Disney or not-Disney when cruising with kids?

Taking a first-time family cruise with 10 and 8 year old kids, should
we just go with Disney and not think twice about it? Or are there
other good options?

As I mentioned in an earlier message, we haven't *really* cruised
before. Six years ago my wife and I enjoyed a little weekender
(3-night) trip from Los Angeles down to Ensenada and back on RCCL's
less-than-auspicious Viking Serenade. It was all we could afford,
really, and the fact that we had fun even on that little trip may tell
you something.

Now we're setting our sights higher, looking for a 7-day trip, one
that will be enjoyable for our kids, too. They're a 10yo boy and 8yo
girl who have never been on a cruise ship. Previously we've taken two
trips to Hawaii with the kids, which turned out to be fantastic
vacations. We all love snorkeling.

Adapting the old adage, "no one ever got fired for buying IBM," we've
been leaning toward Disney Magic. Can't go wrong with Disney, right?
Our kids (esp. the boy) aren't so enamored with Disney characters and
such, but that company definitely knows how to entertain kids. We've
got some friends that took that trip and have good things to say about
it.

On the other hand, it seems kind of a shame to fly across the country
when we've got cruise lines departing just an hour's drive away. The
local cruises are all Mexican Riviera, of course. We didn't have any
interest in Ensenada on our previous trip, but perhaps Cabo San Lucas,
Mazatlan, and Puerto Vallarta are a lot nicer. We definitely want to
take the kids out for tropical snorkeling.

Oh, if it matters, we'd probably take this trip during a fall break
that our kids get from school. That's the week of October 9-16. (Does
that pose hurricane problems for the Carribean?)

Besides Disney Magic, then, we could choose any other 7-day Carribean
trip, or else a 7-day Mexican Riviera trip. Our priorities are the
kids program, and overall value. (Not necessarily the food, ship, or
shore excursions.)

How are the kids programs on other lines? What about Princess
Pirateers? Can the Disney programs really be worth another two
thousand bucks?

-Mark

P.S. So far my online research has focussed on this newsgroup, and the
ship reviews at www.1-800-cruise.com. Are there other recommended
sources, especially with info about family cruising or kids' programs?

