Cruise from Southampton - family of 4

JonathanA

Yep, I think we were unlucky with the weather, which was a shame as it was the first time we'd cruised, but it certainly didn't detract from the overall P&O offer and experience and it wouldn't put me off cruising again!

daveyjp

Our first trip was also an Atlantic Coast to Portugal, Spain and France over 7 days and outside of school holidays on Ventura, the Bay was like a millpond and ourvthen 4 year old enjoyed herself. Ventura has a night nursery so you can leave children asleep in the nursery and go and enjoy your evening.

It was just right to get an idea, we have since done two more to Fjords (P&O) and Scandanavia (Princess, 6m swell and 100knt wind across the bow, but no problems on the ship). We actually referred Princess due to a slightly smaller ship, a wider mix of passengers and the better food.

We do know we will never do a Med Cruise in school holidays. The idea of 700 children on a ship the size of Ventura fills us with dread!

McKneff

mickey234 wrote: »

Does Newcastle have a viable port?

#
Yes, Port of Tyne, North Shields.

jaydeemdm2013

P&O are one of the best family cruise companies around. Though Royal Caribbean are pretty good as well.

I am trying out MSC Cruises soon from the med back to Southampton so will see what they are like. MSC Cruises are similar to Costa Cruises if you like a fun family ship without the professionalism and attention to detail of P&O and Royal Caribbean.

Carnival have the fun ships that are spacious and comfortable and very family friendly too.

Whoever you go with go with an open mind and have fun whatever happens.

I have family on MSC cruises at the moment travelling back from South America and they are loving it. Not for everyone though but very family friendly.

travellerboy

touch*my*food*feel*myfork wrote: »

..... 4th time I have sailed down the bay of Biscay and only the first time I have experienced bad weather.

I would agree with you sometimes good, sometimes bad weather.

Probably the more important reason for going to a Mediterranean port is you gain so many more port-days , sea-days are best avoided where possible.

Port days aboard ship are normally quiet and relaxing, go ashore if you want. Whilst sea-days are tiresome especially for a family with the sun-bed hoggers and expensive drinks.

Mands

travellerboy wrote: »

sea-days are best avoided where possible.

Sea days are best avoided by those who don't like sea days.

Just as old ships are best avoided by those who don't like older, well-maintained ships. Oh, and small ships are best avoided by those who don't like smaller ships.

Really, what's most important is to figure out what matters to you and yours. Ballgowns and formal night? Hello Cunard. Sky diving at sea? Go to NY and wait for Quantum.

Recently home from 14 consecutive days on a small and older ship :-)
Mands

Mands

McKneff wrote: »

The thing that bothers me, and I haven't been on a cruise, is it normal to have to walk miles from cabins to facilities.

It really depends on the ship. Looking at those that sail the Med the variation in size is huge: the biggies at the moment are about 150,000 gross tonnes with the mainstream littlies at 5,000 gross tonnes. In terms of passengers that's 4,500 vs 148.

On a big ship you might have to walk quite a way; on a small ship not so much. In both cases it'd be worth spending times with the deck plans and picking a suitable cabin.

I've sailed with an 86 year old who needed a walking stick at all times but who was fine because he was 10 paces from an elevator which took him close to pretty much everything he needed. A year later the cabin he was in was occupied by someone with macular degeneration who was legally blind and also managed.

But sailings out of Newcastle are a bit of a rarity and really, you need options to be able to choose something that suits. I think, forgive me if I'm incorrect, that you don't fly? If that's the case is there scope for train-based travel to other locations? If so then you widen your options significantly.

Mands

Goldiegirl

I've done mostly P&O cruises, and I think Ventura and Oceana are especially good for first time family cruises.

You can get a lot of information from the cruise forums, but take a lot of it with a pinch of salt ..... There's a lot of moaners on the cruise forums!

Don't worry too much about the Bay of Biscay either, it can be a be rough, but it can be like a millpond too.

When people start cruising, they often find that no other holiday suits them, so beware, it is addictive!

simone10

Evening Cruisers.

My hubby and I are going on a 2 night cruise from Southampton later this year. We've never been on a cruise before and generally I'm not keen on boats but as flying anywhere is a no-no to us, hubbie thought we could dip our toes in the water (not literally) and try a VERY short cruise.

Can I ask where you leave your car? Is there parking available at the port? If so is it chargeable? if there isn't do you leave it at a car park in a superb or street parking nearby?

TIA

daveyjp

CPS are the official providers of car parking.
http://www.candps.com/

For two nights its worth it. You drive to the terminal, handover your keys, they park it and it is by the terminal on your return.