cruise with kids 5 months- 4 years

We are looking into doing a cruise next year around this time with my 3 kids (they will be 4, 2.5, and 5 months), my parents, my siblings, and their spouses & kids- 13 people in total. Any suggestions on a cruise that has something for everyone. We don't want to do Disney because there we aren't sure there would be enough for the adults to do on their own, and also don't want to do Carnival because we hear they are more "party" ships. Looking to Royal Caribbean, Norwegian, Celebrity, & Princess. Any suggestions would be great!! TIA

Re: cruise with kids 5 months- 4 years

cruise with kids 5 months- 4 years

We are going on royal carrib allure in 3 weeks. It's 4 adults 3 kids. The kids are 4, 1 1/2, and about 15 months.

There seems to be a lot to do. Babysitting, kids club, ice skating, mini golf, etc. My kids are fish so I know we will be in the water mostly.

I can let you know in a few weeks.

We did adventure if the seas a few years back, no kids yet, and it was great. I can def see a lot to do with kids.

Re: cruise with kids 5 months- 4 years

Just an FYI babies must be 6 months, Disney was the only cruise that allowed 12 weeks and as of 1/2015 they changed it, I know bc we were going to book a Disney cruise for Jan but our LO wont be old enough

cruise with kids 5 months- 4 years

I felt the same as you do about disney and carnival. I went on a royal caribbean earlier this year and looking into another on RCCL or celebrity later this year. I have been reading lot of reviews and to me it seems like overall rccl seems to provide something good for all ages. I read celebrity has good kids programs as well and I think its little bit more up scale compared to others which the adults may appreciate.

Since you have little onessmall, as a pp said, look into allure and oasis. They have so much to do on the ship and more sea days which you may prefer compared to port intensive cruises. In my non expert opinion, if I have to rank the cruise lines u mentioned for a family with all ages, I would rank them in this order. RCCL, celebrity, princess, and ncl.

Message edited 8/7/2014 8:25:01 PM.

Re: cruise with kids 5 months- 4 years

Message edited 8/7/2014 8:26:30 PM.

Re: cruise with kids 5 months- 4 years

cruise with kids 5 months- 4 years

Make sure they have a kids pool. My friend went on a cruise and most days nobody said anything to her but the last two days she was told she couldn't bring her toddler in the pool. It was only bc they had one pool. If there was an adults and a kids pool it would have been fine.

cruise with kids 5 months- 4 years

Thank you everyone! If my little one will be too young, we can push the cruise back to Sept/Oct so he or she makes the 6 month mark. We would be willing to fly to Florida if it meant a great cruise. I know Norwegian sails out of NYC, but we are leaning towards RCCL right now. I will look into allure & oasis- thanks again!

Re: cruise with kids 5 months- 4 years

I'm pretty sure Royal Carribean cruises out of Bayonne, NJ

Re: cruise with kids 5 months- 4 years

Been on a ton of cruises.

I'm a big fan of NCL & carnival. They have a younger crowd because they start cheaper, but they have great service, stops & staff.

Didn't like Disney... It was a big disappointment & I will not do it again. I love Disney parks & will go there instead.

I prefer to sail of of NYC because it is so easy & you can spend two less days traveling & spend your cash on excursions vs airplane tix.

Re: cruise with kids 5 months- 4 years

cruise with kids 5 months- 4 years

I would say Norwegian out of all those choices. I haven't done RC but my parents and extended family have, they loves it. The children that went were a little older though.

Don't do princess with small children. They are more of an adult ship. Even I, as an adult, was underwhelmed by them.

Re: cruise with kids 5 months- 4 years

NCL Breakaway-Sails out of NY & goes to Bermuda. You are docked for 3 days. It was perefct. we had a group of 16 Adults and Children ranging from 12 to 13 months old.

cruise with kids 5 months- 4 years

I would recommend Disney, we had a great experience and the ship we sailed on- Magic, had a sprinkler area for toddlers/kids in diapers. No diapers, even swim diapers are allowed in pools on any cruise so something to factor into your decision.

Disney also offers a nursery for the infant which no other cruise does....just my 2 cents, I don't work for disney but I felt there was plenty for us to do, dining, dancing, pub. We aren't gamblers.

Re: cruise with kids 5 months- 4 years

Re: cruise with kids 5 months- 4 years

in December, we did the NCL Breakaway out of NY. we went to Florida and 2 islands in the Bahamas. so yes it was 3 sea days out of 7... BUT the ship really was good. DS was just over 3 when we went. they had a mini golf course, a ropes/harness course for older kids and adults, and a "mini" one below it for the little kids (it was barely off the ground LOL but DS got a kick out of wearing the harness and stuff.
they also had a great toddler splash pool area- with like an ankle deep pool and little slide for the kids, and spongebob characters that sprayed water. they also had 2 other pools and some water slides for older kids and adults.
I really liked the way the food was done- if you ddn't feel like eating in the more formal restaurants or buffet, there was an irish pub that was included in the complimentary thing, plus a few that you could pay extra for.
it was just 3 of us- DH, DS and I... but there was enough for all of us to do.
We are doing RC explorer of the seas out of NJ in a couple weeks- so I can let you know how RC is, too

Re: cruise with kids 5 months- 4 years

Re: cruise with kids 5 months- 4 years

Re: cruise with kids 5 months- 4 years