Which is better for an 8 year old girl anxious to take a cruise? Carnival or Disney Cruise? Kid friendliest?

Question

Which is better for an 8 year old girl anxious to take a cruise? Carnival or Disney Cruise? Kid friendliest?

Answer 1

Disney. Carnival is seems to be targeted more towards young adults (20's-30's) and those who like to party. Disney has tons of kids facilities and activities.

Answer 2

Choosing between those two cruise lines is like picking between Sizzler and the finest steakhouse in a city.  They both have Steak but one costs less and the other has more frills.

If I had the money I would take a Disney Cruise with no reservations.  The attention to detail and passengers is so much more on a Disney Cruise.  Disney knows how to entertain people and run a smooth operation.  

Disney also does things that no other cruise line does, like it's themed dining room.  Imagine going to dinner in a dining room that has black and white artwork of various scenes and disney characters throughout it.  While dinner progresses the room starts to fill with color and by time dinner is served the room and artwork are full color.  And the wait staff is involved in this change as well, they start out in black and white clothing and change as the meal progresses as well.

Disney is the only cruise line that has a license to use fireworks as well, so you will get a Disney Quality fireworks show on the trip.

Carnival Cruises are fun too, just at a different level.  We have been on two Carnival Cruises and will go on them again, with our kids.  They had a ball on Carnival, played in the Kids area of the ships, enjoyed kid specific meals and we had to force them to see us because they were having so much fun.

So both cruises are good, just different.

Answer 3

Disney is the best they have something going for the kids all the time.  Carnival does not supervise the kids

Answer 4

In my opinion, I would say Disney. Both lines are kid friendly, although Disney has much more for kids. Price wise, Disney is much more expensive, but has so much more to offer.  I'll tell you everything that I know about it, and I have some very helpful links to help you choose.

Disney has two ships, the Magic and the Wonder.

Disney has a private island, Castaway Cay, which all cruises spend one to two days at.  There is the Castaway Family Beach, which has many different ocean activties(snorkeling, sailing, swimming). At Cookie's BBQ you can get all sorts of bbq foods.  There also is Scuttle's Cove, which is designed just for kids. They have their own special area where they can go through all sorts of tunnels, barrels and things like that.  Your whole family can participate in a paleontological excavation at the giant-whale dig site, which is a lot of fun. An attraction is the Flying Dutchman's Pirate Ship, which is cool because it was used as a prop in Pirates of the Carribean. It should be quite exciting for an 8 year old to see.  There are also a number of different excursions on this island.

Here is a link to give you an extended amount of information on Castaway Cay:

http://disneycruise.disney.go.com/dcl/en...

Now back to the ships.

The cruise line does not have as much of a variety of an itenerary as others do, although there is so much to do onboard.

One thing you probably are wondering about is the food onboard this cruise line.  There is always a children's menu available, so don't worry if you think there's nothing that the 8 year old wont like.  Disney is one of the very few cruise lines to have what is called Rotational Dining which simply means that you won't be eating at the same restaurant every single night.

On both ships you have Animator's Palate which is my personal favorite.  As you walk in, you see the walls, black and white with characters from Disney's animated films.  As your different courses are brought out to you, you will notice that the walls get brighter and brighter.  As it is time to leave, the entire restaurant is bright with Disney Characters on every wall.

Here is a link to a sample menu:

http://adisneycruise.disney.go.com/media...

On the Wonder, there is a resturant called Triton's. This one is all relating to the Little Mermaid and has an "under the sea" type theme.  It has a lot of sea food typed foods, but don't worry if the 8 year old doesn't like sea food. There is always a children's menu available(mainly includes chicken, a burger, hotdog, pasta, etc.).

Here is a link to a sample menu:

http://adisneycruise.disney.go.com/media...

Just on the Magic there is Lumiere's. This restaurant is more of a french theme. It revolves mainly around Beauty and the Beast.  There is lots of delicious french food as well as a children's menu.

Here is a link to a sample menu:

http://adisneycruise.disney.go.com/media...

