Kids Clubs on Celebrity European or Caribbean ships?

[alagille]

As a DCL only cruiser so far, just wondering if anyone can provide feedback on the Celebrity Kids Clubs. DCL's pricing for a European port intensive cruise is getting out of hand and I can cruise 12 nights in a Celebrity Suite for the price of a 7 night DCL balcony. SO... I'm looking at other options and I liked some of the European (and possibly Caribbean) cruises. I have a current ds7 & ds5 and wanted to see if anyone has had experience with the clubs. Have you ever gone on a port excursion, leaving them on the ship for one day? What do the kids think of the clubs vs DCL ones? I've read that Celebrity tends to have an older crowd, but it is non-smoking as opposed to RCCL. Big plus!

 

[stsomewhere]

Celebrity does allow smoking

What is the onboard smoking policy?
For your comfort and enjoyment, our ships are designated as non-smoking; however, we recognize that some of our guests smoke. Therefore, cigarette, cigar and pipe smoking is permitted in designated outdoor areas of the ship. Smoking is not permitted in any dining venue, casino, theater, lounge, hallway, elevator, or corridor. This policy includes smoking-like products such as electronic cigarettes. Smoking is not permitted inside any stateroom, nor on any stateroom veranda. If you are in violation of this policy, a cleaning fee of $250 USD will be applied to your SeaPass® account and you may be subject to further action pursuant to the "Consequences Section" of the Guest Conduct Policy. Cigarettes, cigars and pipe tobacco must be properly disposed of and never thrown overboard. You must be at least 18 years of age to purchase, possess or use tobacco onboard.
Additionally, there is a non-smoking policy on all components of the land tour portion of all Celebrity Cruises Cruisetour products. We appreciate your understanding and adherence.



It does say that excursions are non smoking but I wonder how they enforce it.

 

[ilovetexas]

There was only one area on the entire ship where we encountered smoking on our last Celebrity cruise and we never went back there again, anyway. Non-smoking balconies and casino are great!

Now, on to the kids clubs question. I haven't had my kids with me when we've cruised Celebrity but I've read a lot of good things about them over on Cruise Critic. People say they are far less crowded than the DCL clubs and the kids get more one on one attention. I suggest going to the Cruise Critic forums and reading up on the subject.

While I love DCL ships, I prefer Celebrity and would ALWAYS opt for the longer cruise. On a port intensive cruise like Europe, I would save the money for the suite and spend it on shore excursions and airfare.