Never cruised? Want to find out more? Join Royal Caribbean International for a day on board Oasis of the Seas in Southampton: MNers needed for day on Wednesday 15 Oct NOW CLOSED

[AnnMumsnet]

We have been asked by the team at Royal Caribbean to find 20 MNers to join them onboard their ship – Oasis of the Seas - in dock in Southampton on Wednesday 15th October. Goody bag to be had!

Royal Caribbean say: "We are delighted to welcome one of the world's biggest and most innovative ships to Southampton in October for a one off event. We know there are lots preconceived ideas about cruise holidays and we would like to show you what a holiday with Royal Caribbean is really like by inviting 20 Mumsnetters who have never been on a cruise before to come onboard to see for themselves and discover the seven incredible neighbourhoods, each home to countless unique activities and experiences. From this we ask you to capture and share your experiences and feedback to us at the end of the day."

This is a day for adults only, with regret no children are allowed on this occasion. We are looking for folks who have thought about but never been on a cruise before. Maybe there's something small stopping you from booking a cruise for you and your family or maybe you have a perception of what a cruise would be like?

If selected you will...

~ Join the ship in Southampton dock at 11am (along with some MN bloggers)
~ Receive vouchers to cover all food and beverage
~ Have the opportunity to experience various activities on board including child and adult focused activities, vitality and dining.
~ You will be asked to review the whole ship and part of the day will be organised - part of it will be free time for you to explore - with another MNer or in small groups.
~ You'll need to join a round-table discussion at the end of the day with the Royal Caribbean team to share your experiences and thoughts.
~ At the end of the day there will be dinner and drinks for all.
~ You will depart the ship at around 8.30pm and as an extra special treat for those who need/ want it you can have a night in a hotel in Southampton to sober up in order to be refreshed and ready to face the next day!
~ Receive a goody bag (contents to be confirmed) to say thanks from Royal Caribbean

Note: with regret, Royal Caribbean are unable to pay travel costs to get to and from Southampton. However, there is free parking available (with short coach transfer to the ship) and as a token of thanks and in lieu of travel costs every MNer who attends will be sent a £50 Amazon voucher once they have added feedback as required.

In return we need all attending MNers to:

~ Make a video diary of the day on your own smartphone and email the footage back to MN after the event - these videos will be edited and used on MN and by Royal Caribbean. It will be hosted on YouTube and used on social media, MN and possibly elsewhere. Please only sign up if you're willing to do video on board.

~ Attend the end of day debrief with Royal Caribbean.

~ Add feedback (with photos you've taken on the day) to a thread on MN.

Please note quotes from the thread as well as from the day, along with your photos and video may be used by Royal Caribbean on their website, on their blog, on social media and possibly elsewhere: please only apply if you're happy with this.

If you'd like to apply to attend and can make that date (Wednesday 15 Oct) and stay for the required time (11am – 8.30pm) please add your details on this form and we will be in touch with selected MNers asap. We will also run a reserve list.

Thanks and bon voyage
MNHQ

[Wickeddevil]

Done

[Neena28]

Done. Would love to do this. Have looked at doing the Disney then cruise thing next year but other half very negative towards cruise idea, used to open space and feels it would be horribly crowded. Also what can a 9 yo girl and 13 yo boy do without constantly fighting!!

[Twitterqueen]

I too have concerns about the space issue - I would hate to feel crowded. Also - I get so very very seasick on ferries. I'm paranoid that I might feel ill.

I do like the sound of it though I must admit. Especially now the DCs are older and can entertain themselves. I like the idea of not having to do anything!

[lordnoobson]

Rats - no good for anyone who has to work to be able to afford holidays then?



and I am local - can I pop along to the Soiree?

[booface]

Done. I would love to take part. I have always wondered how it would work for us as a family. We have two DS who are growing up now, and I think they would enjoy the freedom of the ship.

