Celebrity Kids Program

[rebeccalouiseagain]

Keep in mind the original post was from 2005. Celebrity is still awesome but the youth programs have been remodeled and moved to a different area on Constellation. It is now at the bow of the ship and there is no longer a ball pit or slide but I know from experience with my own son- that he absolutely rates Celebrity best!

 

A new addition since 2005 is "Bistro on Five"- which was a huge hit with my son. The made to order crepes and sandwiches are great! It is well worth the $ 5 surcharge and it is open for breakfast- late night.

[chotton]

Celebrity's kids program is fantastic. My daughters (ages 4 & 6) prefer it over Royal Caribbean's.

[cruisebunny32]

I can't believe this thread is still active!!!

I am going on the Silhouette in a few weeks and plan to check out the program on the S class ships. I don't have my kids, but I can ask questions.

[spart02]

I'm looking for recent reviews of the kids programming on the Celebrity Reflection for my kids who will be ages 9, 13, and 16 at the time. We are coming from Disney ships, so we are very nervous to venture out to a new line!

[Queen of Oakville]

Hi Spart,

 

You found a very old thread (or relatively old) and there are newer threads on this topic.

 

Those who have sailed celebrity with their kids seem to overwhelmingly love the kid's program.

 

My kids are a bit younger than yours. The sailed X last year at 7/8 and will be 9/10 when we sail Silhouette next year. They really enjoy the kid's club.

 

A few comments on your DCL comparison:

-no characters (other than the ones who are passengers:D)

-far fewer kids in the kid's club (my kids like this)

-far more adult/counsellor interaction (my kids like this).

 

 

You way want to look at the ages (check X website) to see how your kids will be able to stay together or be separated based on age groups.

 

I think the experience is that they let children bump (but now down) basedon on enrollment in a given week.

[spart02]

Thanks for the quick response. I think my boys would be together and then my daughter would be on her own, which is fine. What is your experience with things to do on the ship as a family? I'm concerned because there are no water slides, mini golf, etc. How do you keep busy on sea days when the kids aren't in the programs? With the Disney ships, there were a lot of crafts, games, and programs for the whole family outside of the kid's programming. Also, are adults ever allowed in the kid's areas, like an Open House type-format?

[Queen of Oakville]

Thanks for the quick response. I think my boys would be together and then my daughter would be on her own, which is fine. What is your experience with things to do on the ship as a family? I'm concerned because there are no water slides, mini golf, etc. How do you keep busy on sea days when the kids aren't in the programs? With the Disney ships, there were a lot of crafts, games, and programs for the whole family outside of the kid's programming. Also, are adults ever allowed in the kid's areas, like an Open House type-format?

 

What we loved about DCL was the character experiences. We would never sail DCL (again) for the kid's club. It was too many kids and too much craziness, and very little actual supervision - unless your child is a problem child who requires it. My kids clung to the walls and watched all the other kids go nuts.

 

What my kids like about X and about HAL is that the counsellors know you by name (pretty much from Day 1).

 

On X there were not a lot of family activities (that I recall). But we also did a TOP CHEF sailing, so our focus (mine and my daughter's) was on the top chef events. If there were family activities - we did not notice it.

 

On HAL - they had family wii, family karaoke, family scavenger hunt etc. We participated in those events and enjoyed them very much.

 

 

Our typical day, had us eating breakfast together and then time by the pool. If it was a port day, the kids might go to the kid's club for an hour or two (if there was an event they wanted to take part in). Then we would have family time by the pool, family lunch, and then they would go back to the kid's club for the afternoon. We'd pick them up around 4, have a snack, and then dress for dinner. After dinner, they would go back to the kid's club. Most nights they begged to stay late, so DH and I would enjoy an extra hour or two at the casino.

 

My daughter took in some of the X shows. My son wasn't interested. While he enjoys live theatre (broadway style shows) - he found the X shows unappealing.

 

We really didn't miss the waterslides or minigolf that we have enjoyed on other ships. My kids have been on 2 DCL, 2 RCCL, 1 HAL and 1 Carnival, and they like X the best.

 

YMMV depending on what you like to do a as a family. We enjoyed our DCL cruises for what they worth, love the character experiences and loved the Aquaduck, but we (as a family) would much rather sail X.

 

X is also phenominal with allergies (my son is peanut allergic) so that is added value to us that we haven't found on other ships.

[Queen of Oakville]

I think there was an open house on day 1 when we got to look around; other than that the kids were happy to run into the kid's club without us.

 

My kids are pretty "clingy" kids but they had no problem keeping themselves entertained on X. On Royal, we frequently have to "push" them towards the kids club. Same on DCL.

