Best and Worst of Camp Carnival

Me and DH and DS will be traveling on Carnival Breeze for Christmas this year:o. This will be my son first time cursing. Im so excited to introduce him to this wonderful life style. This is also a first for DH and I as we are use to cruising without kids :confused:. I have registered my son for camp carnival and I wanted to get some insight from you cruise experts when it comes to child care onboard. Sound off and let me know your experiences and opinions.

My concerns are:

Babysitting-what are your experiences?

Shore Excursions-do you take them or leave them at camp?

Equipment and items for Toddlers- what to take, and how much of it?

whatever other insights you may have!!!

How old is your son? I couldn't imagine getting off the ship and doing an excursion and leaving them on. My DS doesn't like camp carnival. He liked it one year but then said he'd rather spend vacation with us instead. He'll be 12 this year, so we will see!

Nope would not go on an excursion and leave a little one behind, we did go ashore in Coz and eat ashore but could always see the ship. We would either take them or nor go on an excursion.

Both my little ones have been cruising since age 2 and eventually love going to the kids camps, my second one was sometimes initially hesitant but would eventually overcome that.

DD has been cruising since she was one and hasn't ever been interested in Camp Carnival/Camp Ocean.

Back in the day- you had to go to Camp Carnival to get your child's muster station bracelet. Each time we went... There were parents beating (not knocking) on the door for 4-10 minutes before staff would answer the door. It wasn't pretty.

How old is your son? I couldn't imagine getting off the ship and doing an excursion and leaving them on. My DS doesn't like camp carnival. He liked it one year but then said he'd rather spend vacation with us instead. He'll be 12 this year, so we will see!

He is 2. I notice that there are not a lot of excursions for him but I read that there is a day carnival camp that will watch. Although I'm not too comfortable with that.

Nope would not go on an excursion and leave a little one behind, we did go ashore in Coz and eat ashore but could always see the ship. We would either take them or nor go on an excursion.

 

Both my little ones have been cruising since age 2 and eventually love going to the kids camps, my second one was sometimes initially hesitant but would eventually overcome that.

My son will be 2. Can you tell me how it was for you when they were at that age?

Here's something positive:

We started cruising with our kids when the youngest was 5, so I don't have much insight regarding ages younger than that. I was full of questions and worries rightfully so, but found this board very helpful for specific Camp Carnival questions and the family board very helpful for family cruising tips in general. We took 5 cruises without them. It will be different but very worth it. It's good that you registered your son already. Be sure to go to orientation on the first day. And get yourself two copies of the schedule. One for the room, one to keep on you at all times.

Camp closes for dinner @ 5, then reopens again for dinner @6. Night owl charges begin @ 10pm. $6.95 per hour plus gratuity. Opening hours vary depending on sea day or port day. All of this information will be listed in your fun times and in the camp schedule.

Both of our kids have enjoyed camp two cruises later. No complaints from either. They are now 6 and 11. They have been in both Camp Carnival and Camp Ocean. I think the little one slightly prefers camp carnival over camp ocean but not by much.

We did leave our son onboard last year while we did an excursion after vowing before our first cruise that I would never ever do that! His persistent request. As it turned out, everything went perfectly fine. We were half way through the trip by then. He knew the layout of the ship and had been drilled enough times about the rules and knew precisely the exactly TWO places he was allowed to go outside of camp. My son was 11. We took the 6 year old with us.

As a parent having kids who look forward to camp and came home talking about it, I'm a big fan of the program. Others may feel differently. Keep asking questions and search for answers until you feel comfortable. Like I said, this website was great helping me prepare. I'm all for winging it, but when it comes to the kids, I wanted to know as much as I could.

Enjoy your cruise on the Breeze!!

Here's something positive:

 

We started cruising with our kids when the youngest was 5, so I don't have much insight regarding ages younger than that. I was full of questions and worries rightfully so, but found this board very helpful for specific Camp Carnival questions and the family board very helpful for family cruising tips in general. We took 5 cruises without them. It will be different but very worth it. It's good that you registered your son already. Be sure to go to orientation on the first day. And get yourself two copies of the schedule. One for the room, one to keep on you at all times.

