Caribbean cruise for family of four - kids 20 & 15 years old
Oct 17th, 2006, 08:49 AM
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Caribbean cruise for family of four - kids 20 & 15 years old
Thinking about a 7-day Caribbean cruise for the family next summer (probably August). Unless you count Haiti 20+ years ago, none of us have ever been, so I'm seeking suggestions for cruise line and itinerary.
I like photography and snorkeling, while my wife enjoys exploring the food/cooking of various cultures. Our kids will be happy as long as there are other kids around close to their ages. I've poked around RCCL's website, but don't really know how to begin comparing one cruise/cruise-line to the other. That said, if it were just my wife and I, we'd probably best like a Windstar or Windjammer type cruise. Any suggestions?
I like photography and snorkeling, while my wife enjoys exploring the food/cooking of various cultures. Our kids will be happy as long as there are other kids around close to their ages. I've poked around RCCL's website, but don't really know how to begin comparing one cruise/cruise-line to the other. That said, if it were just my wife and I, we'd probably best like a Windstar or Windjammer type cruise. Any suggestions?
Oct 17th, 2006, 11:34 AM
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One thing to consider when thinking about a cruise is 20-year old. We went on a cruise when our son was 19 - he is rather shy and not likely to randomly meet people. At that age they are too old for teen programs and often not interested in adult activities - and too young for bars and casino.
Our dtr (age 15 at the time) could make friends on the moon if necessary - so some of it depends on personality of older kid - if s/he is outgoing or happy to sit, relax and read, then s/he will be fine.
The length of time in various ports is great for photo and water sports, but sometimes does not give enough time for exploring food and culture.
Spend some time reading cruisecritic website. It is all a little overwhelming at first, but we found it got narrowed down quickly by departure city, length of cruise, ports of call.
We did Bermuda cruise 2 summers ago since it left from Boston - liked being able to spend 3-4 days in one place once we got there, but other people would rather have shorter stops in multiple places. We found considering how much our teenagers eat and considering that we always get 2 hotel rooms when we travel, it was a surprisingly economical way to travel.
Our dtr (age 15 at the time) could make friends on the moon if necessary - so some of it depends on personality of older kid - if s/he is outgoing or happy to sit, relax and read, then s/he will be fine.
The length of time in various ports is great for photo and water sports, but sometimes does not give enough time for exploring food and culture.
Spend some time reading cruisecritic website. It is all a little overwhelming at first, but we found it got narrowed down quickly by departure city, length of cruise, ports of call.
We did Bermuda cruise 2 summers ago since it left from Boston - liked being able to spend 3-4 days in one place once we got there, but other people would rather have shorter stops in multiple places. We found considering how much our teenagers eat and considering that we always get 2 hotel rooms when we travel, it was a surprisingly economical way to travel.
Oct 17th, 2006, 04:16 PM
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Hi!
There are lots of wonderful family-friendly cruise lines with excellent programs for kids and teens. The cruise lines do an excellent job of picking activities that are fun for each age group - toddlers, elementary school, pre-teens and teens. Staff members are trained and screened and many have college degrees in education, recreation, psychology with work experience and passion for kids.
There are large ships with 2600 people or more (Royal Caribbean, Carnival, Princess) and there are smaller ships (Holland America, Disney) with 1500-2500 people. It really depends depends on your tolerance for crowds and waiting in line.
It sounds like you would enjoy the Western Caribbean itinerary - beautiful, amazing snorkeling in Grand Cayman. Ports in Mexico, Belize would offer introductions into different cultures - you could do an independent shore excursion for a cooking program for your wife. Also, several cruise lines offer special cooking/culinary programs with world-class chefs onboard ships.
If your children are teenagers (14 years old +) and are good with doing their own thing, you might really enjoy Windstar. However, the smaller ships and cruise lines don't often cruise in the Caribbean in the summer. Windjammer is great for younger adults, more adventure-oriented, slightly wild. It is more spartan than the major cruise lines, but that is also part of its charm.
Best Regards,
Julia
There are lots of wonderful family-friendly cruise lines with excellent programs for kids and teens. The cruise lines do an excellent job of picking activities that are fun for each age group - toddlers, elementary school, pre-teens and teens. Staff members are trained and screened and many have college degrees in education, recreation, psychology with work experience and passion for kids.
There are large ships with 2600 people or more (Royal Caribbean, Carnival, Princess) and there are smaller ships (Holland America, Disney) with 1500-2500 people. It really depends depends on your tolerance for crowds and waiting in line.
