kvickers

Help me choose...Carnival Dream or Sunshine with kids? Which is the nicer ship?

Added staterooms to deck 12 forward, and deck 3. Nightclub changed to staterooms and the Sabor restaurant. Portofino changed to Giovanni's Table.

 

The Windjammer hours can vary, see the Cruise Compass for each day's schedule.

Anyone know which staterooms were added to deck three?

They HATED it. But to be fair - they were much younger.

 

 

 

My son HATED camp carnival. He was 3 (I think) and did not want to go. When we dropped him off, we'd get a call asking us to pick him up. My daughter went (reluctantly) - she was probably 4. She never found the counsellors that friendly, and she was always being bullied by another girl who would pull toys away from her. When she complained to the counsellors they would not do anything. A year later (granted a year can make a huge difference in a child's development) we sailed Eurodam, and my kids LOVED Club HAL. THey still rate it their second fave kid's club (Second to X's Fun FActory).

 

 

 

They LOVED the waterslide. Unfortunately, they did not meet the height restrictions. But it wasn't being monitored for the first part of the week. About mid-week, they started turning away kids. Now I'm all for safety, but I'm also about consistency. You can't allow a young kid to enjoy something fun, and then take it away from them. They should have been monitoring height from day 1.

 

 

 

I wasn't a huge fan of the service on Dream - but to be fair, I think we just had a really bad server. He lectured me about food safety (letting my daughter eat her steak mid-rare). He lectured me about knife safety everytime he placed a steak knife on the table. He questioned me about how much money I made, how much my house is worth, and deliberately tried to make me feel guilty for being a "have". He also tried to "blackmail" me into giving him cash tips - said he didn't see any of the auto-tips. I'm sure it would have been a better experience, with a different waiter.

 

 

 

 

 

About a year after sailing Dream, she was stuck at sea and then carnival proceed to have issues with many of their ships. I lost faith in them, and had no desire to sail them again.

Thanks so much for your feedback, Queen of Oakville. I truly appreciate your comments in helping me make the decision for our first cruise following a Disney cruise. Seems to be a little tougher than I thought! But enjoying the planning stage.

My kids loved our DCL cruises, loved the character meets, loved the Aquaduck ... but were just not big fans of the kids club. Too many kids. Not enough adult oversight. Too much yelling and screaming. While other kids clearly loved the kid's club - it depends on the child. We find the same experience on Royal. They'll go to the kid's club because they know we want some alone time, but they are not begging to go. When we pick them up from FUN factory, we hear "please can we stay longer". When we pick them up from adventure ocean, they make a beeline to the door and are ready to go.

Just curious what your kids thought of the Carnival Dream?

what dates are you travelling? Makes a difference if it's school break.

It will be over Spring break 2016.

KVICKERS, I responded to you on the thread you posted on the Celebrity board:D

 

 

 

My kids were 7 and 8 when we sailed REFLECTION - and loved it!!!! X is by far their favourite. For my son (7) he felt like a superstar because of his allergies, not an afterthought. I posted more on the Celebrity thread. Also, if you search the cruise reviews on this site for Reflection, you can read my full review. It was posted shortly after our November 14-21st 2014 cruise.

 

 

 

 

 

They way i see it, the apple doesn't fall too far from the tree. The parents who LOVE Carnival, are likely to have kids who LOVE carnival. Likewise, Parents who love X are likely to have raised the kind of kids who love X.

 

 

 

There is a misconception that all kids need rock walls, ziplines, waveriders and waterslides to enjoy a cruise.

Thanks for your feedback, Queen of Oakville! Very helpful and greatly appreciated!

My boys are 6 and 9. They have only sailed on DCL and preferred to stay with us vs the kids club. They also have nut allergies, which I am assuming Celebrity can handle as well.

I sent pictures to your e-mail address. Please check your junk folder if you didn't receive them, as I seem to end up in there a lot. I hope the pictures are useful.

 

I agree that Celebrity has less kids overall and that allows the staff to be more flexible and accommodating that most other lines. They really do a wonderful job with the kids!

I am considering Celebrity for the first time and will be cruising with my kids, ages 6 and 9. I am also wondering about the kids club/activities and would appreciate and feedback you may have. Would also love to see some pictures if you wouldn't mind emailing me at kvickers@bcfht.ca. Thanks!

