Need the benefit of mnetters cruise experience re. med cruises

[Rosebag]

Hello...hope there is someone who can help! We are considering a cruise for the first time. Our kids will be 12 and 10 and we are limited to the school summer hols. We would like a Med cruise (prob Western Med but not carved in stone),sailing from Southampton. We like what P and O, Royal Caribbean and Princess have to offer but our sticking point is accommodation (not to mention some of the prices which are making my eyes water!!). We don't really like to share with the kids on holiday but there seem to be very limited options. We would love interconnecting staterooms ideally. What do you think about the ones that just have interconnecting balconies? DD will be 10 but is rather immature and we would want the kids to be able to get to us easily should the need arise. I would also appreciate recommendations of a good, helpful agent to book through. We are in the London area. Thanks!

Hi,
Went with my 11 year old daughter to Norway last year with Royal Caribbean (RC)and had a great time. Going with them again in May to the West Med, again with my daughter (Hubby doesn't like cruises).
Liked RC because of the kids club and the kids onboard were all pleasant. Took early dining and watched a show each evening which finished around 9.30pm. Shows were excellent and very varied.
We had a balcony room, it was worth the extra for the two of us. However, a family my daughter befriended, 2 parents and 2 girls aged around 12 and 10 had one inside cabin for the 4 of them. 2 lower beds and 2 beds over the top. This was a small cabin.
There are also, like our cabin, 2 single beds and a double sofa bed with balcony..I would have considered this small but adequate for four. You don't really spend much time in your cabin as so much is happening.
If I went with my hubby and had 2 daughters, I'd book a room with balcony for 4. The children spend time in the kids club and you might not see them for most of the day, freeing up the cabin for the grown ups during the day.
I used Bolsover to book the first time, they were good. This time I'm using another company,can't remember name off hand, can check if you want me to, they've arranged hotel in Barcelona prior to the cruise and private transfers which suits us.
Hope this helps.

Many thanks for your helpful reply. Bolsover have been great and are holding interconnecting cabins on Celebrity Eclipse sailing from Southampton to the Med on 24th July. It's expensive but sounds wonderful. Do you or anyone else have any experience of Celebrity cruises?

We went Royal Caribbean with 2 DS's (tho older at 14 and 16) and had a balcony cabin for us and the inside cabin directly across the corridor for them. They were near but not in the same room, plus there are phones in all rooms so easy to call each other to check. Would have loved interconnecting balcony rooms but a bit dear, and DS's just came to us to sit on balcony when they wanted. We didnt spend lots of time in cabins anyway, but had options for being together or apart.

Just seen this. We went on Oceana about 4 years ago in a mini-suite, when the sofa bed converted into the dc's bed. They were then 12 and 14 - it was pretty tight!

I think Ventura has family suites - although I don't know how quickly they get booked up, nor the cost!

Our two thought the cruise was one of their best holidays ever - infact we're off again in a couple of weeks, and even at the ages of 16 and 18 - when enthusiasm is seriously not cool - they're excited.

Well...we are booked and are learning as we go along being real novice cruisers. It seems that any family accommodation where the kids aren't sharing gets booked up very quickly. We do feel more comfortable with interconnecting however. Bolsover found us a cruise with Celebrity that had interconnecting rooms available. The cost is hideous however we decided that since in the following year, 2011, we are unlikely to have a holiday (due to a big, expensive family event) we would splash out!! The kids are wild with excitement and we are off to the Med in July, sailing from Southampton on Celebrity Eclipse! Can't wait. Thanks for all the helpful advice and comments.

I am sure you will have a wonderful time. Although it sounds expensive wait until you see what is included onbaord from food to entertainment. It is so worth it.

I'd have a look at www.cruisecritic.com and the boards specific to your line. You will get heaps of information on there about what you can take onbard and other hints and tips you wouldn't know being first timers!

Booked Thomson dream med cruise with 15 and 11 year old lads. They have inside cabin directly opposite us and I feel ok about that. It cost one thousand each for a week, pretty expensive but it is a treat. If I dont like it, I wont go again. So looking forward to it.