 

Camp closes for dinner @ 5, then reopens again for dinner @6. Night owl charges begin @ 10pm. $6.95 per hour plus gratuity. Opening hours vary depending on sea day or port day. All of this information will be listed in your fun times and in the camp schedule.

 

Both of our kids have enjoyed camp two cruises later. No complaints from either. They are now 6 and 11. They have been in both Camp Carnival and Camp Ocean. I think the little one slightly prefers camp carnival over camp ocean but not by much.

 

We did leave our son onboard last year while we did an excursion after vowing before our first cruise that I would never ever do that! His persistent request. As it turned out, everything went perfectly fine. We were half way through the trip by then. He knew the layout of the ship and had been drilled enough times about the rules and knew precisely the exactly TWO places he was allowed to go outside of camp. My son was 11. We took the 6 year old with us.

 

As a parent having kids who look forward to camp and came home talking about it, I'm a big fan of the program. Others may feel differently. Keep asking questions and search for answers until you feel comfortable. Like I said, this website was great helping me prepare. I'm all for winging it, but when it comes to the kids, I wanted to know as much as I could.

 

Enjoy your cruise on the Breeze!!

I'm so glad that they've made changes for the good. Who knows. Maybe we'll work up the nerve to try again.

We have six kids and the experiences have varied widely. We took our 3 year old last trip thinking that we would have a little time where he would want to go. Since he has been in organized child care since he was an infant, I thought, no problems! He refused to go. Anyhoo...

One of the things I did was to visit the family boards here. We booked all inclusives (AI) at the ports that had water parks or little kid pools/slides and that worked out great!!

The kids of all ages had a great time and I didn't have to worry about winging it in port or worry about transportation, etc.

Have fun and plan for the worst case scenario.

We have a 2 year old and 8 year old and both kids LOVE Camp Carnival. Our 2 year old would wake up begging to "go to my party". That's what he called Camp Carnival. The counselors have always been amazing. We definitely don't leave them in there all day because it's their vacation, too. But a couple hours in the morning and a couple in the evening provided sanity for ALL of us!!

We will be trying Camp Ocean on the Breeze in 2 weeks!!

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I'm so glad that they've made changes for the good. Who knows. Maybe we'll work up the nerve to try again.

I would say based on your experience, yes things have changed.

They give the kids their muster bracelets during the muster drill. At least on the two we've been on with the kids. And Camp Carnival itself was open on both of our cruises to look around and take pics, meet the counselors, etc. No locked doors. This was on the Sensation and the Freedom. We'll see how things go this year on the Sunshine.

We took our daughter for the first time when she was three and a half. She had never been to day care or had anyone other than us or grandma take care of her. So we went in expecting to try it and if she didn't like it she didn't have to go back. However, She Loved camp carnival and every day would ask if she could go back. We used it mostly in the evenings after dinner so we could go to the casino and such.

We could never imagine leaving her on the ship while we went on an excursion, that's just not us.

She loved the activities and the staff at camp and we never had any issues.

As far as items, food is abundant on the ship, but a hungry tired toddler is not fun while trying to get ready to go get food, I always pick a few snacks for the cabin for such occasions. A favorite toy or electronic to keep kid occupied in a pinch is alway good to have on hand too. I always get these color book packs at target from the dollar section includes 4 crayons and a little color book, works wonders at dinner time.

We've sailed 5 times since these incidences and had great cruises... we just didn't bother with CC.

We took our daughter for the first time when she was three and a half. She had never been to day care or had anyone other than us or grandma take care of her. So we went in expecting to try it and if she didn't like it she didn't have to go back. However, She Loved camp carnival and every day would ask if she could go back. We used it mostly in the evenings after dinner so we could go to the casino and such.

We could never imagine leaving her on the ship while we went on an excursion, that's just not us.

She loved the activities and the staff at camp and we never had any issues.

 

As far as items, food is abundant on the ship, but a hungry tired toddler is not fun while trying to get ready to go get food, I always pick a few snacks for the cabin for such occasions. A favorite toy or electronic to keep kid occupied in a pinch is alway good to have on hand too. I always get these color book packs at target from the dollar section includes 4 crayons and a little color book, works wonders at dinner time.

