sjwebster

And just a note that on some nights, Camp at Sea has pool games in the Solarium from 9-10pm. That can definitely feel rowdy, but the kids are supervised.

I’ll chime in on the kids in the solarium pool since my experience is different. I’ve got two kids with me on this cruise, 9 and 12 years old. We’ve been in the solarium most days for family pool time. It’s pretty busy with younger kids starting at 4pm and then tapers off around 6pm as everyone heads to dinner. 
 

Tonight is the first night that we’ve been swimming after dinner (7:30-9:30pm), and there are 4 kids in the pool. Maybe it’s been busier other nights? Or at later times?  I haven’t found the kids to be disruptive anywhere on the ship, but everyone has their own viewpoint. I’m just thankful that my kids have a place to swim where it’s not 60 degrees. 

Also, they have family swim time in the Solarium pool from 4-11pm every day. It’s pretty busy at first, but it begins to thin out around 6 PM when families head to dinner. My kids love that pool! There’s a shallow edge around, and then the depth is about 4’ in the middle section. The 2 hot tubs in there are great too.

Camp at Sea often has swim games in the solarium pool starting around 9 PM. We haven’t been yet, but older kids might enjoy that.

1 hour ago, soozles said:

are they enjoying the kids club? My kids tend to get overwhelmed if the kids club becomes too loud and chaotic, so I’m hoping with what should be fewer kids their age on board, they might get some more attention and maybe actually stay and enjoy it. And no issues with kids ordering off the main menu? My 4 yo is a little gourmand and is looking forward to getting his lobster. 

Compared to Disney cruises, the Camp at Sea is a library! Seriously though, it is pretty calm and the counselors seem to adapt to what the kids are interested in.
 

My kids have had no problem ordering an appetizer off the kids menu and then maybe an entrée off the regular menu. We’re in Luminae though, so I can’t speak for the MDR. I imagine that it wouldn’t be a problem. The wait staff seem to bend over backwards for the kids. You’ll have a wonderful time!

Here are a few notes:

There are about 100 kids on this sailing, 300 on the previous one (Baltic Sea). 
 

There are various size life jackets available on the pool deck, but I didn’t see any on the retreat sundeck.

Kids menu available for dinner at Luminae, but not lunch. I don’t know about the main dining rooms.

Kids menu not available at Raw on Five, but they brought over mac & cheese from Fine Cut. 

Camp at Sea- kids need to try their level on first day, then can shift up; parents can sign permission for on ship scavenger hunts; kids can sign themselves out at age 10; about 1 family activity per day open to everyone,  families can join in, they bring kids up from camp at sea to participate.

Bring magnetic wall hooks for extra hanging storage. Also bring stain treatment for laundry. I pre-bought two bags of laundry service. I underestimated how many stains my kids would get on their clothes.

We’re in a Sky suite, and my kids (9 & 12) are comfortable on the couch & trundle bed. My 12 year old is about 5’2”. If he were taller than about 5’5” or so, he might be uncomfortable.

Hi all,

I’m currently on the Apex sailing along the Norwegian fjords with my husband and 2 kids (ages 9 and 12). There are a few live threads about this cruise, but I’m sharing the viewpoint of sailing with children. It’s hard to find specific info! So hopefully this will help out other families. Feel free to ask questions, and I’ll do my best to answer.

Thank you, kitkat343! That’s really helpful information, especially from a “traveling with children” perspective. I especially appreciate the tip about the taxis- something I would never have thought of. I’ll check out the review in your signature. Thanks again!

I’m eyeing this one from Celebrity (9 nights)- Amsterdam, Oslo, Geiranger, Flam, Olden, Bergen, back to Amsterdam. 

The other one that the current runner up is also with Celebrity (7 nights)- Amsterdam, Kristiansand, Haugesund, Geiranger, Alesund, Amsterdam

1 minute ago, TheOldBear said:

What time of the year are contemplating - a 'midnight sun' summertime sailing, or a 'northern lights' autumn to winter sailing?

 

Good question! Definitely a summertime sailing

What ports would you recommend for a cruise along the coast with kids, ages 12 and 9? I know next to nothing about Norwegian ports, but it looks like a fun place to visit. This will be the first European trip for our kids. I’d like some ports for viewing the fjords, but it doesn’t have to be solely a fjord cruise. Ports that are small and interesting for kids are a plus! Any and all advice would be helpful- thanks in advance!

We cruised on the Edge in mid September and got a two for one deal at Fine Cut on the first night. The crew was really pushing specialty restaurants, probably because the ship wasn’t very full and that’s an extra way to make money. I didn’t hear of any other discounts being offered; however, we waved off most of the crew when asked about dining in other specialty restaurants since we already had reservations.