We'd like to travel during spring break, so the options are limited. Is the Western Carribean - Princess Grand or RCL Rhapsody -the best choice for a 5 and 11 year old? We took the Disney Cruise with the grandparents. Disney is too expensive, and I want to ensure that my 11 year old son will have enough to do. Also,I've read complaints that the Grand wasn't clean. Any recs? Thanks.

Hi Denise,<BR><BR>You can not go wrong on either ship.<BR>Both have excellent children's programs.<BR><BR>You are correct about Disney being expensive. Not very many promotions. They have a product that grabs most passenger's attention. Also, I believe their children's program is geared to more learning than fun. Many computers and demonstrations. My daughter stated ..... "daddy, when I go on vacation, I do not want to go to school."<BR><BR>Paul

Carnival also has excellent Children's programs. In fact, Family Circle and Southern Living have rated them the top family cruise line.<BR>I have had clients tell me RCCL has gone downhill in the last year or so.<BR>Non-smokers would love the Smoke Free Paradise. I like the new Pride and Spirit the best.

Hi,<BR><BR>Have sailed Grand Princess and it is very clean. One of the best ships I have sailed.<BR><BR>Just returned from Explorer of the Seas and it is an excellent ship. You should look at Voyager of the Seas (West itiniary) as one of your options. The kids on these ships had a blast!

While everyone has given you good advice (although I don't agree about Carnival being that great) it seems to me that no one has mentioned a factor that could be great for the kids. RCCL has an exercise and game program where participants earn ships dollars just by doing things such as playing deck shuffle board and golf putting along with some easy exercises. At the end of the cruise they can redeem these dollars for shirts, hats, and other things.

Would choose Grand Princess.<BR><BR>Not sure who mentioned that it wasn't clean - it was the cleanest ship I have been on.<BR><BR>Excellent childrens program also. My kids wanted to stay there all day.

I would choose Princess due to the age and experience of the program co-ordinators.<BR><BR>Paul

We cruised the Grand Princess in April 2000 with our 4 year old and he had a great time. We are cruising the Grand again Jan 13, Western carib. Clearly, we were quite happy with the Grand Princess! In fact, we were very happy with everything on our cruise and planned to do it again even before we disembarked. Like the kids club staff very much. If you have any specific questions email me. My son is now 6, so he would be in the Princess Pelican group covering your 5 yo.

Voyager or Explorer of the Seas (RCCL) hands down......no discussion. It has everything any child could want or need and it's all free (a parent's dream). Cabins on Voyager are lovely - Cat. C balcony cabins are wonderful, but the inside atrium cabins (with windows) are interesting too. I was on the Voyager with a group of all ages last year, and everyone LOVED it! I'd never consider the Princess line for kids; although I'm sure their kids program is adequate, RCCL and Carnival have the other cruise lines beat by far.

RCCL Voyager, Explorer and Adventure does not enter into this picture ..... Denise has inquired about Princess Grand and RCCL Rhapsody and we all agree that the Grand is the best.<BR><BR>Paul