On both ships, there is Parrot's Cay which is a Carribean theme. Lots of different things throughout the restaurant makes it feel like you aren't on a ship, yet you are in the Carribean. You hear many unique parrot calls throughout your meal, which is incredible.

Here is a link to a sample menu:

http://adisneycruise.disney.go.com/media...

There is a buffet on both ships, where you can get breakfast, lunch and dinner at various times. You can either eat inside, or choose to take your food out on the deck.

There is Pinocchio's Pizzeria which is outside right near the pool.

Pluto's Dog House Snack Bar has hotdogs, all sorts of burgers, chicken and tacos also located outside, near the pool.

Goofy's Galley has salad, fruit, ice cream, rolls, wraps, and different sandwiches.

There is room service available 24/7 at no extra cost.

Here is a link to the overall dining site:

http://disneycruise.disney.go.com/dcl/en...

Now for activities to do onboard.

For an 8 year old, there would be the Oceaneer's Lab available. It is for kids ages 8-12 which has video games, computers, and animation programs. The parents are givin a pager to keep in touch with their child(ren). Two acivities for ages 8-9 would be Flubber and the Piston Cup Challenge. Kids can make their own flubber to take with them. The Piston Cup Challenge is a sailing contest with bars of soap, which is a lot of fun for kids.

Here is a link for the overall Oceaneer's Lab:

http://disneycruise.disney.go.com/dcl/en...

There is almost one full deck, just dedicated for kids.

Disney has three pools; Mickey, Goofy, and the Private Cove pool. The Mickey Pool is for little kids, which has a water slide, and the pool is in the shape of Mickey's head. The Goofy pool is for families and the quiet cove pool is an adults only pool. There are a total of 4 hot tubs throughout the 3 pools.

Here is a link to the overall onboard activities:

http://disneycruise.disney.go.com/dcl/en...

The entertainment on this cruise line is fantastic!  There are live shows, character experiences, etc.

The live shows are broadway-type shows. There are a number of different amazing shows to see.

Here is a link to all of the different shows:

http://disneycruise.disney.go.com/dcl/en...

Now what is a Disney cruise without any characters?

There are many deck parties, always starting with the sailaway party. There are always lots of Characters during the deck parties, and also you may find them any where on the ship at any time in the day! Check your daily newsletter to see what characters will be where to ensure that you will see the ones that you want to see.

Here is a link to more about characters onboard:

http://disneycruise.disney.go.com/dcl/en...

Movies on Disney ships are a delight, especially on the Magic. Near the Goofy pool there is a huge screen which plays movies at certain points of the day. It is amazing because the screen's lighting adjusts to the sun and brightness.  There is a Buena Vista Theatre where you can see many of your favorite Disney classics.

Here is a link more info about the movies onboard:

http://disneycruise.disney.go.com/dcl/en...

and the overall entertainment link:

http://disneycruise.disney.go.com/dcl/en...

Now here is the difficult part; deciding which stateroom to get. You could get anything from a one room inside cabin with no window, or a two bedroom cabin with a balcony. Mainly, it depends on your budget.

I will give you a link to each stateroom and a brief description. the price depends on what cruise you are going on.

Standard Inside:

sleeps 3 or 4

Queen-size bed or 2 twin beds, single convertible sofa, wall pull-down bed (if sleeping 4), bath with tub and shower

no porthole

http://disneycruise.disney.go.com/dcl/en...

Delux Inside:

sleeps 3 or 4

Queen-size bed or 2 twin beds, single convertible sofa, wall pull-down bed (if sleeping 4), split bath with tub and shower

no porthole

(the different between this and the previous one, is that if you wanted to get two adjoining  cabins, you would get this one)

http://disneycruise.disney.go.com/dcl/en...

Delux Oceanview:

sleeps 3 or 4

Queen-size bed or 2 twin beds, single convertible sofa, wall pull-down bed (if sleeping 4), split bath with tub and shower

one large porthole or 2 small ones

http://disneycruise.disney.go.com/dcl/en...