It sounds like you would enjoy the Western Caribbean itinerary - beautiful, amazing snorkeling in Grand Cayman. Ports in Mexico, Belize would offer introductions into different cultures - you could do an independent shore excursion for a cooking program for your wife. Also, several cruise lines offer special cooking/culinary programs with world-class chefs onboard ships.
If your children are teenagers (14 years old +) and are good with doing their own thing, you might really enjoy Windstar. However, the smaller ships and cruise lines don't often cruise in the Caribbean in the summer. Windjammer is great for younger adults, more adventure-oriented, slightly wild. It is more spartan than the major cruise lines, but that is also part of its charm.
Best Regards,
Julia
Oct 18th, 2006, 06:16 AM
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First, Windjammer and Windstar are as far apart as night and day. If a sailing experience is what you are looking for, I would recommend Star Clippers as they give you the option of doing a bit of crewing aboard. They are not as luxurious as Windstar nor as EXTEMELY basic as Windjammer.
Personally, based on the ages of your kids, I would suggest Voyager class ships on RCI.
For more exotics food and experiences, a Southern Caribbean route on Adventure of the Seas will please your wife. From the wonderful cuisine in its home port of San Juan, to the other exotic ports on the itinerary, you will more authentic experiences than in the highly travelled East or West routes.
Also, you are in a new port most every day so the kids will have lots to explore.
And, you and your wife can perhaps plan a romantic dinner alone in Portofino, their specialty restaurant aboard.
Personally, based on the ages of your kids, I would suggest Voyager class ships on RCI.
For more exotics food and experiences, a Southern Caribbean route on Adventure of the Seas will please your wife. From the wonderful cuisine in its home port of San Juan, to the other exotic ports on the itinerary, you will more authentic experiences than in the highly travelled East or West routes.
Also, you are in a new port most every day so the kids will have lots to explore.
And, you and your wife can perhaps plan a romantic dinner alone in Portofino, their specialty restaurant aboard.
Oct 18th, 2006, 09:52 AM
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Thanks for the advice! 
<<First, Windjammer and Windstar are as far apart as night and day.>> I realized that as soon as I posted it. But I've always thought a Windjammer would be fun, and Windstar looks pretty cool, too.. Guess it's the more intimate cruise experience I was thinking about.
So, with kids 20 and 15 years old, are you all thinking bigger (ship) is better? I was looking again at RCCL and see they're building a huge new ship - Liberty Of The Seas - that will sail her maiden voyage next spring, with itineraries that look like they might work for us. Is it advisable to book a cruise on a ship that's only been sailing a couple months, or does it take longer to work out the kinks?
<<First, Windjammer and Windstar are as far apart as night and day.>> I realized that as soon as I posted it. But I've always thought a Windjammer would be fun, and Windstar looks pretty cool, too.. Guess it's the more intimate cruise experience I was thinking about.
So, with kids 20 and 15 years old, are you all thinking bigger (ship) is better? I was looking again at RCCL and see they're building a huge new ship - Liberty Of The Seas - that will sail her maiden voyage next spring, with itineraries that look like they might work for us. Is it advisable to book a cruise on a ship that's only been sailing a couple months, or does it take longer to work out the kinks?
Oct 18th, 2006, 11:57 AM
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We cruised last Spring on the new HAL Noordam, probably the 4th or 5th sailing.
We didn't like some things, i.e., service in dining room; cabin steward, as much as our previous cruise on the older Zuiderdam (same class ship) but did enjoy the "newness" of everything on the ship.
We didn't like some things, i.e., service in dining room; cabin steward, as much as our previous cruise on the older Zuiderdam (same class ship) but did enjoy the "newness" of everything on the ship.
Oct 18th, 2006, 12:12 PM
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Insofar as Liberty, I was on her sister Freedom. If you like your ships massive, she is a pretty one but wayyyyy toooooo big for my tastes.
Most of the ports are tender ports which IMO is a hassle.
While the biggest ships may offer the best in diversions, that does make them special IMO.
As a long time TA with over 100 cruises over 40 years,I suggest RCI for a more casual, energetic cruise and would advise Serenade or Adventure. I prefer Serenade as I think she is more elegant and sophisticated and also because she does not attract quite so many kiddies.
Alternatively, Mariner of the Seas from Orlando is one of RCIs best large ships.
