moqui_girl

We just came off the crown princess and they had 2 hours break at both lunch and dinner. The evening didn't begin until 7 PM which was much too late for our three-year-old to go.

The kids club was also not open during early seating dinner which didn't work for us either. We found the timing of the clubs and the general activities to be much better on P&O although in all other aspects we preferred Princess.

P&O hours were 9am/10am to 12. 2-5 and 6-late. However the kids cannot stay there if you get off the boat but that wasn't an issue for us. We wouldn't have left her anyway.

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Definitely try to get to the funicular in Bergen (especially if it's a clear day). The views are incredible.

We had a very short stop in Bergen but it's a big city with lots to do so I'd suggest picking a few things you really want to do rather than try and do loads.

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Thanks. I'm glad you all enjoyed.

Happy cruising to those lucky enough to be going soon!

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I've recently returned from a fantastic Norwegian Fjords cruise aboard the Crown Princess.

I've written a review/blog of the ports that I thought might be useful. We were travelling with our 3 year old daughter so might be of most interest to those cruising with children.

You can read the blog here:

http://www.ukfamilycruising.co.uk/norwegian-fjords-cruise-review-july-2017

Happy to answer any questions about our experience at these ports. [emoji846]

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Thank you. I'm on twitter but not Instagram yet.

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Hi all

I've recently started a blog around cruising for families, particularly those living in the U.K. - although it the topics covered are quite general and might be of interest to others.

They blog can be found at http://www.ukfamilycruising.co.uk

I'd be grateful for any feedback

Many thanks

Emma

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We took out City mini on a recent cruise and it is quite big and cumbersome on the ship and doesn't fit through the cabin doors. It was fine for us a we used it for off shore activities mostly. If you intend to use it on the ship then take a smaller one.

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I've never heard a baby on any cruise ship either. I've also never worried about my daughter making a noise in the room - the rooms are metal lined. I've also never heard noise from the neighbours. Is she was grumpy at dinner I would take her out as that's much more public and likely to disturb. You sound very sensible, you will be fine.

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Your travel agent can request a cot but they'll see you are traveling with an infant and most likely just put one in your room. If not, you cabin attendant will get you one. I don't believe they do offer any group baby sitting for under 3s.

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Definitely book an afternoon flight. The airport is quite some distance (several hours). There could be any number of reasons for a small hold up so air on the side of caution.

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I wish I had read this article a couple of years ago. The first cruise we took our DD on was not too bad. She was 15 months old so we knew she was too young for kids programming. We had planned on using the late night baby sitting (after 10 p.m.) a few nights. What we did not realize was that we would be too tired to do it. But the second cruise, she was a little over 2 and let me just say, after that cruise I swore I would never take her on another cruise. We seriously had to decide whether to take her in her stroller around the ship while she was having a tantrum and risk all passengers looking at us, or being in our room and hoping security did not come because of the crying/screaming/carrying on. It was not a fun trip.

 

I know how you feel OP that it seems crazy to pay for a baby, but that is the way of business. Also, it may not really be full fare. Usually they take the full amount of the far and average among the people so it seems like all are paying the same price, when its really the first 2 paying the bulk and the third paying a reduced rate. Check the total price for 2 and compare it to the price for 3 and you will see what you are paying.

Edit: Nevermind that, looks like you figured that out.

Have a great trip.

Our experience couldn't be more different from yours. We cruised with our daughter twice (she's 3). Both trips were great. The first time she was too young for kids club. The second time she was able to go. We find cruising very relaxing with her. All food and cleaning etc is taken care of and so we can just focus on family time and having fun. I appreciate not all children are the same but she loves it and it's a very easy holiday for us. That said, we don't drink much and are happy to take it in turns to go and see some of the shows etc.

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That's why our son never sailed with us until he was almost 5, and that was on Princess. They have the same rules as RC.

We paid £99 for our daughter to sail to Norway on Princess. It worked out much cheaper than

P&O for a very similar cruise.