Deluxe Stateroom with Navigator's Verandah

sleeps 3

Queen-size bed or 2 twin beds, single convertible sofa, split bath with tub and shower

private verandah

http://disneycruise.disney.go.com/dcl/en...

Delux Stateroom with Verandah

sleeps 3 or 4

Queen-size bed or 2 twin beds, single convertible sofa, wall pull-down bed (if sleeping 4), split bath with tub and shower

Private verandah

(the different between this and the previous one, is that if you wanted to get two adjoining  cabins, you would get this one)

http://disneycruise.disney.go.com/dcl/en...

Deluxe Family Stateroom with Verandah

sleeps 4 or 5

Queen-size bed or 2 twin beds, single convertible sofa, wall pull-down bed, split bath with tub and shower

Private verandah

http://disneycruise.disney.go.com/dcl/en...

Royal Suite with Verandah

sleeps 7

2 bedrooms (one with queen-size bed; one with two twin beds and two pull-down upper berths), 2.5 bathrooms including whirlpool tubs, living room, media library with wall pull-down bed, dining salon, pantry, wet bar, walk-in closets

Private verandah

http://disneycruise.disney.go.com/dcl/en...

Two-Bedroom Suite with Verandah

sleeps 7

2 bedrooms (both with queen-size bed), living area with convertible sofa, 2.5 bathrooms including whirlpool tub, walk-in closets, wet bar

Private verandah

http://disneycruise.disney.go.com/dcl/en...

One-Bedroom Suite with Verandah

sleeps 4 or 5

1 bedroom with queen-size bed, living area with double convertible sofa, wall pull-down bed, 2 bathrooms, walk-in closet, wet bar

Private verandah

http://disneycruise.disney.go.com/dcl/en...

and an overall link to staterooms

http://disneycruise.disney.go.com/dcl/en...

Here is a link to other activities onbaord:

http://disneycruise.disney.go.com/dcl/en...

This is probably the most important part of a cruise; choosing how long, where you leave from, how much money and where you go.

I will sort out the different cruises by the destination.

Starting with the Bahamas:

This is 3 nights, leaves from Port Canaveral, then goes to Nassau and Castaway Cay.

rates:

http://disneycruise.disney.go.com/dcl/en...

and dates:

http://disneycruise.disney.go.com/dcl/en...

and the cruise itself:

http://disneycruise.disney.go.com/dcl/en...

4 night cruise:

leaves from Port Canaveral then goes to Nassau and Castaway Cay, and then has a day at sea.

Rates:

http://disneycruise.disney.go.com/dcl/en...

and dates:

http://disneycruise.disney.go.com/dcl/en...

and the actual cruise:

http://disneycruise.disney.go.com/dcl/en...

7-Night Land & Sea Vacation

you have 3 nights in disney world and then 4 nights at sea

it leaves from Port Canaveral then goes to Nassau and Castaway Cay and then has a day at sea.

Rates:

http://disneycruise.disney.go.com/dcl/en...

and dates:

http://disneycruise.disney.go.com/dcl/en...

Disney World Resort:

http://disneycruise.disney.go.com/dcl/en...

and the actual cruise:

http://disneycruise.disney.go.com/dcl/en...

4 Night Cruise - 2 Calls at Castaway Cay

Leaves from Port Canaveral, then you go to Castaway Cay then Nassau and then Castaway Cay again.

Dates:

http://disneycruise.disney.go.com/dcl/en...

actual cruise:

http://disneycruise.disney.go.com/dcl/en...

5 Night Bahamian Cruise

leaves from Port Canaveral then goes to Castaway Cay, Nassau, you have a day at sea and then Castaway Cay again.

rates:

http://disneycruise.disney.go.com/dcl/en...

actual cruise:

http://disneycruise.disney.go.com/dcl/en...

Now Caribbean

7-Night Eastern Caribbean Cruise

The itenerary and dates change so you can see them here along with other information about the cruise:

http://disneycruise.disney.go.com/dcl/en...

rates:

http://disneycruise.disney.go.com/dcl/en...

and normal dates:

http://disneycruise.disney.go.com/dcl/en...