[elena7seas]

I took my 8-1/2 year old granddaughter for a 9-night Pacific Coastal cruise on the Infinity this past September. This was her fourth cruise with me, third with Celebrity and she LOVES the Fun Factory. Her other cruise was with Princess. She was happy in their programme, but I was not nearly as happy, as I found there was less interaction with the counselors on Princess (it was more like baby-sitting with crafts). I feel that Celebrity provides a higher quality kids programme.

 

As most kids were in school, there were only 21 kids in the Fun Factory on this cruise, but Celebrity provided a full programme. The kids were grouped as appropriate for the activities that were provided. My DGD would have been in the kids' centre every minute they were open, if she could have been. The counselors were excellent. Jimena and her team made all the kids feel special and they provided non-stop activities. (The counselors all have degrees in some kind of child-focussed field.) Parents were always welcome to drop into the Fun Factory at any time.

 

The hours for the Fun Factory were 9:00 - 12:00, 2:00 to 5:00 pm, and 7:00 to 10:00 pm. These times were all available at no extra charge. You could pay for kids to stay in the Fun Factory between 12:00 -2:00 pm and 5:00-7:00 pm, for $6.00 per hour. The counselors would take the kids to the buffet for lunch and dinner. They had "Make Your Own Pizza" night and other themes. There was also a "Pyjama Party" every night from 10:00 pm to 1:00 am. I can't remember if you had to pay for this or not, as we did not use this option.

 

There were lots of family activities, such as family bingo (some very nice prizes and lots of them), family scavenger hunt, the kids did a talent show and the parents were invited, etc. When there are a lot of kids, as in the summer, they did the talent show in the theatre, with full sound and lighting. With the lesser number of kids, they chose a smaller venue. There were several "field trips"...the kids were taken on a Backstage tour, and on a Bridge tour. These opportunities were tailored to groups of appropriate ages. My DGD's favourite souvenir from the cruise is a photo that Jimena took of her in the Captain's chair, wearing the Captain's hat. My DGD wants to cruise on a ship captained by Master Kate McCue next. :)

 

Programmes for the next day's activities were left on my DGD's bed every night, and she loved going over them to see what was happening the next day. She also received "mail" directly addressed to her about special activities, which made her feel very important. She kept all her paperwork carefully filed by her bed. I have all the daily programmes from the Fun Factory for her group (Cadets 7-9, I think) and can scan and post them this weekend if you like. The Youth staff are willing to be a little flexible about ages within groupings, to accommodate siblings, etc.)

 

Celebrity staff all over the ship are amazing with kids. Our wait team in the dining room made my DGD feel really special, and she was very happy to come to the dining room with us on most nights, especially on Formal nights, as she likes to dress up.

 

I can wholeheartedly recommend Celebrity for their children's programme, and would be happy to answer any questions you might have.

[Queen of Oakville]

I took my 8-1/2 year old granddaughter for a 9-night Pacific Coastal cruise on the Infinity this past September. This was her fourth cruise with me, third with Celebrity and she LOVES the Fun Factory. Her other cruise was with Princess. She was happy in their programme, but I was not nearly as happy, as I found there was less interaction with the counselors on Princess (it was more like baby-sitting with crafts). I feel that Celebrity provides a higher quality kids programme.

 

As most kids were in school, there were only 21 kids in the Fun Factory on this cruise, but Celebrity provided a full programme. The kids were grouped as appropriate for the activities that were provided. My DGD would have been in the kids' centre every minute they were open, if she could have been. The counselors were excellent. Jimena and her team made all the kids feel special and they provided non-stop activities. (The counselors all have degrees in some kind of child-focussed field.) Parents were always welcome to drop into the Fun Factory at any time.

 

The hours for the Fun Factory were 9:00 - 12:00, 2:00 to 5:00 pm, and 7:00 to 10:00 pm. These times were all available at no extra charge. You could pay for kids to stay in the Fun Factory between 12:00 -2:00 pm and 5:00-7:00 pm, for $6.00 per hour. The counselors would take the kids to the buffet for lunch and dinner. They had "Make Your Own Pizza" night and other themes. There was also a "Pyjama Party" every night from 10:00 pm to 1:00 am. I can't remember if you had to pay for this or not, as we did not use this option.

 

There were lots of family activities, such as family bingo (some very nice prizes and lots of them), family scavenger hunt, the kids did a talent show and the parents were invited, etc. When there are a lot of kids, as in the summer, they did the talent show in the theatre, with full sound and lighting. With the lesser number of kids, they chose a smaller venue. There were several "field trips"...the kids were taken on a Backstage tour, and on a Bridge tour. These opportunities were tailored to groups of appropriate ages. My DGD's favourite souvenir from the cruise is a photo that Jimena took of her in the Captain's chair, wearing the Captain's hat. My DGD wants to cruise on a ship captained by Master Kate McCue next. :)

 

Programmes for the next day's activities were left on my DGD's bed every night, and she loved going over them to see what was happening the next day. She also received "mail" directly addressed to her about special activities, which made her feel very important. She kept all her paperwork carefully filed by her bed. I have all the daily programmes from the Fun Factory for her group (Cadets 7-9, I think) and can scan and post them this weekend if you like. The Youth staff are willing to be a little flexible about ages within groupings, to accommodate siblings, etc.)

