“I am currently planning a cruise, and have narrowed my choices to the above three ships. I would like information on activities for teens on each. I would like information on what activities and public facilities there are on the ships. Please give past accounts of cruise vacations and/or any information you have about these ships!”
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I have taken both Rhapsody of the Seas and Grand Princess and would recommend Grand Princess over Rhapsody. The Grand has four pools and movies under the stars. The best part is the anytime dining. You won’t be eating with a bunch of people you don’t know for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Again this is just my opinion but I much preferred the Grand over Rhapsody.
Also, I wonder if you are planning to travel out of Galveston. You might note that Grand Princess is not scheduled to return to Galveston next year so taking the Grand will involve a flight to Fort Lauderdale.
References :
http://www.princess.com
I have been on the Grand Princess, which is a great ship to travel on. Have not been on the Carnival Conquest but have been on two prior Carnival Cruises which I was not a fan of. Princess is by far better and nicer and the Grand has a number of things to do for teens and would recommend you visit the Princess web site. Have never chosen to cruise with Royal.
Personally I choose Conquest. We are sailing on her in August. I like the fact that Carnival has larger rooms.
This is cruise #12 for me.
We have been on the Rhaposody and the Conquest with a pre-teen and a teen.
Overall, the Rhaposody is not in as good shape as the Conquest.
The plumbing on the Rhaposody is in bad shape and most of the public restrooms were stopped up during our cruise.
One of the cabin stewards was so bad, that I refused to tip her. I have never failed to tip a cruise service person is 18-years of cruising.
The ice cream machines were constantly breaking down and the bar service to get sodas was extremely poor.
The Rhaposody does have rock climbing. But the course is at the back of the ship and it is very windy. My girls only did it once.
My girls loved the Conquest. They danced at the teen disco, enjoyed the pool and running around on the ship.
The girls LOVE the 24-hour a day pizzeria on the Conquest.
Recommendation on cruising with teens… Get a set of the 2-way radios to keep in touch while you are on-board ship.
If you chose the Conquest, get the Soda Fountain cards. With teens, they pay for themselves within day 2 of the trip.
The only downside to the Conquest is the itinerary. You are out to sea for Monday and Tuesday. The kids start getting bored on Tuesday. Then you hit Jamacia, Grand Cayman and Cozumel the next three days and last day you are out to sea.
From a motion standpoint, the Rhaposody was much rougher than the Conquest.
We won’t take the Rhaposody again but we are going to take the Conquest again.
I have been on the Grand Princess and its sister ship and I highly recommend it. Princess is a much better cruise line than Carnival and you will have better food and accommodations.
For my 15th cruise, I leave again on the Conquest May 20. Great 7 day cruise.