Forced to go on a Cruise, Tips for a family of four appreciated

3,777 Views | 16 Replies | Last: 4 yr ago by Krautag81
dummble
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AG
I always knew the only way you could trap me on a boat full of people with no escape if something goes wrong is if I had no choice.

I have lots of reasons why I think cruises are dumb, but can appreciate that people are traveling and enjoying the world.

So my brother is getting married on a Royal Caribbean cruise out of Galveston next spring break. My wife and have have 2 kids who will be 4 and 2 when we sail. How big of a room do we need? What kind of room? What part of the boat? Drink package? Any other tips avoid crowds? Instead of me being a wet blanket about the whole thing, what can I do or pack or expect that will make it better?
schmendeler
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AG
vacations to go has always been a pretty good resource for booking cruises.

there are tons of different types of rooms for all budgets, so it really kind of depends on how much you want to spend.
GoneGirl
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AG
I'd recommend a Junior Suite if you can get one with a couch that makes into a bed for the kids. The extra room and the balcony will be useful. Also, you get to board first. We actually did a grand suite our first cruise, and that was awesome, but a Jr. Suite will do nicely. The balcony gives you a nice private place to relax outside too.

Drink package - totally worth it for us, and not just value for money with drinks. We were on vacation and totally didn't want to worry how much we were spending per drink. If we wanted something we got it. If we tried something and didn't like it, no biggie. Also really enjoyed having drinks with our meals.

Do know that if one adult gets the package, you both do, unless one gets a waiver (medical, for example). If you're booking two cabins, you can get around it by putting one adult in each cabin.

RC's onboard child activities are great, and the staff on the Liberty (if you're sailing out of Galveston) is phenomenal with kids. Ours got "special desserts" and learned how to make hats out of napkins. All you can eat soft serve icecream out by the pools. They'll have an awesome time.

Plenty to do during the day for pretty much anyone - between the water slides, putt-putt golf, ice skating, casino, or just sitting in the Hoof and Claw drinking beer and people watching.

Make sure the kids make it to the ice show and they have a cirque du soleil type show. Plus they'll have Dreamworks characters making appearances.

You're only going to hate it if you make that decision in advance.

"If you're in the midst of a midlife crisis, you could buy a convertible, have an affair, or upgrade your cup size. But you'll probably be happiest if you save a dog's life." - Jen Lancaster
GoneGirl
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AG
We always book Deck 10 - mid-to back of ship. Quiet and convenient to almost everything.

It's not a huge ship, so getting around isn't bad.


Book your excursions ahead of time - there are a ton to choose from.

What to pack - easy- you're on a cruise. Shorts, t-shirts and swimsuits.

Dinner - the Main Dining Room is spectacular. You can wear khakis and a collared shirt and your fine. Two nights are "formal" and you'll want something a little nicer. If you leave there hungry, it's really your own fault.

Always wanted to try something? Order it. If you don't like it, they'll bring you something else. If you loved it, they'll bring you more, or two the next night.

One formal night is prime rib and lobster tails. Our waiter brought us one of each, then stopped by with a plate of "extra" lobster tails. They'd have my husband's preferred scotch ready within minutes of us sitting down.

Start looking at excursions and the drink packages now - you can purchase them (and pay for them ahead of time instead of all at once.) and keep an eye on both. If they drop in price, you can cancel and rebook at the cheaper price at no cost. Drink packages go on sale regularly.




"If you're in the midst of a midlife crisis, you could buy a convertible, have an affair, or upgrade your cup size. But you'll probably be happiest if you save a dog's life." - Jen Lancaster
GoneGirl
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And if you or your wife is on facebook - join this group - tons of useful info here...

https://www.facebook.com/groups/119473201466767/?ref=bookmarks
"If you're in the midst of a midlife crisis, you could buy a convertible, have an affair, or upgrade your cup size. But you'll probably be happiest if you save a dog's life." - Jen Lancaster
jammer262
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Balcony room up high, mid to half way back. The regular room's couch still makes into a bed for the kiddos. I thought I would hate cruises too, but I really like them, I think you have a great attitude about it and going in with open eyes. We aren't big drinkers, generally a few a day, so we've never bought the booze package. We have gotten the soft drink package for my wife, and if I had a craving she would grab me one.

