Disney priced us out - NCL vs CCL vs RCI

[KalamityJane]

We were planning on a DCL cruise but I can't fathom paying their prices. I'm looking for a line/ship with good water slides/pools/splash park, great kid's clubs (kids are 3, 5 and 7.5 currently) and decent stuff to do on board for adults.

 

The kids absolutely adore swimming and are daredevils (and are tall if that helps with height restrictions, youngest is 40 plus inches and just turned 3). Hubby likes the casino and a good movie theater would be nice.

 

As far as ports go, we haven't cruised with kids so that's open. We debated Alaska but may wait a couple of years to do that so the kids can do more excursions. I have family in Florida so cruising out of there is great.

 

I'm mostly concerned about the kids clubs so hubby and I can have some time off and secondly about activities on board.

 

 

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[KalamityJane]

Oh, and we can cruise whenever though summer is tricky because we have a farm. Kids are homeschooled. We prefer low season and 6-7+ night cruises.

 

 

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Edited April 14, 2016 by KalamityJane

[Roz]

Any of the 3 lines you mentioned will work just fine for your family.

 

Roz

[Pitzel]

I think you will want to look at specific ships. For example, on NCL, the Escape or Epic may work best (though the Getaway and Breakaway could also work). I probably wouldn't look at the other ships for what you are looking for. Likewise, I would start with the Oasis class ships on RCCL before I would look at some of the older ships. Based on what you have said, I would start with Harmony of the Seas (the newest of the three) and then check out Allure or Oasis.

[Pitzel]

Oh -- to add to my note, you will more easily find a large, family sized room on RCCL (call to get pricing for some of their Family staterooms). On NCL, you could get a 2 bedroom suite, but there aren't many other staterooms that will fit 5 comfortably. Getting 2 connecting staterooms could be an option, though.

[mjkacmom]

Oh -- to add to my note, you will more easily find a large, family sized room on RCCL (call to get pricing for some of their Family staterooms). On NCL, you could get a 2 bedroom suite, but there aren't many other staterooms that will fit 5 comfortably. Getting 2 connecting staterooms could be an option, though.

 

The AWAY ships have ocean view rooms for 5, you have to call.

[dctravel]

The newest Carnival ships (Dream, Magic, Breeze) all have pretty cool water slide areas. My kids (5 and 8) also enjoyed many of the activities in the kids club, although we didn't ask them to go for more than a few hours at a time. We also found the family activities to be appropriate and a lot of fun.

 

Just my 2 cents from experience.

 

dctravel

[Robotcake]

We just got off Independence (RCI) and it has no slides. My oldest is only 5 so the splash area, hot tubs, and pools were thrilling enough for them. My kids loved the kids club. There weren't many kids on the boat. We were with older cousins (ages 10-13) and they liked the basketball, dodge ball, rock wall, and surfing. But, I think there could have been more for them. Of the families we met, all of them seemed to prefer Carnival for kids stuff. It's cheaper, so we may try Carnival next to compare for ourselves.

[A&Jfamily]

I cannot comment on rooms that hold 5, but I would suggest you call each line and ask. In the alternative, I would suggest 2 rooms. It's what we have always done and find it to be very relaxing for us because we have our own space - and can confine the kids, and their mess to their bathroom and room.

 

I can say that we have always been happy with Carnival and the newer ships, including the revamped Sunshine, have great amenities and kids clubs. We have also found that they have the most bang for the buck and are cheaper, at least when we cruise (Christmas and Spring Break) than other lines. I wouldn't hesitate to say to give them a try.

[ilovetotravel1977]

We are looking at the Carnival Vista for April 2017. Slides, huge aqua/splash park, ropes course, mini golf, skyride, dive-in movies, IMAX theatre, thrill theatre, etc etc etc

 

No one should get bored on that ship!