Which Mediterranean cruise with a 12-year-old?

[Scrapchick]

I agree with Helen... It will almost certainly be very hot anywhere in southern Europe in the summer and there's no way to avoid it if you go there at that time of year... However... It's not unbearable and you have to plan for it and pace yourself. It beats the rain and cold in winter. But yes, expect it to be very hot and sunny.

[Onessa]

Heat - yes the eastern Med is warm in the summer. We choose May, Late Oct or Nov cruises to avoid the heat (and the crowds).

 

DD's school does not do the traditional spring break and gets out early so with a late May cruise when she was in elementary school she missed only a few days of school - and the last couple of days which are generally pretty much "social" and cleaning.

 

Since she started Middle School - spring is more difficult due to extracurricular activities. In Oct they have off for Teacher's convention - generally three days. In Nov, American T-giving corresponds with the state's deer "gun" hunting season - which means pretty nothing happens the week of T-giving - they have 3.5 days off that week.

 

We've found the autumn weather very cooperative - some issues that time of year in Venice (due to the winds, it tends to be more prone to flooding), we had one rather drizzily day in Barcelona once, and have had to resort to a windbreaker in a few ports -- this is five Med vacations (4 cruises) over the past few years.

 

Plus - The crowds are pretty much non-existent during the "off season".

 

Offseason - even with kids it is always something to think about

[wife2reporter]

We will have a 13yo and 8y0 son next summer, also grandma, and are looking at about 5 options for the trip. First, dad said "must see Barcelona" now he says "must be off the ship to catch the last week of the Tour de France". Looking at Princess, HAL (we did before--kids loved it in Canada), Disney. Know it will be a busy crazy trip, let us know what you decide. We will go in early-mid July. Love to see Pompeii, Olympia as our 1st choices!

[SelectSys]

...

My husband and I would like to take our son on a Mediterranean cruise next summer when he will be 12... Rome and Greece... Some version of "anytime dining" would also be a plus. And, even if he doesn't spend much time there, our son would like a kids club where 12 year olds are part of a "tween" group ... Thank you!

 

Our all time favorite family cruise was on Brilliance of the Seas out of Barcelona. This will get you most all you are looking for. I would recommend spending some time in Barcelona either pre or post cruise. This is a great city to visit. On our trip we also added a trip to Puerto Aventura for our kids as they really like rides.

 

If this doesn't work, like others I would recommend thinking about X out of Rome. I am looking at a Solstice cruise for our family next summer. Again, a visit to Rome either pre or post cruise is in order as the one day visit on a cruise stop is way too little to even scratch the surface of the city.

 

If your trip goes to Naples, I recommend a tour of Pompeii. My kids really seemed to like it and it is an easy train ride from the city.

 

Have a good trip!

[melausten]

and the British Isles on the Crown Princess when they were 8 and 12.

 

Junglejane,

 

i've been looking for information from families that have done the Bristish Isles cruise with children. We are booked on the July 17 sailing with our 4 and 9 year olds. When you went last year, were there many kids on board? Can't find any on our roll call.

 

Also, do you still have the Patters for the cruise? My kids are dying to know what kinds of activities will be offered.