The excursions are fun, and the best way to see many of the ports. If there is one you see that is sold out, you can wait till you get to the port and book it with a local provider. It will be close to half the price, but you don't have the assurance the boat will wait if you are running late. We've done non ship sponsered in the past, and sat next to people that bought through the ship...for twice as much. If you are worried about missing the ship buy trip insurance, that will cover you. I buy my travel insurance from squaremouth dot com, they will quote you several options from several providers. The best site I've used by far.
Poptartin
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We are leaving from Galveston next week with our 3 boys, ages 25, 19, and 16.
Any other advice would be appreciated.
schmendeler
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AG
Poptartin said:

We are leaving from Galveston next week with our 3 boys, ages 25, 19, and 16.
Any other advice would be appreciated.
unfortunately they are too old for the kids club.
GoneGirl
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Poptartin said:

We are leaving from Galveston next week with our 3 boys, ages 25, 19, and 16.
Any other advice would be appreciated.
Free pizza 24/7 on the promenade.
Good pub right across from it too.
"If you're in the midst of a midlife crisis, you could buy a convertible, have an affair, or upgrade your cup size. But you'll probably be happiest if you save a dog's life." - Jen Lancaster
PhatMack19
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Just boarded a plane to head to Orlando for an 8 day cruise. Kids camp is great! Our 5 yr old begs to go and doesn't really want to hang out with us. You can't beat a free babysitter on vacation.

We were leary of cruising at first, but it's great with younger kids. We started when he was 2 and this will be his 6th cruise.

At minimum get a balcony room, especially if they still take naps. I can sit and look at the ocean with a beer and have a good time by myself. It's peaceful. Bring an umbrella stroller for boarding and ports unless you want to carry them everywhere.
PhatMack19
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Also if you can have your 2 yr old potty trained that would help(diapers are expensive.) They won't let them in the pools or other water activities with a swim diaper. If they **** in the pool, they have to drain it and will shut it down for the day.
dummble
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Well we are back. We decided to leave the 2 year old home since he was not old enough for the kids club. We got a balcony room and the couch bed was perfect for our 4 year old. Plenty of space, it was really nice to have the balcony.

The waitstaff, bartenders, casino dealers and room attendants were awesome once you got to know them and they knew you. No extra tipping involved (they charge you automatically) Skybar and Level 14 were our bars of choice. We ventured away from the main dining only once. The dinner crowd at the buffet scared us back
We took my daughter to all the shows and she loved them all except for the broadway one, She was stircrazy by the last day.

We booked our excursions privately and that is the way to go if you are screaming to leave the crowds and lines behind. Fishing charter in Cozumel, Private boat in Grand Cayman, cab to the same beach as our family/friends in Falmouth.

The cruise ports were weird as it all just seemed too catered to the cruisers. The kids club did not let the kids go outside so my daughter was over that after the first few days. This meant one of us was hanging out with family and friends while the other watched her at the pools, shows or bedtime. We did take her to the bars with her ipad a few times to be social together.

That was my last cruise unless I am forced to go on one again. Too trapped and too scheduled. I am definitely adding Cayman to our list since we did not even scratch the surface there and it was breathtaking.
Bird Poo
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I'm taking that exact same cruise in June. How was the fishing?
fire09
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The only piece of advice that I completely disagree with is to book excursions in advance.
dummble
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On the advice of a friend we looked up the captains who win the local fishing tournaments. That's how we got to cozumel charters.

We had 9 guys(4 and 5) on 2 of the six person boats I was on the hungover group of guys boat. 2 deck hands and a captain and they were rigged and we were trawling immediately leaving the the docks. We did that for a few hours, the captain was trying his best. Changing colors, depths, locations. We spent the rest of the time going from spot to spot fishing the bottom and pulling up small snapper and drum. The other boat trawled the who time and brought up a bunch of mahi. They got dropped off at a restaurant close to port who cooked up their fish for them.

Our Captain who fishes all over. We talked about the gulf and port o'conner said the fishing would be better after May.

So once I powernaped my hangerover away I had a blast. The location was amazing, boat was perfect and being outside drinking cold mexican bud light with my buds beats anything else.
texas_ute
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I am also doing this same cruise out of Galveston this June. Cozumel/Grand Cayman/Jamaica ports. Two families, 4 kids age 6-10, w 2 grandparents. I'm really looking forward to it! I've never been on a Caribbean cruise or been on a Royal Caribbean ship (previously did Alaska cruise on Princess). Any other tips/advice?
AgFB
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Going with my wife's family on the RC cruise in June as well.
Krautag81
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Dummble, don't overthink it, have an open mind. Get on board, relax, and let those people wait on you!
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