 

Celebrity staff all over the ship are amazing with kids. Our wait team in the dining room made my DGD feel really special, and she was very happy to come to the dining room with us on most nights, especially on Formal nights, as she likes to dress up.

 

I can wholeheartedly recommend Celebrity for their children's programme, and would be happy to answer any questions you might have.

 

I hope Canadian Dee sees this as I told her that I did not recall family activities on X ... but to be fair, we were distracted with the Top Chef events. I will look for this on our Silhouette cruise.

[CanadianDee]

Parents were always welcome to drop into the Fun Factory at any time.

 

...There were lots of family activities, such as family bingo (some very nice prizes and lots of them), family scavenger hunt, the kids did a talent show and the parents were invited, etc. When there are a lot of kids, as in the summer, they did the talent show in the theatre, with full sound and lighting. With the lesser number of kids, they chose a smaller venue. There were several "field trips"...the kids were taken on a Backstage tour, and on a Bridge tour. These opportunities were tailored to groups of appropriate ages. My DGD's favourite souvenir from the cruise is a photo that Jimena took of her in the Captain's chair, wearing the Captain's hat. My DGD wants to cruise on a ship captained by Master Kate McCue next. :)

 

Programmes for the next day's activities were left on my DGD's bed every night, and she loved going over them to see what was happening the next day. She also received "mail" directly addressed to her about special activities, which made her feel very important. She kept all her paperwork carefully filed by her bed. I have all the daily programmes from the Fun Factory for her group (Cadets 7-9, I think) and can scan and post them this weekend if you like. The Youth staff are willing to be a little flexible about ages within groupings, to accommodate siblings, etc.)

 

 

We also vacation with our granddaughter and I'm delighted to read that there are family activities for our upcoming cruise.

 

She'll also love getting her own mail and paperwork. :-)

 

And sitting in the Captain's chair ... how wonderful.

[CanadianDee]

I hope Canadian Dee sees this as I told her that I did not recall family activities on X ... but to be fair, we were distracted with the Top Chef events. I will look for this on our Silhouette cruise.

 

LOL. I always click on anything on Celebrity to do with kids. :)

[Queen of Oakville]

lol! Me too!

 

Glad you saw this and I will report back next month ... we sail Silhouette in 30 days!

[CanadianDee]

lol! Me too!

 

Glad you saw this and I will report back next month ... we sail Silhouette in 30 days!

 

The Top Chef cruise, I recall. I can't wait to hear about it. :)

[spart02]

Wow! You all are certainly making my husband and I feel better and better about Celebrity! Thanks so much for taking the time to post. And yes, if you could post their daily activities or anything else you think would be of interest, that would be amazing! Again, thank you! Our cruise isn't until March of 2017, but you're certainly easing our minds that we're making a good choice for our family.

[elena7seas]

Wow! You all are certainly making my husband and I feel better and better about Celebrity! Thanks so much for taking the time to post. And yes, if you could post their daily activities or anything else you think would be of interest, that would be amazing! Again, thank you! Our cruise isn't until March of 2017, but you're certainly easing our minds that we're making a good choice for our family.

 

I will post the daily activity programmes and whatever else I have that's pertinent, on the weekend....probably Sunday. :)

 

And if I can figure out how to do it, I'll post a video snippet of the kids talent show.

[CanadianDee]

I will post the daily activity programmes and whatever else I have that's pertinent, on the weekend....probably Sunday. :)

 

And if I can figure out how to do it, I'll post a video snippet of the kids talent show.

 

That would be awesome. I'd love to see the talent show. :)

[elena7seas]

I was able to post a video link, but I can't seem to limit access to my whole photo site, so that's a little more than I want to share, I think. :p

 

I'll keep trying...

[spart02]

Do the Celebrity ships have some kind of phones or pagers available so we can keep in touch with our tweens and teens?

[spart02]

Do the kids programs give out pagers or some way to communicate with us while our kids are in the programming? On the Disney ships my daughter would have us paged every so often to have us come and pick her up. She was also injured once and they contacted us immediately.

[RCKM43]

Do the kids programs give out pagers or some way to communicate with us while our kids are in the programming? On the Disney ships my daughter would have us paged every so often to have us come and pick her up. She was also injured once and they contacted us immediately.

 

 

No. When you leave your child you write where they can find you. They do have a very limited number of pagers, but they were reserved for those with food allergies so they could get parents in an emergency. You could talk to them, but no normally they do not have phones or pagers.