Aren't those little packets great from Target great!! I stock up on them. My 6yo loves to color and write and we get them for trips for the plane, car, etc.

My kids are headed out on their 10th cruise. The youngest was 2 when we started and is now about to be 11. Both kids have always enjoyed camp and I have nothing but positive things to say. He had a potty accident one time and they paged. Before we could get there they had him in dry shorts and a Tshirt which he could keep. He was back to playing and happy as a clam.

We also left him on board once at 2 and once at 3 so we could take a more mature excursion with his brother who is 6 years older. We booked morning excursions through CCL to ensure we wouldn't get left behind. By the time we were back in board at 130 he had been fed and had some quiet time. He never missed us a moment. They take great care of the kids. So I would say pick a morning excursion you want and try it.

My son is 3 and has been on 3 Carnival cruises since he turned two and was old enough to go to Camp Carnival. The first time, he didn't want to go to Camp Ocean. We knew this was a possibility going in since he was so young. The next two times he loved it and always asked to go. On days we were in port, he often didn't go until after dinner. The other days, he visited several times throughout the day.

We always took him with us on excursions. He had a lot of fun and we usually found something we could all do.

As for packing, don't overpack. We didn't take that many toys. We always made sure we had something for him to do in the MDR. We always eat dinner there and it was nice to be able to give him a toy or the ipod if he was getting antsy.

We are getting ready for our next cruise and he keeps asking if he can go to Camp Carnival.

Here's something positive:

 

We started cruising with our kids when the youngest was 5, so I don't have much insight regarding ages younger than that. I was full of questions and worries rightfully so, but found this board very helpful for specific Camp Carnival questions and the family board very helpful for family cruising tips in general. We took 5 cruises without them. It will be different but very worth it. It's good that you registered your son already. Be sure to go to orientation on the first day. And get yourself two copies of the schedule. One for the room, one to keep on you at all times.

 

Camp closes for dinner @ 5, then reopens again for dinner @6. Night owl charges begin @ 10pm. $6.95 per hour plus gratuity. Opening hours vary depending on sea day or port day. All of this information will be listed in your fun times and in the camp schedule.

 

Both of our kids have enjoyed camp two cruises later. No complaints from either. They are now 6 and 11. They have been in both Camp Carnival and Camp Ocean. I think the little one slightly prefers camp carnival over camp ocean but not by much.

 

We did leave our son onboard last year while we did an excursion after vowing before our first cruise that I would never ever do that! His persistent request. As it turned out, everything went perfectly fine. We were half way through the trip by then. He knew the layout of the ship and had been drilled enough times about the rules and knew precisely the exactly TWO places he was allowed to go outside of camp. My son was 11. We took the 6 year old with us.

 

As a parent having kids who look forward to camp and came home talking about it, I'm a big fan of the program. Others may feel differently. Keep asking questions and search for answers until you feel comfortable. Like I said, this website was great helping me prepare. I'm all for winging it, but when it comes to the kids, I wanted to know as much as I could.

 

Enjoy your cruise on the Breeze!!

Thank you for the insight. This is the advice I am looking for. I like your perspective.

We have a 2 year old and 8 year old and both kids LOVE Camp Carnival. Our 2 year old would wake up begging to "go to my party". That's what he called Camp Carnival. The counselors have always been amazing. We definitely don't leave them in there all day because it's their vacation, too. But a couple hours in the morning and a couple in the evening provided sanity for ALL of us!!

We will be trying Camp Ocean on the Breeze in 2 weeks!!

 

 

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Please let me know how it it on the breeze!!! Thanks for your advice

We took our daughter for the first time when she was three and a half. She had never been to day care or had anyone other than us or grandma take care of her. So we went in expecting to try it and if she didn't like it she didn't have to go back. However, She Loved camp carnival and every day would ask if she could go back. We used it mostly in the evenings after dinner so we could go to the casino and such.

We could never imagine leaving her on the ship while we went on an excursion, that's just not us.

She loved the activities and the staff at camp and we never had any issues.

 

As far as items, food is abundant on the ship, but a hungry tired toddler is not fun while trying to get ready to go get food, I always pick a few snacks for the cabin for such occasions. A favorite toy or electronic to keep kid occupied in a pinch is alway good to have on hand too. I always get these color book packs at target from the dollar section includes 4 crayons and a little color book, works wonders at dinner time.

