Choosing Between 3 Cruises Advice Please.

[westcoastgirl1974]

We are 2 moms (good friends and have travelled together before) in our 30s, each with a 5 year old child (my daughter is good friends with her son) and are in the process of booking a cruise in December this year. I know we are kind of late to do this but we have narrowed it down to 3 choices and I wanted to get the advice of other cruisers who have small children in helping us choose.

 

The first choice is Carnival Glory Western Caribbean. We would have 2 balcony rooms side by side on Empress Deck (already on hold in case).

 

The itinerary is:

 

Saturday, December 06, 2014 Depart from Miami, Fl Dock

Sunday, December 07, 2014 Fun Day At Sea Fun At Sea

Monday, December 08, 2014 Cozumel, Mexico Dock

Tuesday, December 09, 2014 Belize Dock

Wednesday, December 10, 2014 Mahogany Bay, Isla Roatan Dock

Thursday, December 11, 2014 Costa Maya, Mexico Dock

Friday, December 12, 2014 Fun Day At Sea Fun At Sea

Saturday, December 13, 2014 Arrive at Miami, Fl Dock

 

The 2nd choice is RCI Freedom of the Seas. We would have connecting ocean view or inside cabins. The balconies are way too expensive for us.

 

Sunday, December 07, 2014 Depart from PORT CANAVERAL - FLORIDA

Monday, December 08, 2014 CRUISING

Tuesday, December 09, 2014 LABADEE - HAITI

Wednesday, December 10, 2014 FALMOUTH - JAMAICA

Thursday, December 11, 2014 GEORGE TOWN - GRAND CAYMAN

Friday, December 12, 2014 COZUMEL - MEXICO

Saturday, December 13, 2014 CRUISING

Sunday, December 14, 2014 Arrive at PORT CANAVERAL - FLORIDA

 

We considered RCI Vision of the Seas but there are no connecting rooms left and considering the price, the Glory or Freedom are better choices.

 

The 3rd choice is the Celebrity Reflection Eastern Caribbean. We would have balconies side by side. The only other cruise I have done is Celebrity to Alaska (twice) and while I enjoyed the food, service and rooms, there isn't much to do in the evenings and there were barely any kids on board. Now I know that Alaska has less kids on board anyways but whilst Celebrity has a kids club, it certainly doesn't have nearly as much to do as Carnival or RCI it seems and the nightlife ends by 10 or 11pm. The shows were ok but after that, there was nothing to do except the casino. The night club wasn't open every night and there were only a few people at the Martini Bar and they were gone by 11pm. I don't know if it will be different on the Reflection. From my reading reviews, Celebrity seems to be more subdued in general.

 

Saturday, December 06, 2014 Depart from Miami, Florida

Sunday, December 07, 2014 At Sea

Monday, December 08, 2014 San Juan, Puerto Rico

Tuesday, December 09, 2014 Charlotte Amalie, St. Thomas

Wednesday, December 10, 2014 Philipsburg, St. Maarten

Thursday, December 11, 2014 At Sea

Friday, December 12, 2014 At Sea

Saturday, December 13, 2014 Arrive at Miami, Florida

 

 

I am sure we will have fun no matter which we choose. I don't know if the low price on Carnival is worth it. I really do like the ports that Celebrity is going to but will it be a really sedate cruise? I also am the kind of person that upgrades at resorts and doesn't eat at McDonald's -ever. I'm sure we will find decent food to eat on all 3 of the cruises (I assume) but just want opinions.

 

I appreciate the experience of the cruisers on this forum and thank you very much in advance for your help.

Edited July 27, 2014 by westcoastgirl1974

[mizLORInj]

Hi. Really, I would go on any of them.

Celebrity and RCI have more elegantly decorated ships, but I've still had good cruises on Carnival. Especially the class of ship you're looking at.

The Glory has a great waterslide that is not just for kids! :D

I do think RCI and Carnival's kids groups have more kids and kids may have more fun. We did a 10 nighter on Celebrity Equinox and there were not a lot of kids.

Hope you have a great time on whichever you choose.

[lovemylab]

I don't have children; however, if I was in your position I would go with the Freedom. The ship has more activities and amenities for children. Royal Caribbean has great entertainment and the food is also good.

 

DH and I are both in our 30s and now cruise primarily with Celebrity. We rarely see children onboard (even in the Caribbean).

 

Good luck with your decision and enjoy your cruise!

[Jane2357]

With your situation - I'd choose Carnival in a heart beat. I've sailed Carnival and Celebrity - for two young moms wanting a little night life - Celebrity won't be it. I've had tons of fun with groups or girlfriends on Carnival - just a more party feel, more going on. More children on board. Service is great, food is good and you'll have a balcony and a blast!!!!

[skandls]

I would go on the RCI Freedom. It is a beautiful ship with a great kids program (at least it looks that way). I do not like Carnival very much - I don't like the 'flow' of people at meal time and for shows. Celebrity is a little more 'grown up'. Since you are going in early Dec I don't think there will be a lot of children on board.

[Allybins]

Hi I m Allybins going on second Cruise Aug 9th from Miami on NCL Getaway.

[dancinman66]

I like celebrity but with the kids would tend for freedom as it's good service and facilities with a great kids club

 

 

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[lah66]

RCI ships are great for kids! They are our preferred cruiseline. Their prices are sky high right now since they just finished up their BOGO sale. Typically they are much less expensive than Celebrity. If you can, check back in a week or two and see if there is movement in the price. I cannot imagine their prices staying this high for too much longer. Whatever you decide, I am sure you will have a great time and love cruising!

Lauri

[dorisis]

We got in on the BOGOHO sale and will be on the Freedom on Dec. 7th. I think you know which one I would vote for. We were on a Carnival cruise a while ago and it was much too crowded and too rowdy for us.

 

Celebrity is nice but hasn't got the things that children like.

[Gail & Marty sailing away]

Take the carnival ..

[Velvetwater]

To me the RCI itinerary looks much better but that depends how important it is to you.

 

As someone who likes Carnival (But wants to sail RCCL and NCL at some point) I can say they are very family friendly ships. We were on a summer Baltic cruise with them which usually has an older crowd but there were quite a few kids and the parents were happy with the kid orientated pool, clubs etc.

 

On the Balcony/OV room thing it depends how much time you think you will be in your cabin. Ocean view rooms are perfectly fine for us. :)