First time cruising concerns

[Madchen]

My ten year old daughter and I had planned on going on a Carnival or RCC Mexico cruise this October.

 

I am in love with Seattle, and she is dying to visit Canada, so I'm thinking the Celebrity Mercury cruise might be a better choice for us.

 

I am concerned about a few things.

 

This cruise seems much more formal than the other cruises we've looked into. I'm a sweater and jeans type of person. Would this be okay if I just choose to eat informal dining? I wouldn't mind getting room service on formal night. :cool:

 

What is the situation with the TVs? Does anyone know what channels they get or if they have movie channels? My main thing while on board I think would be reading in my room (or on deck) and watching movies while my daughter enjoys the kids' area. Do they have DVDs for rental? I'm very quiet and am not interested in nightlife or the casino.

 

Do you think there will be other kids for her to socialize with on board in October?

 

Thanks! :)

[chessbriar]

I'm a sweater and jeans type of person. Would this be okay if I just choose to eat informal dining? Jeans are not permitted in the formal dining room, but if you choose the alternative dining you are fine.

 

What is the situation with the TVs? Very basic, there's only a few channels to watch

 

Does anyone know what channels they get or if they have movie channels? They have one or two movie chanels, not much selection.

 

My main thing while on board I think would be reading in my room and watching movies while my daughter enjoys the kids' area. I would be suprised if this was the case once you boarded. Why take a cruise if you are not going to enjoy the amenities? There is a lot to do onboard, don't confine yourself to your cabin. It's more than just transportation.

 

Do they have DVDs for rental? They do not have DVD players in the rooms

 

Do you think there will be other kids for her to socialize with on board in October?There will be some, but not alot as X caters more to an older clientele

[TravelerThom]

My ten year old daughter and I had planned on going on a Carnival or RCC Mexico cruise this October.

 

I am in love with Seattle, and she is dying to visit Canada, so I'm thinking the Celebrity Mercury cruise might be a better choice for us.

 

I am concerned about a few things.

 

This cruise seems much more formal than the other cruises we've looked into. I'm a sweater and jeans type of person. Would this be okay if I just choose to eat informal dining? I wouldn't mind getting room service on formal night. :cool:

 

What is the situation with the TVs? Does anyone know what channels they get or if they have movie channels? My main thing while on board I think would be reading in my room (or on deck) and watching movies while my daughter enjoys the kids' area. Do they have DVDs for rental? I'm very quiet and am not interested in nightlife or the casino.

 

Do you think there will be other kids for her to socialize with on board in October?

 

Thanks! :)

I concur with chessbriar's answers. I will add that they do have a Cinema aboard that shows one or two second-run movies a day - but with so much scenery on the Alaska run that is not where you would find me:rolleyes:

[Bruin Steve]

My ten year old daughter and I had planned on going on a Carnival or RCC Mexico cruise this October.

 

I am in love with Seattle, and she is dying to visit Canada, so I'm thinking the Celebrity Mercury cruise might be a better choice for us.

 

I am concerned about a few things.

 

This cruise seems much more formal than the other cruises we've looked into. I'm a sweater and jeans type of person. Would this be okay if I just choose to eat informal dining? I wouldn't mind getting room service on formal night. :cool:

 

What is the situation with the TVs? Does anyone know what channels they get or if they have movie channels? My main thing while on board I think would be reading in my room (or on deck) and watching movies while my daughter enjoys the kids' area. Do they have DVDs for rental? I'm very quiet and am not interested in nightlife or the casino.

 

Do you think there will be other kids for her to socialize with on board in October?

 

Thanks! :)

 

Based on your concerns, I'd advise you to go back to thinking RCCL to Mexico...

 

The ship, line, route and time of year you're looking at with the Mercury pretty much conspire to put you on a miuch more "adult" cruise...

