Cruising

[Dollylovesshoes]

My sister inlaw loves Silver Seas cruises,not over crowded and pure luxury.

 

[Naataaliiee]

Reviving this thread in the hope somebody has experience cruising with children!
We’re hoping to do a cruise in May or August 2025 as a family of 4 (a 2 yo and a 5 yo), ideally sailing the Caribbean. Either a longer cruise, or a cruise and stay. My question is where’s best to search for flight inclusive deals? Everywhere we look seems to be cruise only and we’d rather book a package. And to also see family prices? We previously have booked with Virgin and they were great - the price included flights, transfers/car hire, hotel (if a stay and cruise) and cruise, but they don’t seem to offer other cruise lines now they’ve launched their own.

 

[Dollylovesshoes]

My sisinlaw and husband are going on Silver Seas cruise to Europe next year,they have been on S S cruises before,ultimate luxury.

 

[Emlo]

I’ve spent a lot of time on cruises as a kid/ young adult as my family weren’t flyers and then as I got older I realised I enjoy moving about waking up to different place and I like getting involved in new things onboard on sea days. I know lots of people don’t like that you only really get a ‘surface-level’ experience in each place but I’ve been on some fantastic excursions on cruise holidays that I would never have done on a regular holiday.

Before coronavirus hit I was actually contemplating applying to work on one!

Now though I have no immediate plans to go back on to a cruise ship even as a passenger. The risks of quarantine and not being able to dock make it too risky for me to consider for at least a couple more years yet.

 

[Lollypad]

Doesn't sound much of a holiday to me. Just read these rules out to OH and he's said we'll cancel our summer river cruise.

We’ve got a P&O cruise booked for June that I’m hoping they’ll cancel so we can get our deposit back... but no with the rules and the quarantine hotels I’ve got no desire to be going away in June!

 

[Charsior]

Reviving this thread in the hope somebody has experience cruising with children!
We’re hoping to do a cruise in May or August 2025 as a family of 4 (a 2 yo and a 5 yo), ideally sailing the Caribbean. Either a longer cruise, or a cruise and stay. My question is where’s best to search for flight inclusive deals? Everywhere we look seems to be cruise only and we’d rather book a package. And to also see family prices? We previously have booked with Virgin and they were great - the price included flights, transfers/car hire, hotel (if a stay and cruise) and cruise, but they don’t seem to offer other cruise lines now they’ve launched their own.

We cruise with Royal and they do a fly and cruise package. You may have to ring them but we book our long haul flights with them as we just feel more comfortable if anything was to go wrong they are aware. But long haul we aim to arrive the night before. Norwegian also do package deals!

 

[DigiDuino]

Have a look at this one.

Saver price is £121pppn

G232 - Norway & Iceland Cruise - 17 Sep 2022 | P&O Cruises

Book your G232 Norway & Iceland cruise holiday from 17 Sep 2022. Book online today for your 2022 P&O Cruises trip and explore hidden gems in shores afar.

www.pocruises.com

That one looks lovely thank you! The balcony isn't that much more really, seems worth it!

Plus they do a free coach which would save a load, can't quite figure out if that's included from everywhere or just like London? Either way pretty good, but we are coming from Scotland so maybe have to get further south first.

 

[DigiDuino]

Hope it's ok to revive this thread!

Any got reccomendations on where to begin looking for a first ever cruise for a 70 year old woman, with her 27 year old daughter only?
it's been my mums dream to go on a cruise, we've been joking about it for years and I'd love to treat her!

Potentially next year or the year after, but I'm so overwhelmed looking, no idea where to really start!

Preferrably one that leaves and arrives back into the UK, and as economical as possible (but I have no frame of reference yet!), and probably mostly at sea sort of days. Port visits are cool, but she'd enjoy those less than being on the ship itself

 

[glasgow27]

As much as I love cruising, this video outlining all of the rules puts me off big time for the foreseeable future.


The main points made:
- All guests & crew must wear a 'contact tracelet' throughout the entire cruise except for when in stateroom.
- No available drinking taps on ship.
- Limited tables in dining venues (possible reservations though unclear).
- 5 people per hot tub/jacuzzi and 15 min time limit.
- Guests should remain in 'bubbles' with those from their respective party.
- Temperature checks at all onboard venues.
- Queues outside venues if over limit of people allowed in.
- Face coverings required around all areas of ship except bars.
- Guests not allowed to consume beverages outside of bars and restaurants.
- Limited seating in theatre.
- No physical menus in dining venues.
- Gym sessions must be pre booked.
- Social distancing: regardless of whether or not you are in their 'bubble', everyone must maintain 1m distancing from each other.
- All guests required to have negative COVID test prior to cruising.
- Health questionnaire to be taken and checked by staff prior to boarding. If not 'passed', you cannot board.

They can't actually expect people to pay thousands of pounds/dollars for this? Why would you voluntarily go somewhere which potentially has more restrictions than your own home country?

 

[Happy Lady]

Thanks everyone. We have looked at Marella but as @Roobarb said, they only sail the Caribbean in our winter unfortunately! Would’ve been great otherwise as they seem to have a great range of ports, back to back cruises and also stay/cruise options!

As you have kids to consider, you'd really enjoy RCI (Royal Caribbean International). They cater for children of all ages, have trained staff to look after them if you'd like a break, there is a large dedicated area for kids of differing ages, the food's good and so is the entertainment. If you're looking for a summer cruise, then you'll enjoy the Med.

