Niclia

We were on Britannia in November and there weren't any channels as such just a selection of programmes which didn't change throughout the cruise. From memory, there were a couple of Jake and the Neverland Pirates episodes and some really old Aladdin cartoons. There were also a couple of films (we watched the Tinkerbell one umpteen times [emoji51]) but overall, not a lot of choice at all.

We were on the first Caribbean cruise after the transatlantic last November and the kids club staff told us there were about 350 kids on the transatlantic so your son likely will not be alone! There were only 40 kids on ours so they were looking forward to it being a bit quieter!

We were on a Dreamliner in November and pre booked our economy seats. There wasn't an option to book extra leg room but we were pleasantly surprised upon boarding the plane to find that we had 'extra leg room' seats (there was a sign on the seat). There were about 5 rows and we were in the last row of them. I think we were in row 36

A year ago you could pick up a Hertz car at the cruise terminal straight after passport checks. We booked online prior to cruising. It was quite busy but saved having to drag our luggage around.

We phoned P&O to book a children's meal so I imagine it would be the same with a vegetarian meal. Although I couldn't swear to it, I'm sure that you have to request it by a certain time before your flight (a week or two before?) The information was either in the P&O help section or the flight info on the cruise personaliser.

Thanks, Mysticalmother, that's exactly was I was doing!

We're well travelled and know that safety standards aren't always the same as at home. If it was the two of us, we wouldn't be concerned and would just do the excursions but it's very different travelling with a little one. We did a shore excursion in Belize last December which was in a minibus and the seatbelt situation wasn't great. When I realised these shore excursions were in minibuses (thank you P&O for telling us this!) I thought it wise to check. The last thing I want to do is spend hundreds and not go on the excursion and waste money or put my daughter in an unsafe situation.

We're sailing a few weeks and I'm definitely not leaving my little girl at home. We have lots of fun activities planned and will have a great time regardless. Thank you to everyone who has helped and offered suggestions for us to look at.

We're off on a Caribbean cruise in just a few weeks and have been looking at what to do where. We were going to book a number of shore excursions through the cruise line but have discovered that the majority are on minibuses and that seat belts aren't a legal requirement on a lot of the islands... We're travelling with a 3, nearly 4 year old, and I'm not happy for her to be in a minibus without a seat belt.

We're going to start looking at private tours so does anyone have any recommendations for the following islands?:

Barbados

Grenada

St Lucia

Dominica

Ideally, we're looking for a company who can provide a child car seat as well (although not necessary as we have a booster we can use) but they must have seatbelts! Do you have any recommendations??? We're mainly looking at short island tours with the exception of St Lucia where we're looking for a full day tour.

Thanks for your help with this!

Thanks, groovechick. Out of interest, which company did you use in Grenada? It's one of the islands we're looking at.

We're also looking at Barbados, Dominica and St Lucia so I would love to hear if anyone has any recommendations. I'm going to post on the family board as well and see if anyone there has used any suitable companies.

Thanks, both.

I've just spoken to P&O and as it isn't a legal requirement to have a seatbelt in much of the Caribbean, they won't guarantee that any of the vehicles will have seat belts. When they select shore excursion providers, they require them to have seat belts but don't enforce this requirement. They also won't refund any money spent on excursions if seat belts aren't provided even though it's clearly a safety issue.

I have to say that I'm disappointed at this as it means that even their family friendly excursions,such as beach breaks, aren't actually that family friendly when in a minibus. It looks like we're going to have to start looking at alternatives and doing our own thing everywhere.

As an aside, they will guarantee seat belts in the UK and most of Europe.

We're looking at doing a mix of diy trips and shore excursions on our upcoming cruise in the Caribbean. A lot of the shore excursions seem to be on minibuses. Can anyone provide any insight as to whether the minibuses have seat belts?? Are they generally over the shoulder or lap belts? I can't find anything in P&O's literature about seat belts so just wondering if they actually are in minibuses?

Any help would be appreciated. I'm not happy for my 3 year old to travel without a seatbelt and don't want to book if they don't tend to have belts.

Our Thomson flight in November departs at 9.05. We're staying at the Premier Inn and are going to get breakfast after check in and security. Should be a lot less stressful than trying to get it before!

Sent from my iPhone using Forums

Thanks everyone, some good ideas. I'll have a think as to what will work best for us.

