Which cruise line or ship to choose

[rickscott]

Which ships generally have less children or are there all-adult cruises. Not necessarily for seniors, as we would like an active ship yet one without alot of little tykes running around.

[chriscuts]

I think you'll find that the time of year you cruise determines the number of kids on board almost as much as the line does.

Carnival, because of its reputation and lower prices tends to have more children. RCCL has marketed itself to families, too, and the addition of so many kid-friendly activities helps them. I think that there are families with kids on other lines, too, at certain times of the year.

We've been on CCL and RCCL ships in June, Aug/Sept, Sept, and Oct/Nov. On my first CCL cruise (June), we were run over with kids of all ages on that ship. We had such a miserable time because there were so many kids running around on the decks, jumping in the pools, drinking, etc. that we didn't take another cruise for over 10 years.

When we finally booked another cruise, we went the last week of August. Adventure of the Seas is a large ship (over 3000 passengers), and we had fewer than 100 kids on board. Our Valor and Victory cruises (Sept and October embarkations) also had very few kids because school was in session then.

Hope this helps!!

Chris 8)

[Mike M]

On almost all lines, except Disney, if you cruise when the majority of schools are in session you will have less kids on board. Lines such as: Celebrity, Holland America and Oceania are not known for high numbers of kids. The luxury brands: Regent Seven Seas, Seaborne, Windstar, Silversea will have very few children but come at a premium price.

The least expensive and least "kid" time to cruise would be mid-September to December; other than the Thanksgiving and Christmas holidays.

Take care,
Mike

[JamesRT]

Only cruised 3 times and there were always alot of children! Our last cruise had the most,and it was our best cruise.

[Divemaster]

Try a ship originating in a foreign port going to another foreign port on a cruise over one week duration during the school year. The high price of two one-way flights and the long time needed off from school should assure you have no tykes about.

Originally Posted by rickscott

Which ships generally have less children or are there all-adult cruises. Not necessarily for seniors, as we would like an active ship yet one without alot of little tykes running around.

[mehawk]

Just as Mike said, the premium yachts are generally all adult or have very few children.

[paddletoe53]

we cruise with carnival we go when the kids are back in school

[subtropic]

This would also have to do with the layout of the ship. We cruised in early June of the Freedom Of The Seas and the first night it was announced that there were over 950 children on board. Because of all the activities for them (H2O water park, Flow Rider, age specific weekly "Camps", and an adults only swimming pool and area (and yes it was enforced, even after the parents complained. They were told if they wanted to be with their kids they would have to leave-bravo RCI !) the result was very little commotion. Oh once or twice every elevator floor button was pushed, but other than that it was a great time.

[Brian and Phyllis in Ohio]

Celebrity typically caters to a crowd whose average age is around 50. We usually cruise in January or February. Fewer children onboard.

[cruisematey1]

Agree with Brian and Phyllis.

Conde Nast is one of the better Cruise references/magazines and they rank the cruise lines.

Last year, Celebrity was ranked in the top group.

We have cruised on just about all of them over the last 30 years.

****edited to remove advertising****

Hope this helps

[starrgirl1993]

Holland Americca Line usually has less children than other cruise lines. However, the age is 60+ so if you do not mind a little bit of bingo and some broadway style entertainment you'd like it.

[travelgalSue]

On my last few cruises I have noticed more children in the winter months. In talking with others onboard I found out that many schools have year round school, which means that vacation breaks are different than what we have around here. Many of the children where home schooled so parents could just bring the kids along then do the schoolwork when they got home. Then I met a few that had just taken the kids out of school for the week of the cruise. I think it is hard to pick any one cruise where the kid count will be low. Kids like to cruise too! Hope you have a get time on your cruise no matter what cruise line you end up with.