Ever fancied a cruise? Mumsnetters needed for VIP day on Azura, one of P&O Cruises family-friendly ships - all aboard here! NOW CLOSED

[MichelleMumsnet]

Are you tempted by the idea of a cruise but not sure it's right for your family? Why not check it out on dry land for the day and see how you like it...
P&O Cruises have asked to find MNers and their families to attend an exclusive day on Azura, one of their four family friendly cruise ships.

Here's what P&O Cruises say about the ship: "Azura was designed with families in mind, with large children's areas, entertainment and clubs for all ages. Taking a holiday on Azura or one of our other family-friendly ships means that you can have the best of both worlds - fun and companionship for your children whilst stealing some 'me' time for you too."

The event will take place on Saturday 31st August in Southampton and will include:

• A full day on the ship 10am-2.30pm

• A tour of the cruise ship

• Time for your DCs to try the facilities in the children's clubs

• Full lunch on-board with special surprise guest

Each Mumsnetter will also receive a goodie bag full of treats from the White Company as a thank you and your DCs will also receive a goodie bag of their own.

Those of you who are selected to attend the day will be required to come back to a thread on MN to share your experiences and answer a few questions. We'd also love it if you could take some photos of your day on your smartphone and upload these to the feedback thread so we can see what you got up to.

P&O Cruises would also like those selected to record your day, and will provide MNers with a flipcam and a disposable camera for your DCs to use throughout the day. This footage may be used on the P&O Cruises website, pages on MN, social media channels and possibly in other marketing material so please only sign up if you're happy to do this.

P&O Cruises will pay for your train travel to and from Southampton or there is complimentary parking for all those who will drive to the event, and petrol costs for one car per family will also be covered.

This event is open to all Mumsnetters with at least one child under 16. All Mumsnetters and any child aged 16 or over will have to bring photo ID with them in order to clear standard security procedures.

So if you'd like to attend please sign up here.

Thanks and good luck,

MNHQ

[muminthecity]

Sounds great, I'd love to do it! Have signed up .

[timidviper]

I haven't signed up as, although my family would love it, I suspect my children (age 25 and 22) might dig their heels in about trying the Kids Club!

[GrumpyKat]

Signed up. You never know......

[dontmeanto]

Done...such a great way to get my DP over his "no cruise ever" policy!

[redwineattheweekend]

Signed up, I think, sounds interesting, we've never been on a cruise and I'm uncertain so it would be great to look around.

[scratchandsniff]

Uh oh filled it all in and have just realised that all my photo ID is in maiden name, haven't got round too lazy and tight to doing it. Bugger!

[Mummyszone]

Fingers crossed!! Would love to get a chance to do this would make booking future cruise holidays easier after getting a first hand look in advance!! Would be a great fun family day out xx

[Gigaflops]

Done - this sounds just brilliant!! Count us in!

[IwishIwasmoreorganised]

Done -DH isn't keen at all so I've applied just for me and our ds's!

Hope the journey is as easy as it looks on google maps!

[Tommy]

wow - that would be great - hop on a bus at the end of our road and we'd be there on 10 minutes

[hurricanewyn]

Done. Fingers crossed

[poppetsaplenty]

Sounds fun - done! Tommy you must be near me!

[Tommy]

[tribpot]

Is the cruise ship wheelchair accessible / are wheelchair users invited to this event? I have often thought a cruise ship would be a nice holiday for us (as DH is a wheelchair user) - plenty to do once on board if you can actually get there! We've been on the Holland ferry which is accessible if somewhat painful actually to access.

[FannyFifer]

9 hours on a train for a 4 & a half hour look round a boat, think I'll pass on that day out.

[Manchesterhistorygirl]

Cruises are ideal for wheelchair users, they have several
Cabins that are specially adapted too.

[OneLittleToddleTerror]

Just signed up. The southampton docks is just 15-20min drive away from us. We have been on a cruise and loved it. Would be great to see what P&O has to offer.

[Spirael]

Also applied, although we are probably about five hours drive away, when judging from the home address I provided.

However please don't discount us because of that, MN! My parents live only an hour away from Southampton and we'd just arrange to pootle down the day before and spend the weekend with them.

We could offer a valuble Northern opinion to P&O Cruises? [clutches at straws]

[LyraSilvertongue]

My boys would love this as they're very into ships. A recent day out to HMS Belfast was a big hit.
We've never considered a cruise as a family holiday. It's still something I think of as a holiday that old people take when they're retired. Looking forward to bring proved wrong if we get to go on this trip.

[FireEngineDoll]

Signed up too! Sounds like a great day out (and we only have an hour or so's drive to get there luckily). I've always wondered what a cruise would be like and I know the kids would love trying something different. Hope we get chosen!

[AmIGoingMad]

This isn't for us right now as dd is only 4 weeks but am very envious of those who do go! Went on cruise for our honeymoon and are total converts. We've done a few now including DS s first hol last yr- on the Azura! Can't wait to do another!

[nenevomito]

Since when is 10am to 2:30 classed as a full day??

[Anthracite]

We went on a cruise this summer. It was wonderful. I really couldn't fault it.

It can be quite an institutionalised type of holiday as you go from meals to a quiz, to the main show, back to smaller entertainment. But then so can many resort based holidays.

I know I will find it hard to look beyond a cruise for future holidays.

I think for many families, there is a tension between what the parents want and what the children want. Parents can be very happy in a city/cultural holiday (my DH for sure) but children want activities. Being in a new city every day for ~6 hours means parents can get their fix, without the children being totally bored. My DDs (teens) loved our cruise.

[Anthracite]

Tribpot,

On the cruise we were on, there were several people in wheelchairs.

A cruise ship has lift access to all decks (except perhaps the skin cancer one), and there are no areas with one or two steps - each deck is level. It's not like a ferry where the door is 6" above the deck.

Most cruise ships, especially larger, newer ones will have specific cabins for wheelchair use (eg extra wide doors and plenty of turning space, as well as wet-room style showers).

If you pick your itinerary well, the ports of call will be wheelchair-friendly too. I think the only thing you need to worry about is the ports of call, especially if they require a tender boat.

[500internalerror]

Will the footage we take be linked to our mn names at all? Can we take footage without ourselves in?