Share your top tips for taking a cruise with Royal Caribbean - you could win a £200 Love2Shop voucher NOW CLOSED

[AnnMumsnet]

Following the event day we ran last year on Oasis of the Seas, We have been asked by the team at Royal Caribbean to find out your top tips for cruising - whether this is with the family or without.

So whether you have been on one cruise, or a seasoned cruise lovers - please share your top tips for any MNer who may be contemplating their first family cruise this year.

For example:
~ What appeals to you and your family about a cruise holiday?
~ When's the best time to book?
~ Do you always book the same kind of State Room? What's best for you?
~ What about food and drink? What do you make a beeline for once on board?
~ And entertainment - what's the plan for you and for the DC on a typical day on board?
~ Excursions - do you do your own or go with the ones arranged by the cruise ship? What's the best place you have visited?
~ What is your top tip for cruising?

Please share your tips and thoughts on this thread and you'll be entered into a prize draw where one lucky MNer will win a £200 Love2Shop voucher. Please add your comment by 06-02-2015. Standard Insight T&Cs apply

Thanks and good luck!
MNHQ

Be prepared!!!!

If it's going to be the trip of a lifetime make sure you don't skimp on it! Ensure you've bought the right package for your family's needs and have enough to enjoy your shore-based trips properly! So budget correctly and you'll have the time of your lives!

I would love to go on a cruise. I went once when I was a child and use to suffer of seasickness. Now that I don't suffer anymore and I have got children I would love to take them cruising, I love the sea...At the moment it is only a dream for me as booking a cruise is very expensive and I would also need lots of money with me to buy thinks on a cruise ship.

I would say try a smaller cruise first to make sure that you like the idea of being on the water

Don't go with people that get seasick easily!

For people that hate flying, cruising straight out of the UK is a fantastic option, and really appeals to me.

The constant availability of food also appeals!

Just not sure about the claustrophobia of a small cabin though.

And people I know who have referred to cruises as like a floating holiday camp... yep, fair to say I'm undecided!

I have done 5 cruises now with and without kids and here is my top tips:

1. Plan like mad and be active in all the cruise forums through them you can information about each port and know which ones that you can avoid the "pricey" shore excursions and "do it yourself" - they tell you what public transport to get, how much it is, where to get it, where to eat etc..

1. Take a multiway extension lead for the cabin.. there is only usually one or two accessible sockets and if you have cameras, kindles, kids night light etc that need daily charging its worth its weight in gold (remember adapter as well)

1. Think carefully about taking a child still in nappies - most cruise lines WILL NOT allow children still in nappies in any of the pools - even with swim pants on! I have seen some people take a small paddling pool and fill it for their little ones to splash in, but space might be an issue if pool is busy.

1. Take an over the door shoe organiser - not for shoes but all the kids bits and bobs - believe me, 2 adults and 2 kids in a standard cabin, gets pretty cramped and those little pockets to store books/toys/hairbrushes etc will be a godsend!

Can think of loads, but those are the main ones, my kids loved cruising, made loads of friends - joined in a load of activities - rock climbing, pool parties, scavenger hunts and lots more!

never been on a cruise but love the idea of it.

If on a destination cruise, do your homework in advance trip advisor for each port of call so you won't end up doing the most expensive and least imaginative things

Take your favourite tipple as it is expensive on board.

And cruise when it is winter in the UK.

Nothing like a bit of winter sun

Definitely take a sling, and try and set a daily budget on what you want to spend.

You need to have lots of money. I would love to go on a cruise but I get very sea sick, so would try a small cruise first before spending all that money

I would not pay for a balcony.

Have a really good diet before so that you can eat lots of the lovely food.

