Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Flexible and made to last.

Meet the Other Phone.
Flexible and made to last.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
Chat

Join the discussion and chat with other Mumsnetters about everyday life, relationships and parenting.

Original poster

Do you like cruises ?what would you recommend for a first time family cruise, youngest child 11

27 replies

Rainbowdeer · 07/02/2025 23:22

Any ideas?

OP posts:
Vanillazebra · 08/02/2025 04:44

Disney 💯

90yomakeuproom · 08/02/2025 04:45

Disney cruise!

Harassedevictee · 08/02/2025 06:27

I was going to say Royal Caribbean but Disney is certainly an option. I’m assuming there are teenagers too.

If you are in the UK I would suggest a fly cruise to the med. You want a port heavy cruise. You then have the option to stay on board.

If you really want a taster avoid the 3-4 day booze cruises and do 7 days to the Fjords from Southampton.

Interested in this thread?

Then you might like threads about this subject:

Holidays
Mindymomo · 08/02/2025 06:43

We’ve cruised with P&O with my 2 DS, first time when my DS2 was 14, he loved it, but he loved being independent and going to the kids club whenever he could, made lots of friends and said it was the best holiday ever. My 17 year old, stayed with us, watched movies, entertainment, took part in lots of quizzes and talks. This cruise was 14 days from Southampton to the Mediterranean and we went on excursions most days in port. We’ve also done Royal Caribbean, but my DS2 hated the kids club, it was just a meet up, no organised activities for his age group.

Packingcube · 08/02/2025 07:01

Would absolutely recommend the northern Europe cruise in December the Christmas markets are amazing and it's so convenient to get to them in all the ports.

Original poster
Rainbowdeer · 08/02/2025 15:13

Harassedevictee · 08/02/2025 06:27

I was going to say Royal Caribbean but Disney is certainly an option. I’m assuming there are teenagers too.

If you are in the UK I would suggest a fly cruise to the med. You want a port heavy cruise. You then have the option to stay on board.

If you really want a taster avoid the 3-4 day booze cruises and do 7 days to the Fjords from Southampton.

Edited

Why would I want a port heavy ? Genuine question ?

OP posts:
Original poster
Rainbowdeer · 08/02/2025 15:13

Disney ? I thought my kids would be a bit too old for that ?

OP posts:
Original poster
Rainbowdeer · 08/02/2025 15:15

i don’t Like he cold so the Xmas idea is a no go

so I’m thinking a med cruise ?

OP posts:
Musicofthespiers · 08/02/2025 15:16

The MCO cruises look great. Lots to do on the newer ships for all ages. We haven't booked one yet but plan to.

Disney cruises are worth checking out. There are onboard activities for teens, my 9yo,15 yo and 16 yo nieces love the freedom they have. The shows are amazing and the restaurants very good.

Ladamesansmerci · 08/02/2025 15:19

Thompson's cruises are very family friendly. Night entertainment is typically better on them as well.

Royal Carribbean have a lot to do. That also had good entertainment.

Med cruises are good as you'll dock everyday near enough so not much chance to get bored at sea.

Harassedevictee · 08/02/2025 17:00

Rainbowdeer · 08/02/2025 15:13

Why would I want a port heavy ? Genuine question ?

Show quote history

@Rainbowdeer
Not everyone enjoys sea days, there are activities etc but some people like to get off the ship regularly.

Port days give you choices, you can go ashore early and come back for lunch, you can stay onboard and use the pools etc. when it’s quieter, have lunch and then go ashore, you can stay onboard and not go ashore.

Whilst the ships are very stable, you can’t predict the weather or if you will be affected by even a slight motion. As a first cruise having a port intensive itinerary means you know on most if not all port days you are docked and the ship will be stable. If you have someone in your party who finds they don’t like being at Sea or feels the motion plenty of sea days can help.

Personally I like sea days and do not always get off at each port but you are asking about a first cruise.

ValentineValentineV · 08/02/2025 17:02

Disney first choice, if they are too expensive then Royal Caribbean. I did my first cruise when my DC were 9 and 10 and haven’t looked back.

Original poster
Rainbowdeer · 08/02/2025 20:05

What would tou expect a family of four to pay for a week med cruise in june/july?

Is 4k a lot or average ?

