For cruisers who have traveled with small kids...?

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Zef H

For the most part Royal Caribbean and Carnival are very similar. That said there are some differences.

Is your daughter potty trained? If not, go with Carnival. Carnival will change diapers.

The Carnival Pride has a water slide while the Vision of the Seas has a rock climbing wall. Which would you son enjoy more?

The Vision spends one day at sea, then goes to Cabo, Mazatlan, and Puerto Vallarta before spending two days at sea returning to San Pedro.

The Pride spends two days at sea, then goes to Puerto Vallarta, Mazatlan and Cabo before spending one day at sea returning to Long Beach.

Of the two, I prefer having the two days at sea at the end rather than at the beginning.

The Vision has one main pool with a fenced off area of the main pool acting as the kids pool.

The Pride has two main pools (one of which can be covered if the weather is bad) and a separate kids pool. Thus the Pride has a better pool set up, in my opinion, for your family.

Otherwise the experience on both ships will be similar. Your kids will have fun in the children's program on either ship. In my opinion you can't go wrong with either ship.

Both are nice ships. The kids seem to think "Camp Carnival" is better than RCI's program, but both are OK.

In general, RCI is a bit more "polished" and Carnival is a bit more "fun".

That said, the decor on Carnival Pride can be a little ... risque. (There's a Renaissance art theme.) You might want to check out these pictures and decide if you and/or your 8 year old would feel uncomfortable:
http://www.cruisesavvy.com/journals/eric/2008/pride_carnival_western_mexico_407_1

Oh, and although neither of these is a "mega" ship, both are around 2,500 guests. So you might want to get walkie-talkies to stay in touch around the ship.

Jodi R

We have been taking our son on cruises since he was 7, and he is now 17, and he loves going on carnival. He enjoys cruises more than any other kind of vacation. He can't wait until the meeting for the camps or kids club, or teen clubs, to find out what he will be doing. Then, we usually would only see him for meals. He always made a lot of friends and had a great time. They divide them up in groups by age. We never took him on RC because we heard they limit the amount of kids on their ships. My husband and I did go on one of their ships last year and weren't as impressed. We are sticking to Carnival. I am sure you will have a good time whichever you decide. Check out Carnival's website for activites for kids. I don't think you will be disappointed. Have fun.

leftwing

The Vision is a nicer ship. Both have fairly good kids programs. I've found Carnival to be more party ships but RC is a better line.

wk524

Both are nice for families. Royal is more "brass and glass" Carnival is more "vegas style". Both have good kids clubs, Royal often has in cabin babysitting for the evening.

#1vmkfan!

When I was little I went on a Carnival cruise with my family 2x. This cruise is really fun because they have water slides and a club for kids and teens. And I heard now that they have surfing. Another cruise I would recommend would be the Disney Cruises. Have fun!

RICH

I found the best travel with kids was with NCL and their 'free style' cruiising..Do what you want, when you want. Thet have lots of children's activities, and equipment and great assistants, supervisors.. Dress casual anytime, no 'scheduled' meals, excellent service.

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