7-Night Western Caribbean Cruise

You leave from Port Canaveral then go to Key West, day at sea, Grand Cayman, Cozumel, day at sea and then Castaway Cay

rates:

http://disneycruise.disney.go.com/dcl/en...

dates:

http://disneycruise.disney.go.com/dcl/en...

the cruise itself:

http://disneycruise.disney.go.com/dcl/en...

7-Night Caribbean Cruise to Costa Maya

Leave from Port Canaveral then go to Castaway Cay, day at sea, Costa Maya, Cozumel, day at sea, and then Castaway Cay.

http://disneycruise.disney.go.com/dcl/en...

Now Special Mexican Riviera Cruises

7-Night Mexican Riviera Cruise

You leave from Port of Los Angeles, then have a day at sea, then go to Cabo San Lucas, Mazatlán, and Puerto Vallarta, then have 2 more days at sea.

rates:

http://disneycruise.disney.go.com/dcl/en...

dates:

http://disneycruise.disney.go.com/dcl/en...

overall cruise:

http://disneycruise.disney.go.com/dcl/en...

15-Night Panama Canal Cruise - West

You leave from Port Canaveral then go to Castaway Cay then 2 days at sea, then go to Aruba, then have one day at sea and one day in the panama canal, then 2 days at sea, then go to Acapulco then have 1 day at sea, then go to Puerto Vallarta and Cabo San Lucas, have 2 days at sea, and then disenbark at Port of Los Angeles

rates:

http://disneycruise.disney.go.com/dcl/en...

dates:

http://disneycruise.disney.go.com/dcl/en...

overall cruise:

http://disneycruise.disney.go.com/dcl/en...

15-Night Panama Canal Cruise - East

You leave from Port of Los Angeles then have a day at sea then go to Cabo San Lucas and Puerto Vallarta then have a day at sea, then go to Acapulco then have 2 days at sea and one in the panama canal, then go to Cartagena, a day at sea then go to Aruba and then 2 days at sea, and then go to Castaway Cay and disembark at Port Canaveral

rates:

http://disneycruise.disney.go.com/dcl/en...

dates:

http://disneycruise.disney.go.com/dcl/en...

and overall cruise:

http://disneycruise.disney.go.com/dcl/en...

an overall site on all cruises:

http://disneycruise.disney.go.com/dcl/en...

and all ports of call(destinations)

http://disneycruise.disney.go.com/dcl/en...

A link to the home page to find any information that you may need:

http://disneycruise.disney.go.com/dcl/en...

Whenever I go on a cruise I ALWAYS book it on vacationstogo.com

they always have the best rates, and if you're one of the people who are last minute cruisers, they have last minute tickets with fantastic deals

I also do a ton of research before going on a cruise, and without a doubt, cruisecritic.com is the best site out there. there is a ton of boards, reviews, and any information on anything there is to possibly know about a cruise.

I hope that I helped you, and if you have any further questions, feel free to send me a message, I will be more than happy to help you with anything.

Answer 5

Disney.  Carnival has a reputation as a swinging party boat.

Answer 6

definitely disney. it's perfect for all ages. my grandparents and and my uncle went and they loved it. and the disney cruise is totally made for kids. if you got teens, they'll love it to. they also have a place for adults. so your able to go one place and hve the others in another place. you won't have to worry about the kids bothering you during the whole trip. so, i have to say that you should go to the disney cruise.

Answer 7

they are both great for children

I personally like Carnival in part because it can cost less, and that is more money for latter in the trip, like at ports and for shopping.  they have Camp Carnival with Fun Ship Freddie

the main difference other than theme is on Disney there are no casinos, but I don't go anyway and it is easy to ignore on the Carnival ships anyway

Answer 8

ive been on two disney cruises. no matter what age you are (but esp for kids any age), disney is an amazing experience that i would recommend to anyone.

Answer 9

definitely Disney, they have tons of kid friendly activities. i went on one with my little sister and she loved it. they had so much to do. she especially loved the Disney characters on it and the swimming pool.

Answer 10

Disney probably