Cruising7in2017

Our children do not want a floating amusement park as a cruise, they are well behaved 10-14 year olds, giving them an allotted time before dinner (or after?) would be nice, especially on our Alaska cruise! The problem is that not all kids will sit and read and float quietly, I guess it would be hard to enforce. Our family 💯 prefers celebrity over other lines, especially the newer ships. Happy Cruising!

Any suggestions for tours for: rafting, rock climbing, dog sled (girls are animal lovers) or other ideas for our active 11-14 year olds? We are traveling on the Celebrity Edge in August of 2024. Our kids love cruising to discover new places, aren't concerned about teen/kids club. Also, any restaurant/authentic food experiences we shouldn't miss? TIA

So, this will be dry docked BEFORE our 3/2024 Israel cruise? We have 3 retreat cabins so very curious to what updates will be made.

We let our 11 and 12 year old wander, but they both had cell phones that were working, we had meeting up times and they are very well behaved and responsible. Our 11 year old daughter is more responsible than my husband =), depends on the kid. Our soon to be 10 year old this summer will not be able to wander for a couple more years, again, depends on the kid.

We are booked on this cruise for 3/15/24, traveling with our children (ages 10-14) and my parents. We will be doing local tours with guides, just put the deposit down today. 

We are sailing out of Athens next March and I am hoping my older children (10-14) will be able to swim in Solarium as it will be chillier that time of year. They are better behaved and quieter than many adults. I understand that toddlers or loud/boisterous children would be a problem, but my kids love to sit and read and listen to music and it would be a nice spot. I saw a lot of children on our Edge med cruise last summer in the solarium, I wasn't even aware it was adult only!!?!?

We LOVED our Edge cruise last summer to the Mediterranean with our 9, 11 and 12 year olds. They are well traveled and enjoy exploring new places and spending time as a family. We prefer our waterparks to be on land and don't like loud noise, long lines and constant entertainment.

We always ate as a family in Luminae, our youngest one particularly enjoyed the kids club. Since this was a port heavy cruise they didn't use it much during the day but after dinner most days. Our older two went to the shows, played trivia and just enjoyed relaxing. We are booked on the Panama Canal Beyond 11 night for Christmas/New Years and are venturing off to Athens in  March to catch the Infinity to Isreal & Egypt (picked this one based on itinerary). I will be curious to see how they compare. 

We just returned from the 7 night Celebrity Edge out of Barcelona on 8/15. I am still a big jetlagged and trying to catch up on work, but will be writing a more comprehensive review soon! We traveled with my parents (early 70s and active, DH (44) and I (41) and our children ages 9-12). There were a LOT of families on board and majority European with some Canadians and Americans mixed in, lots of locals out of Barcelona made for a very lively cruise IMHO. 

Just as a teaser, all I can say is that it was for sure our favorite cruise so far (I have been on 12+).

-The food and service (in the Retreat area particularly, more on that later) were the best we have ever had.

-We thought the room configurations and public areas and the way they flowed stood out.

-Our children (age 9-12) also said it was "the best vacation, epic", even though I think the kid's club/teen club common areas were an afterthought, they could have cared less and partook in many children and adult activities (trivia, dancing, deck party, etc.). 

-We did a lot of excursions on our own & a couple with Celebrity and I will outline these in my review later (note: Corsica snorkeling is so fun, but not for those who are afraid of a wild boat ride on a giant raft!)

-We also did a pre-cruise stay in BCN (El Palace, HIGHLY recommend) and Rome (The First Roma Dolce, also incredible)

If you have any questions in the meantime, please feel free to drop me a response. Happy cruising!

Nicole

We are going on the Edge with our 9, 11 and 12 year old out of Barcelona this Saturday. We have cruised on RCL with the kids before, they know that this cruise is about the itinerary. We involved them in every step of the planning (excursions are geared towards them, i.e. tuk tuk tour Valencia & aquarium, snorkeling in Corsica, kid focused private guides in Florence and Rome) Also, our kids are pretty sophisticated and into food, live entertainment, history, etc. I think it depends on the kid, they know not to expect Universal Studios when traveling to Europe. I think it is also different when going to the Caribbean, where I feel it is more about the ship than the itinerary, I guess also itineraries with more sea days need more onboard kid friendly activities and rock climbing wall, etc. Happy cruising!