Most of the ports are tender ports which IMO is a hassle.
While the biggest ships may offer the best in diversions, that does make them special IMO.
As a long time TA with over 100 cruises over 40 years,I suggest RCI for a more casual, energetic cruise and would advise Serenade or Adventure. I prefer Serenade as I think she is more elegant and sophisticated and also because she does not attract quite so many kiddies.
Alternatively, Mariner of the Seas from Orlando is one of RCIs best large ships.
Apr 1st, 2007, 07:20 AM
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I know this is a late post but wanted to add my 2 cents from someone who has sailed WJ several times. Windjammer has a program for Junior Jammers during the summer months with counselors that would be a great fit for your 15 year old. The 20 yr old is an adult so would not qualify for that program. There are excursions you can take as a family or choose to do separately. My niece was 18 when she went with me as her high school graduation present. She had the time of her life and looks forward to when her children are at the age to take a cruise. She still has a few years to go. Being a young adult was no problem for her. The next closest person in age was about 9 or 10 yrs older. Please bear in mind the JJ programs were not in exisitence then(1998) and the trip we took was in Feb not during the summer.
How do you think your kids might enjoy the experience jumping off the side of the ship(under supervision of course), or taking a class in learning constellations etc? Quite often dolphins will swim along side the ship almost so close you can reach out and touch. How about fishing? They can do that from the ship on a WJ and so can you. If you want to learn about the Caribbean culture this is the type of trip to take. Most all the crew are from the West Indies. They are very proud of their respective islands or countries and love to teach passengers about the culture. They also love to talk about their families and you soon realize they most of us want the same things in life.
No the cruise doesn't offer rock climbing, casinos, shows, a swimming pool, (after all who needs it when you have the entire Caribbean at your disposal), and other activities on the large ships. What this does offer is an opportunity for your children and you to have a very intimate experience onboard a tall ship. My last trip there were 2 12 yr olds and aone sister was 19. This was during Thanksgiving and JJ programs are only during the summer on selective ships. None of these girls had a problem enjoying themselves. They were very sad to have to leave and during the course of the trip never appeared to be bored.
I'm not saying these trips are better than the large cruise lines but certainly very different. Let's put it this way you won't have to worry about losing your child in the crowd or them getting lost while on the ship. And quite honestly, basic accommodations or not they are comfortable, the food is good and you will meet some of the nicest people ever. You won't fight crowds either when it comes to getting on and off the ships. To me a person who hates to wait in line this is a major plus. Check out WJ's website and you can also visit the WJ Flotilla which is not sponsored by WJ. www.jammerbabe.com has a good deal of info, mostly basic, then follow the links to the Flotilla. There you can ask all the questions you want about WJ includinng JJ programs.
Hope you get this before you make your decision and no matter what have fun.
How do you think your kids might enjoy the experience jumping off the side of the ship(under supervision of course), or taking a class in learning constellations etc? Quite often dolphins will swim along side the ship almost so close you can reach out and touch. How about fishing? They can do that from the ship on a WJ and so can you. If you want to learn about the Caribbean culture this is the type of trip to take. Most all the crew are from the West Indies. They are very proud of their respective islands or countries and love to teach passengers about the culture. They also love to talk about their families and you soon realize they most of us want the same things in life.
No the cruise doesn't offer rock climbing, casinos, shows, a swimming pool, (after all who needs it when you have the entire Caribbean at your disposal), and other activities on the large ships. What this does offer is an opportunity for your children and you to have a very intimate experience onboard a tall ship. My last trip there were 2 12 yr olds and aone sister was 19. This was during Thanksgiving and JJ programs are only during the summer on selective ships. None of these girls had a problem enjoying themselves. They were very sad to have to leave and during the course of the trip never appeared to be bored.
I'm not saying these trips are better than the large cruise lines but certainly very different. Let's put it this way you won't have to worry about losing your child in the crowd or them getting lost while on the ship. And quite honestly, basic accommodations or not they are comfortable, the food is good and you will meet some of the nicest people ever. You won't fight crowds either when it comes to getting on and off the ships. To me a person who hates to wait in line this is a major plus. Check out WJ's website and you can also visit the WJ Flotilla which is not sponsored by WJ. www.jammerbabe.com has a good deal of info, mostly basic, then follow the links to the Flotilla. There you can ask all the questions you want about WJ includinng JJ programs.
Hope you get this before you make your decision and no matter what have fun.
