Kid programs on cruises

DH and I are thinking of taking our three kids (ages 6, 4, and 4) on a 5-day cruise this summer. Anyone ever take advantage of the kids programs?

DS would be in the 6-8 age group unfortunately, but the twins would be together. Any advice, good or bad, is appreciated.

ETA: we are looking at Carnival and RC

Message edited 5/8/2012 10:45:01 AM.

Re: Kid programs on cruises

I don't have kids, but everyone I've spoken with said the kids programs are the best part of the cruise and they couldn't tear their kids away from them. I know more about the Disney kids programs, but I know they are all working hard to compete. if you look at some of the actiivities they have it makes ME want to join

Re: Kid programs on cruises

I'm sure I would want to go with them too! Thanks so much for the response.

Re: Kid programs on cruises

We went on a NCL cruise for Christmas. My older son went to camp a few times and even though he fought me to go, once he was there he didn't want to leave. My little guy wasn't old enough, but if he was, DH and I definitely would have taken advantage of it. It would have been so nice to have a meal or two on our own. Or even just sit in the sun without chaing the kids around.

Re: Kid programs on cruises

Thank you for the reply. I agree that it would be nice to sit out in the sun without running after them. We are going to try it.

Re: Kid programs on cruises

Kids programs are usually great. We went on one NCL cruise in the summer and the camp was way crowded and my DD did not have a pleasent experience. She has since been to other camps and enjoyed. Probably just a fluke

Re: Kid programs on cruises

We haven't done RCCL or Carnival - but we did Celebrity to Bermuda last summer and are going again this summer. DD#1 - 4 (will be 5 next time we sail) loved it! She has a lot of food allergies and so we didn't put her in for any of the food activities (most of them are the meals which they charge for anyway) - but she did a lot of the activities - on sea days she went for about 1-2 hours in the morning session (9-12) then there was a 3-5 session she sometimes went for an hour or so, and then 7-10 at night - she would have dinner with us then go upstairs from about 730-830. She loved it and we had to drag her out fighting several times. She was in there a lot less than other children were (some parents we were told had their kids from opening at 9am until close around 1am every day). (she was basically in for about 3-4 hours total on sea days and only went at night after dinner on port days- she would look at the fun factory daily and decide what hours to go based on the activities. With the food allergies we skipped things like cupcake decorating, ice cream sundae making etc).

The kids club she did - had various activities - such as:
Superhero afternoon (they made up superheros, made masks and capes, and paraded around and practiced some superhero moves)
Music time - they made instruments and sang and danced
They had pirate time - they did a treasure hunt, pretended to be pirates etc.

They stuffed and decorated teddy bears, made puppets, played TONS of games up on the basket ball courts etc.

The last day of the cruise (sea day) the entire Fun Factory did a talent show for the parents. Older kids - played the piano, sang, danced, told jokes. The kids my DD's age (3-5yr old group) did the chicken dance, sang a couple of songs and I think did hula hoops. It was really cute - all the kids were very excited about it.

Message edited 5/9/2012 3:15:37 PM.

Re: Kid programs on cruises

Great information. Thank you very much!!! I can see how it might be packed during a summer cruise. I would also only put them in for a few hours a day. I am sure they will love it.

Re: Kid programs on cruises

We just were on the RC Allure. Now we dont have kids but we went with my sister and her family and they have 3 children, girl y/o and 2 twin boys 5 y/o. They had a FANTASTIC childrens program on board. The kids spent alot of time with us but they also spent time at the kids club. My niece liked it...there were lots of programs for her to join.

Re: Kid programs on cruises

My kids loved the carnival and norwegian camps...never tried any others

Re: Kid programs on cruises

Thank you so much for the responses.

Re: Kid programs on cruises

I wasn't too impressed with NCL's Kids program for the little ones when I went back in December (non-peak time) on the Norwegian Jewel. I tried to place my son in the 3-4 age group program and he cried and screamed bloody murder when I tried to drop him off.

There were at least 15 kids in a small room about 10x10 in size with no windows and periodically they would get to go play in the jungle gym area right next door. The space is shared with the older kids so they weren't allowed to play there too long. The rest of the time, they were in that small windowless overcrowded room with nothing in it. They pass time singing songs and such but it didn't look too exciting so DS refused to go in.

Maybe RCL's program is better...