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Original poster

2022 cruise with frail parent and a toddler. Is this a horrible idea?

72 replies

allfurcoatnoknickers · 03/08/2021 19:13

I live in the US and haven't seen my parents since 2019. My Mum had a stroke last year and now struggles to walk very far and has decided that when we reunite, it should all be on a cruise.

It will be me, DH, DF, DM and DS who'll be 3-ish. DM is adamant she's going to book something, but realistically, I'll end up sorting it out so I'm trying to do some research now.

I think the Greek Islands might be good, but can anyone suggest a line that would be good for elderly parents and a feral toddler? Where do I even start when looking to book?

DM wants a cruise that leaves and returns to the UK as she doesn't want to fly, but is that even a thing? I feel like people usually fly at least one leg.

OP posts:
Antsinyourpanta · 08/08/2021 16:03

I'm pretty sure my dad went on a cruise from Tilbury, Essex.
I imagine most cruises would cater for mobility issues since they are often popular with older people.

Jerseygirl12 · 08/08/2021 18:37

I went on a good Royal Caribbean cruise two years ago from Southampton. It went to Gibraltar, many ports in Spain and to Lisbon. Lots of companies do that itinerary.
Two weeks is absolutely plenty of time.

TheWeeDonkey · 08/08/2021 19:02

A canaries cruise is a good option if you want sunshine and (relatively) easy access. Having said that we went on a Royal Caribbean cruise around the med maybe 8/7 years back now and it was one of the best family holidays I've ever been on

moonbedazzled · 08/08/2021 21:36

I feel like the voice of gloom here but I just don't see you sailing to the Greek Islands and back in two weeks. It normally takes 4 days just to get into the Med and then you have to sail across. When we did the islands, we did a fly/cruise. The meds lovely, though. Plenty of beaches on Spanish, French coasts and in Sardinia and Corsica.

We did the Baltic cruise in September. It was 2 weeks and the weather was hot in St Petersburg, and warm everywhere else. If you went in August it'd be even hotter. But it's all cities so I don't know how suitable that would be for children.

By the way, good call on the Fjords. 😉

LoveFall · 08/08/2021 21:55

Dh and I did a Baltic. It was the best trip of our lives, but probably too much for your family. We saw so much it was incredible.

Original poster
allfurcoatnoknickers · 09/08/2021 13:27

@moonbedazzled

I feel like the voice of gloom here but I just don't see you sailing to the Greek Islands and back in two weeks. It normally takes 4 days just to get into the Med and then you have to sail across. When we did the islands, we did a fly/cruise. The meds lovely, though. Plenty of beaches on Spanish, French coasts and in Sardinia and Corsica.

We did the Baltic cruise in September. It was 2 weeks and the weather was hot in St Petersburg, and warm everywhere else. If you went in August it'd be even hotter. But it's all cities so I don't know how suitable that would be for children.

By the way, good call on the Fjords. 😉

Parents aren't city people, so I think that's off the table. DH and I are city dwellers though, so it's not a problem for DS :)

I appreciate the feedback on timing. Seems like the Med might be tricky given our time crunch, but good to have some other options to look in to.

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Jerseygirl12 · 09/08/2021 13:59

I really recommend Iglu cruises, you can search for the port you want to depart from, the length, destination etc. Princess have one that may be suitable for you next summer.

alexdgr8 · 09/08/2021 15:25

if your mother has had a stroke, i think babysitting duties are too much.
even just watching over sleepyhead; it's the responsibility, which can cause stress. lots of simple things become a great effort.
but there are babysitting services available on cruises.

Skiptheheartsandflowers · 09/08/2021 15:32

My parents don't believe in take aways

I guess if it was takeaway or cook their own food, they might be persuaded. Glad you're getting somewhere with options. Remember it's your holiday too.

Original poster
allfurcoatnoknickers · 09/08/2021 20:33

@Jerseygirl12

I really recommend Iglu cruises, you can search for the port you want to depart from, the length, destination etc. Princess have one that may be suitable for you next summer.
This is so helpful. Thank you!

@Skiptheheartsandflowers They only eat about 10 "approved" meals and those all have to be eaten on an assigned day of the week. They will go out to eat, but take-aways are an absolute no. Once, when I briefly lived at home, I brought home Itsu for dinner and I didn't hear the end of it for AGES. Similarly, when they visited us, we brought in a take-away and my Mum refused to eat the meal she chose. It's def not relaxing Grin.

