Feedback & recommendations for familiy cruise in europe?

[suzycruizy]

We're thinking of booking a cruise to europe summer 2006. Our group of 7 would range from 7 to 66 yrs. old. I've heard things like a european based cruise is not as family friendly, other ship guests are rude, and for the longer cruises (10+ days) there aren't a lot of kids on board. I would love to get some suggestions and feedback. Thanks!

[RichYak]

We're thinking of booking a cruise to europe summer 2006. Our group of 7 would range from 7 to 66 yrs. old. I've heard things like a european based cruise is not as family friendly, other ship guests are rude, and for the longer cruises (10+ days) there aren't a lot of kids on board. I would love to get some suggestions and feedback. Thanks!

For what it's worth, our group of 10 will range from about 6 to 70 yrs. old and we're on Celebrity Millennium Barcelona to Venice next August. In the summertime, there will be families regardless of the cruise you choose. If you want, narrow your choices to cruiselines with good kids programs. Most importantly, pick the itinerary that works best for you and just book it. That's how we did it.

[usavvy2]

We're thinking of booking a cruise to europe summer 2006. Our group of 7 would range from 7 to 66 yrs. old. I've heard things like a european based cruise is not as family friendly, other ship guests are rude, and for the longer cruises (10+ days) there aren't a lot of kids on board. I would love to get some suggestions and feedback. Thanks!

 

re not being family friendly, work with a knowledgeable TA who can steer you to ships that are best for your group (our family of 13ppl ages 6-73 thought Royal Caribbean was PERFECT for a Carib. cruise last year). Carnival might be another option to consider as well. As far as European-based cruises not being as family friendly, perhaps folks are referring to how "port intensive" they are - which is true; however, it is what you make of it. With kids in the 7 year range they might not be interested in being dragged around Florence to look at art so you might consider that a ship day for some of the younger and oldest set. We did Europe's W. Med. last year and we were busy busy busy - not a lot of time to socialize with others onboard ship b'c we were on all day tours almost every day. We found new friends on these boards ahead of time and partnered with them for private excursions which made the cruise more intimate for us. You'd want to be able to have a balance that works for everyone. One thing we did that worked real with with 4 families - 6 grandchildren - was that we told everyone upfront that we had "no expectations other than we'd see them at dinner... IF they wanted to be there." (We were footing the bill so we didn't want them to feel obligated they had to do excursions with us, etc.) It worked out great. I admire you taking a big family to Europe as it's expensive! Our 12 night cruise last year cost about $10K for the 2 of us and we didn't even have a balcony and used frequent flyer points for round trip air!

 

We didn't find other ship guests rude at all & we've been on cruises to the Norwegian Fjords, Baltic Capitals, and W. European (on Princess & Celebrity). It may be folks had that perception because of a language barrier which seems to put folks in like groups? We planned our Baltic & W. European cruises purposely outside of the kids summer vacation and there weren't kids on board that we saw (well maybe 3 kids total - all under 5 years old). For our Norw. cruise, it was in July and there were about 5 kids on board that ship (in their "tweens" traveling with their grandmother). Again, not an itinerary kids would pick as their first choice - a lot of scenery/passive travel vs. kids liking swimming and snorkeling and water sports and the like.

 

My biggest recommendation is get a KNOWLEDGEABLE TA that can help you select the right ship for you and your family! It's priceless.

[Cardinal22]

We had a very large group (54) on our 12-day Mediterranean cruise and there were 10 kids ages 6-16 in this group. They ALL had a wonderful time and in particular, loved the ship.

[edinburgher]

You might want to look at Ocean Village (part of P and O/Celebrity)

 

 

This is NOT been marketed as a "typical P and O/ Princess" type of cruising because it isnt anything like them. It has its own separate brochure. Its touted as "active cruising for younger people". Make of that what you will!

 

It was actually the old P and O Arcadia. The down side is that theres no formal dining....its all self serve. The upside is that theres lots to do onboard, and despite trying to attract mainly younger couples and singles, theres all ages onboard. The cabins were the biggest we have ever had. Theres a "dressing area" and we had 24 drawers in each cabin. They were pretty well appointed inc fridge, tea and coffee etc. There were also free self serve laundries and onboard prices were reasonable. We thought some of the specialist excursions, such as horseriding, scuba, mountain bike hire etc a bit overpriced but most of these appeared to sell out in advance of the cruise. They do the usual sightseeing excursions as well.

 

Theres a website where you can read more about it. I think its oceanvillageholidays or similar. "Googling" should find it. Your group is very mixed in age and it might not suit everyone.

 

They sail the Western Med in summer and its more kid friendly than eg Scandinavia/Baltic and Norwegian ffyords as there several resorts where you could head for a beach if you wanted whilst others in your group go sightseeing. You can do one week or 2 weeks and they also do "cruise and stay" options where you can spend a week cruising followed by a week in a resort somewhere. Majorca is a good option for cruise and stay.

 

As far as kids are concerned, late July/August likely to be the best time to find others as the passengers are mostly Brits. Because of the dates the UK schools break for holidays, Scottish families tend to go July, English in August. I guess you take a chance with the numbers of kids. theres no way of knowing for sure how many there might be from one week to the next.

 

Its maybe worth a look at the website. Even if you hate it!

[suzycruizy]

Hi,

I suggest you to arrange some drivers douring the sightseeing tours when the ship dock.

By a driver, all the family and children can better enjoy the view and the place you're going to visit.

If you're interesting in that I can send you some recommended company mails.

Bye

Clarke

 

Thanks Darrenclarke. Can you please send me that info? I've always liked the smaller sightseeing tours instead of ship booked excursions.

[suzycruizy]

RichYak, did you enjoy Celebrity? Did the kids enjoy the kid's programs? How does it compare to the other ships that sail the European itineraries?

[RichYak]

Suzette, I cruise next August. Sorry for the confusion. I just wanted to give you a point of reference that there will, in fact, be at least 3 children cruising in the Med next summer. That much I can guarantee.