We would like to go on a cruise in 08 but have never been?

Question

What would you recommend for a family cruise (2 children 7 &10). What is included? Do you have to dress up?

Answer 1

First thing to consider is that Passports are required for cruises in 2008.  Give yourself plenty of time to get your applications processed.

My kids started cruising at ages 5 and 7.  We have done Disney, Royal Caribbean and Carnival.  The Disney cruise was OK when they were very young but now as a 'tween and a teen, they love Carnival the most.  

The 24-hour pizzeria and ice cream station are real treats for this age kids.

They enjoy the events hosted by Camp Carnival and usually meet a good number of vacation friends.

When shopping for a cruise, make sure that your travel agent includes the port fees and taxes in any quote you get.  This is usually not included in the teaser rates you see on the web.

What is included for this fee...your cabin, food, tea & lemonade, entertainment (except casino).

In addition to the fare, consider these extra expenses (except the tips...these are optional).

Tips:  $10 per day per guest.

Bar drinks:  $4-12 each plus 15% gratuity

Sodas.  $1.75 per can or $35-45 for unlimited soda by the glass card.   The card pays for itself if you drink 3 sodas per day.

Shore execursions:  50-200 per person per event.

Spa services - $50-200 per service

Photos - $20-22 per sheet.

Bingo cards - $5-10 each

Speciality coffee and pastries - $4-12 each

Bottled water - $3.50 each

Taxis in port - $5-10 per ride

Tips - luggage porters.  $1 per bag

Parking at cruise terminal - check w/port authority.

As for dressing up, you don't HAVE to.  You can dine at the informal eatery on the formal nights but that is the night the usually serve the steak and lobster.  My girls love dressing up for the formal night.  You will see every type of dress from a little black dress to evening gown type wear.  My husband wears a dark suit and tie.  

Other times, attire is vacation...shorts, capris, tanks.  However, if you want to dine in the main dining room for dinner, shorts and tanks are not allowed.  Pants (including jeans) are good for dinner.

We take along a set of 2-way radios to keep in contact while on-board  That way, there are no missing check-ins and I have piece of mind while my girls enjoy their vacation as well.

Notable...the cabins are pretty small.

Answer 2

For a first time cruise with children I would recommend a short (three to five night) cruise on Disney, Carnival, Royal Caribbean or Norwegian.  All are family friendly and all have very good children's programs.  By taking a short cruise, should you find out you don't like it for some reason, it will be over soon.  If you do like it, you can book a longer cruise next time.

Typically what is included is your cabin, activities on the ship, entertainment on the ship and most drinks (milk, tap water, tea, juice, punch & regular coffee).  Not included are tips (typically $10 per day per person) alcoholic drinks, soft drinks, bottled water, specialty coffee (like you would get at Seattle's Best) photographs, spa treatments, specialty restaurants, souvenirs, shore excursions and special classes.  

On the lines mentioned above, no, you don't have to get dressed up.  While I have not been on a Disney cruise, I have been on Carnival, Royal Caribbean and Norwegian.  Norwegian has optional formal nights.  You can still eat in the main restaurant even if you are not dressed up.  All the lines have a buffet that you can eat at if you don't want to get dressed up for formal night.  However, all you really need is to dress up to the level you would for church on Sunday.  You don't have to go truly formal to eat in the main restaurant.  A typical one week cruise has two formal nights.  Shorter cruises might only have one.

Answer 3

I gotta tell you last month we went on another cruise with the family. It was one we have been on before and is why we did it again. It was on Royal Caribbean. They have an excellent childrens program and its not like a babysitting thing at all. Sure they will take care of the kids but they will have a ton of fun too. On shore they have things to do and lots to enjoy. Also Royal Caribbean has the biggest and best ships like the Freedom Family of Ships. If your looking for something to do on the ship you have lots of choices. They have a huge rock wall, boxing ring, ice skating, surf simulator, flat screen tvs in every stateroom, royal promanade (like a mall), mini golf, theamed bars and resturants, and much more. Just me YOU WILL HAVE FUN!!!!