OP posts:
LoveFall · 10/08/2021 02:04

There is a choice of a broad variety of food on the Princess cruises we have done. DH and I often hang out in what they call the International Cafe. They had coffees/teas and soup/sandwiches plus desserts. We like their tuna sandwich. No problem finding something for everyone.

Jerseygirl12 · 10/08/2021 10:22

Your DM could order room service if she is not up for every meal out or you could if you wanted a break.

FourSeasonsTotalLandscaping · 10/08/2021 11:30

@moonbedazzled

I feel like the voice of gloom here but I just don't see you sailing to the Greek Islands and back in two weeks. It normally takes 4 days just to get into the Med and then you have to sail across. When we did the islands, we did a fly/cruise. The meds lovely, though. Plenty of beaches on Spanish, French coasts and in Sardinia and Corsica.

We did the Baltic cruise in September. It was 2 weeks and the weather was hot in St Petersburg, and warm everywhere else. If you went in August it'd be even hotter. But it's all cities so I don't know how suitable that would be for children.

By the way, good call on the Fjords. 😉

I agree - two week cruises from Southampton are unlikely to get further east than Spain and maybe Western Italy: there just isn't the time. P&O's eastern med/greek isles cruises start and end in Malta. A lot of other lines use Rome and Barcelona as starting points.

P&O are probably your best bet I'd guess. When is this going to be? Next summer?

Original poster
allfurcoatnoknickers · 10/08/2021 14:53

@FourSeasonsTotalLandscaping Yes, next summer - ideally end of August/beginning of September for us. DS's daycare has a late summer break through to about September 9th/10th which would be ideal for us. Parents are both retired, so we don't have to worry about term dates.

I think food will be fine on-board. DS eats absolutely everything except carrots and cauliflower, so we can easily work around DM's preferences and make sure she has somewhere to eat she's happy with.

OP posts:
CatAlice · 10/08/2021 14:57

If her health is poor be very careful to get the right travel insurance.

Bells3032 · 10/08/2021 15:01

be careful about sailing out of Southhampton if you want to go to the med. the seas crossing can be exceptionally rough esp on a smaller ship.

Have a look into Fred Olson too esp if your parents like "English" food a bit more as they're very english

FourSeasonsTotalLandscaping · 10/08/2021 15:03

@Bells3032

be careful about sailing out of Southhampton if you want to go to the med. the seas crossing can be exceptionally rough esp on a smaller ship.

Have a look into Fred Olson too esp if your parents like "English" food a bit more as they're very english

I'd look into Fred Olsen carefully - I'm not sure how child friendly they are likely to be outside of school holidays time (or even in it, necessarily!)

I'd recommend Cruise Critic as a resource - they have tons of reviews of different ships and different lines.

ElizaDarcysDeeds · 10/08/2021 15:09

We did similar when DD was 2. MIL chose the cruiseline so everyone else was at least 60 Grin But actually it was fun. DD was an absolute star and as the youngest on board was absolutely spoilt by everyone else. It was an European cruise and left from Southampton.
Points to consider are accessibility; whether your DM will need access to a wheelchair etc; and how close you want your rooms to be. Our rooms were at the stern but one at starboard and one at port so we all had a bit of privacy.
I was nervous before we went but actually it was a great holiday and I'm glad we went.

Bells3032 · 10/08/2021 15:14

How about the canary islands like this one:

www.pocruises.com/find-a-cruise/N222/N222

gogohm · 10/08/2021 15:26

If they are British based I would book from Southampton to avoid planes, it's so easy, they even take your luggage from your boot and valet park the car. P&o is a good starting point as they have a good number of itineraries and crèche facilities for lo. If they are still operating out of the U.K., another option is Disney, mine were 3&5 when we went on a Disney cruise and they loved it, but Disney isn't as cheap usually. I prefer Cunard myself.

gogohm · 10/08/2021 15:29

Should add Disney had a crèche all day until midnight daily, even a kids buffet sitting they take them too if you want an adults meal, then in the evenings they watched movies and could nap, Disney characters read books etc.

Original poster
allfurcoatnoknickers · 10/08/2021 23:17

@gogohm

Should add Disney had a crèche all day until midnight daily, even a kids buffet sitting they take them too if you want an adults meal, then in the evenings they watched movies and could nap, Disney characters read books etc.
I really, REALLY want to do a Disney cruise, but parents aren't keen :( I think they think it'll be too loud and chaotic. They may have a point, but I bet DS would love it.

(I'd love it too)

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