FamilyCruiserUK

I have seen it on other cruise lines. We went on MSC world Europa in April and our daughter was just port taxes, so i think about £100 and ou Royal cruise on Allure in October 2025 dau is £99. Not really looked on P&O as its usually outside of school Holidays so no good for us.

As others have said there are three options. 1, Pre pay before you go. 2, do not pre pay and once onboard a daily amount is added to your onboard bill. 3, Do not pre pay and once on board can cancel the Graturites all together, via guest services. Those are the full options and you can do what ever you feel is right for you 👍

Hi, im not calling you out, please dont think that i am highlighting or educating people about dietary requirements. Its great that you use the utensils, however say for example you moved your bread on your plate before using the utensils at the gluten-free section, crumbs cross contamination onto those utensils and onto a gluten free persons hands. I know people will go pfft it dosnt effect people that much but honestly it can some are very susceptible to cross contamination. Look at people with peanut allergies, just the oil on the skin can cause major issues. I know my mum washes her hands thoroughly before getting her food and after/before she eats it. As for the bread i agree, gluten free bread is like cardboard. I only mention it as a few times she went to grab some food and there was little left. Loving the review. She does look a great ship and definitely one for us in the future when prices hopefully drop a little. Or she comes to Europe (less airfare).

Thanks for the in depth review nice to see and hear how Icon is with out coming from the TAs or you tubers. We have studied the open decks and it does seem to be mostly covered which is disappointing for us sensible sun lovers. The only thing i would ask is for people who do not have any dietary requirements not to eat food from the dietary stations. Cross contamination will occur. Also they make a limited amount in the buffet and its deprivation to those who do require specific foods. My mum is a celiac and Royal is one of the best lines for her but i and her do get annoyed when people grab all the gluten free food when they do not require gluten free food.

Not really. It would be more down to the stupidity of the people booking. Not difficult to do a little bit of research, helps having the google web. Plenty of other cruise lines manage it. Hold on i forgot we are talking about royals IT..... 😂

Plenty of cruise companies do have adult only ships, Virgin, P&O, Seaborne, Viking, Fred Olsen etc. They are very popular and go to some very good destinations. I wouldnt want an adult only ship as i have a young child. But gives more options to Royal lovers who complain about children on their cruises.

Will be interesting to see rhe new class and ship designs. Will it be adults only? Will it be for families too but without the ampd equipment. Finally what itineraries will the ships sail.

Having recently been on Arvia, Oasis of the seas and World Europa.Three different companies and their three biggish ships. Why i like P&O positives. Value for money Graturites included Good food ( compared to my last MSC and Royal cruise) yes could be better. Nice friendly staff, not in your face, over the top friendly like royal. But good to chat too and be polite with Some good itineraries. Flights included. Mostly British people onboard. P &O negatives for me. Family ships, sorry to say but for my 10 year old Royal and MSC are just so much better with facilities..eg water slides, bigger pools, royal ships esp Oasis class have the diving and ice skating shows. Itinerary, Not a huge choice from P&O, Norway, carribean, malta, canaries. Yes a few other odd ones but thats P&Os bread and butter. So i guess when you look at that you would think P&O would be my go to choice of cruise line. However i still cannot get past the fact whilst we cruise with our daughter we prefer a family ship. P&O just seem to have had a lazy attempt with Arvia. I will sail P&O if the itinerary is what i want and will be on Azura in July however id rather pay a little more to go on Royal, if i was just going away without worrying about the itinerary.

Ok so i am going to go a bit radical here and out of the box ok. Graturites/Tips. These are optional, you can pay before, pay daily once on board or cancel first day and tip who you want when you want. I imagine Graturites are costing you a lot already with the number of people going.. Now i know your US based but in the UK we can purchase add ons for our phone packages or some even allow you to use your package abroad. Not sure how american sims work. Considering you only have two days at sea is buying expensive ship wifi worth it? Can children go a day or two without wifi? Drinks. Again depends on how much you drink? Heavy drinkers go for it, light drinkers who will be off the ship most of the day dont bother. Even the kids will they constantly be drinking? Not sure if your ship has the free style machines, they are ok for soft drinks but again its all about how much you drink. Ship tours. Have a look at where you port, most places in Europe the ports are near the cities so easy to get too, normally lots of taxis outside as well. Rome is a pain to get too from the port tbh a good 45-50 mins away..Athens too. Again have a good look on the itinerary and ports. Lots of helpful information out there. Finally, tips. Not expected to tip everyone in Europe. Kinda like the reverse of how we Europens are in the states. We have no idea who to tip or not or how much. Most european places, taxis etc no need to tip unless you want too, but always agree a price before you get in. Some have set prices as well. I know some of what i said is going against the grain but i thought id share a different point of view from a seasoned European cruiser and a Brit.

Interesting that people enjoy companies reusing ship names... But would people go on a cruise if the ship was named after a disaster? Such as Titanic, concordia? Or like i feel, they should not be reused and left a memorial name.

Yeah those lads attitudes not my cup of tea, Emma has done some good informative blogs without filming everwhere and anyone.

Totally agree, if you walked up and down a beach with camera out people would rightly stop and ask question as to why and report you. Yet these influences/bloggers feel they can do what they want. We are now in a society where people get their phones out and film everything for social media "likes".

Ha i wouldnt go go-karting far, but certainly what should family friendly kids ships have. A bigger pool to start, not the small ones like arvia and iona, the inside pool area is poorly designed and closed late afternoons to set up for the evening shows. Waterslides is the new must have for children as well. We just come of MSC world Europa and the pool area and waterslides a massive hit. Even had adult only pools at the back and they were slightly bigger than arvias pools. Even MSC Virtuosa had much better pools then Arvia and Iona, and they are roughly same size ship. But yeah norway although gorgeous is not really a summer holiday destination, kids want sunshine and beaches and then parents can also chill whilst kids go play nicely.

Totally agree i dont mind people taking photos and that and showing their friends and family the ship but bloggers who usually get the cruise free or sponsored to go and then spend the whole time filming is annoying. Also you have no idea who they are and what they could be filming for their "bloggs"......

The last two summers across here in europe esp the med have been very hot. Check the weather forecast leading up to your cruise, normally the 14 day forecast is pretty accurate. Remember you are in Europe we walk almost everywhere in our cities, the cities are old and therefore the pavements or sometimes esp in greece and parts of italy are cobble stones, dirt tracks or gravel, so wear comfortable shoes, id go with trainers ( sneekers). Remember to bring hats as well. Electrical items have been covered. Bring euros used both in italy and greece, tipping is not really expected tbh, but as always can donif you want. As for maps i always use google maps its free and easy to use. Also gives you directions. Finally do not forget your bug spray, we do get mosquitos and other little annoying flys in europe so best ro be prepared.