1st time family cruise-what ship??

I would like to take my family on a cruise in March 2003. I have 2 girls ages 7 and 10. Need advice on the best ships for children. We want this to be more fun for them than my wife and I. We want to go with the very best option for family's. Advice??

[Donna]

Hi Bowman,
With the ages of your kids, I'd suggest any of the RCCL's "Voyager" class ships, they have a ship in every part of the CAribbean, where did you want to cruise? These ships are wonderful for cruising with families/kids, so much to see.

We did Explorer and could of used another week, just to see and do the things we didn't have time for. There are also a lot of Carnival ships that would work too.

I'm the family cruise editor here and I agree with Donna -- your kids are a perfect age for the Voyager, Explorer, Adventure or Navigator of the Seas. We took my nine year old daughter on the Adventure this summer and she loved the ship's facilities as well as the youth program. (She's been on 12 cruises already and actually cried the last night aboard the Adventure because she didn't want to leave!) There's a rock climbing wall, ice skating rink for free skate sessions and shows, a mini-golf course, in-line skating track, pool, and game room. My daughter really loved the youth program -- very high action and great, fun youth counselors.
Why don't you take a look at the article I wrote for the family section on this site about the Adventure of the Seas. (I think it's titled a Family Adventure.)
I'd love to hear what you decide.
Smooth sailing,
Luisa Frey Gaynor

[LisaK]

Being that you are a first-time cruiser I personally would stay away from those Mega Ships, yes they are wonderful, but they can be just to mammoth and overpowering if you don't know how to navigate a ship. I would pick Disney for your family your girls are at a perfect age for a Disney Cruise

I would pick Carnival

[jayne]

We are cruising for the first time too---2 kids, girl age 11, son almost 9, we are booked on RCI Navigator of the Seas on 03/01/03--Eastern Carribean. We picked RCI as my sister went on one with her 4 yr. daughter and her daughter had a ton of fun, and it gave her and her husband some quality time together. That was enough of a recommendation for me.

[CarolAnn]

Luisa:

As the family cruis editor, you must have good info! While cruising seems afordable for a family of four or five, it seems unapproachable for six!!! Paying 2 full fares & four "extra person" or children fares is one thing. Paying 4 full fares & 2 extra fares is high. Help!!!

We are a family of 6 (2 parents and four children between 7 & 15). We wanted to find a way to cruise by paying full fare (or adult fare) for only the 2 adults, and paying the "extra fare" for the 4 children.

Is there ANY way that a family of six can cruise without paying 4 FULL fares?
Is there a place to connect with other families and "share" the cost of another room for the "children who are over the limit" (even if they all stayed in their own family's room)?

Also, are we wrong in thinking that a balcony is really important? We figure that we wont be in the room much, but we wanted a balcony so much!! We never cruised before. I just picture sitting on the balcony having coffee! Are there so many other places to sit and enjoy the view that a balcony is not "necessary" for a little peaceful time on the ship? Thanks!

Hi Carolann:
I recently got a press release from Costa Cruises stating that through APril 13, 2003, kids cruise for free on the CostaVictoria in the Caribbean with two full paying adults. The promotion is called Costa's Kids Cruise Free. For adults, Costa also has an Andiamo Advance Purchase Rates which begin at $499 per person. The line has an Italian flair to it and offers a youth and teen program free of charge.
Another idea which you can do on most cruise lines, is to book a balcony cabin for yourself and for your two younger children and then also book a cheaper inside cabin across the hall for your two older children/teens. This way you get the good view, they get some space and independence, yet you're not paying top dollar for the teens' cabin. Some parents put a baby monitor on in the teens' room just to keep tabs on them. This also allows you a second bathroom -- with 6 people, the small bathrooms typically found on cruise ships will be very tight.
I hope this helps. Please let me know what you decide.
Smooth sailing,
Luisa Frey Gaynor
Family Cruise Editor