We are considering planning our first cruise as our next family trip, would love some feedback and help in what/when/where and which ship is best.

it will probably be just be Me and my Ds who is 11, I was considering a Dec 2010 cruise for an early christmas present... he will be 12 by then, will he enjoy the kids clubs? what other things do they offer for the kids?

We are also considering an inside stateroom, as its alot less expensive and we don't imagine we will be in the room for anything other then sleep/showers etc...

I was looking at a western carribean 7 day cruise.....

If you are looking at the Disney Cruise Line, the Ocean Quest is amazingly fun for kids (it is all 11-13 year olds).
Here (http://disneycruise.disney.go.com/ships-activities/ships/magic/youth-clubs/ocean-quest/)'s more info on that.

Basically think of the ultimate camp -- that's Ocean Quest.

RCCL has the Adventure Ocean program, 12-14 year olds are in the "Navigator (http://www.royalcaribbean.com/findacruise/experiencetypes/home.do;jsessionid=0000PcL-6lmTnihVrKPxTasGomx:12hbioan0?#/?detail=613&wl=1)" program, which is open all day until late at night.

Last year, my family sailed on the Disney Magic for a week at Thanksgiving. Friends came along with us, and most of the kids were 11 and 12. They enjoyed the kids' clubs, and the runaway favorite was the simulated bridge, which is a video feed from the ship's bridge; the kids have the chance to captain the ship and steer its course (not really, but it's fun!) .

Other kid fun includes the onboard parties (sail away and Pirates In the Caribbean), the shows in the Walt Disney theater, the pools, onboard shuffleboard and pingpong, the movies (under the stars on Arielvision!), and of course, Castaway Cay!

They enjoyed the kids' clubs, and the runaway favorite was the simulated bridge, which is a video feed from the ship's bridge; the kids have the chance to captain the ship and steer its course (not really, but it's fun!) .
That part is JUST on the Magic, right? I seem to recall reading that was one of the few differences between the two ships that didn't have a reasonable equivalent on the Wonder.

That part is JUST on the Magic, right? I seem to recall reading that was one of the few differences between the two ships that didn't have a reasonable equivalent on the Wonder.

Rumor is that during the Wonder Dry Dock, before it heads west, she will be getting a Cove Cafe, among other enhancements already onboard the Magic. It is possible they might add Ocean Quest, as well

I would hope Disney Cruise Line will add it for the Wonder because it is so popular!

After reading the DCL and RCI kids' club, I would not have liked the Disney one at age 12. The activities sound a little juvenile and I was well past anything of that nature by that age.

I know it's hard to know now what your son will want to do over a year from now, but I would say, if you son can relate to people a little bit older and makes friends easily, or is very independent, try RCL.

If he relates well to younger kids and needs the structured activities (a quiz to earn pizza toppings?) then he might be happier on Disney.

Also, I would check the specific activities available on any ships you're looking at, just to get an idea of what else there is to do outside of the kids' club.

Rumor is that during the Wonder Dry Dock, before it heads west, she will be getting a Cove Cafe, among other enhancements already onboard the Magic. It is possible they might add Ocean Quest, as well
Actually, the Wonder already has the Cove Cafe, if you are referring to the cafe next to the adult pool. However, it is correct that at the current time, the Wonder does not have the Ocean Quest option. Sounds like a great feature to add on.

After reading the DCL and RCI kids' club, I would not have liked the Disney one at age 12. The activities sound a little juvenile and I was well past anything of that nature by that age.
Well, when my daughter was 12, she really enjoyed the Oceaneer's Lab. The list of activities they offer are extensive. I mean, she had so much fun - she didnt want to leave.

I have cruised on both the Wonder and the Magic. In May we did a huge extended family cruise on the Magic. We had a group of 28 and 15 of them were children ranging in age from 4-14. We had two middle school age kids in the Ocean Quest group. From what I understand there was a time when Disney was sort of missing the boat on the middle school age group. These kids were really too young for the high school age group where they were originally lumped in and yet too old for the kids activities in the Lab. Disney heard the guest comments loud and clear and the Quest was established for the tween group. The two kids in our family that were in the Quest loved this experience. Both made tons of friends. My sister’s pretty much had to drag them out to do excursions and family activities with us. We also had one freshman in High School who spent a good deal of time in the teen group. I have a child who had just turned 11 and he opted to stay in the Oceaneer’s Lab and adored his experience there. As I said, we had 15 kids in our group, every single one of them loved the clubs they were in. Disney is absolutely amazing at entertaining the kids, getting them involved and helping foster friendships.

I have also sailed on RCL several times. My last cruise with them was with my husband’s family last fall. My three kids stayed home with Grandma but my BIL and SIL had there 13 and 16 year old with us. Both kids complained about the cruise constantly. They were boared out of their minds and for whatever reason did not like the teen groups. They were always with their parents and basically drove all of us adult’s nuts. There were a few times my husband and I ditched my BIL and SIL because we had had it with the kids and needed a break from them. My SIL really wants to cruise again but her kids flat out refuse to entertain this idea for a family vacation. My husband and I made the decision, based on this experience, that our family cruises will always be on DCL. I have nothing against RCL. I have cruised with them several times. I have very much enjoyed these experinces. However, I honestly don’t think there is a cruise line out there that understands kids the way Disney does. For me if the kids aren’t happy and busy it really makes for a bummer trip for the adults. While there is no doubt about the fact that a Disney cruise is more expensive, I believe it’s worth every extra penny, especially if you’re traveling with those under 17. (Even if you don’t have kids with you I still find the service far superior to the other lines I have cruised.) I’m a stay at home Mom. This is the only family vacation that I have been on where I actually feel as if I’m on a vacation and not on a business trip where I’m bringing my daily work along with me.

Mily

As for the inside vrs outside cabin if I am traveling without my husband I would save the cash and do the inside. (We are a family of five which means either a family suite or two cabins for our family size.) On our DCL last May we did one inside one outside. My hubby loves the verandah and to him he must have it. He does spend a great deal of time out on the verandah. I on the other hand perfer to just sleep and shower in the cabin. I am more of the type that would perfer to be on deck or where ever the action is. I was a little worried about the whole no natural light deal before we cruised. I found that this did not bother me at all. I do perfer the higher decks and would suggest a cat 11 inside on deck 7 if your trying to watch your cash. The cat 12 are all under the adult night clubs and can get a bit noisey. We had no issues with noise in our cat 11 on deck 7. My kids and I are thinking of doing a DCL without my hubby. If we do this I know I will book a cat 11 and use the savings for excursions. The only down side to a cat 11 is that you don't get a split bath which I admit is a very nice perk on a cat 10 and above. This makes the cat 11 and 12 a bit smaller sq.footage wise but I'm pretty sure the extra sq. footage is in the split bath vrs one room bath so it's really not much as far as useable floor space in the cabin.

I also highly suggest getting a copy of Passporter's Disney Cruise Line and it's Ports of Call. By Jennifer and Dave Marx. This book was my cruise bible in both the planning stages and on the cruise. It has the entire ship(s) mapped out, has floor plans and photos of all cat of cabins, has tons of info on the ports and excurisions, and pretty much will give you info on anything you think to ask about and things you don't know to ask about. This book is truly amazing.

Mily

Thanks Mily, I will get the book sound right up my planning nature, along
with help from everyone, espeically you Mary thanks !!!!!!