We’d like to remind Forumites to please avoid political debate on the Forum.

This is to keep it a safe and useful space for MoneySaving discussions. Threads that are – or become – political in nature may be removed in line with the Forum’s rules. Thank you for your understanding.

📨 Have you signed up to the Forum's new Email Digest yet? Get a selection of trending threads sent straight to your inbox daily, weekly or monthly!

Royal caribbean V Thomson cruises. Worth the extra 2 grand?

Well it had to happen reading such good reviews on MSE... we want to book a cruise.

we are very flexible with dates.. anytime between the start of may and the end of September 07. flighing from Manchester, Birmingham, east mids or Liverpool. for 2 adults and 2 children aged 5 and 6.

Having looked through previous threads we have decided it's a proper formal one we want so not OV. but the ship has to have good childrens clubs.

I read one post where only 1 other child was in the kids club, if that was the case the children would not want to use them and I would not leave them so finding the right ship going to the right places at the right price is my mission.

I would really like one stopping around the USA or Canada. My thinking is I would like to see a bit of the world and you can get such cheep flights to the med now and have also been to quite a few med places.

So any recommendations for ships and destinations please.
«13

Comments

  • Loads of cruise information on this site

    :beer:
  • GIRLPOWER_2
    GIRLPOWER_2 Posts: 1,382 Forumite
    I have had a good look at the link, Good site. Thank you.

    Can anyone suggest a ship and destination they have been on that would suit us?
  • john.xs
    john.xs Posts: 494 Forumite
    1. going in summer hols + more kids!
    2.we went around med in july on carvival liberty and there were plenty of kids!
    3.the likes of royal caribbean/ carnival princess/ p+o /princess have always had lively kids clubs and its been a struggle to get mine out once they join up!
  • Froggitt
    Froggitt Posts: 5,904 Forumite
    Also try cruisecritic.com for info. Most cruiselines do a cruise and stay, eg adding on 3 days in New York, or 7 days in Orlando before or after the cruise.
    illegitimi non carborundum
  • GIRLPOWER_2
    GIRLPOWER_2 Posts: 1,382 Forumite
    john.xs wrote:
    1. going in summer hols + more kids!


    To be honest we would go when we got the best price which I should think would be May/ June or September.

    And I really fancy the idea of a stay in Florida before or after... How do I go about knowing what ships go or land from there?

    Is it a matter of going onto every website and seeing what dates and destinations are on offer or is there 1 site that would list them all?

    Thanks Nikki.
  • pjran
    pjran Posts: 1,998 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 1,000 Posts I've been Money Tipped!
    We started taking our kids cruising from about aged 3. The kids clubs are fantastic, so much so that at some ports they didn't want to go ashore!!

    Theres a site called "Vacations to go" where you can say which ports you would like to depart from and it then lists all the ships sailing from there. Remember to say which month you would like to travel just to narrow the search a little. When you've found your ideal cruise may I suggest you ring some of the UK cruise consultants and get an inclusive price to include flights etc. Really shop around you'll be amazed how much prices vary.

    Pj
  • Party_Animal
    Party_Animal Posts: 1,657 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 1,000 Posts Combo Breaker
    I did one once from Florida that took in Key West, Nassau and Mexico. It was only Thompson but good ports, could be combined with a week in Florida.
  • GIRLPOWER_2
    GIRLPOWER_2 Posts: 1,382 Forumite
    Thanks,

    I looked at thomsons but they all seemed to be going around the med or the red sea.
  • john.xs wrote:
    1. 3.the likes of royal caribbean/ carnival princess/ p+o /princess have always had lively kids clubs and its been a struggle to get mine out once they join up!

    We did a Southern Caribbean cruise on Royal Caribbean and their childrens club was brilliant. The kids have a blast.

    If it is your first cruise, can i suggest that you do a cruise with loads of days in dock.
    We did a 7 night cruise and only had one day at sea. We figured that way, if we felt 'trapped' at sea, then we could get off the ship as often as we wanted. Also, that way you dont lose your land legs!

    Try https://www.shiphappens.co.uk They often have posts about kids clubs and first time cruisers.

    Enjoy it... we certainly did!
    :dance: "Never save something for a special occasion. Every day in your life is a special occasion". _party_
  • Froggitt
    Froggitt Posts: 5,904 Forumite
    Get the brochures from your TA rather than try and find what you want online.
    illegitimi non carborundum
This discussion has been closed.
Meet your Ambassadors

🚀 Getting Started

Hi new member!

Our Getting Started Guide will help you get the most out of the Forum

Categories

  • All Categories
  • 352.9K Banking & Borrowing
  • 253.9K Reduce Debt & Boost Income
  • 454.7K Spending & Discounts
  • 246K Work, Benefits & Business
  • 602.1K Mortgages, Homes & Bills
  • 177.8K Life & Family
  • 259.9K Travel & Transport
  • 1.5M Hobbies & Leisure
  • 16K Discuss & Feedback
  • 37.7K Read-Only Boards

Is this how you want to be seen?

We see you are using a default avatar. It takes only a few seconds to pick a picture.