would carnival be a better choice than DCL for us?

[jodifla]

Hi all. From reading all these posts about the limited activities for non-potty trained toddlers (can't be in the pool, can't be in the kids clubs), I'm wondering if I'd be better off cruising on a line like Carnival which has programs for ages 2 on up until DS is 4 or 5 (he's 2 now and loves to be on the go.)

Anyone been on both that can give me input? Or anyone cruised with a 2 year old on DCL? What were your experiences with keeping them busy on a ship where they can't be in the pool or in the kids clubs?

Flounders seems great for infants, and the kids club for 4 up, but there seems to gap of care in between.

 

[mcgrawfan]

I am pretty sure there is a splash pool in the Mickey pool (on the Wonder) for non-potty trained kids. Also Carnival doesn't have Mickey Mouse around. During our Sail Away Celebration the Carnival Passengers sailing away next to us were watching our party. There is a lot of music and dancing with the characters and crusie staff at the deck parties.

 

[currycook]

Sorry, but my view of carnival is that it would NOT be a better choice for you. Some other cruise lines, perhaps, but my own view of carnival from experience and many others I know is that it would not be.

 

[CGC33A]

Depends what ship you go on. Carnival's older ships can't hold a candle to DCL (but they have their good points also). The newer ships have nicer facilities & the few out of Pt. Canaveral have more kids facilities than other Carnival ships (I think) b/c of the population they serve.

 

[Gupsmom]

I would say no.

We went on a Carnival when my youngest was 2 (for the very reason that she could go in the club). First let me say I had been on 2 previous Carnival Cruises as an adult and loved them. Anyway...sure all 3 of my kids could go in the club, BUT the club hours were very limited and totally NOT structured. The one time I picked my kids up and I swear every game/puzzle/toy was dumped out. It was a mess. Now...here's the reason I say No. The biggest difference to me between Disney and Carnival. On Carnival I felt like I HAD to ditch the kids in the club in order to do anything. On Disney there was so much we could enjoy together that when my kids wwent to the club it was because they WANTED to go.

Even at 2, I think your better off on Disney than Carnival. Truthfully, as much as I enjoyed my 2 adult Carnival cruises, I'm in no hurry to sail with them again. I think when the kids are a bit older (they're 4, 5 and 6 now) we will try the bigger RCCL ships. The ice rink, climbing wall and putt putt sound great for the 7-15 yr old crowd...but I think we'll always love DCL.

Jess

 

[makaylee]

Yes, one of the ears on Mickeys pool is for non pottytrained children. I have also heard the Camp Carnival was just rated as having the best kids club 10 years in a row. I wouldnt cruise on their older ships but, I have heard their new 110,000 ton ships are nice. I personaly would rather go Disney because my daughter and I love Disney and we had such a great expierence last time.

 

[Donalds_best_pal]

I would not sail carnival. I dont want to sound stuck up"my parents say I always sound that way" anyways, the ships seem a lot lower class then disney. Remember you get what you pay for. I heard the club is good but I really dont think it can compare to Disney. Disney is disney remember! The only other cruise lines I would sail on besides disney is RCCL and Princess. I have heard to many not so good things about CCL either. I would go with disney. You either wait until he is older or go now and I still think he and you will love it. Well thats just my opinion.
Hope it Helps,
Matt

 

[alwatlers]

I took my DS on a Carnival cruise when he was only almost 2 and it was on one of the older ships. He had a wonderful time and I must say the staff was fantastic. My ds was nowhere near being potty trained but as long as I brought diapers for them the staff was willing to change him for me if I was no available. I would often check on them by phone if I was on the ship. My other ds was 7 at the time so he also would come down and let me know. The kid's club on the old ships are very small but they don't get alot of kids comming to the clubs like Disney. It is often at the back of the ship, so we got a room on the floor below the kids club in the back so the kids could just come down the steps turn the corner and there was the room. Disney does have alot of things for all ages but if you want to do any excursions and your child is under 3 then you will have to make sure you have reservations in Flounders and also pay for the time. Carnival does not charge for the kids club ages 2 and up. I would have take my DS's on Carnival again, but now they are going to be 8 and 13 when we go in October and I think they would have more fun on the Disney especially the 13 year old. Carnival doesn't offer anything for the teens, like Disney does.