It sounds like you may be seeking a more refined cruising experience, in which case I'd recommend Celebrity.

 

 

 

But you won't find any waterslides on celebrity.

 

 

 

I think you need to define/order what is you most want - good food, good vibe, more refined, good entertainment, good kid's club etc.

 

 

 

I think you may be hard-pressed to find EVERYTHING you want in one cruiseline while adding in the requirement of an itinerary that includes Ochos Rios.

 

 

 

I agree with others who say you cannot really judge a cruise line by their 2/4/5 day itineraries unless that is all you ever intend to sail.

 

 

 

You will always find better cruising experiences on a 7 night + sailing.

I am considering Celebrity Constellation for March break 2016. I will be traveling with 2 boys ages 6 and 9. We have only sailed with Disney and my kids didn't really enjoy the kids program. Can you please tell me what you/your kids enjoy onboard? I haven't heard much about kids activities on Celebrity. Thanks!

I'm new to Celebrity and found a sailing that would fit our dates and budget on the Constellation in March 2016. I have asked a few people (including travel agent) and they weren't sure that Celebrity would be a good fit for kids? It may be too laid back? Not enough for kids to do? Can anyone who has sailed Celebrity please provide some insight on this? Especially would like to hear from those who have sailed with kids? But all feedback on this topic would be appreciated:)

New to cruising any cruise line outside of Disney Cruise Line. Looking for recommendations...would Celebrity Constellation or RC-Independence of the Seas be better for kids (ages 6 and 9)?

Navigator of the Seas 6 nights, with stops in Falmouth, Grand Cayman and Labadee, inside cabin (due to $) OR 5 night Independence with stops in Cozumel and Costa Maya, in Oceanview (or 2 inside Promenade rooms). I am sailing with my husband and two boys, ages 6 and 9. Would love to hear your feedback as we have never sailed RCI before. Thanks!

Thanks so much for this detailed post! Really, really appreciate it!

Thanks so much for your feedback!

Trying to decide between a 6 night cruise on RC-Nav of the Seas with stops at Labadee, Falmouth and Grand Cayman or 5 nights on the Sunshine (Bahamas). Which cruise would you recommend for 2 active kids? We've never cruise with either cruise line. Please help!

Having cruised a lot, how would you compare the Carnival Sunshine to the RC-Navigator of the Seas? I still have not yet decided on which cruise to take with my kids in March. Tough decision. The Sunshine is a 5 night Bahamas vs. Navigator 6 night western Caribbean (GC, Falmouth and Labadee). Any advice would be kindly appreciated:)

I am wondering if anyone can share their experience in cruising on the Enchantment of the Seas ships with kids? I am planning on cruising with my two sons ages 6 and 9 but not sure if there would be enough activities to keep them entertained for 4 nights? Or how happy they would be with the activities offered. The Independence of the Seas seems to be a better ship but the dates are not as ideal as the other. Please provide any feedback you have...it would be greatly appreciated.

We have only cruised with Disney with our kids but would like to give Royal Caribbean a try? Navigator has the better itinerary but I am wondering which is the better ship? Please help. Thanks.

Any of your choices will be fine! All have plenty for kids to do..and in reality, are more similar, than different!

Thanks so much for your response. Kinda nice to hear some reassurance when there are so many different reviews out there. Thanks!

Wow! That's great! Does it usually make a difference what cabin you are booked in? Are some categories more likely to get the price drop?

Okay. Thanks! First time cruising with Carnival so really appreciate the advice:)

Booking a Carnival cruise for March 2016. Wondering if I should do the Early Saver and hope for a price drop/credit or do the Spring saver, which has a 100% refundable deposit before pay in full date? What are the chances or a price drop?

Trying to choose the best ship for cruising with 9 and 6 year old boys? All feedback appreciated. We are not too concerned with the itinerary.

Sounds like your in the same situation as I am, except my kids are a little younger. Look forward to more responses to your question:)

Looking for some advice here for a family of 4 cruising with two boys ages 6 and 9. Which ship do you think they would prefer? We've only sailed Disney Cruise Line but looking to switch it up. Both Sunshine and IOS are coming in at similar prices and I'm not too concerned about the itineraries. Would really appreciate some feedback here:). Thanks!