First family cruise

babs

I have cruised with P&O, Princess, Royal Carribbean and Carnival with and without kids. 

I personally would avoid cruising with small babies. They are not allowed in the pools if they in nappies and have to be completely toilet trained (even with swim pants on) on most cruise lines. This was a game changer for us so didn't cruise till ours were older. 

diystarter7

Hi OP

I'd love to cruise but was against it becuse I wrongly thought most were loud and had fights etc.
I must have looked at over a hundred cursie vlogs by uk vloggers and now fully informed.
We decided not to do it as I dont wannt to be stuck with loud people and hate/fear sailing as does Mrs Diy.

Tips I picked up - dont do less than 4 day crusie as they are "booze creises" eg stag/hen parties, birthdays etc according to one vlogger makes sense

Then during kids hols, even the all inc deals, mass of qeues fro breakfast, lunch etc but it depends on the ship you take etc

Tips - the price you pay plus about 14 per person a day on most crusies.

Tours are very expennsive

Drinks are very expennsive so you can by a package but every adult in your cabi has to buy one.

Med hols from southhapton no fly over 10 14 days look like the dbest deals and I thoigh about the newer ship Iona

If you live far from southapton, book a hotel the night before, oly about 120 inc break for the night and 5 min taxi from hotel to port

Good luck

diystarter7

Btw - dont get a room under or above the dance floors, bars, places to eat etc unless you are going to bed after 2am and up early.

Get balcony - best deals

Get a room away from lifts, jacuzzi and places to eat but in easy walking distance as the Iona is massie


ps - just like flying over the the bay of Bisca, ships often enure testing weather especially i the winter - that put me off as well

stoneman

Have a look at MSC from Southampton. The most beautiful ships you will ever sail on. They are a Mediterranean company and love kids. Generally cheaper than most other cruise lines (but not always)

wolvoman

Been on several cruises with our kids. Youngest was 6 months old for his first - not a problem at all.

Echo the thoughts on avoiding the excursions via the cruise lines - they are aimed at octogenarians anyway with most of the time spent waiting (e.g. drive for an hour, told you have 30 mins to return to coach, only to wait a further 30 mins before it leaves, repeat 3 times - that’ll be £200 please)

davelewis

P&O are geared up for the UK market and kids. I absolutely love P&O. I cruised Cunard for years before discovering P&O. Younger, more fun, more reasonable onboard. Everything in UK pounds, no tipping. I always buy the drinks package. £40 a day is a bargain for the drinks - lots of other cruise lines will charge double that!

Don't listen to the poster above who has never been on a cruise (!) Just book and go - you and your family will have a ball.