 

Now I brought my daughters on many cruises from the time they were 3 and 5 up until earlier this year (and they're now 21 and 23). We never took them out of school to cruise--only cruised during school vacations. Now I'm not telling you that to give you a morality lesson. What you teach your daughter is up to you. I'm telling you that so you'll realize that a very large number of people think like my wife and I. The number of 10 year olds on ANY cruise goes way up in June, July, August, over Winter and Spring Break and WAY DOWN in months like October. The odds of a lot of playmates for your 10 year old are severely restricted.

 

Second, the cruise line. We've actually had Celebrity Cruises with lots of kids. And they have a very good kids program. But it really doesn't come close in playing to the kids like RCCL does. Many RCCL ships hve Rock Climbing, Mini Golf, basketball, ice skating and even surfing (Although, sorry, those more amenity-filled ships aren't comin to the Pacific until next year). Still, RCCL really caters to kids and families far more than doesCelebrity.

 

Third, the itinerary. Though you and your daughter may really want to see Canada (I'm assuming you are looking at one of those West Coast "repositioning" routes), the ports really aren't of interest to most kids. Take a look at the shore excursions offered--they're more sedate--more sightseeing, more adult. Excursions on the Mexican Riviera cruises include things like snorkeling, kayaking, ATVs--adventure and fun...They're just way more attuned to the kids and teens...I know what my girls loved about cruises growing up...and you will find much more of that on the Mexican Riviera route...

 

Just my two cents...

[Karynanne]

My ten year old daughter and I had planned on going on a Carnival or RCC Mexico cruise this October.

 

I am in love with Seattle, and she is dying to visit Canada, so I'm thinking the Celebrity Mercury cruise might be a better choice for us.

 

I am concerned about a few things.

 

This cruise seems much more formal than the other cruises we've looked into. I'm a sweater and jeans type of person. Would this be okay if I just choose to eat informal dining? I wouldn't mind getting room service on formal night. :cool:

 

What is the situation with the TVs? Does anyone know what channels they get or if they have movie channels? My main thing while on board I think would be reading in my room (or on deck) and watching movies while my daughter enjoys the kids' area. Do they have DVDs for rental? I'm very quiet and am not interested in nightlife or the casino.

 

Do you think there will be other kids for her to socialize with on board in October?

 

Thanks! :)

 

Did you plan on taking a Celebrity cruise? If not....then you may want to post this question on Carnival or Royal Carribean's board.

 

Karyn

[zeitgeist]

Dresscode on the Century (Baltic cruise) has almost completely eroded. It applies for the main dining room only (not for lounges etc.). On casual nights, many people wore jeans with polo shirts or so. On informal nights, chinos and jackets were okay. No ties. On formal nights, less than 5% of the passengers wore tuxedos. The rest jackets of all colors, some without even a tie.

 

Otherwise, I totally agree with Chessbriar.

[Madchen]

suprised if this was the case once you boarded. Why take a cruise if you are not going to enjoy the amenities? There is a lot to do onboard, don't confine yourself to your cabin. It's more than just transportation.

 

Thanks for the replies. The reason for staying in my room is that I'm not so much taking a trip to sight-see, it's more to get away from the ratrace and not have to answer my cell all day and think about business or school. I want to vegetate! :) But also I would love for my daughter to see Seattle because I've been talking to her about moving there. I'm planning on taking the Seattle excursion that also includes a ride back to the airport. :D She's really quiet, as I am... she's not one to run down the halls and bother people. Sometimes I'm told, "I forget she's a child; she's such a little adult!"

 

 

We never took them out of school to cruise--only cruised during school vacations.

I'm in Las Vegas and the schools here are overcrowded. So they're having them go nine weeks/ out for three weeks or in school six weeks/ out for two-- year round. We don't have the traditional nine month schools. This town is odd. :rolleyes:

[janetz]

Thanks for the replies. The reason for staying in my room is that I'm not so much taking a trip to sight-see, it's more to get away from the ratrace and not have to answer my cell all day and think about business or school. I want to vegetate! :) But also I would love for my daughter to see Seattle because I've been talking to her about moving there. I'm planning on taking the Seattle excursion that also includes a ride back to the airport. :D She's really quiet, as I am... she's not one to run down the halls and bother people. Sometimes I'm told, "I forget she's a child; she's such a little adult!"