Great ideas...I'm storing them in my cruise vault!!!

My kids are headed out on their 10th cruise. The youngest was 2 when we started and is now about to be 11. Both kids have always enjoyed camp and I have nothing but positive things to say. He had a potty accident one time and they paged. Before we could get there they had him in dry shorts and a Tshirt which he could keep. He was back to playing and happy as a clam.

 

We also left him on board once at 2 and once at 3 so we could take a more mature excursion with his brother who is 6 years older. We booked morning excursions through CCL to ensure we wouldn't get left behind. By the time we were back in board at 130 he had been fed and had some quiet time. He never missed us a moment. They take great care of the kids. So I would say pick a morning excursion you want and try it.

Thanks for your insight. How was nap time? Do they have an area for that?

My younger two boys have been in camp since they turned 2 (they turn platinum on our next cruise). We left them on board for the first time for an excursion a couple years ago, they were 7. Last summer, one of our two boys wanted to stay on board at two of our three ports; the only one he got off with us was for snorkeling (he didn't want to climb the waterfall in Jamaica or go to the beach in Cozumel). So we ended up taking one child and leaving one child.

It's important to connect with at least one counselor with younger children. Our first went to the beach with camp on another CL when he was around age 5-6 (kindy age). We have never had any issues, but you know your child best. I would hesitate to leave a child at 2 if that child was still going thru any separation anxiety issues. IMO, there aren't that many younger ones left on board, so the staff has more time to spend with your child if you do decide to take a morning off when in port. GL, hope you get some free time!

My younger two boys have been in camp since they turned 2 (they turn platinum on our next cruise). We left them on board for the first time for an excursion a couple years ago, they were 7. Last summer, one of our two boys wanted to stay on board at two of our three ports; the only one he got off with us was for snorkeling (he didn't want to climb the waterfall in Jamaica or go to the beach in Cozumel). So we ended up taking one child and leaving one child.

It's important to connect with at least one counselor with younger children. Our first went to the beach with camp on another CL when he was around age 5-6 (kindy age). We have never had any issues, but you know your child best. I would hesitate to leave a child at 2 if that child was still going thru any separation anxiety issues. IMO, there aren't that many younger ones left on board, so the staff has more time to spend with your child if you do decide to take a morning off when in port. GL, hope you get some free time!

Thanks for the advice. My son attend school so he is use to bring around people which is a plus. If we do leave, it will probably be a morning excursion. I don't want to leave him there all day but only when DH and I want to do stuff.

My 2 year old and 5 year old both enjoyed camp carnival last year.

They liked it so much that they chose to eat dinner there every night instead of with us in the main dining room. So we got some extra adult time. It is nice having the phones with you so they contact you if anything goes wrong.

Ours never wanted to leave.

Some things we pack are packaged snacks. Not for one board but for when we get off. Things like prezels, hummus, crackers, etc. Sometimes ride to the beach or wherever is long, or they don't like the food that is served everywhere. You can take the cereal packets from the breakfast buffet.

We also bring along these funtainer water bottle for kids. I have taken them to disney in the hot humid weather and the ice doesn't melt.

http://www.apezgo.com/FCKeditor/Image/vendor/ID_1014/THERMOS/Iron-Man-3-Funtainer-Stainless-Steel-Water-Bottle_46524-l.jpg

I buy cheap sand toys at the dollar store that I don't care if they get lost or broken. Cars and trucks for the boy and a tea set for the girl. Maybe some little figures. And a bucket/shovel of course. You an always just take a cup and spoon from on board if needed.

One thing I noticed that we had 4 stops at the islands in a row. This was too much for my kids. We should have stayed on ship one day. We had some cranky kids on day 4.

I have some reviews in my signature if you want to read them. We were on the dream last time.

On the pride my GD was 5 at the time. She was very upset the first day she went to camp because the babies were crying and the counselor would not let her go over to play with them

This left a bad taste for her for camps until this year when she was able to go into the 9-11

I was surprised on port day how many kids were in the camps while parents did their thing.

More surprising is that in port days your 2 year old is in the room with 11 year olds