This was our first cruise. My dad helped us book it. He is an experienced cruiser (33 and counting). Our expectations have been formed by listening to the endless recounting of past, present and future cruises by my parents.
We have six children, three boys and three girls 11,10,8,5,3,1, so vacationing holds a good amount of work and we were not going to cruise for a few more years until the youngest was more manageable and would appreciate the trip (and remember it). However the 50% savings off the lowest rate was too appealing to turn down and we booked on the one day special getting an 8 day cruise for the base price of 359 for the first two in cabin each and 200 for the third and fourth each. With everything included except tips we paid $400 per person or $3200 for eight. This was a bargain. We can't fly anywhere w/hotel, 8 passenger van, gas, food, and entertainment for less even though we are super frugal. This was a good deal.
All our children went to the Adventure program the first sea day. One child really stuck, my eight year old girl. She was there the whole cruise (80% of the time). My two little boys 3 and 5 did a few more sessions but wanted to hang out with Grandpa and parents most of the cruise. My 10 and 11 are like little adults, they hung out with us, played, swam, read, and watched some movies. They did not like the Adventure program but enjoyed the cruise.