Cruising with kids
 

We would like to take our 5 and 8 yr. olds on a cruise this winter. Other than Disney, what cruise lines have good programs for kids and are still upscale? We have cruised twice without kids... both times on Celebrity Constellation. Would like to try something different. Thanks for the input!

Our sons, 5 and 6 loved the Royal Caribbean kids program--Adventure Ocean. They have many activities...favorite was a pirate parade around the ship when they got to go on stage right before a show. http://www.royalcaribbean.com/findac...p;exTypeCode=8

Hi,

Check out Princess, Holland America or Crystal - Princess and Holland America are premium cruise lines, similar in quality to Disney. Crystal is a step up to a luxury cruise line. All three of these cruise lines have improved and upgraded their children's programs, while still giving a good value vacation for the parents.

Best Regards,
Julia

RCI is not upscale but the line is VERY family oriented and offers good value. Stick to the larger ships.

On HAL, Vista class are geared more to familiies but HAL is not very family oriented.

Crystal is quite formal and there will be a small number of kids. That line is much more elegant and sedate and I would NOT recommend for kids.

Actually, kfusto's information is dated. Royal Caribbean is a moderate cruise line, definitely mass-market. There are 2,500 people or more on those ships and that doesn't allow for an upscale experience.

Holland America has made great improvements in the children's and youth's programs in recent years with their Signature of Excellence program. The dining stewards are wonderful with kids and give them special attention at meals! The children's programs are educational and fun! There are always hamburgers and hotdogs and ice cream, along with a more casual buffet for breakfast, lunch and dinner if the dining room is too formal.

Crystal also has made great improvments in their children's programs. It is more formal, but people looking for an upscale experience often like to have standards. It is a great combination of upscale cruise experience and family-friendly.

Best Regards,
Julia

Julie, nice of you to comment on my experience without knowing anything about me :(

I own an incentive travel company and have personally been on 112 cruises to date, six in the past year on RCI, X and HAL.

I book about 300 cabins per year.

I stand by everything I stated and anyone is free to disagree.

I stated that RCI is not upscale which you apparently read differently.

If you knew Crytal very well you would know that while they may have some facilities for children, their core clientele are seniors who do not really care to be around children.

I had a group of 200 on HAL Vista Class last year (some with kids) and again this year on another Vista class ship. Yes, their kids program is improved and those ships are more in tune with the needs of families than others in HALs fleet but their programs do not compare to those of RCI.