Would like to go on first cruise with dh and 2 daughters ages 10 and 7 this winter. Have started doing some research and the RCCL cruises look interesing - particularly the ships with the ice skating rinks and rock climbing walls. But have read negative reviews about the food - which is important to us. <BR><BR>Also have read that Carnival ships are very popular with families and have great kids programs. Plus my brother works for Carnival so a discount may be available (though no garuantee b/c we want to travel during a very popular week). Won't go on this line just out of loyalty to my brother but if all things were equal then his affliation with the line might put Carnival over the top.<BR><BR>Any comments on which cruiseline a middle class family with kids who just want to play on a beach or in a pool all day would prefer?

I would recommend the Voyager class ships of RCCL. There is so much more to do for kids on these ships than any other we've been on - haven't been on Carnival so can't compare kids programs and activities; but I wouldn't sail them because of the larger percentage of "party time" adults on board. <BR><BR>As far as the food on RCCL - we've had better on Princess and Celebrity, but its still great food if you haven't got gourmet expectations.

Royal is my favourite cruise line, but size of the ship does matter- I would think the Voyager class is too large.<BR><BR>However, to make your decision more difficult, Carnival and RCL both have excellent food and the children's programmes are wonderful! The kid's area on Voyager ships are amazing.<BR><BR>I personally think you would enjoy Royal better, but I am biased towards them. I think they are just slightly more upscale and I have loved the food and service every time I have sailed with them.

If all that you want to do is play on a beach or in a pool I suggest forgetting about a cruise. Just book a flight to Florida and chill out at one of the many beaches.<BR><BR>If you have no control over your kids, then I have to suggest Carnival, because that is the line that all of the hillbillies go on for a cruise.<BR><BR>Why not go on a Disney ship? Many people do not enjoy the presence of children and you may hear some complainst about your kids if you are on anything other than Disney.

I think Nancy's being too harsh. My kids (girls now 8 and 12) love beaches and pools, but LOVED their cruises. They enjoyed ordering from a menu, shopping on board, the shows, etc. We didn't take them on the Voyager and they were really miffed. Your girls would love the Voyager Class ships. The kids on there were having a blast. My kids also liked the water slide on Carnival's ships. I had good food on both lines. (Well, the Sovereign wasn't too great) Your girls are the perfect age for this vacation- book it and enjoy!

Hi Bennie,<BR><BR>Don't worry about the food. Although it is not up to par with Carnival it is average and there is plenty to eat. Passengers are just complaining due to the known fact that at one time RCCL has the best food of any ship.<BR><BR>If you do not like what you are served, just send it back and choose another. The waiters are used to this. Some go to such great lengths to please they put assorted entrees and desserts in the middle of the table for passengers to choose. They want their tips.<BR><BR>If you can afford the extra money do sail the Voyager, Explorer, Navigator or Adventure.... Best destination ships ever. You will probably not want to get off the ship in the ports. It is a mixture of Disney/Vegas/New York City.<BR><BR>Bottom line is, if your budget is of the most importance and your children are very young .... with beaches and things to climb on, sail Carnival. They have an excellent children's program. Not to knock RCCL who's program is also excellent. So, in your case, where your brother can get you a lesser price, sail Carnival and when the kids are older sail the Voyager Class ships. But then again, your 10 year old would really enjoy the Voyager Class ships. <BR><BR>I guess I would choose the more reasonable cruise since you are sailing at a popular time of the year. <BR><BR>Tough call.<BR><BR>Paul

bennie - for what its worth, your chance of having to put up with loud, boisterous, obnoxious people is higher on Carnival than any other cruise line. Yes, they all have them, but there are more of them on Carnival ships. Remember, you will be eating with others, you'll likely have cabin/neighbors on both sides of you, above and below you and accross the hall from you.

Thanks for the comments. Sounds like my gut instinct was correct in looking at the RCL ships. <BR><BR>As for Nancy - go away - I didn't ask for your comments on the behavior of children. I am so tired of this anti-child attitude that some people seem to have. Have you all forgotten that you were once a child? Did your parents drop you on your head when you were a kid? Or were you the last one picked for Red Rover and you're still hashing that one out with your analyst?<BR><BR>When people complain about the food they never seem to say what's wrong other than that they were disappointed. Is it the variety, the quality, the preparation or the presentation that is the problem? Don't these ships have dining alternatives? I understand that nobody goes hungry so what exactly is the problem?