All the food, most drinks(not alcohol and soda), entertainment, the room, port taxes, and all the normal stuff is included. You will have to purchase passports for everyone but the good thing is that it lasts for 10-15 years so you can travel alot. Make sure and order your passports eairly since they take a while to get (unless you pay a boatload of money to get them sooner).

On a 7day cruise there are tipically 2 formal nights, 1 smart casual night, and 4 casual nights. For formal nights you'll need cocktail dresses for women, suits and ties - or tuxedos - for men. And for the smart casual nights bring dresses or pantsuit for women, jackets for men.

Remember, shorts, T-shirts, and bathing suits are not considered appropriate attire in the dining rooms at dinner. Casual dress dining is available nightly in the Windjammer Cafe. And be aware you'll also need smart casual attire for some of our specialty restaurants.

Hope you have fun and if you have further questions contact me @ [e-mail]

Answer 4

i going on a disney cruise in 2008! i'm excited! all adults going too...

Answer 5

You can't do better than Disney for a family cruise.  You only dress up (if you want to) for the formal night's dinner.  The rest of the time is casual.  You see everything from very, very casual to tux's and full length formals.  It's up to you.  When you get your cruise documents from the cruise line they will have a booklet that will tell you everything you need to know.

Answer 6

Disney cruises are family oriented (of course)

Try Carnival or Royal Caribbean.

There is usually 1 formal night on 3-4 day cruises and 2 formal nights on 5-9 day cruise.  You do not have to dress up if you don't want to; although, most people do.

Answer 7

You can't hardly go wrong with a cruise.  I'd skip Disney - your kids are getting too old for that.  I'd stay away from Carnival, too - big party boat sometimes.  That leaves Norwegian, Royal Caribbean and Princess mostly.  I'd go with Norwegian.  It's a little cheaper and they feature freestyle dining where you get your own table, eat when you want, etc.

Answer 8

Many people prefer to be towards the exterior of the ship so that they may have a window or even a balcony to enjoy the fresh sea air. Especially if you are claustrophobic, do not get a room that is toward the interior, or too small (read more here http://www.bookrentbuy.com/The-Different... )

Answer 9

Hi! Beccaroo!  I hope you're having a lovely afternoon.  There are many cruise lines to chose from (Disney, Princess, Royal Caribbean, NCL, etc.) but I would recommend Disney Cruise Lines.  They have plenty of activities for your children and adult activities as well and they offer babysitting too.  You don't have to dress up if you don't want to but I usually do.  What ever destination you chose, be sure to have your passports for all of you.  If you haven't done so already, you should apply for your passports today or tomorrow since the wait time is 3 months out or longer.  To learn more, please go to my website at www.shutupandtravel.biz.  Once open, click on the BOOK TRAVEL icon.  Once open, click on the Cruises tap at the top of the page and plan your trip accordingly.  I'm a home-base travel agent and my prices are lower if not comparable to other Internet websites.  If you need any assistance, please don't hesitate to let me know.  My email address is [e-mail] and my cell is [phone] (USA).  Let me know.  Thanks!

Much happiness and joy,

Anna R. Wells

Answer 10

Go on Royal Carribean,

Fun for everyone,

But make sure you have enough money they charge you for everything.

I went last year and it was on of the best times of my life.

Theres Great memories.

Trust Me.

Answer 11

I would recommend Disney or Royal Caribbean. Disney can be more expensive though. Included are some shipboard activities, meals and non alcoholic drinks. On a 7 day cruise there are usually 2 formal nights where you can dress up if you like, personally I never do. Besides formal nights, dress is basic vacation wear.

Answer 12

i would recommend disney-if its worth the great entertainment and kid-friendly environments.

disneycruise.disney.go.com

and your alternative is carnival that has a good kids program.

if i were you i would learn more at cruiseclues.com

or cruisecritic.com. people have lots of ideas about these cruises with kids.

good luck.