I think I will love it but....

[Mr. Tricky]

In the planning stages for our next family cruise. Considering Celebrity because of what I have read about the quality of food and service. I am concerned that the kids in our group will not have enough to do. Here is a breakdown of everyone in our group and what they are looking for.

 

Son age 16, loves good food, live entertainment, and exploring.

Son age 14, more reserved, burger and pizza type, needs a strong, well- attended kids program.

Son age 12, outgoing, silly but fun, loves music, must have ice cream at all hours. Will hang out with adults or kids. Having fun either way.

All 3 sons have been on 2 Carnival cruises and loved them both.

 

Nephew, age 16, kind of a mix of the above 3. Wants a great teen program

Has been on 2 Carnival and 1 RCCL. Had more fun with the kids program on Carnival because it was better attended

 

DW and I, love good live music, good food, relax during the day, party at night.

Been on 2 Carnival and 2 RCCL cruises. Liked the RCCL ships and entertainment more.

 

First time cruisers on this trip, Brother-in-law and his GF. They are late 30's, love great food and great service. Need to be active during the day with sports, gym, and music. Will need to have great entertainment at night.

 

So now that you have all the info, I think Celebrity would be great choice for the adults in this group but I wonder if it will work for the kids? We would be traveling in Feb when some of the schools are on break or in April when most of the schools are on break.

Wish there was a water slide :cool:

[SusieV]

I can't speak for the kids' program since my son is too young, but I am pretty sure you can't get ice cream "at all hours". The homemade ice cream is awesome but it definitely shuts down at night.

 

The grill by the pool will have burgers/nachos whatever and there will be a pizza/pasta station at the buffet. There will also be more upscale choices for your 16 year old.

 

I cruised with my family at 13 and honestly I think cruises are not a great choice for teens because there really aren't a whole lot of activities geared at this age group, especially the older they get. I think most lines take great care of the little ones but really leave the older kids to themselves. Just my $0.02

[DrKoob]

Celebrity is for you when the kids are grown. You want RCCL. X just does not have the kids or the kid's programs you are looking for. If they loved Carnival then I really don't think X is a good match for your kids. It would be a great match for you and your wife and all the adults in your family (especially the first time cruisers) when kids are grown. That is my 2 cents worth.

[bighairtexan]

I tend to agree with the above posters. I was on Celebrity during spring break and even then didn't see scores of kids. Ice cream isn't available 24/7.

 

I think Royal Caribbean or the newer Carnival ships would be better for the group. And I do like Carnival (RC not so much). If I still had teenagers, that's where I'd head. My kids were actually bored on X when they were 13 and 15. Not enough other kids for them to socialize with.

[alcpa1]

I totally disagree with DrKoob. Celebritiy has a very good kids and teens program.

There will be more children/teens on an April sailing than an EARLY February sailing (unless it's President's Day week when more and more school systems are taking breaks) but the youngsters will not be bored. They have experienced cruising so they know what to expect and know that their entire cruise will not be spent on the ship. I'd put more emphasis on their needs and desires in the ports than on the ship.

Our children never failed to find something to do and when they were onboard with their cousins we'd reluctantly drag them away from their activities. It is that bond that will determine their enjoyment level far more than the ship's offerings.

Definitely keep the Celebrity itinerary at the top of your list.

[helenb]

We bring our kids on Celebrity and they have plenty to do, but the 'live entertainment' and 'night life' leave much to be desired. For this reason, we prefer Celebrity for port intensive cruises. However, the food on Celebrity is wonderful!

 

If you're interested in entertainment, I would recommend trying Princess. They have multiple entertainment venues open every night (i.e. two different theatres/large lounges with different 'main' shows, one 'game' show, side lounges with bands and musicians, etc.) which will be interesting for both you and your wife, and your 16 year old as well. They also have an active kids club and free soft serve available much of the day (although not 24 hours) and wonderful hard ice cream in the dining room. The food is not as good as Celebrity, and IMHO the experience is not as upscale/elegant, but they really do excel at entertainment.

[skandls]

We loved our Solstice cruise for the food and service. Because you are travelling with teens I would think RCCL would be a better choice. The Oasis has a lot of entertainment and a lot of active stuff - climbing wall, surfing, zip line, ice skating - the entertainment is very good.

[u2cruiser]

I have just returned from my first Celebrity cruise, which was absolutely fantastic, but I did comment that out of all the cruiselines we've tried, I was pleased we hadn't taken our grown up daughters on this one as I don't think they would have found enough to do or enough people to socialise with, especially on the bad weather sea days. I could be wrong, but that's how it felt.

 

The adults in your party would absolutely love it, however. :)

[dforeigner]

Celebrity has a very good children's program. The food is great, but that is an objective opinion. We normally cruise with Princess. Both cruise lines have their +s and -s. I would sail with either one based on who has the best to offer for a particular sailing.

