Maybe you all noticed the photos that I was posting over the past few weeks – but I never really formally announced: I went on a Carnival Cruise Ship! I joined my friend Jenn from The Rebel Chick on the Carnival Freedom – sailing from Fort Lauderdale, FL to Grand Turk, La Romana, Curacao and Aruba! I was so excited that she chose me to be her guest – and I had never been on a Carnival cruise ship so I was EXTRA excited.
In the past I had thought that it would be too much work and not enough relaxation to bring kids on a cruise. In fact, each cruise that I’ve gone on – I’ve contemplated exactly how much time and effort I’d be putting in to keep the kids happy vs. relaxing and enjoying the cruise myself. However, I was Immediately impressed with the quality of the kids activities on Carnival Freedom, and instantly was wishing that my family was with me. My boys would *LOVE* Carnival Freedom! Carnival recently unveiled it’s new children’s program called ‘Camp Ocean’.
Camp Ocean is for children ages 2-11 and explores the wonders of the sea through fun and educational play.. All the kids I saw aboard were begging to be able to go back to Camp Ocean to play with their new friends and join the activities.
Both of my boys would fall into the Penguin category. Penguins have their own play area with toys and climbing structures and even an outdoor play area. They could have countless hours of fun there!
Party Reef is a common area in camp ocean that the kids can breakout into groups – and also the Creative Cove for arts and crafts – Where kids will do all sorts of ocean-inspired activities.
The Stingrays have a great big room for open play, as well as large motor games, and even some gaming consoles to enjoy. The sharks (age 9-11) have a large area to play video games and areas to spend time with friends.
I was most impressed with the fact that they will take the kids even into the late hours so mom and dad can enjoy some time together enjoying the great evening activities that Carnival Freedom offers. They do not offer nap time – but usually if the little ones fall asleep, they let them rest. They also take care of diapers – which thankfully we don’t have to deal with anymore – but just in case if y’all were wondering!
Carnival also recently partnered with Dr. Seuss Enterprises for ‘Seuss at Sea’ which is great because – well – who doesn’t love Dr. Seuss?! They added Bookville to the Freedom ship– where families can go and enjoy some Dr. Seuss stories, family-fun activities, and Seuss-inspired games, arts and crafts together. I just adore the bright colors!
They also do a great Seuss-a-palooza caracter parade along the ships Promenade, and even the Green Eggs and Ham Breakfast with the Cat in the Hat and Friends. The breakfast is only $5 per person, but is so worth it! You’re entirely immersed into Dr. Seuss’s world, and it is SO FUN! (And yes, there is SO many more food choices other than Green Eggs and Ham!)
Add in all the water fun – like the crazy awesome water slide on the ship…
And the Movies on the pool deck (they also have kid movies – like Frozen, and the LEGO movie)
And the super awesome towel animals…
And last – but not least – is the plentiful amount of fun cocktails with umbrellas (at a very decent price) to keep your sanity on board!
Overall, I had such a great time – I am saving up for our next family trip with Carnival where I’m confident that my kids will be having a lot of fun, and mom and dad will even get to relax a little!
I joined Jenn from TheRebelChick.com as a guest on this cruise – this post is not sponsored by Carnival.
I love the Dr. Seuss angle! And I love the Carnival activities for kids of all ages, it would be nice to go on a vacation that we could all enjoy!
thanks,
Mitch
I love sailing on Carnival! It’s the only cruise I’ve been on and we’re actually getting married on one in February! Sounds like you had an amazing time!
I have never been on a cruise but I have only heard great things about cruises and kids! We were going to go on the Disney Cruise and their kid programs were too too awesome.
I love the fact that there is so much for kids,It is always nice when you do not have to leave your kids out from holidays.I would definitely take my kids on there They would love it.
I have been dying to go on a cruise lately. I haven’t been on one in years.
We are a RC family, and they have lots of things like this, too! Kids clubs are great entertainment and a minute away for parents.
I think its great that cruise ships offer programs that have programs for kids so adults can enjoy their time too. I’d really like to take kiddo on the Disney cruise, but I never knew that regular cruises had good programs for kids.
Oh my goodness, wow! I can’t believe how BIG cruise ships are and all of the wonderful things you can do on them. I want to go on one with my family so bad! Maybe next year 🙂
I’ll be honest, I thought the same as you. I mean who wants to take the kids and be stuck trying to keep them entertained on your relaxing vacation?!? This is absolutely the best thing I have seen happen for parents wanting some peace while on vacation. In fact, I would be really happy to hang out in the Camp Ocean myself!
There is so much to do for kids of all ages. I think it is neat they allow grownups some time while also having some family time.
Wow! I honestly had NO idea that they offered that kind of stuff onboard for kiddos! My husband and I have played around with both ideas – leaving little man at home or taking him with us.
Very cool! I have never been on a cruise. It looks like they provide a lot of fun for little people. Love making those memories!
I’ve not been on a cruise since I was a young bride. I’d love to take my kids with me on one. It looks like a great cruise!
The kids looked like they had a wonderful time, Carnival has so many activities for them. My family and I took a Carnival Cruise for spring break and we had SO much fun. My kids are in their early teens and they enjoyed the water slides and the evening parties on deck.
That trip looks amazing! I love the Dr Seuss and Penguins part (even though I fall into the “young at heart” category lol)! There’s so much to do on that cruise! Glad you guys had fun!!
