We need advice on an interary departing from a U.S Destination (7 or 10 days). My husband and I are in our early 30's travelling with 2 kids, 10 & 7 including 2 in-laws. We have heard good things about RCCL or Princess! We have done numerous searches and are just completely confused as to what would be a good interary. We are NOT beach bums....looking to sightsee.

Any suggestions will be much appreciated.

Thank you!

Welcome to cruise-chat *Confused*. If you have never sailed before and have so many questions I would suggest that you find a Cruise Specialist agent to help you with your choices. They are expereinced in the ports, the cruiselines and which ships would offer something for each person in your party. There are so many different cruiselines and so many ship choices within each cruiseline, with this along with other peoples preferred choices you might choose a ship or line that you would not be happy on. To chat with a cruise specialist agent will not cost you anything. There is nothing like the personal service you will recieve, plus they can answer all your questions.

Hi, Confused,
welcome to our cruise chat. Try it with a Disney ship. Your kids (10 and 7) are very welcome there. They have their own club, their own deck, their own restaurant ; and (if you really want it) you have vacations for your own with your husband (from 9 to 9).
Regards
Uwe

quote:

Originally posted by *CONFUSED*FIRST TIME CRUISER:
We need advice on an interary departing from a U.S Destination (7 or 10 days). My husband and I are in our early 30's travelling with 2 kids, 10 & 7 including 2 in-laws. We have heard good things about RCCL or Princess! We have done numerous searches and are just completely confused as to what would be a good interary. We are NOT beach bums....looking to sightsee.

Personally I think 10 days would be too much with children under age 10. Royal Caribbean is a great choice but Carnival is geared for kids and their mega ships are really wonderful. Carnival's kid program is wonderful.

Any suggestions will be much appreciated.

Thank you!

I agree with debster11 about a 10 night cruise being a bit too much for the children. I've taken my Grandchildren ages 5, 8, and 12, on two cruises. December will be their 3rd cruise, all on Royal Caribbean. They love it! The kid's programs will keep them busy all day. Probably a Western Caribbean itiniary would be a good choice. Like Cruise Specialist said, a good travel agent that specializes in cruises could be helpful. Also, visit the cruise company websites. For your first cruise you will be in AWE on what ever ship you book. There is no way to compare one ship to another or one cruise line to another. What ever you do, you're going to love cruising!

Sonny

Hi First Time Cruiser! I have cruised with little ones in the 3-7 range. My kids LOVE cruising and are constantly asking when we are going on the next cruise (boy, they had better get good jobs in the future!)
I have taken them on RCCL and the kids program was great! Kept them busy and they couldn't wait to go up there. I am taking them on a Disney cruise this Dec. and I am excited by the offerings and the totality of Disney's care for the kids (mine don't really eat the offerings in the dining room), including taking them down to the buffet dinner. My 15 year old nephew loves the special deck just for kids as they have their own teen area and a science lab and stuff that he can't wait to get back to. And Disney has waterslides on their ships. Big ones.
I would love the opportunity to take my kids on a 10 day cruise as it would afford them the opportunity to take advantage of all the kids program offerings as well as the opportunity to see some of the general audience shows. I dragged them to a magic show last year and it started with kicking and screaming over missing the science lab volcano explosion experiment and ended with them totally enthralled with the magicians.
And remember, that's just the onboard stuff. Every port has it's own amazing things to do, too.
Carnival holds no fascination (excuse the pun) for me.

Fun is where you make it. You will have a ball no matter where and how you go!

Campermom

To make it simple - go with Carnival. Most ships and routes, and best childrens' programs (Disney is OK - but is a DISNEY program rather than a childrens' program), also Disney is NOT cheap.

Carnival to me - is to much of a party ship - I don't think it's the best ship for small kids. Carnival seems to be more for the "College Kids". We have done two Carnival cruise - Three with Royal Caribbean and One with Celebrity. I think Royal Caribbean is a much better ship for younger children. (Maybe even teenagers)