Cruise help

[trying2bgood]

Hello, am thinking of booking a cruise with either P&O or Carnival next year, any one been with either? Would love to know what you think? Will have a 18 month old and a 4 year old by then. How do they sort our sleeping arrangements, will they provide a proper cot and small bed? And how do the stop the cot from moving in rough waters? Is there likely to be much rocking?

I haven't been on a proper cruise (just mini cruises), but we looked into going last december and found that with P&O the kids went free on certain cruises. It seemed to be cheaper to book early as the cheap cabins were snapped up. Have a look at the \link{http://www.ship-happens.co.uk/\ship-happens forum} for advice.

thanks will take a look

Hi trying2bgood

We have just returned from a cruise on P&O Oceana.We had a cabin with 2 single beds and then bunk beds over.I think in some of the larger cabins there are bedsofas.I think your 4 year old would just sleep in standard bed.Not sure about cots.We had a great holiday we were a bit unsure before we went ,now hooked.P&O have a great website with a section on families.Also if you register on cruise connections website, on P&O web page you can asked loads of questions and get answers.We found this great before our cruise.If you have any other questions just ask.We are rebooking for next year.

We went with Thompson, and DS got a travel cot, rather than a proper cot. Most of the 4 person rooms had two beds and two bunks that fold down like the back of a sofa during the day, and then get made up into beds whilst you're out at dinner.

Well the ship doesnt rock too much just lists side to side gently when in rough water. Sleeping arrangements are difficult as cabins are usually pokey and mainly consist of bunk beds. Mine ds was 2yrs and I lost him on the first day, fortunately he was found in the Gym (a hairy moment which still gives me nightmares) Didnt get full benefit of cruise due to having to put ds to bed and staying with him (naturally) which involved lights out, quiet and falling asleep myself If your year old is curious, make sure you put a chair against the door of cabin at night in case he fancies an adventure (our doors self locked when closed but you couldnt lock them from the inside to stop the little fingers trying to explore! Sorry but we found it hard work with one little explorer i hope you have a great time with your experience.

Trying2begood- I have looked round the carnival Legend and wasn't that impressed. I kept getting lost in the corridors due to the size of it. the carpets were really bright colours etc. I have seen it in port at cayman islands and it was full of american students on break. personally with kids I would receommend something like P and Os ocean village for a good family orientated one. If you can pay more go for a p and o cruise. I cruised on celebritys century which had a childrens club and was a superb ship with facilities etc. depends on budget etc really.

there is a book called the Berlitz guide (you maybe able to hire it at a library) and that gives the ins and outs of each ship.

P and O are just great, we have been on two cruises on Aurora - and two, before that, on Air Tours (Sunbird with our boys and Sundream on our own) who don't cruise any more. We are going on a Royal Caribbean ship for the first time this year. Although we enjoyed the Airtours cruise we found that the P and O cruise was dramatically better. YOu really do get what you pay for. Our two boys were about 5 and 4 the first time we went on a cruise and they LOVED it. They are now 15 and 14 and can't wait for this year. We have tried all options of accommodation, first time was a 4 berth cabin (basically 2 sets of bunks) and it wasn't bad at all, more spacious than I thought, and loads of storage space. Next time, on Aurora, we shared a wonderful cabin with balcony and proper bathroom. We had a double bed and the boys had a bed sofa. We got really good child prices. Last time we wanted to be in seperate cabins so got two. Much the best option now the boys are older as you NEVER see them and the teen clubs go on until the early hours. This year, again, we have two cabins over the corridor from each other. Can't wait to try Royal Caribbean. Apparently the kids/teen facilities are even better than P and O and DS1 is very excited about the rock climbing wall. However - beware - I don't know anyone who has been on a cruise and not loved it. They are very addictive and not the cheapest of holiday options. cat me if you have any questions. There is nothing a cruise addict likes better than talking about cruises! By the way, usually, on a big cruise ship, you have no sense of the ship moving at all. YOu could be sitting in a restaurant or in a theatre on shore. I actually quite like it when it is a bit rough and you can feel something and know you are at sea.