I was just on the Disney Magic last week. (3/6-3/13)
Did the 7 day Eastern Caribbean.
Had an awesome time. Awesome weather.
I have an 8 year old. She loved it.
Take the Disney Cruise. You'll love it.
Remember it's a family cruise. It's different than a Carnival. (We have
sailed with Carnival).
The price is higher, but it's worth it to me.
I wouldnt go on it with just adults only. It's a family cruise all the way
~~~~ !!!

Check out these great sites:
http://www.dcltribute.com/
Disney cruise message board:
http://www.disboards.com/forumdispla...ferrerid=26305

MY REVIEW OF MY DISNEY CRUISE:
http://www.disboards.com/showthread....fc10fcd449& t
hreadid=528244


Disney Magic- Eastern Caribbean- 3/2004
Carnival Holiday- Western Caribbean- 12/2002


"Mark Johnson" wrote in message
om...
Taking a first-time family cruise with 10 and 8 year old kids, should
we just go with Disney and not think twice about it? Or are there
other good options?

As I mentioned in an earlier message, we haven't *really* cruised
before. Six years ago my wife and I enjoyed a little weekender
(3-night) trip from Los Angeles down to Ensenada and back on RCCL's
less-than-auspicious Viking Serenade. It was all we could afford,
really, and the fact that we had fun even on that little trip may tell
you something.

Now we're setting our sights higher, looking for a 7-day trip, one
that will be enjoyable for our kids, too. They're a 10yo boy and 8yo
girl who have never been on a cruise ship. Previously we've taken two
trips to Hawaii with the kids, which turned out to be fantastic
vacations. We all love snorkeling.

Adapting the old adage, "no one ever got fired for buying IBM," we've
been leaning toward Disney Magic. Can't go wrong with Disney, right?
Our kids (esp. the boy) aren't so enamored with Disney characters and
such, but that company definitely knows how to entertain kids. We've
got some friends that took that trip and have good things to say about
it.

On the other hand, it seems kind of a shame to fly across the country
when we've got cruise lines departing just an hour's drive away. The
local cruises are all Mexican Riviera, of course. We didn't have any
interest in Ensenada on our previous trip, but perhaps Cabo San Lucas,
Mazatlan, and Puerto Vallarta are a lot nicer. We definitely want to
take the kids out for tropical snorkeling.

Oh, if it matters, we'd probably take this trip during a fall break
that our kids get from school. That's the week of October 9-16. (Does
that pose hurricane problems for the Carribean?)

Besides Disney Magic, then, we could choose any other 7-day Carribean
trip, or else a 7-day Mexican Riviera trip. Our priorities are the
kids program, and overall value. (Not necessarily the food, ship, or
shore excursions.)

How are the kids programs on other lines? What about Princess
Pirateers? Can the Disney programs really be worth another two
thousand bucks?

-Mark

P.S. So far my online research has focussed on this newsgroup, and the
ship reviews at www.1-800-cruise.com. Are there other recommended
sources, especially with info about family cruising or kids' programs?

vanwingen wrote:

I wouldnt go on it with just adults only. It's a family cruise all the way

I have to disagree here, DH and I sailed by ourselves to celebrate our
60th birthdays and had a blast. There were also other adults traveling
alone. Disney has a lot of "adult only" areas on the ship and on their
private island.

Check out these great sites:
http://www.dcltribute.com/
Disney cruise message board:
http://www.disboards.com/forumdispla...ferrerid=26305

Both very good sites.

sue

If money is no object the Disney cruise cannot be beat for family fun.
However if you cruise during kids vacation times when there are many kids
aboard, most cruiselines have kids programs that are quite good. We have
cruised Celebrity with kids for eight years in a row and the kids love it.
Often times they stayed on the ship in the camp while we went ashore to
shop. You can check to see how many kids are registered before you book.

Oh, if it matters, we'd probably take this trip during a fall break that our
kids get from school. That's the week of October 9-16. (Does that pose
hurricane problems for the Carribean?)

Bless you for posting this. Not having kids, I wasn't aware that there was yet
another school break during the autumn that we must avoid to have more peace
and quiet aboard.

Dem chiluns suh do make me nervous!
"RTCReferee" wrote in message
...
Oh, if it matters, we'd probably take this trip during a fall break
that our
kids get from school. That's the week of October 9-16. (Does that pose
hurricane problems for the Carribean?)

Bless you for posting this. Not having kids, I wasn't aware that there
was yet
another school break during the autumn that we must avoid to have more
peace
and quiet aboard.

When I mean "adults only" I was meaning younger "party" adults. (Rowdy,
casino, etc.)
-


Disney Magic- Eastern Caribbean- 3/2004
Carnival Holiday- Western Caribbean- 12/2002
"Sue and Kevin Mullen" wrote in message
...


vanwingen wrote:

I wouldnt go on it with just adults only. It's a family cruise all the
way

I have to disagree here, DH and I sailed by ourselves to celebrate our
60th birthdays and had a blast. There were also other adults traveling
alone. Disney has a lot of "adult only" areas on the ship and on their
private island.

Check out these great sites:
http://www.dcltribute.com/
Disney cruise message board:
http://www.disboards.com/forumdispla...ferrerid=26305

Both very good sites.

sue

In article , RTCReferee
wrote:

Bless you for posting this. Not having kids, I wasn't aware that
there was yet another school break during the autumn that we must
avoid to have more peace and quiet aboard.

Oh my. I have a cruise booked that week on Carnival. I never heard of
that break. Hopefully it's a local thing.

--
Charles

Dem chiluns suh do make me nervous!

So do you, bro.

The truth is that you scare the pants off of me.

You really seem to be a pedophile. Do you like little boys?

Cam

There were many younger adults and they did plenty of partying long
after these two older adults had called it a night. You also find that
younger adults who are cruising with their kids, are partying at night
without the kids. Of course Disney doesn't have a casino.

sue

vanwingen wrote:

When I mean "adults only" I was meaning younger "party" adults. (Rowdy,
casino, etc.)
-


Disney Magic- Eastern Caribbean- 3/2004
Carnival Holiday- Western Caribbean- 12/2002
"Sue and Kevin Mullen" wrote in message
...


vanwingen wrote:


I wouldnt go on it with just adults only. It's a family cruise all the

way

I have to disagree here, DH and I sailed by ourselves to celebrate our
60th birthdays and had a blast. There were also other adults traveling
alone. Disney has a lot of "adult only" areas on the ship and on their
private island.


Check out these great sites:
http://www.dcltribute.com/
Disney cruise message board:
http://www.disboards.com/forumdispla...ferrerid=26305

Both very good sites.

sue