Hi
We are a family of 4 who are going on the carnival Miracle early march round the western caribbean. Our children will be 2 1/2 & nearly 4 years of age.
The trip includes Grand Caymen, Belize City, Cozumel & Costa Maya.
I think we're going to Stingray city on Grand Caymen & Chankanaab Park on Cozumel. We're really not sure what to do on the other 2 stops. Any idea's. Also if you've been on any of the above trips have you any advise etc.
I would also be grateful of any hint & tips in genaral for young families on the Miracle or any cruise for that matter.

Kind Regards

Chris

Hi Chris,

My son has done many western Caribbean cruises. His first was at the age of 20 months, and his last was in June 2005 at the age of 11. I think he has done the western run 7 or 8 times in total. It is a good itinerary for kids. However, I wonder about kids as young as yours for the Stingray City tour. It may be too overwhelming for them. Chankanaab is supposed to be re-opened by the time of your cruise. This is a fine place for kids!

Let me know if you have more specific questions! Cruising the Caribbean with a youngster is a specialty of mine!

Just keep in mind with Stingray City that you are in the open ocean with the stingrays. They take you about five miles off shore to a sandbar where you mingle with and feed them. It may be a bit much for children that age to have a stingray brush up against them.

If you want to see some photos of Stingray City, I have a few from my last visit here.

Thank's for the quick replies guys. We're now not so sure about stingray city. We're really after any activity that's going to keep us busy, I don't really fancy staying on board when we're in port. Because of the age our kids we need something that'll keep us all busy but something relatively simple. Even a really good beach. Does anyone know how to find out the condition of Chankanaab Park, as we really fancy that and would hate to be disappointed.

Thanks Again
Chris

take a look at this place been there twice great for whole family in cozumel http://www.playamia.com/

I'll second the motion to look at Playa Mia. It used to be called Playa Sol and we've been there many times. Nice place with a big beach, a shallow swimming pool (fresh water), a restaurant, extremely clean restrooms, and several souvenir shops. I assume they are still doing the daily pinata for the kids. The pinata is filled with candy. There are always taxis standing by so you can leave whenever you wish.

Was Playa Mia affected by Wilma?

playmia had some little damage but it was nothing major, all the shops and the large restuarant and all facilities are up and going as with the masages, snorkling etc. we were there jan. 8th cruise on miracle had a great time as always they (Carnival) have a new tour on the ship for playa mia its a cooking class, we did not find out about it till we got to the place, we do not do tours on ship as we venture out on our own, but the cooking class looked like a blast, they serve you Margaritas thru-out the afternoon, and when you are done you sit at a festive table set with mexican decor and wine and eat your prepared meal and then you have about 1 1/2 hour beach time, or whatever you want to do they only take about 18 to 20 in a group I will be looking at this tour next time we cruise as they were having a ball. enjoy Fran

Has anyone have any idea's for when we port in Belize. Obviously the above still applies with young children etc. We're just after something layed back to do beach maybe.

cheers

chris

Dear Chris I have teenagers but did observe the young families. Ther is a club for the sm. children. The couples I met left the children for a couple of hours during middle evening. Just to take in a show or late dinner or casino. They will be very tired from all the daily activities that go on during the day around the pool on the lido deck. They will love the ice cone machine ane pizza 24 hrs. We ate many ourselves. Watch the daily activity planner and you will find many things that they can enjoy. Have a great cruise!!!!

I dread Belize it is the worst port i have ever been to. It is very very dirty and stinks and there is not much to do with young children so my advice would be to stay on the ship, if not get down and walk around for a while you might change your mind.

We did this cruise couple months ago. The little kids were so cute. We saw them several times with the staff, @ dinner, by the pool. They were well tended. Every time I saw them it seemed there were about 2 kids for every staff member. Belize? Well..I agree. spooky place. After reading the boards, this is the only city we booked a formal tour in. It was spooky, extremely poor, the city tour was very nice, glad we did it. But after we were dropped off we walked to "downtown". That I would not recommend. I don't think I saw any nice beaches for the kids. All the other ports were great for kids of all ages. But Belize..I'm glad we saw it, had a nice time, but have no desire to return.
We have been to many extremely poor cities around the world that I was never nervous walking around the city. Here, I just can't put my finger on it as to why it made me nervous. Hope this helps.

A very BIG T H A N K Y O U.
For all the replies with some really useful advise. It really is appreciated.
We head for Orlando in a weeks time then the cruise is after that..... we really can't wait.

Thanks Again
The Langley Family (Nottingham UK)

There will be plenty of kids for them to play with and camp carnival is great, you will find them screaming when it is time to leave, i also take full advantage of the nightly babysitting, it's worth the small fee.
also for the liitle ones there is a special kids pool sense they are not aloud in the adults pool and beleive me. people get real nutted up when the children are in the adult pool, i saw a women get detained and thrown off the boat at the next port because she pulled a kid out.