I'm with Nancy regarding children-<BR><BR>Keep 'em on a leash, or cruise Disney. Keep them the hell away from me.

Bennie, do what you feel is best for you and your family re/ a cruise but don't think Peter is right as far as loud drunks, etc being more so on Carnival than Royal Caribbean. I think ( may be wrong) that Peter has never been on a Carnival ship therefore has no firsthand knowledge about them.<BR> I have sailed Royal Caribbean and Carnival, as well as several other lines and can tell you Royal Caribbean is not the upscale line Peter makes it out to be, nor does all the trash sail Carnival.<BR> Good sailing on whichever line you choose.

Though I have never sailed on RCCL, I sailed on Carnival once, and will never, ever sail on Carnival again. It was horrible: dirty and crowded.

So what other cruiselines have you sailed Mary? Also, what Carnival ship was horrible, dirty and crowded. Generalizing will not cut it. I am not trying to be mean here but I do not find it that way.<BR><BR>Paul

I have never been on RCCL, but have sailed Carnival. I did not experience the loud, boisterous people that have been mentioned above. The ship was beautiful (Spirit), food was good, entertainment excellent. I will surely sail them in the future. You can't go wrong with Royal or Carnival, so don't split hairs over every little thing, and just choose a cruise line and enjoy.

Beleive me, I have sailed all Carnival and RCCL ships (except for some of the new ones - coming out too fast). They are both mass-market cruise lines and sell to exactly the same type of people. The only difference is the food and entertainment. Carnival is more fun and has the more exciting entertainment. The food is better (except for the desserts) as you will hear from other posters that have sailed both lines.<BR><BR>Just stay away from the 3 and 4 day cruises (both lines). They attract the real party people that are on a limited budget.<BR><BR>You will find spots on the carpet, chips on the furniture and sometimes dirt under the beds (both lines). I look for a spotless bathroom and I find that rated excellent on both lines. If you find it different, bang some heads. Anything you find undesireable in your cabin call the hotel manager immediately.<BR><BR>Paul

Paul: In reference to what Carnival ship I was on, it was several years ago and the name of the ship was Celebration. It it was no celebration being on that ship: cockroaches, I observed the same half empty/filled cup of coffee in one of the lounges throught the whole cruise. There always seemed to be trash strewn around. Both my husband and I were very disappointed with the ship and therefore the line, so we've been extremely reluctant to use the line since that cruise.<BR><BR>The cruise was a holiday cruise, Christmas, and there wasn't one piece of decoration to be seen anywhere.<BR><BR>Oh well ...

Paul: I forgot to answer the other part of your question about what other cruise line we've used: we've sailed Celebrity 7 times: Meridian, Horizon, Galaxy (2x), Zenith (2x), and Summit. We are planning to take the Zenith next year to South America, so it'll be our 8th time if we cruise there.

I would suggest Carnival with or without children, unless your a rich snob, or just a pain in the ass who will complain about anything and everything...and if that's the case then stay home.

I have been on the RCCL line with 2 young children on the Radiance of the seas. They have excellent programs for kids. I was very impressed with them. I never sail on the Carnival line though.

I have been on both lines as well as HAL and NCL. Ignore the people who lump all Carnival people in one category. I have found the same "class" people on all lines...the difference is those on RCCL and Carnival don't "think" they are better than others. Also...most of the time the people who put down Carnival have never stepped foot on a Carnival ship.<BR><BR>My children preferred the program on Carnival. I did like RCCL but found I really liked the larger cabins on Carnival. I haven't been on the Voyager class ships yet but I'm sure my kids would enjoy the ice skating and rock climbing. Even without those they found plenty to do on Carnival. <BR><BR>Basically I don't think you can go wrong with either line. If you choose to nitpick you can find something wrong with any line...just go with a positive attitude and you will have a great time.