 

[SamBamford]

Yes he would, we were in a high rise building in London and got seated near the window which I thought was great until I looked at him. He couldn't approach the table. We had to move. Yes I can see, cruising isn't going to be for us. Thanks for the replies.

 

[ClockworkDolly]

I was extremely anti cruising pre 2018... the thought of being stuck on a ship and in the middle of nowhere terrified me. However my husband convinced me to sail on a Royal Caribbean ship around the Eastern Caribbean and it was genuinely the best holiday I have EVER had. I would cruise for every holiday for the remainder of my life (obviously excluding Covid related issues!!); it was just truly incredible.

I would love to go on a cruise again too.

I have only been on one cruise, but it was the best holiday I have ever had. A friend treated me to this fantastic trip around the Adriatic with Royal Caribbean on the Voyager of the Seas.

I was a bit skeptical of the holiday at first, had pre-conceived ideas about it, but by the end of the holiday, I wanted to go on another cruise. He booked a suite and we each had our own rooms. It was a 5 star cruise and I will never forget his generosity and how special he made it for me.

I loved the fact that even though there were a few thousand people on board, there were quiet little spots on the ship that you could just have some time to yourself. It was an amazing holiday.

 

[Roobarb]

I do Marella cruises as well - but their Caribbean season is our winter, the ships are in the Med for the months you are suggesting. They will have cruise & stay.

 

[Tublet83]

I’ve moved a P&O cruise twice and they’ve been fantastic for august 2022

 

[bubbadabut]

Went on many a cruise with my parents as a teenager. Usually to the Caribbean but I preferred the European ones as I'm not into island beach paradises. We usually went with P&O or Celebrity. I enjoyed the first few but got a bit fed up with the regiment of it all and being stuck on there. It also made me realise how much of a hotbed for disease they were. The number of people I saw (and it was mainly the oldies I have to say) who didn't wash their hands after using the toilet/didn't use hand gel before entering the restaurant. It was so gross. Always seemed to get a leaflet handed to us at the airport which said there had been a recent outbreak of norovirus on the ship, but still people were scruffy sods

 

[Millyve]

I absolutely love cruising, value for money for seeing different cities, prefer Royal Caribbean to P&O but unfortunately they don’t do many out of Southampton (and yes I’m lazy and don’t like fly cruises)

 

[DigiDuino]

Would she like black tie nights and a chance to dress up? Or is she quite casual and hates that idea?

Hot weather or not bothered?

Do you drink much alcohol?

Marella (Thompson) sail from Newcastle.

- Maybe once while we're there but not overly!
- Not really hot, neither of us can handle heat haha
- No, not a big deal to us at all!

Thanks I'll look into those! The TUI/Marella site are being a bit funny and I can't see and cruises from the UK right now?

@DigiDuino you've already made a good start deciding what suits your lives best. Thomson are a cheaper option, but your 27 year old will love the energetic feel. P&O are a better choice though taking into consideration a 70 year old will be going. Their food and entertainment is great, and their itineraries don't usually call into as many ports.

Perhaps a Canaries cruise may suit your family as there are two or three days sailing before reaching land. The Canaries suit all age groups too. As its much quieter on board while others go on excursions then a good tip would be to book into the Spa as treatments are usually discounted at these times.

So then all you need to do is to decide when you'd like to travel. I'd advise waiting until next year. At least the Canaries are good to visit all year round. The Med is steeped in history, but if you're not interested in going ashore that wouldn't bother you.

You can dress up or down as much as you wish. This is your holiday so you want to feel comfortable. Good luck.

Thank you! P&O are looking pretty good so far, plenty to do on board and reasonable pricing.

I'll look at Canaries cruises as well, those do sound really nice!

Do you (or @Saddlesoap) have any advice regarding inside/oceanview rooms? When the difference isn't much I think I'll pay the extra for the window - on Disney Cruise Lines the difference isa bout £500 but P&O etc have a more reasonable sort of difference

Definitely waiting until next year! Not sure when to book incase things change again with covid but I'm looking into all the options now

 

[Moosie]

I’ve never been on one but it’s always been on my to do list! It looks like it will be staying on there for a while longer now too

One day...

 

[VicksterIcon]

Reviving this thread in the hope somebody has experience cruising with children!
We’re hoping to do a cruise in May or August 2025 as a family of 4 (a 2 yo and a 5 yo), ideally sailing the Caribbean. Either a longer cruise, or a cruise and stay. My question is where’s best to search for flight inclusive deals? Everywhere we look seems to be cruise only and we’d rather book a package. And to also see family prices? We previously have booked with Virgin and they were great - the price included flights, transfers/car hire, hotel (if a stay and cruise) and cruise, but they don’t seem to offer other cruise lines now they’ve launched their own.

Have a look at TUI/Marella cruises as they do fly and cruise. Their cruises are all inclusive. I’ve been on 3 Marella cruises and are very good.

 

[Happy Lady]

I absolutely love cruising, value for money for seeing different cities, prefer Royal Caribbean to P&O but unfortunately they don’t do many out of Southampton (and yes I’m lazy and don’t like fly cruises)

Try Celebrity, the RCI sister company, and if you ask them to transfer your Captains Club points then you'll get the benefits. They go from Southampton.