John, I had thought about the balcony doors (we're in a suite so two of them) and I think we'll have to be vigilant with them and check they're locked whenever we go into the room. She's unlikely to try to open them but better safe than sorry.

Sent from my iPhone using Forums

Does anyone know if there is a door chain or similar on Britannia stateroom doors?? I'm not worried about anyone trying to get in just concerned that my 3 year old may get confused which door to use if she needs a wee during the night! The thought of her being stuck out in the corridor not being able to get back in terrifies me.

Thanks for your help!

Sent from my iPhone using Forums

Passion Island beach break. By boat (not by speed boat!) so you don't have to worry about car seats. We booked a shore excursion so not sure if it's available to book independently.

Sent from my iPhone using Forums

We found some drinks that were squash like in the buffet on Star last year. They were already made up in the drink machines and were available in the afternoon, although possibly earlier as well. I think there was a peach flavour one and a strawberry one (sorry, can't remember for sure!) Can't answer for the bars as we didn't ask/ look.

We did Passion Island in December with a just turned 3 year old and it was brilliant! A play area with slides and trampolines for toddlers and they lent us a bucket and spade for building sand castles. They had some big swinging beds on the beach which gave plenty of shade. My only complaint was that the excursion wasn't long enough!

Bring your own seat! We heard lots of horror stories about hiring them (no instructions for installing and dirty) that we decided to take ours. We had a week in Orlando in December followed by a week cruise and it was totally worth taking it. We didn't have any airline charges and also took our pushchair free. We stored the seat in our wardrobe but could have found a corner for it.

We also got off on Sunday and have to agree with the other posters that the service was great. We're big fans of the Celebrity service and I'd have to say that the service this cruise was pretty much on a par with Celebrity. The crew were all really friendly and smiley so no real complaints from us.

We only had a slightly slower service in Aqua on embarkation day but apart from that restaurant service (we mainly ate in Versailles was great.

I can't answer about the kettle but Boots and Mothercare used to sell disposable sterilising bags which looked ideal for travelling. Might be worth looking into!

We phoned up to check as we couldn't find anywhere on the UK site which confirmed that our cruise qualified (its a 7 nighter in December). NCL told us that we could book online but there was no way to select our perk so we would need to phone them afterwards to add it so I don't think there is a way to check online!

We did Ventura with a 17 month old last year and I think the only way you can accompany children in the kids club is if you use the "baby" room and I think (although I wouldn't swear to this!) they can only use this room during the day up to 24 months. We asked about using the climbing equipment in the main toddler room but were told we couldn't accompany our daughter but as she wasn't 2 yet she couldn't be left by herself so couldn't use it.

Other than that we didn't have a problem. There is a toddler pool which you can use (even if not toilet trained) and we used the basketball court for a lot of running around. theres also a children's tea at 5 in the buffet everyday. We didn't use the night nursery (we also have a clingy child) but P&O don't have a curfew for children like some other cruise lines so we just let our daughter sleep in her pushchair whilst we did what we wanted.

I know I still occasionally suffer from baby brain but I'm pretty certain it was a train :-)

Sent using the Cruise Critic forums app

The train we took was chartered by the cruiselines so wasn't public transport. You're guaranteed a seat and no standing!

Sent using the Cruise Critic forums app

We took the Rome by yourself train excursion with a 17 month old and would recommend over a coach journey. Once you're on the train its only about 50 minutes into Rome. There was also just enough room to have the stroller up with a sleeping child on the way back. (I just want to add as well that we had absolutely no problems with the pushchair in Rome :-) )

We opted just to do Pisa instead of Florence as we knew our little girl would not sit for the coach trip to Florence. Pisa was only about 30 minutes by coach.

The only other port we've done is Ajaccio and we docked in the centre very close to shops and restaurants.

Have a great cruise. We found P&O to be fantastic with an infant!

Sent using the Cruise Critic forums app

Celebrity is better but we've enjoyed our 2 Ventura cruises. The staff generally aren't as welcoming, the buffet isn't big enough and lacks the variety of a S class ship and the ship feels more crowded but we were impressed with the organisation of flights and transfers for our Med cruise. Formal night is also taken very seriously which would be a plus for you!

Sent using the Cruise Critic forums app