Best ship for children under 7

[TinyDancer12]

So, I've kind of caught the cruising bug and have our second booked for May.

 

We have a 3 year old daughter and our first short cruise was on Azura, and our next cruise is also on Azura. We'd been warned about the very large ships, but in our opinion, it was spot on and everything we'd imagined it would be.

 

I just wondered what people's opinions were of the other family friendly ships (both P&O and others)? I'd be nervous trying any other because I wouldn't want to be disappointed. However, I'm aware that Azura only has outdoor pools etc.

 

I'm keen to start looking at a warmer cruise (our next is to fjords) and feel that we should expand our experience beyond one ship, but clueless as to which would suit us and our daughter.

 

Any advice, opinion or experience welcome. :-D Thanks in advance. One day hopefully I'll be able to return the favour and answer other people's questions.....

[mygo1999]

So, I've kind of caught the cruising bug and have our second booked for May.

 

We have a 3 year old daughter and our first short cruise was on Azura, and our next cruise is also on Azura. We'd been warned about the very large ships, but in our opinion, it was spot on and everything we'd imagined it would be.

 

I just wondered what people's opinions were of the other family friendly ships (both P&O and others)? I'd be nervous trying any other because I wouldn't want to be disappointed. However, I'm aware that Azura only has outdoor pools etc.

 

I'm keen to start looking at a warmer cruise (our next is to fjords) and feel that we should expand our experience beyond one ship, but clueless as to which would suit us and our daughter.

 

Any advice, opinion or experience welcome. :-D Thanks in advance. One day hopefully I'll be able to return the favour and answer other people's questions.....

If you like Azura then Ventura is a sister ship but it has differences the main one being the pool towards the stern ( just before the buffet restaurant ) is covered you still get the sun but it's warm. But there is no sea screen(the large video screen) like Azura has.

 

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[ormy]

No ship is suitable for children in my opinion, far too restrictive, youngsters want a beach with sand etc and messing about in the sea and rock pools - and bored children just become a nuisance to others.

[john watson]

No ship is suitable for children in my opinion, far too restrictive, youngsters want a beach with sand etc and messing about in the sea and rock pools - and bored children just become a nuisance to others.

 

Contrary to this idea I think cruises are ideal for children provided you pick a good ship and itinerary. Many lines have a children's club for children to meet other children of the same age and socialise and this is crucial to parents sailing. Fred Olsen for example is a bit cheaper but has no children's clubs on board and would be a very bad choice for parents as you need to supervise children all the time. There are fewer children on board and the average age of passengers will likely be 10 to 15 years older. If you look at itinerary, as ormy has indicated; youngsters want a beach with sand etc. and many itineraries will offer this at a number of ports of call.

 

P&O have Azura which is good, however Ventura is probably a bit better as it was aimed at family cruising. Looking elsewhere I should avoid the larger Britannia and Fincanteri sisters of this size and look at Princess Cruise Lines; "Grand Class" ships, Emerald Princess is offering good deals at the moment for early 2016. Canary Islands is a multi beach ports itinerary. Princess is a good alternative particularly for wider world itineraries beyond this too and they do have good children's clubs.

 

Regards John

Edited February 17, 2016 by john watson

[Alan Flett]

I agree cruises are ideal for children and have so many facilities for them they are far from bored. The kids clubs have a full day of activities both indoors and out. They have the pools and loads of other children to play with. I have two girls who are 3 and 8 and we have cruised since our oldest was 9 months old. It's ridiculous to suggest they want a beach and rock pools, do we still live in 1960? On most cruises they can play on a different beach virtually every day anyway.

 

As for becoming a nuisance we travelled on ships before we had our children and always preferred to go in the children's holidays as we enjoyed seeing children enjoying themselves and it meant the age of passengers was more our age.

 

I have to say we have been on Azura, Ventura and Britannia with our girls and there is very little between them to be honest with regards to the clubs. I wouldn't say one is more family friendly than the other. I think what would make the difference is the itinerary as to how popular it is with families.

[joro44]

Our daughters have five children between them and all the children have cruised from six months old. After sailing on Aurora,Ventura and Oceana they both prefer Aurora and would not sail on any other ship unless there was a very good offer! The children love being on board ship and are quite happy to visit the beach when in port.

[davenew]

No ship is suitable for children in my opinion, far too restrictive, youngsters want a beach with sand etc and messing about in the sea and rock pools - and bored children just become a nuisance to others.

 

Royal Caribbean have kids wet play areas with water spouts etc, and kids clubs.

Carnival have water slides, but a 3 year old might just be too young.

[Clodia]

We took our daughter on Aurora at 5. She loved the childrens' club and special tea, and the films after tea which allowed us to dine alone at 2nd sitting.

I think it was always her favourite ship as a young child. The main pool has a retractable roof which is great for children if the weather isn't hot.

[Suebiker]

No ship is suitable for children in my opinion, far too restrictive, youngsters want a beach with sand etc and messing about in the sea and rock pools - and bored children just become a nuisance to others.

 

Hi - not according to my daughter. She loves cruising - she can go to a beach anytime. But she can't see some of the wonders of the world - such as the coliseum in Rome. She says she loves travelling and seeing the world. In her opinion the kids clubs are amazing, she certainly never gets bored.

 

I would suggest you choose an adult only ship if you feel children are a nuisance to you .

 

Sue