Considering Family Cruise Vacation

Please call my friend - Robin at ###-###-#### she can really help you. I have also been on a cruise from Galveston and loved it. They have so many activities for the kids. But Robin knows more then me.

I have worked in a travel agency doing group travel for 10 years now. Going on a family cruise should be fun for all. Tips to know...

CARNIVAL FROM GALVESTON BOOKS FAST ANYTIME THE KIDS ARE OUT OF SCHOOL, ESPECIALLY THE 4 DAY SAILING. So, I would advise making your reservations asap or you'll end up paying very high prices or not getting the date you want.

Carnival does offer cabins that will accommodate 5 people, parents on the existing beds on the floor, two kids in bunks, and 1 child in a roll away. Beware, though, the bunks do not have rails to keep someone from rolling off. And, Carnival does not offer adjoining cabins (interior door between two cabins). If you want separate cabins, you would have to book 1 parent in each cabin, and with the age of your children, I would not let them sleep by themselves with parents in another cabin.

Carnival, as most cruise lines, offers a kids club that yours should enjoy. They are divided into age groups with age appropriate activities. I have seen the most reluctant child give in and go one day and then the parents never see them again because they want to be in Kids Club at all times!

Going with your extended family is a blast. We did several years ago and couldn't have had a better time. There is always something going on on-board. And with the variety of activities offered, something will appeal to everyone. Sometimes we would do things together, sometimes we would do separate things and then meet up for dining or another activity later.

As for dining, eat in the main dining rooms for dinner, at least. Just because you have kids doesn't mean you should go to the casual buffet all the time. Yes, you do have to dress a little nicer at night for the dining room. But, that is part of the fun. How often do you do that anyway? It also serves as a very good time for kids to practice their manners. So few children are taught proper table manners these days.

Shore excursions... Carnival offers a wide variety, and you should have no problem finding one that everyone can participate in. If everyone can't agree on something then do separate things and share your experiences later on.

Take a group photo of the whole bunch. You have to pre-arrange this, but when is it possible to get everyone together for picture taking anywhere else.

The main thing is to just relax and have fun. Not everyone will get along the whole time, you'll get tired of someone at some point. But, don't let it ruin your trip. If something bad befalls you, let it go. I'll repeat, don't let it ruin your whole trip.

Carnival has great kids' camps - although they are geared to younger children. Age 9 might be borderline, only because he might find some of the activities to be too babyish. Your $$ goes a long way on a cruise. Just remember that all beverages cost extra and plan your excursions ahead of time. Have fun!

Make sure it is a kid friendly cruise line.

IF there are 5 of you in a cabin, that means no sex. I know the bathroom is too small. Spend the extra $$$ and get adjoining rooms. You don't want this vacation to just be about the kids, it yours too.

We just went on the Royal Caribbean 7 day cruise right before Christmas and had a great time! My boys are 3.5 and 5 years old and both loved it. We got two connecting rooms which worked really well. We had our baby monitor in the boy's room so we could close the door at night between our rooms. You don't save much if you are all in the same room. We purchased snorkeling equipment and life jackets for the kids prior to the cruise so we all had our own gear. At each stop, we found a taxi and went snorkeling on our own. The kids loved it! On the cruise, the kids had a great time roller blading, playing in the kids pool area, and ice skating (but it was disappointing that the ice skating rink was not open much for all skate because they put on shows and had rehearsals often). Also, our kids had a great time at the kids club every night which gave us the opportunity to go to the casino. I thought it was a great family vacation!

I don't have little ones, so i have very little advice, but the advice I do have is important! My friend went on a cruise that somebody else got her the tickets, and she didn't find out till she got on board that there were no children's activities or supervision! the kids were bored to death, the parents didn't have any fun either. Before you book the cruise find out what activities they have on your ship for your kids ages! Hope that helps

My kids have been on 2 cruises with us (both out of Galveston). The first was a Norwegian cruise when my kids were 5 and 8. The second was on Royal Caribbean, just a couple years later. They enjoyed both, but I think that Royal Caribbean was a little nicer (better food, nicer facilities). They both have programs for kids, with lots of fun, and safe, activities. Many of the shore excursions were also geared towards families. We went on a "pirate" ship, got to swim with dolphins, go snorkeling and play on the beach. We also did the family thing, with my mother-in-law and my brother-in-law and his kids joining us. With only 4 in our family, we were able to all sleep in one room (kids on the top bunks). Not sure if 5 can fit in one room. My kids are still hounding me about when we are going on another cruise.

We did Royal Carribean a few years ago and our daughter was 4, almost 5 at that time and she had a blast.......They have a wonderful children's program for kids of all ages...they break them into age groups and do age appropriate activities.....they have a secure drop off and pick system....For those wanting to party late at night they charge a nominal fee after 10:00 or 11:00 and they are open until 1:00 or 2:00 if I remember correctly......
They are even there if you want to do a shore excursion that is not conducive to small children........Good luck and have fun.

What cruise line you going on? I loved the Disney Cruise when we took it back in September and it is totally geared towared kids and the whole family.

L.

Elizabeth,
We have been on several cruises with our children. We really like Carnival because they have a kids club called "Camp Carnival". Our Kids want to eat and breathe Camp Carnival which is nice because it gives my husband and I some alone time. You have to options for sleeping either 2 cabins side by side or you can put all 5 of you in 1 cabin but it is a little cramp but it is cheaper. The way it would work woth 5 in the cabin is there are 2 top bunks and 2 lower bunks then a rollaway.

Carnival actually has the kids divided into different age groups so it's not just for the younger kids anymore. We are going on Carnival this summer & my son will be in the 15 to 17 yr old group. You can check out their website to find out more about the activities for kids.