My husband and I have never been on a large cruise ship. We want to take our 5 year old twin boys on a cruise over springbreak april of 2006. Our travel agent has recommended the Celebrity Millinium and the Royal Carribean Explorer ship.
Does anyone have any comments on what would be the best choice? My husband is a travel snob and likes the best so we were leaning towards the Celebrity. I have also had many people tell me with kids that young we should only consider Royal Carribean. Any advice would be greatly appreciated!
I would say, that RCCL has the better kids program. Celebrity also has some people for the kids club, but we have been on a cruise with the Zenith this year and they had only 3 kids, joining them.
It depends on the time, you want to cruise, how many children will be on board. They told me, that on some cruises they have 300 children on board. But during springbreak on the Explorer I would foretell, that there are more children as you can imagine. And you can´t compare the Explorer with other smaller ships.
And I think, that RCCL is even for a tavel snob as your husband a good choice. But it depends on the ship.
Okay, Celebrity´s Millenium is a better ship than the Zenith, but we have now booked two RCCL cruises, because we did not like the Zenith, but we loved Brilliance and Jewel.
If you husband is a travel snob then simply the best place for 5 year old are on the Disney Magic. I can't think of another cruise line that I have been on that offers free kids club till 1am which allows adults lots of time to enjoy the adult late night entertainment. In addition, you will find your kids never wish to leave the programs. But remember, you pay for what you get. Disney gets their price!
With two 5 years old boys, during Spring Break, either ship you choose would be an excellent choice.
Celebrity primarily for adults. They do have children programs, so they will be fine and during Spring Break there will be alot of children on the ship.
Now if the children was a little older, then I would really stress Royal Caribbean. Explorer is a great ship and has alot to offer to adults, teens and children. Even a Travel Snob would enjoy this ship along with the remaining Voyager and Radiance Class ships. Although the ship has children's programs, at 5 years olds they will not get to much more then they would get on the Millinium.
Again, Explorer has alot to offer, but I think and I must stress I think, the children would have to be a little older to enjoy all the benefits the ship has to offer. But as a family I think you ALL would enjoy this ship. SO MY RECOMMENDATION WOULD BE EXPLORER. In addition, to regular theatre performances - the ship has a excellent ice-skating show. Along with alot more that Celebrity does not offer.
Although you never mentioned anything about Disney - I have to agree with the above arckac. That would be the best choice even with a travel snob.
I had mentioned the Magic only to counter her travel agents suggestion. I would be surpised if a travel agent would not make mention of the Disney ships. My son, now 8+, at this point prefers RCCL and, yes, club HAL on Holland America's Vista class ships.
Im not sure Carnival is right for a travel snob. Good for kids, not mine as he puts it but I think other kids enjoy it! Still for 5 year olds I dont know how the Magic of Disney would not be a strong consideration choice. I consulted my 8 year old on this one! LOL
2twins, if you end up considering the Disney ships, please be aware that they do not have a casino. If that's important to you or your husband, take that into consideration.
Children's facilities are excellent on Disney and Royal Caribbean. I have to say, though, that 5 year olds will have a good time in any decent children's program geared to their age group. If your husband truly likes a "finer" vacation, you may want to think seriously about Celebrity. It's considered the more sophisticated, slightly more upscale sibling to Royal Caribbean.
Good point about the Casinos. I dont even consider them as I work to hard to afford the cruise and find the casinos a waste of good public space. I know many enjoy them though. I prefer Holland America and my son swears by club hal over the Celebrity programs.
arc, I'm glad to hear your son likes Club HAL so much. Holland America has been trying for years to get away from the image that they're only for senior citizens. Putting in good children's programs certainly is a good way to do it.
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