That said; Celebrity does not have that party atmosphere that you may be looking for. After 11pm most of the bars are closed. Celebrity has more of a relaxing rather than balls to the wall atmosphere.

The productions shows on board Celebrity are great. The service is top notch. Although I have not used the children's program on board Princess, another family in our party commented that Celebrity has a bit more to offer during port days; such as being able to leave the children (or teens in you case) behind.

Sorry I cannot help you out with a comparison contrast between Celebrity and Carnival as I have not sailed with Celebrity.

[BarbJ52]

I've sailed Carnival, Celebrity, & RCCL. While there were no teens in our party during any of these cruises, I would recommend RCCL for anyone travelling with teens. From my observations, the larger RCCL ships such as Liberty of the Seas seem to have more features (FlowRider, etc.) and activities that are appealing to that age group. I'm sure the Oasis class would be even more appealing. JMHO.

[cynbar]

I agree with the above posters who suggest you look at another cruise line geared more towards teens. Celebrity is wonderful but it is more sedate, elegant overall. Although kids and teens do sail Celebrity, the line just doesn't offer them the amenities found on RCL or Carnival. No water slide, it wouldn't fit in with the quieter ambiance. And as your kids have already sailed Carnival, they may well find the comparison to be lacking. If your teens are unhappy, no one will have a good cruise. We love Celebrity now that our children are older and on their own, but it is more of an adult atmosphere. And although the food and service are top notch, we have to say we find the late evening activity to be lacking compared to other lines. It's not a party atmosphere! There are lots of good choices out there, continue to look around. PS-- Please take into consideration that you are on the Celebrity boards where the Celebrity fans hang out. If these posters are not recommending Celebrity for your group, that should be a big red flag.

[firemanbobswife]

We travelled on Carnival when the boys were little and they loved it. Then we tried Celebrity and they love it more. However, with that being said, my boys being 15 and almost 13, prefer the more sedate adult type atmosphere now that they are older.

 

The kids program is great, but almost all the time on Celebrity, the organized activities were cancelled due to lack of participation. They were disappointed, but are just as happy playing ping-pong or Wii or whatever they have there. They do miss the water slide and some of the things that they did on Carnival like Capture the Flag.

 

So in my opinion, you would be better off on another cruise line. There isn't a whole lot to do for adults after the evening shows (besides the Martini Bar :D). And no doubt in my mind that the kids would be crying that they are bored. Especially since they like to be active.

[SuiteTraveler]

I just got off the Celebrity Eclipse yesterday. The overall age group was older - my husband and I (ages 49 and 52) were among the youngest on the cruise - and got a lot of special attention for that reason, LOL! In addition, the activities and entertainment on the ship is more sedate and geared toward older cruisers - much of it was too old for my taste. The food in the MDR was absolutely fantastic and we had the best cabin stewards ever and a great waiter and assistant waiter, but with the kids in your party, I think that the RCCL Oasis class of ships would be a much better choice for your trip - bear in mind, I recommend that you eat in the specialty restaurants and chef's table on Oasis or Allure as much as possible (we ate in them every night when we were on that cruise.) The specialty restaurant food on the Oasis class ships is FANTASTIC - and up to par with Celebrity. There were some activities by the Celebrity Eclipse pool which were poorly attended, there was not a lot of people ordering drinks by the pool either. The crowd around the pool on the Eclipse seemed to be age 60+. There is so much more to do on the RCCL ships than on Celebrity. Had this not been a port intensive Med cruise and we met some great folks here on CC to hang out with, I would have found the Celebrity Eclipse rather boring, although the food was really great and I especially loved Cafe al Baccio and also the Bistro on 5 and QSine. I actually read 5 books during this 2 week cruise - which is a record for me - but that shows you how much free time I had because there was not much of interest to me on sea days short of a few movies, a few lectures, a cooking demonstration and the commedian. But these are not things that would be of great interest to kids and teens, so my recommendation is to go for RCCL Oasis class ships instead where you will have lots of young people, very exuberant entertainment fit for all ages, lots of activity and tons of stuff to do along with great food in the specialty restaurants. I would budget your family cruise on an Oasis class ship and just plan for the added fee restaurants every single night as part of the cost - they are well worth it. The shows on Oasis class ships are appealing to all ages, there are a ton of activities for all ages all day every day.

[shorebilly]

It really depends on when you go. We always cruise for xmas and nye, at that time there are Always tons of kids even with Cunard, the stodgiest line of all and our children always have a huge group of freinds by the end of the cruise. I would think that going on spring break would be the same, tons of kids! Ours loved Celebrity when they were 11 and 15, this year they will be 13 and 17 and I am still sure they will love it!;)

[HookedonSXM]

When we sailed Celebrity for Christmas/New Years 2009 there were lots of children on board. Our kids were 13 and 15 and they loved it. Our 13 y.o. daughter spent a lot of time with her cousin who was on the cruise with us, they are very good friends and spent little time in the teen club choosing to spend their time together. Our 15 y.o. son on the other hand spent almost all his free time at the teen club and made many friends, several of which he still is in contact with.

