First time cruiser with kids

[Bumps13]

I’ve just booked my first cruise for me and 3 kids (16, 11 and 9) and will have the grandparents in an interconnecting room. I’ve always wanted to go on a cruise, but have always been wary as I have been known to get seasick on a pedalo! We will be sailing on the Celebrity Ascent from Barcelona and around the med in August for 7 nights. Does anyone have any tips for a first time cruiser with kids of those ages? And any advice or reassurance re seasickness fears?! Thank you!

My advice is take sturgeron tablets with you plus wrist bands to wear if it gets really rough. We tend to go through Bay of Biscay because I can't fly and that can be a challenge but you'll be missing that out so you shouldn't have much to worry about. Mid ship cabins the lower down the better are also good idea. In 50+ cruises I've only been sick enough to impact my day twice and we've been in all sorts of sea conditions. Have a lovely time!

There's lot of advice online about specific ships.

Do you want to use the kids clubs?

I researched each port and decided what we would do at each one. Didn't pay for any of the excursions.

The cabins are pretty small. Our boys were on a sofa bed thing and that took up a lot of room. The stewards are great at tidying though!!

Celebrity dining is very confusing. The 2 or 3 timeslots for MDR main dining rooms aren’t really used at all once onboard. Every evening after you decide which of the main dining rooms you’d like to dine at and the time that works for you, just go to that dining room and speak to the Maitre D. On Apex last year we never waited more than 2 or 3 minutes to be seated.
After you’ve embarked, sometimes it may take a few hours to get your luggage. Take a couple of carry on bags with things that you might want immediately like sun cream, a change of clothing, swimwear etc…
Have a good look through your ship deck plans before your holiday. Show your dc as well.
Do some research into each destination before your cruise to make the most of your time at each port. Know the proximity of the port to “downtown” or your attraction and how to get between them.

We have cruised three times with teens. Royal Caribbean and MSC.
Sickness - I felt sick no one else did. Guest services have amazing tablets. Pop one and was fine 10 mins later.
First and second day is normally a bit chaotic with everyone finding their way around.
Food..... take stretchy clothes for the end of your vacay!