We are leaving for a 7 day cruise on the Carnival Pride ship in 11 days. My husband and 15 year old son have expressed that they don't want our 2yr old twin girls to go. I've tried to find out everything that I can about "Camp Carnival," however, I'm starting to feel guilty about hauling them all that way, to put them in daycare, for the 3 days that we are in port, and misc. times that we are on the ship. Anyone else traveled with young ones, that could enlighten me would be great. Is the Camp really that fun for the kids? We've also got the option of leaving them with granparents that would spoil them rotten. Any recommendations, are GREATLY appreciated.

While only you can decide if you should take or leave your kids, some thing to think about. Eating in a restaurant with kids that age 3 meals/day gets old really fast - and that is what cruise dining is like. Even if you do the buffet, you will have to alternate watching them and going to buffet.

Kids in diapers are generally not allowed in any pool on ship. That includes swimmer diapers, etc. Imagine trying to sit on deck soaking up sun and telling kids they can not go in pool.

Cost - depending on line, you may pay quite a bit for the little rugrats, despite their young age. Can you relaly cancel them out at this late date?

That said, we never left our kids with anyone when we went on various vacations (mostly by choice buy also since we had no willing or ablew relatives such as grandparents or aunts/uncles). So I understand your ambivalence. Just not sure a cruise would be the best choice for kids that age - although I know others here report to have cruised happily with kids of all ages.

We can still cancel, and take a 50% penalty, as long as I do it by Friday.

I would leave them with relatives. If you leave them on the ship - how does anyone reach you if there is a problem ? And you cannot take them into a pool until potty trained.

They are going to be miserable in the heat, too. and so will you.

They and you will have a better time in a couple of years.

They issue pagers, so if there is a problem they can reach you.

I thought the pagers only worked on the ship and that kids have to be potty trained to go to the 'camp'.

Have fun whatever you decide.

They only have to be 2, to go to the Camp.

I don't know your situation but... because your son will probably get a job at age 16; will this be the last "big" family vacation for him?
If so----you might want to make it a very special and memorable trip for him.
Leave the twins with their grandparents.

If your twins would be going with you does that mean 5 people in 1 room or do you have 2 rooms?

Hi

Our family is doing a cruise this Dec. on Princess Grand and I am heart broken our 23 month old Grandbaby is not going with Us. I want Her to go so bad. After going over all facts of pro/cons it's not looking good. reasons not....

Full fare for babies (crock of crap if you ask me)

Feeding the baby 3-5 days could be a fulltime job for Mommy and Daddy (but there are plenty of people who want to help)

The heat and the fact she won't be able to be in the pool with us.

I could go on but why bother.

And don't be too tough on us grandma's we love our grandchildren More than we ever loved our kids Just kidding of course.

Theresa in Detroit.

We had to purchase 2 rooms becuase of the size of our family.

I'm trying to picture how you are going to configure two rooms ---- Your husband and son in one and you and the girls in the other? I don't think they'd let your son be the 'adult' in his own room with or without the girls.

Having said that --- and as you are already planning to take a 50% hit for cancelling --- is there any possibility of taking an additional person, either a grandmother or niece or cousin, or sitter, to stay in the room with the girls and the other 3 of you stay in another cabin?

I'm really wondering what is going on that 11 days out this isn't resolved and that your husband and son are just now objecting. Seems like a pretty pricey change of heart.

In addition to everything else--how well do your girls adjust to being with strangers? Fear of strangers is very common at this age.
If they have never been in day care this probably isn't the best time for them to start.

My girls have been in daycare part time, and enjoy going. So I believe that part will be okay.

Camp Carnival, unless things have changed, does not take kids under 3 nor those not potty trained. I suggest you visit the Family Boards at cruisecritic.com for lots of advice and info.