recommend one? besides the obvious magic did they have a good time? waiting for another time is not an option. thanks for your honest input!

 

[Bev J]

The way to go is to Royal Caribbean. Their kids programs are very good and the voyager class ships have so much for a family to do. Rock climbing, ice skating, mini golf and there is no charge for any of this. The Mariner of the Seas just started sailing in November and leaves out of Port Canaveral or Voyager, Navigator or Explorer leave out of Miami. Check out the message boards at www.cruisecritic.com and you will get lots of information, activitie sheets (compass) and menue info. We will be sailing with our 9 and 17 yr old on the Mariner in October and are really looking forward to it.

 

[prymsu]

I agree with Bev. We have been on three different cruise lines now, and my son just loves RCCL kid's activities and clubs more than the others. I was surprised, but i think he thought that the DCL clubs for the kids were very crowded, and he didn't enjoy it as much as i thought he would.

 

[alexandrew]

a distant 2nd to DCL (and I mean distant) would be RCCL Voyager class ships - in particular, the Navigator and Mariner, since the square footage for kids clubs was greatly increased vs older ships Explorer and Voyager...

 

[SeaSpray]

I agree with Royal Caribbean if Disney isn't an option for you. Go to www.cruisecritic.com then go to their "Boards" then go to their "Royal Caribbean" board, it's very active and has a lot of info.

 

[Jules1]

My kids have enjoyed both Princess and Celebrity. My husband and I both like Princess better.

 

[TootyJane]

We've been on Princess and Royal Caribbean's Voyager of the Seas. All three of our boys preferred Princess. HTH

 

[tecdavidt]

We just got back from our Princess cruise and the children looked like they were having a grand time. Princess definitely had nicer pools than what I thought they would have. Two of the pools could accommodate swimmers who could handle 5' water depth. The pools also were fresh! not what I was expecting. They were not heated but we did start the cruise from San Juan so they felt heated. They also had an adults only pool. The toddler pool was in the front of the ship but well sheltered from wind. We were on the Dawn.

Our TA swears by RCCL if one does not choose Disney. Good Luck. Keep checking for spring break, maybe somebody has canceled! Kathy

 

[iloveokw]

Our daughter enjoyed the Star Princess just as much as she did the 3 Disney Cruises we did.

 

[SandraLee]

I am very interested to hear of ships with freshwater pools. My DD5 has very bad excema and the salt water is extremly painful to her. She was nearly screaming when we were in the ocean at Grand Caymen.

I thought Disney was the only one with fresh water pools. So, it sounds like Princess Dawn.

I'm looking for a cruise this summer -- anyone know of other ships with fresh water?

And, in the RCCL ships water slide, do they use salt water?

Thanks.

Sandra

 

[Jules1]

I believe that Princess has fresh water pools on all their ships. We've been on the Golden, Grand (twice) and Sun. They all had fresh water. It's great! Personally I don't care for salt water pools.

 

[lookingforward]

We sailed on the Voyager and it was great for kids. (we have three) They loved the inline skating, mini golf, simulator, game room, rock climbing wall, full basketball court and ice skating rink. There was always something for them to do. I have also heard that Celebrity is great with kids and we are sailing them this March. We had a DCL cruise booked but with a family of five and Cat 1, 2, 3 or 4 our only option (or two rooms) it was literally 5,000 more than celebrity for the same week in March. We also had 2000 in credits from an Alaskan cruise this June. RCCL gave us these credits because we were unhappy with several things and they are allowing us to use it on Celebrity. I think that speaks well of RCCL as a company. (We have a 3 day Wonder cruise planned for September)

 

[Jules1]

If you're looking for fresh water pools, Celebrity doesn't have them. Very cold (unheated) salt water pools. The activities for kids are also more limited on Celebrity than on Princess. If I were trying to decide between Celebrity and Princess, I'd go with Princess (we love the personal choice dining, bingo, horse racing, movies, etc).

 

[lookingforward]

I don't remember if the Voyager class ships have salt or fresh water. I think it is salt. But as far as activities go you have the widest choice of children's activities on those ships. They also have a professional ice show which is really very good. All major cruise lines (except for the very upscale Crystal, etc) have bingo, movies, etc. It comes down to what your kids like to do. Some kids love action and some kids love activities. For instance, my son loves to rock climb, jump in on a pick up basketball game, ice skate, etc. My other son loves planned group activities like scavenger hunts, games, etc. (he is only 10) For teens the Voyager ships are amazing. And don't forget the Johnny Rockets restaurants on board. They offer hamburgers, hotdogs, fries, shakes, etc. with a rock and roll theme. I hope you have a great vacation.