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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To ask if a cruise is worth going on

82 replies

Mummytoalion · 06/10/2022 16:27

With the DC? And what cruises lines would you recommend?

YANBU- it’s worth taking the DC on a cruise holiday
YABU- don’t do it, it’s not worth it

OP posts:
Askinforabaskin · 07/10/2022 20:03

Went on P and O cruise a few weeks ago for the first time and I enjoyed it. I can see why people wouldn’t like it and I wouldn’t do one for every single holiday. But, I do think we’ll go on one again.

You can have the cruise as relaxed or as busy as you like. There’s plenty of excursions and activities on board. The highlights were the food, the good service and excursions. The let downs were the entertainment (it’s meant to be West End Standard shows and it felt like a primary school could put something on better) and the feeling like you are being sold stuff constantly (many of the activities are just sales pitches).

It was during term time but there plenty of younger children on board. I am pregnant and we are strongly considering going on one as a first holiday abroad.

Badbadbunny · 07/10/2022 20:09

We've taken our DS on a cruise. It was absolutely fine and a good time was had by all.

You just have to do your research. The cruise firms (and even ships within each firm) have different facilities, some have more for children to do than others. It's all very obvious and well publicised if you look at their websites/brochures etc.

Just make sure you don't make any assumptions. You can't assume there's a kids' club, you can't assume there are entertainments/activities for children.

There are also other factors such as whether it's formal or relaxed, i.e. whether evening dining requires suits/ties, dresses etc., or whether it's "smart casual". Personally, I would go on a cruise with young children if it's "formal" dining as that indicates the passengers are more likely to be older couples/singles and the entertainment/facilities will be more geared to the older generations.

notangelinajolie · 07/10/2022 20:22

We took our kids from ages 6 up to teens on Royal Caribbean cruises. They all loved it. In fact we are going on a RC cruise at Christmas and guess who’s coming? All of them 🤨😎
All grown up and in their 20’s but any mention of a cruise and they are coming.

notangelinajolie · 07/10/2022 20:38

For the poster who thinks cruises are for people who can’t think.
Planning a cruise needs a serious lot of thinking. You can’t just rock up to a different port every day and get off. You do actually have to plan where you are going, what you are doing and how you are going to get there.
We met a family once who thought Rome was boring. It turns out they had wandered round the port for 2 hours.

Okbye · 07/10/2022 21:11

We've done Disney and Royal Caribbean cruises and LOVE them!

My son cried every time it was time to get off and go home 😭

StoneofDestiny · 07/10/2022 21:35

Only been on a cruise where children were not allowed - small ship, luxury. Loved it, but in between do lots of independent travel. Not sure I'd do it with children - but never been on a one catering for children.

MadAndGlad · 07/10/2022 21:46

Massive fuel consumption and where do you think they dump all your shit and piss?? Yep, in the sea/ocean!

Bunionbandit · 07/10/2022 22:15

Bit rude about your sils?

Bunionbandit · 07/10/2022 22:23

Bit rude about people that enjoy their annual week in Crete Turkey or Spain ? Deep sigh 😔

Mischance · 07/10/2022 22:28

I am looking at the possibility of a cruise as I am now on my own after being widowed at beginning of pandemic. That presents a problem as the single supplements are huge and still you get relegated to an inside cabin. And I am not sure I am very good at being herded about! But perhaps I have the wrong impression of cruises.

LikeAStar1994 · 07/10/2022 23:00

billyt · 06/10/2022 16:57

I couldn't think of anything worse.

Both my sisters in law regularly go cruising. But then, they struggle to think for themselves 😉

Cruises are way better than flying. Minimal stress. At least you can eat and sleep properly on a cruise and do loads of activities instead of being bored, cramped and uncomfortable on a plane. Why anybody would prefer that over cruises is truly insane.

You sound like a snob.

Crunched · 13/10/2022 17:18

I am looking at the possibility of a cruise as I am now on my own after being widowed at beginning of pandemic. That presents a problem as the single supplements are huge and still you get relegated to an inside cabin. And I am not sure I am very good at being herded about! But perhaps I have the wrong impression of cruises.
You can certainly travel in an outside/balcony stateroom as a solo traveler and some cruise lines clearly state no single supplements. There are lots of groups online such as www.facebook.com/groups/2172768439710926/ that can advise of the best deals.
My friend, widowed aged 48,now chooses cruise holidays and has a great time.
As to the 'herding' that depends on the type of cruise line you use. You won't be herded on Silversea for example.

Mischance · 13/10/2022 17:50

Many thanks for that.

reigatecastle · 13/10/2022 18:19

Along with ski-ing, they are about the worse holidays, ecologically, that you can do.

