Which P&O mini-cruise best with kids

moominmama72

Hi We are thinking of doing a mini-cruise from Hull to either Bruges or Amsterdam at feb half term with our 2 kids (11 & 7) and woundered if anyone had any suggestions which is most child friendly. Last time we went to Bruges. I haven't been to Amsterdam since I was a teenager and so not sure if it would be child friendly or not. Its mostly about the ferry but need to know if there is anything to do when we get there. We would be traveling on Wednesday or Thursday. Any ideas or suggestions would be greatly appreciated Thank You

Haarlem

I frequently use this service. Over the last year the quality has deteriorated noticeably.

The quality of the food in the buffet is no longer acceptable, and we now take sandwiches with us. Food and drink has become very expensive on board. The cabins are clean, but they do not put the beds up to give you a couch to sit on. you can of course put it up yourselve. In a 4 berth you only get 2 sachets of shampoo and shower gel.

It is all part of a major cost cutting excercise which includes combining the check in for cars for both services, less staff at check in (I queued for over an hour last November) no waiters in the bar, often no live entertainment, and when there is just a single person with guitar and backing tape. Car Park is now £5 a day.

I still use it to get to Holland, but it has become a basic ferry, not the enjoyable experience it was.

The talk has been that the Zeebruge ferry will not sail everday, but nothing has been announced. P & O have annouced the closure of the ferry from Portsmouth to Spain later in the year, so they are making harsh decisions to cut costs.

I love Holland and would encourage you to make the trip. Not sure what to recommend to interest your children. What interests them?

Not sure where you live, but a new daily service starts in April from Robin Hood Airport which would mean at least an overnight stay in Holland, but it might cost the same as the ferry when all is added in.

Zziggi

Haarlem wrote: »

The talk has been that the Zeebruge ferry will not sail everday, but nothing has been announced. P & O have annouced the closure of the ferry from Portsmouth to Spain later in the year, so they are making harsh decisions to cut costs.

Rotterdam-Hull & Zeebrugge-Hull ferries are running every other day during selected dates between now and March (I believe).

Holland is a lovely place - I'd really recommend it too. What about going up to Amsterdam to Anne Frank house? Delft is nice to call in on the way back (assuming you are taking your car).

I also use P&O to go to the continent. I NEVER use the overpriced, poor-quality restaurant, I take plenty of sandwiches and cold drinks.

McKneff

I travel on the ferry to Amsterdam twice a year and yes i agree with some of the posts on here re the expensive food. But the value is great, bear in mind at the moment and up to the end of March its Buy One Get One Free, My OH and i are going for £82 for both of us. Now thats a bargain. You have to be wiley with this though, go to the website, do all commutations including getting two cabins, try with bunk beds, then try outside 2 bedded (side by side) then try a family cabin. look at all the different prices.
Dont buy the food, like i say, its expensive.
The ferry goes in the evening, have a good lunch at home, take a picnic with
you for the ferry, when youre in Amsterdam, go for lunch somewhere and buy some sandwiches to have another pic nic on board. Theres a cinema on board,
a ball pool for the little ones, for the price its great fun. After March end the prices quadruple
2 or 3 bars, an entertainment bar, a piano bar,

Above all, from the call centre staff to the staff on board the customer service is the best i have ever come across and I'm a pensioner.

Dont know whether you know but not far from the terminal there is 'The Deep'
which you could go to in the afternoon so making your mini break a bit more interesting. Its great for adults and kids. We went in October and we get further free entry for another year.

Have fun.

ferryenthusiast

Just to clarify the sailing patterns.

Hull to Rotterdam is served with a sailing from each port every night throughout the year, with the usual Christmas exceptions.

Hull to Zeebrugge however does in January and February get reduced down to every other night for passengers, this is due to one of the ships going for its bi-annual overhaul and then covering for one of the ships on the Rotterdam route whilst it has its bi-annual overhaul.

pinkduvetdiva

I went to Amsterdam with P&O last year, and found the sailing to be OK,(apart from having a steward unlocking and opening our cabin door as we were preparing to disembark at Hull and telling us that it was time to go!)
We visited the Anne Frank House (prepare for long queues to get in-but well worth the wait) , the Pancake Bakery (yum!) and the Sexmuseum (more or less worth the 3 euros we paid to get in!)

http://www.annefrank.org/content.asp?pid=1&lid=2

http://www.pancake.nl/indexeng.php

www.sexmuseumamsterdam.nl