Cruise with Kids
 

Hi,<BR>I have a family of five (3 kids ages 5, 7, and 9) and would like to take our first cruise out of either Texas or Florida during the summer of 2003. <BR><BR>1. Is there a difference cruising out of Texas versus Florida? Are the ships better in Florida? Which cruise line is preferable?<BR><BR>2. For a 4-day cruise, how much am I looking at for the family. I know the kids rate are cheaper. <BR><BR>3. Caribbeans, Bahamas or Mexico? I have no idea and don't necessarily care as long as it's hot and there's enough things for the kids to do.<BR><BR>4. Things I should be aware of when booking the cruise (ex. extra fees, room, etc.). <BR><BR>5. Any reputable cruise agents in the Dallas-Ft. Worth, Irving area?<BR><BR>Thanks in advance for the help.

i did a little research on family cruises but haven't actually been on one. The disney cruises are supposedly the best for kids, especially young kids like yours.

This website may be useful: www.familycruises.com

Perfect question for the cruise boards, here on fodors. You'll probably get tons of answers there.

Disney cruise or Royal Caribbean cruises (the ones like Voyager of the Seas) are the best for young children.<BR><BR>Disney has 3, 4 and 7-night cruises, all leaving out of Port Canaveral, Florida. (50 minutes outside of Orlando). The Disney Wonder has 3 and 4 night cruises going to the Bahamas. Disney Magic has 7-night cruises going either to the Eastern Caribbean (St. Martin, St. Thomas/St. John) or Western Caribbean (Key West, Grand Cayman, Cozumel). All Disney cruises stop at Disney's private Bahamian island. <BR><BR>Children's clubs on Disney cruises run from 9 a.m. to midnight or 1 a.m. and are included in the price. They will feed the children if it is mealtime when the children are in the clubs. Minimum age for the clubs is 3 and potty trained, so you are fine. <BR><BR>RCI is another good option, especially for children who are a little older, like yours.<BR><BR>Go to www.disboards.com for more information than you care to know about Disney cruises, and try www.cruisecritic.com for information about all cruise lines, including RCI.<BR><BR>

I agree with Deb - Royal Caribbean has a LOT for kids to do.<BR><BR>Check our cruisecritic.com or cruise-addicts.com for lots of cruising info.