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The bigger the ship (with the most activities) the less inspiring ports they tend to go to. It's often a trade off between itinerary and facilities on the ship. Almost all ships will have great kids clubs which will provide a lot of activities even if the ship itself has less. Not that many ships sailing in Europe have water slides so if that's a must then I would start with those ships and see what itineraries they offer. Royal Caribbean is a very familiy orientated line but not that many of their ships currently have slides but I still think you'd all have a great time. I can't imagine the kids being bored! Or if a particular place e.g Croatia, is your must see place the look at ships that go there and choose the one that fits best.

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I have a 3 year old (who wasn't born when we went) and she would enjoy it now but you know your children best [emoji4]

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I wanted to add in another option. We went to Chankanaab beach park. Its a short taxi ride from the pier. It has a beach with snorkelling opportunities and other attractions like wildlife. You can buy food and drink there but it was reasonably priced.

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If you are in the U.K. you will lose your deposit if you rebook. Very different rules to the US.

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A vacation should be relaxing and not causing you stress!

As others have said is no need to buy anything if you don't want to. You will have plenty to do and eat. You can just drink the free drinks but I think most people would buy some additional drinks.

On our last cruise our bill at the end was £4.00. We had a small amount of onboard credit which covered our drinks (we aren't big drinkers) and we prepaid tips and an excursion in one port.

If you went on any other holiday you would usually expect to have to spend money on items that were not included. This is no different. You are in control of your own budget and can spend what you feel is appropriate for you.

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I haven't read the reviews, what are the main issues? We travelled on the Infinity to Alaska and had a fantastic time. It was a couple of years ago but I can't imagine it has changed that much. One thing we especially liked was the naturalist on board who gave great port talks and live commentary on deck at certain points. The food was also great.

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We went with Celebrity (on the infinity) a few years ago. It had a heated indoor/covered pool. Not sure what ship/s they currently have sailing in Alaska but worth checking them out.

We swam several times so if it's something you enjoy, you'll find time for it.

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Strictly speaking they are from Southampton which is 2 and a half hours from London [emoji6]

 

P&O do 7 night cruises to Norway (1 sea day out, 1 sea day back) every week in June/July

 

 

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Princess are also doing a number of sailings from Southampton around the time that the OP is requesting. We are doing a fijord cruise leaving 1st July. It was cheaper than P&O when we booked as they were doing very low fares for children. Not sure if that offer is still on.

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Most cruise lines, for standard docked port stops, you will be able to get off within 30 minutes of scheduled docking. Tendering, and your final disembarkation are another ball game.

 

Ships are typically a little early, and tour companies will wait- they can see the ship is there, and the ship's status. So, using your example, I would book the tour in Rome no later than 8:30, and would even consider an 8am booking.

Rome is 90-120mins away from the port so if you are booking an excursion do it from the port, not the city.

We docked in Rome at 7am. We were off before 7.30am

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Royal Caribbean strikes me as being more for the activity-oriented, price sensitive, less mature customer base. They have better shows, more noise, and worse food than Celebrity - which offers better food in a more calm environment - at a slightly higher cost. You get what you pay for: if you do not think that better food and more space are worth paying for, stick with Royal Caribbean.

I've found their prices to be comparative. We've paid less to go on Celebrity than most of our Royal Caribbean cruises. It's very much dependant on the ship itinerary.

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We are trying princess for the first time this year. Their prices for a Norwegian cruise this summer were much cheaper than a similar itinerary on P&O.

Generally we choose RCCL or celebrity if the budget allows. They offer more of the things we enjoy than P&O.

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Get a portable potty. The legs fold down to make a stand alone potty or fold up to fit on a toilet seat. It should fit most seats.

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We Iike both lines. There are more fun activity on RCCL shifts (especially the larger shifts) but the (free) food is definitely better on celebrity. I'd happily sail on either again though. If the price was exactly the same I'd probably choose celebrity for places like Alaska/Norway where the scenery and ports are the main attraction. We'd be looking for less onboard activities but would enjoy the better food.

For places we'd sailed to many times or itineraries with lots of beaches we'd probably choose RCCL as we'd be looking to do more on the ship and would be prepared to sacrifice better food for more to do.

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