 

 

 

I'm in Las Vegas and the schools here are overcrowded. So they're having them go nine weeks/ out for three weeks or in school six weeks/ out for two-- year round. We don't have the traditional nine month schools. This town is odd. :rolleyes:

 

 

Celebrity offers an excellent product. Aside from the other kids she may meet, there are things the two of you can do. Just sitting at the pool watching the "pool games" and people watching is fun. There are shows and shopping, so much to do. You girls can have some quality time together also. There are many places onboard where you can sit and read. Gosh, don't pay all that money to sit in your cabin. :D

[cme]

Hi:) I have not been on a Celebrity cruise quiet yet. I will be on the Summit in Oct. to Hawaii:D I am from the Seattle area and did a lunch and tour of the Mercury last year. I think you and your daughter would enjoy the ship and the Northwest cruise. I took my daughter on her first cruise for her 21st. birthday. Now we look forward to our cruises together. You will be starting a wonderful tradition.;)

 

Carrie

[CajunLiner]

We have only been cruising for 3 years, but all 3 of our past cruises (and our next one) have been with Celebrity. We have cruised in October, November, March/April, and will cruise in December. On our 3 previous cruises, there were always other children on board. My children are now 11 & 12, and there were always at least 2 other kids their age on board. On our last cruise, which was a 2 week Panama Canal during Easter week, there were probably about 30 kids, with about 1/2 of them my kids age.

 

We homeschooled our children, and had our children in school and took them out to cruise. Other people do the same thing. Most school boards will give credit for certain "vacations", especially if the child does some sort of report on the places they've been.

 

I have to agree, though, that I would not want to spend my cruise in my cabin, especially an Alaskan one. The whole thrill of those cruises is the scenery. And we have made such good friends on board that we didn't want to not socialize. I think your daughter will have the same experience. Celebrity's kid program, while not as extravagant as other lines, is excellent. They keep the kids busy, and give them lots of attention. The counselors are fantastic.

 

I don't think you will be wrong to go with Celebrity.

 

Donna

[kidznp]

Another suggestion might be to visit the Roll Call for the cruise date/ship/itinerary you are considering prior to booking to get a feel for the type of passengers on that particular trip. You can even ask if anyone is bringing kids and what ages they are. I don't think the year round school is unique to Vegas so there might be more kids that your would expect. I have always thought the Alaska cruises were more geriatric (not that there is anything wrong with that). Have a great time whatever you choose.

[BlackPear]

Dresscode on the Century (Baltic cruise) has almost completely eroded. It applies for the main dining room only (not for lounges etc.). On casual nights, many people wore jeans with polo shirts or so. On informal nights, chinos and jackets were okay. No ties. On formal nights, less than 5% of the passengers wore tuxedos. The rest jackets of all colors, some without even a tie.

 

Otherwise, I totally agree with Chessbriar.

 

 

Is this really true?

I'm on Millennium 17 August, will only one in 20 men be in tux?

[jmsevens]

I took my 8 and 10 year olds on the Constellation in the Caribbean. They have a great kids program and my kids can't wait to go back. I watch a lot of TV at home but have never turned it on on a cruise for anything more than port info, weather and the bridge camera (do the still even have that since the disconnected the web version?)

 

I found the Baltic on Constellation to be very formal. One night I wore a skirt and blouse on informal night and got several dirty looks and even a comment "informal indeed!" before I even made it to the dining room. It made me so uncomfortable I went back to the room and changed. Both cruises on X there were lots of tuxes and all the rest dark suits for formal night.

 

Casual dining is available every night if you do not want to dress up but you will be missing a huge part of the Celebrity special something. My kids did not mind dressing up for a week and enjoyed the experience and the relationship they developed with the waiter.