Family Cruise this summer?

[Yoyoyo1]

I was just browsing about cruises this summer for 4 people, a 7 and 10 year old. Has anyone done this? Any recommendations or websites you could direct me to?

---

MNHQ update: If you’re short on time, here’s a summary of the best cruise lines Mumsnetters are recommending on this thread:

⚓Princess Cruises

⚓MSC Cruises

⚓Celebrity Cruises

⚓Disney Cruise Line

⚓Marella Cruises

⚓P&O Cruises

⚓Royal Caribbean

⚓Norwegian Cruise Line

For more inspo, check out our guide to the best family cruises, featuring more recommendations from Mumsnetters.

With DC of that age Princess or P&O are perfect. If you want to leave from Southampton, the Norway itineraries are good - a nice choice of trips including pretty active ones, kayaking etc.
We went on Iona in June and the weather was perfect.
Last year we did Princess around the Med. I was so impressed with the children's club although our LO was only 3.
I usually book direct, but sometimes going via Cruise.com gets a slight discount and they can advise which staterooms suit your family circumstances.

Royal Caribbean are good with kids. Plenty of activities. They usually cover a lot of the med. it really does depend on what you want to see. Like above, we usually book direct.

Thank you

Talk to a specialist cruise travel agent like Bolsover, they are fab and can talk you through all the options. Pricing is a minefield and can be difficult to work out what the best deal is on a website, eg P&O select or saver fare.. saver looks like a bargain but sometimes the on board spending money you get with select makes it a better deal plus all the benefits of select like choosing the cabin I agree that Princess or P&O are great with kids. You'll have an amazing time! Go for a balcony if you possibly can afford it, so so lovely!

I'd not heard of Bolsover, thank you

You might struggle to get on P&O for this summer as they limit child places and school holidays sell out very early. Royal Caribbean are great but much more expensive than P&O and Princess. Also consider MSC and NCL. I'd recommend Cruise Circle to book.

Bump

Weve done two RC cruises with our three teens. They loved it.
Two connecting rooms for 2 adults and 3 years was roughly £5.5k a week with drinks packages.

We did p&o a few times when the kids were young. They were great holidays. They do so much for kids in their kids clubs, altho our kids didn't want to use the clubs and we preferred to have the kids with us anyway. Sailing from Southampton was a doddle...once you're thru security, you step on board and your holiday begins! Def recommend cruising with kids

The only issue when using an agent if its a poor holiday and you try to claim any money back the agent will just say " I am just an agent" the credit card protection is of no use then, so its better to book direct for better cover. We have booked direct and with an agent sometimes direct is cheaper sometimes not, Cruise critic is a great source of info. Royal Caribbean and Celebrity both cater well for children, P&O are a much lower standard. We found Cunard was good but they portray and believe there own hype it was no better than run of the mill stuff but very snobby. For me Celebrity and Holland America are the best we have been on out of the 14 we have done all with kids.
If its a tight budget Thompsons ( they are now called something else) are excellent value, older ships, great food ( not as much choice as the bigger lines) and staff real value for money and they do some excellent ports.

I'd definitely recommend cruising from Southampton, it's so easy compared to flying somewhere. Only downside is that most itineraries from Southampton don't go anywhere warm and sunny unless you go for 2 weeks or more. Royal caribbean and Princess both have great kids clubs on board and lots to do, food is great and so is the entertainment.

Would recommend avoiding the MSC Virtuosa - we did a mini cruise over the May Bank Holiday weekend - was very cheap but its cheap for a reason, over 6000 passengers on board and not enough facilities for everyone, I think I spent more time queueing than doing anything else!

I’ve been on family cruises with Disney, Celebrity, NCL, RC, Marella and Carnival and without my DC with Scenic and P&O. Apart from Carnival I’d recommend them all, I nearly always book through Iglu.

Royal Caribbean and specifically Oasis class ships (those mega ships). Took DD on their smaller ship last year, it was great. We just went on an oasis class ship and there was so much to do. I think even the same cruise line, depending on the ship, the experience can be quite different. Seascanner is cheaper than direct, but I usually just call up royal Caribbean, ask them to price match and book direct.