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Date Posted: 02-20-2008 5:55 AM
Cruising with Children (with warnings)
I will begin by telling you that we just sailed on the Glory at the beginning of February and we had a very nice time. But as an experienced cruiser we encountered a few things that I would caution many traveling with young children.
First and foremost is dining. I have always requested the early seating and was accomodated. This time we were not and it could not be changed. There was no way that our children (3, 8 and 9) and elderly parents were going to make it until 8:00 to begin the dining process. While our reservation said that we were confirmed for early seating, it was not the case. I would recommend making this mandatory under the special request portion of booking. We ended up putting the older kids in the Camp Carnival dining at 5:45 each night and eating at the Red Sail buffet with my youngest and parents. Big downer.
Other food choices were great. There is the standard buffet, a deli, an oriental area, fish and chips station, 24 hour pizza stand, sushi bar (yes, no charge) and a grill that serves hot dogs, hamburgers, grilled chicken breast and steak sandwiches. Room service menu was outstanding. Never ending ice cream on deck is a big winner with the kids.
As for the Western Caribbean itinerary I was not that impressed with only 3 ports of call. For a cruise of this duration the children become stir crazy, even with the kids programs available. Cozumel is fine to just hop in a cab and go to a beach. Nothing to do in Belize if you don't have an excursion planned. The Bahamas is .... well, it is the Bahamas. You get off of the ship and either go to a beach or go shopping. I have hit this port 4 times and there is no change. We ended up at Cable Beach once again and it it fine for the kids if they care to go swimming, jet skiing or just play in the sand. Make sure you have a plan ahead of time or they will be bored in port. Lots of days at sea and if they are not one to go to Camp Carnival you will have to be their best friend. I am sure it would be different if there were more kids on board when we went, but youngsters are restless at sea. They haven't figured out the whole relaxation thing yet.
Here is the BIGGIE!!! After eating some great food onboard for a couple of days my wife needed to use the "Ladies Room" a few times too often the morning we were pulling into Cozumel. She decided to go to the infirmary to see if they had some Pepto Bismol or Immodium to help her out. They gave her some medication and as she signed out they informed her that it was a Center for Disease Control (CDC) mandate that she be isolated to the ship for 24 hours in the event that she was carrying a virus of some sort!!! If she was caught getting off of the ship then a fine would be imposed. I had to get off the ship with the three kids and just walk around the shopping area. The next day we pulled into Belize before the 24 hours were up and when she put her boarding card in the reader to hop off the alarms went off. Calls were made to the infirmary and they ended up lifting the isolation a half hour early. So if you are prone to some bowel syndrome after eating rich foods, I would suggest you have your supply of health care remedies in your travel bag. But if you truly have an illness I agree that you should not bring it off the ship with you. Everyone is aware of how they function and that should be taken into consideration.
Overall, it was a very nice experience. Entertainment for the adults was great and the Camp Carnival Counselors were very good with the kids. Never the same thing twice and there is always something to do. Food choices outside of the Dining Room was plentiful and well done. Rooms were spacious and very clean. Pools were too small and very cold since they are salt water, pumped in from the sea. Temperatures were given of all the pools on the information channel in your room. Two of the pools stayed around 72 - 75 degrees and the middle pool was around 78 degrees. For that reason you find the hot tubs crowded. The slide was one of the best water slides that I have been on for that size. Kids loved it. Deck plan is not the best that I have seen. It appears too crowded with very little room to move in the main areas. There are basketball and volleyball courts as well as a 9 hole miniature golf course that is very nice on the top deck by the smoke stack.
One last thing. If you are not a smoker, beware. The casino area and a few of the bars allow smoking. Quite a bit different than the last RCCL cruise I took a couple years back. It kept me away from the Piano Bar and Jazz club and limited my time in the Casino. I guess I am not used to it anymore.
Feel free to reply with any questions I can answer.
Nice job Carnival!!
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