OurSlowSimpleTravel

Hello. Looking at doing a British Isles cruise. I've sailed Princess and Royal Caribbean before and those are the two I'm looking at for the British Isles. Princess seems to have more itineraries for July but wondering if anyone has experience with either/both.

How are the ships? I prefer smaller ships but also don't want anything super outdated.

How are shows/activity options? Royal won this for us in the Caribbean but it was also a much larger ship than what we sailed on with Princess.

How are the excursion options? My daughter has mobility issues so I prefer cruise line excursions. Any difference in number of options?

Our next 3 cruises are with Royal but wondering if Princess does Europe better lol.

Thanks!

On 4/8/2022 at 11:07 AM, Sue Do-Over said:

I've seen shallow kiddie pools on several ships - just 3-6 inches of water in a pool maybe 10-12 feet across with a low curb edge.  They seem to be near the kids centers, but are available for guests when the group isn't there - not locked up or restricted access - so you don't need permission to be there.

 

It's entirely separate from any splash zone or deep water pool, and there aren't any toys, sprayers, buckets, etc.  Seemed like a quiet place for kids for whom the busy central pool deck is not suitable.

 

They might be identified on deck plans for your ship, look on the outer perimeter on the same deck as the childcare center.

These areas still don't allow children who aren't toilet trained sadly. I understand it's challenging to add it to ships but with more and more families cruising I wish more ships had them.

On 4/8/2022 at 12:04 PM, GeezerCouple said:

 

Is this for your April, 2023, cruise on the NCL Jewel?

I don't think that ship has the official "Guppy" level program.

Also, generally they will not waive the age requirements (probably at least in part to avoid opening floodgates).  But that's moot if you'll be on the Jewel.

 

As mentioned, it will be important for you to contact the Special Needs group at NCL to find out what will work best.

Many others, including us, have found them to be very helpful when dealing with any special medical issues.

 

GC

Yes, the Jewel. That's sad they don't have the guppy program.

On 4/9/2022 at 9:04 AM, GeezerCouple said:

Something else just occurred to me.  Where are you traveling, although this may not matter.

 

You are a single parent, but do you have any documents that "prove" that?

There can be some serious verifications at some borders, and this includes boarding cruise ships in some locations; see NCL rules, but also for *any* country you are leaving, including the USA.  It can be up to the officials at the checkpoints.

 

There are concerns about child abductions, and in particular, by a non-custodial parent, so showing that  one is "a" parent doesn't alleviate this concern.

Again, check all the rules, but you might consider bringing something that would prove to any authorities that you are "it", and there isn't anyone else who should have given permission for you to leave the country with the child.

(Obviously, your situation is not one in which a notarized letter of "permission" from the "other parent" would suffice.)

 

I know this may sound strange or harsh, but it's because of unfortunate incidents that these precautions have been put in place.

 

The documents may not be needed, but you wouldn't want to be in a situation where they *are* needed, and you don't have them.

GC

Yes, I have her birth certificate (lists only me with father starred out) as well as adoption court order. I've travelled internationally with her and just showed those documents. I was CONSTANTLY asked for proof that there is no father. It was a bit annoying when asked multiple times in a day but I totally get why they ask.

Thanks everyone!

On 4/17/2022 at 6:18 PM, cruizergal70 said:

Have you looked at your options? Are those options more enjoyable than sitting on the beach or wandering around for half an hour?

I have and I'm not really sure if it will be more enjoyable. For me they would be but for my daughter she would probably be happier at the beach lol.

My daughter and I will be heading to Mexico just the two of us. The ship we are going on doesn't have a baby pool and she's a fish. Hoping to head to some beaches or pools while in port.

We will be stopping in:

Cabo San Lucas, Mazatlan, Puerto Vallarta, and Ensenada.

It will just be myself and my daughter. She will be 4 but developmentally more like 1. Don't want to spend the entire day there, maybe just a few hours, as she has medical needs that make meals easier on the ship.

Looking for places that are safe and not too crazy with people. Ideally somewhere we can walk to (she will be in a stroller).

Any suggestions? Thanks!

When travelling solo do you prefer doing excursions through the cruise line or doing your own thing?

I've travelled alone before but never cruised. I'm not technically cruising solo as my daughter will be with me but she's so young that I might as well be lol. 

We are going to Mexico, I've never been and not sure about safety. I'm not sure that excursions are worth it compared to just going to a beach or something on our own.

Wondering what solo cruisers tend to do. Thanks!

On 4/2/2022 at 2:58 PM, Kierste said:

I know some people with toddlers bring a small wading pool for the balcony and put some water in it (using the ice bucket), if that would satisfy your kiddo. Otherwise, I would consider a beach stop… if your cruise is to beach locations, if that is possible to get some water time. Also, it may be possible if you talk to the kids program folks to have some time you can be with her and attending to her, but use their facilities?  Have fun!

Thanks! I don't even think she needs a big space, she'd be happy with just a small container to splash in lol. I read that they have the Guppies where parents do the activities with the children. It's for under three but developmentally she is so hopefully they would let us participate.

Thanks so much everyone!

33 minutes ago, FLAHAM said:

Take one of her good friends on the cruise with you.  They will amuse ea h other.

Thanks but she has severe delays and does not really interact with other children. I also wouldn't feel comfortable traveling alone with someone else's child.

First time cruising NCL and wondering how dietary restrictions work without a set dining time?

Both my daughter and I have restrictions and she also has medical needs that make the dining room the best option for us but wondering how difficult it is to get meals we can eat. With other lines having a set dining time means they know when we are coming but my understanding is that there are no dining times with NCL. Do you still make reservations? Do you have different staff daily or will it be the same so they will understand your needs instead of repeating daily?

Any tips or advice?

Thanks!

I impulsively booked a cruise today for next April. I'm a single mother (by choice) and it will just be the two of us.

Any tips for traveling alone with a child?

I've never been on Norwegian before and this will be my daughter's first cruise. We are both pretty laid back and go with the flow. I have traveled a bit with just the two of us but nothing like a real vacation like this will be. She has special needs and significant delays so I won't be using their programs for children. My biggest concern is that she isn't toilet trained so won't be able to use the pools but is a fish. There are only two sea days but it will be interesting to navigate keeping her busy and away from the water lol.

Thanks in advance!