 

[crisi]

Maybe you'd be better off just waiting a year or so, if kids's programming is important to you. That is what we did. I first got interested in the cruise when my daughter was two and my son was three. But I knew that kids club participation was an important part of my interest - so we elected to wait to book until she was three and potty trained. In the meantime, we took two trips to WDW (the last one she was potty trained for) and I'm finally getting the cruise in now that she is four.

At two, my kids didn't sit well for dinner. They are daycare kids, so they'd probably have done fine in group care situations. They were both always on the move, making them hard to handle (they are only a year apart - so I had two in diapers). They didn't listen well (they still don't, but it HAS improved), and they got cranky faster when over tired, over hungry or over stimulated. In short, any vacation was a challenge and wasn't relaxing for Mom - the reason cruises are attractive is that they are relaxing for Mom. So we elected to do something Mom and Dad enjoy (WDW) where relaxation is not part of the expectation.

I don't know Carnivals programs - but I don't know how eager I'd be to put a toddler in group care unless I was confident and comfortable in the care and the group. Preschoolers are a little different - they make friends, have some social skills (most have outgrown biting as a coping mechanism, though pushing and hitting are sometimes still part of their behavior), play in groups, can participate in directed play, but can also play independantly and have independant skills (potty skills, communication skills, they will get themselves a drink of water, for instance, or use words to tell a caregiver that Mom should be paged). Toddlers are much more dependant on the quality of the caregiver for a good experience.

 

[awatt]

I have not saile Carnival so can't gove you an opinion.

However there are Carnival message boards on cruisecritic.com.
Post your question there and you should get lots of opinions from Carnival veterans regarding their kids programs,etc.

 

[MrsPete]

I have not sailed on Carnival, but I know several people who have. They all say the same thing: Carnival is for people who want to do nothing but drink. One friend even said that people were passed out on the deck.

 

[Michigan RN]

Definately Disney!! We will be going on our 2nd Disney cruise with our 3 kids in June, which they requested over any cruise.
We have taken 2 Carnivals, just my husband and I. They were ok. The smoking was awful!! (if your a non-smoker!) I didn't see any reason to take my kids on it. They were 4-9-11 at the time. Hope this helps!!

 

[WMILLER86]

I was on the Carnival MS Holiday at Christmas 2003 and I agree,it is only for people that want to party. they have "babysitting" for all ages of kids. If you just want to party, Carnival Holiday is fine. But do your child a favor, and leave him/her at home with Gramma.
Disney is Disney. You can't go wrong at ANY age for entertainment.

Willie

 

[Makeupmania]

She hated it! She said the rooms and ship were run down, the food was horrible and the service was nothing to boast about....She was extremely disappointed...I guess you get what you pay for..But that's just her opinion and her families...they didn't like it either..

 

[DMS_cruisers04]

DD3 on a Carnival cruise this past September, and she had a great time. She is very outgoing and makes friends easily, so she had lots of fun. They were always making crafts, playing games, had an ice cream social (that we did with her) and even a scavenger hunt. The room was adaquate size, but then again there weren't many kids there.

Would I have taken her when she was two? No. I don't think there is enough variety, be it CCL, DCL or any other line, to hold a two year olds interest long enough in a group setting. JMHO

I will say this, for a cruise line that hosts nothing but drinking, Friends of Bill W have been aboard ever cruise I've ever been on.
And as much as we'd like to think it won't happen, DCL ships will begin to show their wear and tear over time too. Again, JMHO.

 

[rob'n]

...we are in the same place as you right now. we decided to wait a year and a half til our youngest is 4. the draw back is we have to wait all that time...the bonus is the trip will be completely paid for when we step onboard!

good luck with your decision!

 

[Skuba2]

I took my 2 daughters on the older Carnival ships about 4 years ago and then 2 years ago we did Disney. We hated Carnival. She went the first day and after the counselor physically picked her up (she was 2.5 years old) to move her from one event to the other, she would hardly go back. Also, the clubs seemed to close alot for meals and such. We felt we were constantly making the trek--and I mean trek--to the club to get them out for closing. Unlike Disney which stays open pretty much all day. And the trek I mentioned was ridiculous on Carnival. There was no direct way to get there on one floor. You had to go up and down stairs like a maze. I would suggest waiting also. You will be amazed at how much your enjoyment of the cruise is dependent on the type of childrens program on board and how much your child enjoys it. It can change the whole scope of you vacation--especially if you hope to have some "alone" time.

DG