Royal Carribean- any good? and childcare?

[Deleted]

DH and I are considering a CME (continuing medical education) trip on Royal Carribean. Most of it will be paid for by our employer. It is on Allure of the Seas. Anyone have any experience with them? Thoughts? Also, we will probably take V-- any idea/experiences with the childcare on board?

[Pom]

We sailed Voyager of the Seas and had a very nice experience. We are normally Holland America cruise takers since my bf is an officer for that line. Very comparable. Ships do make a difference. You might check reviews on cruisecritic.com, they get sort of nuts there though, I lurked for info. Sorry, no info on kid care.

[Awkward]

I sailed Royal Caribbean (Grandeur of the Seas) on a family trip about 12 years ago and loved it. Nothing to complain about. I was a teen so too old for childcare, but my sister spent a few hours there (she was 8 or 9?). There are some kids that are dumped there pretty much all day every day while their parents are on excursions or whatever. Other kids it's just when parents want some 'alone time.' It seemed like a nice facility, clean.

Go and have a fabulous time.

[rubytue]

I've heard great things about the kids clubs on cruise ships, but I think they usually start at 2 or 3 (potty trained). Maybe it's been longer than I think, but V may be young. Although cruisecritic can be weird, I'd check out the RCL board there for the age requirements.

[Deleted]

Sept 26, 2012 13:22:05 GMT -5 rubytue said:

I've heard great things about the kids clubs on cruise ships, but I think they usually start at 2 or 3 (potty trained). Maybe it's been longer than I think, but V may be young. Although cruisecritic can be weird, I'd check out the RCL board there for the age requirements.

The website says this ship has "aqua tots and babies" for 6 mos - 3 years. Basically a nursery I guess for $8/hr. They also offer in room babysitting. Just wondered if anyone had every used it or knew someone who had...We'll need babysitting during the conferences and hopefully for a little alone time as well.

[ssmjlm]

I believe Allure is one of their largest ships in their fleet. I have a friend who is diamond on RC and she loves it.

[SJ]

I am not a cruise lover, but you had me at "employer paid." I would totally go- I have heard good things about RC as well as the childcare.

[rubytue]

Paid?! I missed that. Go! $8/hr for classes and a night out is totally worth it.

[biscoffcookies]

Sept 26, 2012 12:44:55 GMT -5 @lilly said:

DH and I are considering a CME (continuing medical education) trip on Royal Carribean. Most of it will be paid for by our employer. It is on Allure of the Seas. Anyone have any experience with them? Thoughts? Also, we will probably take V-- any idea/experiences with the childcare on board?

I have no info re your cruise, but I have to say how jealous I am that (1) your continuing education is offered on a cruise and (2) that your employer is footing the bill.

CLE is sometimes offered at various resorts, but as a fed who has to pay out of pocket, I am all about the online seminars. :-(

[littlemisssunshine]

Allure of the Seas is amazing! I enjoy cruising though, and like the bigger ships. When I cruised RC with H's family they put his younger sister in the kids program and really liked it. She was older though, 7 at the time.

[jenn248]

I haven't been on Allure, but have been on three other RC cruises and enjoyed them all. My sister put her kids in childcare and they had a great time (my nephew had a temper tantrum at breakfast one morning because he wanted to go to the childcare center but couldn't because it hadn't opened for the day yet...), although I imagine your kiddo will be too young to care about the activities there.

[bronxgirl]

I've never been on the Allure of the Seas, but I've heard it's awesome.