I haven't been on a cruise but one can dream. Loving the tips though, especially for travelling as a family, I always pictured that cruises are for older folks :)

For my family it has to be royal Caribbean we love it.
~ What appeals to you and your family about a cruise holiday?
We love the choice my boys are very sporty so want to try everything. Yet we still find the time to chill out and spend family time.
~ When's the best time to book?
Early. book well in advance for the best deal and choice of cabins.
~ Do you always book the same kind of State Room? What's best for you?
The last cabin we had was an aft balcony it was amazing, I will always book this from now on.
~ What about food and drink? What do you make a beeline for once on board?
I love the restaurants, the food and service is incredible. And the eggs benidict at breakfast is amazing mmm
~ And entertainment - what's the plan for you and for the DC on a typical day on board?
Where do I start, surfing, they love it. We all love rock climbing, mini golf, shows, ice scating, dreamworks parade. We have even had a go at napkin folding ha ha, which actualy was great fun. And after all that they love love love the kids club
~ Excursions - do you do your own or go with the ones arranged by the cruise ship? What's the best place you have visited?
We like a mix, my favourite ever has to be Rome, such an incredibly romantic city. We went to the Trevi Fountain to throw a coin in for Hubby's late Granddad. It was alawys his wish to return after the war. So with the help of RCC we did that in his memory.
~ What is your top tip for cruising?
If you havent been on one then try it, you will never look back oh and book an aft cabin but you need to book early.

Before embarking on a cruise decide on your cabin and the square footage especially if your children are sharing. Bunk beds are far better in my opinion because they can be stored up during the day giving you a welcome sofa space.
Find the kids club as soon you set sail so your little ones can meet all the others in their age group and hopefully make new friends.
Don't just stick to the buffets with young children, all the restaurants on board welcome families in fact most of the waiters go out of their way to spoil your children as they are missing their own families.
Buy a soda package card for your children which includes juices if available (not all lines offer these).
Once in port use the local public transport rather than the ship excursions or consider hiring a car which we've done many times.
Be prepared to make fancy dress costumes etc for the kids parties on board.
Just enjoy, relax and have a wonderful time as the true cost of cruising has come down in price especially when you think so much is included. We did a Princess cruise last year and they even have free popcorn to eat while watching movies under the stars, bliss.

Get to your port the day before and enjoy a day sightseeing.

Take large sandwich bags then choose what you want for lunch from the breakfast buffet for your excursion.

No need to take books as there is usually a good library on board and you won't have to worry about putting your book down and forgetting it. It'll get put back in the library.

Be prepared for lifeboat drill soon after boarding and don't get in the shower. They'll keep knocking till you're out!

If you have older children who can sleep in there own room, book them an inside canin and you book the balcony opposite, this way you are not worried about them wondering onto the balcony at night and it is cheaper than 2 balcony rooms .

Always pack your swimsuit and flip flops in your hand luggage for when you board as you wait a while for your case to come to your cabin .
if you are nervous about the kids being away from you buy a good set of Walkie talkies , about £50 and you can find them and rendezvous anytime .
Be a nice guest to your stateroom attendant and waiters, they make your holiday and work so hard.
Shop in the Christmas sales for nice dresses for formal nights and build a cruise wardrobe that will stand the test of time .
Book yournext cruise onboard your current cruise, best deals and you can change it when you get home,if you change your mind about destinations and dates.
Take large pegs to fasten towels to sunbed as can get quite breezy on sea days .
Only go with Royal Caribbean or Celebrity, try not to go with a very British only company as you will have so much more fun with the Americans and they have the approach that anything is possible .
Start young and you will never want to do another sort of holiday .

Some excellent tips here! I've shared this with my folks, who are in the Silver Castaway club with Royal Caribbean. They are off again in March on another adventure.

Splash out and book an outside cabin. Lovely to wake up and look outside!

rrua

I loved my Transatlantic/Caribbean cruise on Adventure of the Seas. We just booked an inside stateroom as I wanted to spend as little time in it. I did not want to miss a moment of the onboard activities or the onshore trips. I found that the programmes of activities which were provided every evening for the following day were a godsend and really helped us to plan our activities carefully.

My advice would be to do lots of research on the stop-overs before you go - exploring by yourself can be great fun, but obviously time is often limited so be well prepared.

Book a cabin in the middle of ship unless you want to do a lot of walking

Cruise holidays are fantastic, and not as expensive as you think, some work out at about £100 per person per day, and considering what you get, all meals, lovely state room, first class entertainment and west end quality shows, what a bargain.
The trips can be expensive so always research them first to get the best deal.