We are traveling on the Edge next week with our 3 kids (ages 9-12) and was wondering if anyone has any of the schedules of activities for them? I was thinking of printing and putting in their backpacks for reading material. I know we probably won't have many kids this late in August on our Barcelona-Rome trip, but if anyone has experience with this we would love to her feedback!

TIA,

Nicole

Crossing my fingers that our 8/20 cruise out of Barcelona won't require any testing!

Thanks for all of the wonderful tips, not sure how COVID made it into my carry on luggage post, but not surprised! We are of course concerned about covid, the children (ages 9-12) and all of the adults are vaccinated/boosted and/or double boosted. Our origin is Chicago-Barcelona (direct, my parents) and Detroit-CDG-Barcelona. We have ALL decided to take carry-ons and are being tested at our hotel in Barcelona 2 days before the cruise. If someone tests positive we have a plan B, it helps hubby and I lived many years abroad and speak Spanish, French and Italian. Happy covid free cruising everyone (with carry on luggage)!

Sorry, to add on, but we all have Retreat suites (1 royal and 2 sky suites), so we probably can get there earlier.

Really? We are just 2 1/2 weeks out, can I change it to earlier?

All of gym shoes and work out clothes (except 1 set) will have to go in the 1 checked bag, we also hit the gym early each day, I guess if it is lost we will not workout!

Wow! Thanks everyone, I think we are going to do just carry-ons, we did this for Cartagena, Colombia for New Years Eve 22', but that was a shorter trip and even more casual. I think our rollers are standard size, a bit worried about our CDG to Barcelona flight, as there is no first class and we are going to look like we have a LOT of luggage (and we have 1 hr. 35 minute layover). We may check one for space if we buy stuff and spillover (big shoes) and toiletries for my daughters, they are divas with hair products etc.

I just checked in for our August cruise out of Barcelona on the Edge and earliest I could get was 12:30-1:00 time slot?

Are we crazy? Anybody else only doing only carry on for European cruise (7 night cruise plus 2 before and 3 after)?

I have had so many friends that have lost luggage this summer traveling or it arrives 10 days late!

I think everything we can fit everything in our carry on if we a launder our sundresses/bring steamer, since it is like 95 degrees in most of our ports, all of the clothes are light. We are a family of 5 (kids clothes are smaller too). Think it is doable? We are traveling 1st class, I am not sure if that helps, 1 roller carry on and personal item (backpack w/electronics/books/empty water bottle)? Has anyone else done this or had bad luck with luggage this summer. 

TIA

Thanks for your suggestions everyone, kids are ages 9-12, so NOT drinking age, just wanted to get a 5 or 6 special bottles to surprise my folks!

Our family has 2 sky suites & a royal, we are a little picky about our wine. Where is a good place to purchase wine in Barcelona? Any hidden gems? Are we allowed 2 bottles/person or suite? Also, do children count as a "person" since they are all under 21? We are not going to bring on 21 bottles, but was thinking maybe 6 or 7? TIA

Thank you for your reply!

Nicole

Our hotel in Barcelona (El Palace) is offering us the test the day before we cruise, we are all vaccinated and boosted (family ages 9-75). It is a bit more expensive but worth the convenience.

We are vacationing with our children (ages 9-12) and their grandparents on the Celebrity Edge Western Med. out of Barcelona  on 8/20. We have 2 sky suites and have made reservations at Eden (adults only) and Le Petit Chef and all excursions are covered, but I still have a few outstanding questions...

1) Is the ship at at or near capacity? 

2) Are people being tested on board if they look sick (my son has severe airborne allergies and always has some sort of congestion)? We are all vaccinated and boosted.

3) Has anybody traveled on X this summer to Europe with children? We only have 1 sea day, but would be nice if there were a few other children on board?

4) Has anybody eaten dinner on the magic carpet? How does it function as a venue for meals/cocktails?

5) When will butler contact about reservations, etc.? (grandparents have royal suites so want them to be on the lookout) 

Thank you so much in advance,

Nicole

Thanks for your detailed reviews, we are on the 8/20 sailing out of Barcelona, staying at El Palace before. We also have The Retreat and Luminae, was curious to know if you had any menus? What was your impression of pool at retreat? Thanks!

We are in a 2 bedroom aqua suite, our 3 will sleep in 2nd bedroom and I believe there is a pull out which will not use. 2 bedroom aqua are star class, not the 1 bedroom. Also, I believe that will change next year and they are dropping 2 bedroom aqua from star class.