I think it depends on your kids. If they are the type who need to be entertained constantly then Celebrity may not be for them as there are no waveriders, rock climbing walls skating rinks etc.

If your kids are more like mine who like hanging out with other kids, playing basketball and making there own entertainment they will love Celebrity at spring break or other times when there will be kids on board.

Also the staff for the kids club were great! They kept the kids busy, but if they just wanted to hang out there with their friends that was great too.

I know our kids are looking forward to our next Celebrity cruises this December just as much as DH and I are!:D

[rebeccalouiseagain]

The kids will love it. Go.:)

[Mr. Tricky]

Thank you all for the information. It is especialy helpful from those that have teens and have sailed multiple lines.

Cynbar, thank you for taking the time to help me. I posted on this board because I wanted to here from those who are fans of Celebrity. The more I learn the more I look foward to a Celebrity cruise in the future.

Because of the comments from so many that the entertainment tends to wind down somewhat early, and the mixed opinion on the how well the kids will enjoy themselves, I think we will put RCCL and CCL at the top of our list this time.

I am so excited to be able to take another cruise. I have turned my family into cruise junkies and thats awsome. I hope to turn my brother in law and his GF into cruise junkies as well. I know that being on a ship is a unique and wonderful experience. I hope they feel the same way.

[Tenn4ever]

Mr. Tricky, I think you are making a wise decision. Cruising with a family of five is not inexpensive so choosing a cruise where all will benefit makes sense.:)

[dkjretired]

Thank you all for the information. It is especialy helpful from those that have teens and have sailed multiple lines.

Cynbar, thank you for taking the time to help me. I posted on this board because I wanted to here from those who are fans of Celebrity. The more I learn the more I look foward to a Celebrity cruise in the future.

Because of the comments from so many that the entertainment tends to wind down somewhat early, and the mixed opinion on the how well the kids will enjoy themselves, I think we will put RCCL and CCL at the top of our list this time.

I am so excited to be able to take another cruise. I have turned my family into cruise junkies and thats awsome. I hope to turn my brother in law and his GF into cruise junkies as well. I know that being on a ship is a unique and wonderful experience. I hope they feel the same way.

 

My kids grew up through various ages with Celebrity kids and as long as you go at a school vacation time there will be plenty for them to do. I think half the people who say the childrens programs are no good have never experienced having a child in them and don't want kids on a Celebrity cruise. They have some of the best programs out there, much more individualized attention and not as structered as other lines where if its 2 PM. it must be time for all to do this or that.

[SuiteTraveler]

One other ship you should probably consider is the NCL Epic - that has a whole waterpark onboard! Tons for all ages to do and they also have specialty restaurants and lots of entertainment.

[cynbar]

Tricky, I must say, I'm impressed that you're going to this much trouble to plan a really nice cruise --- your family is very lucky, I hope they realize that! I actually agree that NCL Epic might be a ship to consider, as long as you budget for the specialty restaurants for several nights. We haven't sailed the Epic but have enjoyed our NCL cruises, the ships are lively with lots of great entertainment and night life, and the Epic has a lot for your teens. Food in the MDRs has not been as good as other cruise lines for us, but we love the choice of specialty restaurants (where the food is MUCH better) and the lack of regimentation that NCL offers and your teens would adore. NCL is not our favorite cruise line but it offers a lot and we always enjoy our NCL cruises. It might be worth a look.

 

PS -- I'll bet you are a lot of fun on a cruise with a name like Mr. Tricky..........

[miched]

I have been on Carnival, Princess, RCCL and Celebrity. Depending on the ship if I were teen it would be RCCL or Carnival. As a adult I like X the best but have enjoyed all of the cruises and for me it comes down to the cost. If not much more for X that is the line but a lot depends on my mood if It is time for a change or variety.

[bighairtexan]

I was one who recommended against Celebrity w/ teens. I didn't suggest (nor did I see anyone else suggesting) that they didn't have an excellent kids program. But on my recent early April cruise during Spring Break (remember Easter was LATE this year) there were hardly any kids on board. Several years ago, when I went on Celebrity with my then teenage kids, they were not happy campers. One of the things they looked for were kids their own ages to hang around w/, in our out of a formal program. They were bored to death as there were maybe 10 kids maximum in their age range, almost no one attended the children's program, and this was in the summer.

[Mr. Tricky]

PS -- I'll bet you are a lot of fun on a cruise with a name like Mr. Tricky..........

 

LOL.... I guess I can be a little silly at times.

Thank you everyone for the info. I will take a look at the NCL Epic. It appears to have all of the ingredients I am looking for including a water park for the kids (and me ;) ), and the availability of great food.