That looks like an amazing family vacation! I also wouldn’t mind having that yummy drink!
so glad you had a great time. we leave tomorrow for our cruise
It’s nice to see they offer so many things for the kids to have fun too.
Carnival had more things for kids to do than adults on the last cruise we were on! Now I want to be on vacation…
I’ve never been on a cruise. I think it would be awesome to have everything all-inclusive.
We have never been on a cruise, but it looks like there are a lot of things for the whole family to do. We would definitely use Carnival if we ever went on a cruise.
I’ve never been on a cruise, but now I want to. My kids would love Seuss at Sea!
I have heard how wonderfully they cater to kids and family fun on those cruises. I bet your kids will be happy
That looks amazing! Really makes me want to cruise with my kids.
Wow, I did not realize that they had so much to do for children on a cruise! I figure this would be something that we’d have to leave our daughter behind to do!
Wow, I can’t believe there are so many thiings for the kids to do. We been talking a lot lately about making our next vacation a cruise.
My kids are still to young to be tolerable on a cruise! I have never been on a cruise- but I think the first time I go with be without kids:)
It is nice to travel with children. It exposes them to all kinds of wonderful things. I like that this cruise ship has areas dedicated to children and their enjoyment.
Wow that dr suess room is amazing. I’ve been a little cruise shy but I want to go to play in the kid zone. 🙂
Wow what a fun cruise! I have only been on a short cruise, this has always been a dream of mine. For children what a great way to experience a cruise and so many fun filled activities.
So sweet of Jenn to take you too! I’m contemplating taking my kids on our next cruise
I had so much fun, but you already knew that! I am glad that you had fun – I can’t wait to hear what your kids think when you do take them on a cruise!
That looks like fun. Good to know that it is family friendly
I’d love to take my kids on a cruise! It seems like they would have a lot to do.
I had no idea they had this much kid friendly stuff on a cruise! Planning one soon for hubby and I, but I want to plan a family cruise now too!
It’s funny that the towel animals are one of the things I’m most excited about with going on a cruise. But I can totally see why you want to bring your kids next time!
The family would love to go on a cruise like this! I love how they incorporated Dr. Suess.
I love Carnival! That’s great that they are so kid friendly.
I looooooove cruising. I’m trying to find the right time to take my kids. They’re 4 and 7, so I want to be sure they’re going to get the most out of it. The time is near (birthdays this fall). I can feel it.
That Dr Seuss area is AMAZING! We have gone one cruises before but before we had our son. I definitely will take him on our next adventure!
Amazing! We’ve never been on a cruise but it looks like there are so many fun things for kids to do!
i’ve always wanted to go on a cruise! maybe one day when i can get over my sea sickness!
This looks awesome.. I am so happy that they have so many activities for the little ones.
I would love to go on a cruise even with the kids, there is just so much fun for everyone.
WhIle I love and value vacations alone with my husband I also feel like there are very few (within reason) vacations that can’t become child friendly. I think a cruise is one of those.
A cruise is my dream vacation. Bringing our daughter would only add to the fun!
This looks like so much fun. I would love to take my children on a cruise such as this.
jweezie43[at]gmail[dot]com
Wow , that looks like so much fun!!! Now i want to go!!!
Oh! Looks like so much fun! Any kid would love it!
I have been on two carnival cruises but not yet as a family. This looks fabulous!
What a wonderful place for children. A guilt free child care and they even do diapers! I think most children would love it!
I love the colors and designs of the different areas, especially Dr. Suess. It is awesome that they have a special area for 9-11.
All the pictures look great! I would love to take my kids on a cruise, I think they would have so much fun. I love the whole idea of Camp Ocean! There looks like there is so much to do! I’m glad you had fun, I totally have vacation envy. lol
I love how cruises now cater to having kids on them. I know they used to be mostly for adults. I love the pictures of the kids having fun. I know I would take mine on now if I was to go on a cruise.
It looks like fin…for everyone! I will have to keep them in mind if we ever plan a family cruise!
We’ve never taken a cruise but if we did it would be on a family oriented cruise ship. Looks like fun for everyone.
A Cruise is my dream vacation. love that they cater to everyone in the family.
Wow, you certainly had a great cruise vacation. I’d love to some day take a cruise. I don’t know that I’d want the kids along though. 🙂
Looks like fun. I’d love to go on a cruise and know my whole family would enjoy it.
A cruise for the whole family looks like so much fun! My grandsons would have a blast on this cruise with plenty to do!
This looks like so much fun for the whole family. I love Dr. Seuss books and I would even enjoy this part of the cruise thanks for sharing this one.
I haven’t been on a cruise in a long time, but I remember that there was something for everyone to do. As I’ve gotten older, I learned that you don’t always have the time or money to travel like that–don’t put it off. Thanks for sharing!
I love cruises and I can’t wait to bring my son. I think he’s finally old enough to enjoy it.
This looks like so much fun and I’m sure that my children would love it. Hopefully one day soon I will be able to take them on a cruise such as this.
jweezie43[at]gmail[dot]com
Looks like a lot of fun.
Looks like fun for kids, 1 cruise was enough for me though not enough freedom
Looks fun ! I’d love to try a cruise sometime and I think my kids would enjoy it too.
Glad you had fun. Thanks for sharing!
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