OP posts:
Original poster
Rainbowdeer · 08/02/2025 20:12

Harassedevictee · 08/02/2025 17:00

@Rainbowdeer
Not everyone enjoys sea days, there are activities etc but some people like to get off the ship regularly.

Port days give you choices, you can go ashore early and come back for lunch, you can stay onboard and use the pools etc. when it’s quieter, have lunch and then go ashore, you can stay onboard and not go ashore.

Whilst the ships are very stable, you can’t predict the weather or if you will be affected by even a slight motion. As a first cruise having a port intensive itinerary means you know on most if not all port days you are docked and the ship will be stable. If you have someone in your party who finds they don’t like being at Sea or feels the motion plenty of sea days can help.

Personally I like sea days and do not always get off at each port but you are asking about a first cruise.

Show quote history

Oh I see, I thought you mentioned like go to places with very industrial Portsmouth something
I totally agree, to be the point of a cruise is to see other places so less time at sea the better as in stuck on sea days the better

OP posts:
Dueanamechange2025 · 08/02/2025 20:20

Join Need That Cruise on Facebook for some great deals and an idea of costs.

We did our first MSC cruise last year (summer holidays), the ship was busy but we found our way after a couple of days. That was 14 nights med cruise.

MSC is budget and family friendly, you will be looking at A LOT more for a Disney cruise.

Original poster
Rainbowdeer · 08/02/2025 20:46

Rainbowdeer · 08/02/2025 20:12

Oh I see, I thought you mentioned like go to places with very industrial Portsmouth something
I totally agree, to be the point of a cruise is to see other places so less time at sea the better as in stuck on sea days the better

Show quote history

Not Portsmouth
ports !!

OP posts:
Original poster
Rainbowdeer · 08/02/2025 20:46

Dueanamechange2025 · 08/02/2025 20:20

Join Need That Cruise on Facebook for some great deals and an idea of costs.

We did our first MSC cruise last year (summer holidays), the ship was busy but we found our way after a couple of days. That was 14 nights med cruise.

MSC is budget and family friendly, you will be looking at A LOT more for a Disney cruise.

Thansk I’ll check that out

OP posts:
Original poster
Rainbowdeer · 08/02/2025 20:47

Disney cruises coming up at 8 k for a week then I guess we need to add flights etc

OP posts:
Dueanamechange2025 · 08/02/2025 20:59

Rainbowdeer · 08/02/2025 20:47

Disney cruises coming up at 8 k for a week then I guess we need to add flights etc

Depends on where it’s sailing from I guess.

We only looked at Southampton departures as the point of the cruise for us was not to faff with airports, flights and luggage allowances.

Original poster
Rainbowdeer · 08/02/2025 23:54

One I looked at was from Barcelona
roundly mind going from Barcelona or Naples

OP posts:
Vanillazebra · 09/02/2025 05:07

Rainbowdeer · 08/02/2025 15:13

Disney ? I thought my kids would be a bit too old for that ?

Nope my 20 year old still wants to go

sashh · 09/02/2025 06:50

Rainbowdeer · 08/02/2025 20:12

Oh I see, I thought you mentioned like go to places with very industrial Portsmouth something
I totally agree, to be the point of a cruise is to see other places so less time at sea the better as in stuck on sea days the better

Show quote history

Another thing to consider is if weather is bad or there are other problems the cruise line can cancel stops or go to another one.

Cruise ships are designed to give passengers a smooth ride, normally in calm seas. They can and do cross the Atlantic but that is not what they are designed for.

The med doesn't usually have bad weather/ high seas and the weather is fairly predictable.

Also if you stay on board on port days the prices often drop on spa and hairdressing costs.

Original poster
Rainbowdeer · 09/02/2025 08:47

I wouldn’t mind separate from south of France if you know any companies that do that ?

OP posts:
Original poster
Rainbowdeer · 09/02/2025 08:48

Only really looked at Disney royal Caribbean, tui and max so far

none of them seem to go from south of France

OP posts:
Dueanamechange2025 · 09/02/2025 09:27

https://www.msccruises.co.uk/cruises/destinations/mediterranean/france/marseille

MSC world europa is one of the newest biggest ships. Lots on board for teens. There may not be as many English onboard sailing from Europe (this maybe seen as a positive or negative 🤣).

I promise I don’t work for them but Need That Cruise save me quite a lot of money on the MSC direct prices, so check don’t take the prices as gospel.