And even if you don't care about the climate you are very likely to get covid and/or norovirus. And they insist on vaccination and tests before you get on, so you can kiss goodbye to your holiday if one of you tests positive (perhaps less likely if you go in the summer).

There are much better options. And a week in Majorca/Crete/Turkey wouldn't do it for me either!

reigatecastle · 13/10/2022 18:21

Mischance · 07/10/2022 22:28

I am looking at the possibility of a cruise as I am now on my own after being widowed at beginning of pandemic. That presents a problem as the single supplements are huge and still you get relegated to an inside cabin. And I am not sure I am very good at being herded about! But perhaps I have the wrong impression of cruises.

What about group trips like Explore or Exodus? They cater for different age groups and ability levels for their more adventurous trips and I think they have trips for singles too.

KimberleyClark · 13/10/2022 18:55

And even if you don't care about the climate you are very likely to get covid and/or norovirus. And they insist on vaccination and tests before you get on, so you can kiss goodbye to your holiday if one of you tests positive (perhaps less likely if you go in the summer).

I’ve never caught Covid or experienced a norovirus outbreak on a cruise. And many cruise lines are dropping the vaccination requirement. Now that restrictions are being dropped you could catch Covid by travelling abroad anywhere.

Sirzy · 13/10/2022 18:57

We have cruised with p and o a few times. It’s the perfect holiday for autistic Ds and a great way to see different places

purpleboy · 13/10/2022 19:06

Really recommend Disney it's just fantastic, a cut above the rest and for me well worth the extra cost. Every area is better standard than any other cruise line.
The new P&O ships are great too love the infinity pools and hot tubs, but I wouldn't go on the old ones, as there isn't enough to do for the kids. Entertainment is pretty crap.
Norwegian are brilliant they have new ships that have a 3 story go kart track on, I'm eyeing these up for a future holiday. The epic has some great water slides and food is very good quality.
Royal Caribbean also has a couple of fantastic new ships, they have great service, food and facilities are out of this world.
Celebrity I haven't been on for years, but I don't think they can compete with the new ships are far as kids are concerned.

We love cruising, it's so easy and we can go with all the family and everyone can just do their own thing.

tigerbear · 13/10/2022 19:07

Thinking of doing RC Wonder of the Seas with DD - has anyone been on this one? Looks amazing, but Would be interested to hear as to whether it’s just TOO big..

DH and I went on another liner this summer which was big, but the Wonder of the Seas docked next to us and completely dwarfed ours. Total ship envy!

EarlofShrewsbury · 13/10/2022 19:12

Mischance · 07/10/2022 22:28

I am looking at the possibility of a cruise as I am now on my own after being widowed at beginning of pandemic. That presents a problem as the single supplements are huge and still you get relegated to an inside cabin. And I am not sure I am very good at being herded about! But perhaps I have the wrong impression of cruises.

P&O have single balcony cabins on their newer ships and have removed the single supplement from some itineraries.

Calandor · 13/10/2022 19:12

For kids maybe Disney. Depends on the cruise tbh. I found them knackering and I always feel more drunk on boats which I don't like.

budgiegirl · 13/10/2022 23:13

Thinking of doing RC Wonder of the Seas with DD - has anyone been on this one? Looks amazing, but Would be interested to hear as to whether it’s just TOO big..

It depends on your personal preference. My DH likes smaller ships, I prefer the bigger ships. With kids, we would both go for a larger ship - tends to be more for the kids to do.

Whammyyammy · 13/10/2022 23:34

I tried one as heard so many good things about cruises, it was good to be fair and I can't think of any really negatives, But overall it just wasn't for me so won't do another.

PoundOfNesh · 13/10/2022 23:51

How old are the kids?

we love cruising with ours (3 and 1) and enjoyed them before kids too, we only cruise with Royal Caribbean, and usually only the oasis class ships too

Bells3032 · 14/10/2022 00:00

My parents took us when we were kids/teens and we all loved it. We'd have a blast at the kids clubs, they're enjoy some time out, we'd see gorgous places and eat amazing food.

My sister now takes her kids mainly on Royal carribean and have an amazing time each year. We just took my 9 month old on her first one (not a traditionally family one) and she was absolutely spoilt rotten.

So depends on the age of your kids. I'd say 1-3 no as most shops don't do much for for them unless toilet trained and they're not allowed in the pools until toilet trained (some ships have splash pools for infants but have to check). Many lines also charge full price for infants.

If older than 4 I'd say deff go for it. If they're quite extroverted then go for royal carribean or Disney or msc etc.

If they're quite introverted they might like the ones with smaller kids clubs eg princess or celebrity.

Avoid azamara, silversea, seabourne, regent or oceana unless above 16 as really nothing for them

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