Short cruise with Royal Carribean. Worth doing?

[HollyGibney]

We've always cruised with Disney and absolutely love it. However they're expensive and usually involve flights as well. Have been looking at cruises out of Southampton, which is a 90 minute drive and far easier obviously. I have read very mixed reviews about RC, just wondered what MNetters thought? Was looking at a three or five night itinerary with port stops at Zeebruge, Rotterdam, Normandy. Any thoughts? Thanks 😊

Oh and they're on Independence of the seas of anyone knows that ship.

Have you looked on Cruise Critic?

My only reservation would be with a shorter itinerary you are more likely to get groups of friends having booze-cruises. Haven’t been on them myself but heard loads of good things and wouldn’t have any other concerns.

I too am a Disney Cruise lover, and having looked at RC I'm concerned that things that are included on Disney are chargeable on RC. I know overall you still probably pay less than Disney but it seems underhand. I'd be interested£ to hear your thoughts?

Independence of the Seas is a lovely ship...it was refurbished earlier this year and if you have teens it has so much to offer with Flow rider/Escape room etc ...

I actually really like RCL have done a few cruises with them - Dubai/Greek Islands and my DD has also done a few more with her DF (on Independence). RCL are very family orientated but I have not cruised with Disney so I could not compare.

Rotterdam and Zebrugge are good stops - remember you do not have to buy into the excursions its much cheaper to organise your own (you will no doubt find a Facebook page for the ship or look at cruise crictic for ideas). If its Le Havre you stop at I would recommend going to Honfleur which is beautiful (see piccy from last week).

We are just back from a very cheap 10 night cruise with MSC and whilst it was a totally different experience my DD and I both really enjoyed it .....

I think all cruise lines price differently some are all inclusive some you pay extra and build a package to suit your own needs.

The short cruises do often attract party groups rather than families.

I've done mini cruises from Southampton with both P&O and on Indie. I found both had lots of family parties, celebrating 40th, 50th, 60th etc birthdays, with lots of 3 generation groups. If you are looking to use the kids clubs, these tend to be much quieter on mini cruises, as most families stick together. Indie has a lot more to do for families on board with the Flow Rider, aqua parks, trampolines etc and it has just be completely refitted. Personally, I prefer P&O, as my teenager tends to go off and meet friends and I don't feel such a billy-no-mates sitting by myself in the bars with a good book. I imagine that Indie is much more like Disney.

Zeebruges takes you to Blankenberge or Bruges. Bruges is beautiful, but I was quite surprised at Blankenberge, because we used a shuttle bus and pottered around the chocolate shops & sea front.