Carnival Pride

terinzak · July 2, 2005

Hi!

My 11 yr old son and I will be crusing to the Mexican Riviera on 04/16/06 leaving from Long Beach. This is our first cruise so, of course, we have lots of questions.

In the past we have always gone to Hawaii for Spring Break. But we recently decided to try a cruise. I'm a little concerned that my son won't have a lot to do onboard ship. Has anyone used Camp Carnival and what was your experience. Keep in mind my son is 11 and doesnt like to do anything "girlish" or "babyish".

We booked a guarantee cabin in 4A hoping we get upgraded. I figure we stand a pretty good chance since we booked 10 months early.

Never having been to MExico, could someone give me some idea of which shore excursions would be best..no horseback riding please :shocked:

Also, the dress in the dining room states "no jeans, shorts". How much do they stick to this? Not for me, but my son doesnt own any dress clothes and probably wouldn't wear them if he did!

That's all for now. I'm sure I'll be back alot with many more questions!

hazelson · July 2, 2005

Hi - we went on the Pride in the Spring and loved the whole trip. If you can stay one night pre-cruise on the old Queen Mary - it was fabulous.

Carnival is pretty lax when it comes to their dining rules - even on formal night. But it might be nice if you could convince your son to dress up a little - maybe dockers and a button up shirt. If he tries it and realizes how handsome he looks in the photos - he may just want to do it again.

Can't say about camp carnival at all, sorry.

We did Randi's Happy Horses in Mazatlan and had a really great ride, but that won't be for you lol.

There are several ships excursions - try looking them up on the Carnival site. We booked whale watching in Cabo and a bus tour in Puerto Vallarta through the ship.

What is your son interested in?

Anything I can help you with just ask away - and WELCOME TO CRUISECRAZIES

ttfn Jennifer

GottaCruz · July 2, 2005

Welcome aboard, glad to have you as a member and hope to see you posting often. :cool: alt text

We haven't sailed the Pride , yet..... but we have been on 25 Carnival cruises and all with our kids. They both loved Camp Carnival . There were so many activities they enjoyed that they couldn't wait to get back to camp. Since the kids were divided into different age groups, the activities were geared to their age. Also, it's a great way for kids to meet each other. Sometimes, if the kids didn't want to do some of the activities, they would arrange to meet each other and find something else to do. I have to stress though, it is extremely important for your son to attend the very first camp meeting on the first night. That is usually when the kids kind of bond and exchange room numbers and make plans. Your son will love it, I'm sure. My son is almost 20 years old and still remembers the great times he had at Camp Carnival and my daughter is 13 and still goes to some of the activites.

If you have any other questions, please don't hesitate to ask away. That's what we're here for. Cheryl :cool:

Suzila · July 2, 2005

I'll go along with everything that GottaCruz just said. We started cruising with our kids when they were about 10 and 11 years old and they loved every cruise camp they went to. They really gear all the activities to the kids. Our kids had penpals from those camps for years.

We had our sons dress in a nice pair of slacks, that weren't jeans, a button down shirt and a tie...no jacket. And, immediately following the dinner and the pictures on formal night, they went upstairs to the cabin, changed into jeans, and met up with their 'friends' from the camp. We only saw the boys at dinners and on excursions we did...otherwise, they were with the camp. They had their vacation, we had ours.

I'm trying to remember what excursions we took. I know in Cabo San Lucas the kids did the para-sailing...not me. I'm not that adventurous, but they loved it. None of us like horseback riding, so that was out for us too. In Mazatlan and Puerto Vallarta we took a city tour. I think in one of those locations they rented atv's and rode along the beach. They have beach excursions in all those locations.

If you already have your cabin number, when you get to the port, park your car, take the elevator downstairs in the parking lot, give the steward your luggage to check in, and DON'T stand on the line in the parking lot. If you don't have your room number, you will need to stand on that particular line. You can go directly to the domed building if you have your room and your fun pass (you can get that online). It will only take you a few minutes to check in if all this is done in advance.

I know you'll both have a blast on your cruise. Hope this helps. Sue