[Neena28]

I absolutely have to work to afford holidays. That's kind of the point to me I suppose. That I don't want to waste that money on something that would disappoint or leave me with unhappy kids/dp. I've asked lots of friends but none have ever cruised with children and a few have commented that 'only older people go on cruises'. It would be interesting to see it for myself but also to be able to tell other people what it's really like.

[lordnoobson]

Yes. But I have to be at work during the day. That's my point.

[ChippyMinton]

Sounds like an interesting day. Checking out a cruise ship without committing a wodge of hard-earned cash on a holiday you're not sure about - that's worth a day's leave to me.

Can I dine at the Captain's table please?

[Tabby1963]

We've cruised since the kids were babies and I feel that cruising is great for families and RCCI have loads of family friendly activities on their ships. I would love to come down but sadly cannot spare the time.

[lordnoobson]

Yup. Just had six weeks leave

[Neena28]

I've just clicked Lord. You have boys I think? Have you done the Disney thing with them or a cruise?

[lordnoobson]

Disney. I'm quite unconvinced about cruises. All sorts of otherwise sensible people rate them. This is always a surprise

[Neena28]

What ages for Disney out of interest? I suppose I like the idea of everyone being in one place with a cruise but then being able to (at least briefly) see more places than we would normally. Been looking to do week at Disney then week on a cruise. Know exactly what you mean by otherwise sensible!

[joanofarchitrave]

Aargh I've just realised that the annual team three-line-whip be-there-or-find-a-new-job meeting is on....Wednesday 15 October. Sigh.

[WhoKnowsWhereTheTimeGoes]

I'm not eligible as we have cruised with them before, but would like to say to any doubters - it's brilliant!

We have always been confirmed self catering / DIY / no kids clubs or organised stuff holiday people, never holidayed in a hotel, let alone an all inclusive experience. A couple of years ago I read an article that alerted me to the fact that a cruise might actually not just be for old people and might in fact tick a lot of boxes for our family, so we investigated and have been twice now with Royal Caribbean. They have been the easiest, most relaxing holidays we've ever had (helps that we live near Southampton). Great destinations, different ports every day but you sleep in the same bed every night and as much or as little entertainment as you want. You can socialise or just keep to yourselves it really is whatever you make of it.

I am otherwise sensible, honest. If you'd told me three years ago I would be posting this I would have fallen off my chair laughing. I'm well and truly converted. Just a pity it's so expensive compared to camping on the Isle of Wight which is what we used to do.

[thatsalovelyhat]

How interesting. When did 'cruising' stop meaning 'looking for casual sex'?

[Nittyb]

Have thought about it, great opportunity to find out more :-)

[PinkPanther27]

Yes please, been desperate to do this for a while now!

[lordnoobson]

Cruises are up there with rowing caravans atm. Aren't there lots of Cilla type folk in glittery evening wear?

[lordnoobson]

Lol. TOWING. not rowing a caravan

[FittyP]

lordnoob

People also work weekends, so when should they have held the cruise day? Or do you mean only people with 9-5 office jobs should be able to go and then who also have partners to perform child care as nurseries are shut?

Doing it on a weekday means children are mostly in child care and if someone wants a cruise day they take a day off work.

[Quodlibet]

The thing that puts me off cruising is the ENORMOUS carbon footprint of your holiday. Most cruise companies are actually owned by oil companies.

[Neena28]

Is it a lot worse than flying then? Wonder if they offset it somehow?

[Sirzy]

Can't enter as have cruised before but for any doubters it is great and the kids with us loved it. We had booked the next cruise within 2 weeks of the first!

[WhoKnowsWhereTheTimeGoes]

I haven't looked into the carbon footprint specifically, but for us personally it is somewhat offset by the fact that as a family we have only taken one short domestic return flight in the last 11 years, we normally stay in the UK. We aren't likely to cruise again in the foreseeable future because of the cost. However I agree that the carbon footprint must be substantial when you take into account all the air-con, hot water, electricity and food requirements.