Mumsnet users ask MSC Cruises’ Corporate Kids Entertainment Manager Matteo Mancini their questions about cruises - NOW CLOSED

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When it comes to cruises, for some it’s their go-to holiday, whereas others may have never been on one. Despite which category you fall you into and with the New Year round the corner, now is a great time to get planning your next holiday and MSC Cruises’ Corporate Kids Entertainment Manager, Matteo Mancini is here to answer all your questions around cruising...and maybe next year a cruise will be your holiday of choice!

Here’s some more information on Matteo Mancini, MSC Cruises’ Corporate Kids Entertainment Manager: “After 10 years spent as a children’s television show host, Matteo has worked at MSC Cruises for 12 years, building up an in-depth knowledge of how to make the perfect holiday experience for kids and parents alike. Matteo’s expertise includes creating and overseeing all of MSC Cruises’ Youth Programmes, including entertainment for the entire MSC Cruises fleet of 15 ships, carrying over 290,000 young people every year. From designing the facilities on board to creating the perfect excursions for families, Matteo really is the go-to expert on why a cruise is ideal for families”

Whether you have questions about the best cruise destinations for families, what activities cruises offer that both you and your children will enjoy or what time of year is best to go, post your questions below and we will choose 10 for Matteo to answer. Everyone who posts their questions will be entered into a prize draw where one MNer will win a £300 voucher of their choice (from a list).

Thanks and good luck with the prize draw
MNHQ

Standard Insight T&Cs Apply

We are a family of seven with children ranging from 13 to 6 months. Is there enough on board to keep them all entertained? Do you have a creche facility that we can use for the younger ones so we can have some fun with the older children?

What kids facilities and activities do ships have for children?

How large are the beds? We took DS in a caravan and he had to sleep in the living room because the single beds are too narrow for him now. Plus his dad is 6" 3 and is convinced whenever I mention a cruise that the beds will be too short for him and he'll have to duck his head to enter the cabin.

How would a cruise liner and the staff deal with anaphylaxis (nut allergy, or any reaction for that fact)? In terms of both the food and staff training? Would there be someone on board who is medically trained or some sort of emergency room? Obviously I carry Epipen's but if the worst were to happen, which in all fairness is unlikely, but possible, it happens very rapidly. In addition there is the anxiety that it could which would ruin any holiday, unless I knew the exact protocol. I have avoided air travel as I would be too worried to suffer a reaction mid flight and it's not like a flight can just pull over. It's meant my Daughter has had to miss out on any holiday's abroad. I have always thought it was older people who go on cruises, so I'm guessing on those cruises there may be extra medical care on board, but I have no idea about the 'family' cruises.

Is there a way to ensure you don't end up on an old person's cruise, but a family orientated one?

I've never been on a cruise in my life, never even been outside the UK for the three holidays I did take as a child. Now I've got my own child, I'm preparing to give him some holiday memories. What are your top tips for cruise newbies to make the holiday as stress free as possible?

The idea that cruising is only for retired people is very outdated. There are cruise lines that cater for that specifically but MSC is definitely popular for families with children of all ages.
I've been on a few cruises with MSC with 1 or 2 DS and they've loved it.
DS2 is coeliac and they cater for that by giving him his own waiter and menu . The choices were sometimes limited, but in all it was stress free dining for me and DS2.

I'm not sure what they're like for allergies with anaphylactic risks.

What do you have in place for kids with disabilities or autism. Do you have a sensory room or chill out area on board? Do you have relaxed performances so that there is no problem with children moving around and making noises? Do you have signs that say this is disability friendly and some visitors may make noises and react to noise and lights so please be respectful?
I find that sometimes the place we visit can be disability friendly but the visitors/ holiday makers need reminding that its fine for people/children to act differently and to let them get on with it without staring.
I am only asking as I would love to go on a cruise with my family but these are the issues we face thanks

Do the onboard children's activities cater for a range of ages? Are different age groups separated or is it the same activities for all?

I’d be concerned about the variety of food. We have dietary requirements and would hate to eat the same food everyday.

Are cruises good for single parent families?

DD and I get seasick so we've ruled out cruises or anything ship-based generally. Is there anything you know of that should make us rethink that?

How varied are the activities and what is the staff ratio to each child?

Me and my husband have taken a short weekend cruise with P&O to Bruges every couple of years, but would love to know where the best place to take 4 mixed aged kids would be...the cruise itself would be amazing, but would love to go to places where there is lots for us all do to as a family. x

What do your cruises offer teenagers that consider themselves too grown up for kid's clubs but are too young to be drinking and dancing the night away (even though they'd like to)?

We have booked our first cruise for 2020 and are worried we have selected a bad choice of cabin. What do you think is best when it comes to floor level? We have opted for a balcony room on floor 9. We made the choice randomly and have since learnt that we are above the theatre and the cabin is also at the end of the ship. Is this a horrific mistake? We'll have an 8 and 2 year old then.

I always get the impression that activities for children on this type of holiday are designed “to relieve” parents of their children’s company. I fully accept that I could be way off the mark with this!! For a family that enjoys holiday time together what activities are provided that parents and children can do together?

How do you avoid feeling claustrophobic and penned in? Is it safe for toddlers to run around ?

Two Qs. (1) We're a family of five: are they catered for in your cabin sizes? (2) We have pre-teens and teenagers: is there a range of things that will keep them occupied on board? (do you have wifi? )

Two questions please;

• Is there a free night crèche/babysitting service?
• Are babies in swim nappies permitted in the swimming pools on-board?

How does it work when you dock places - are there organised excursions (and are they included or expensive extras), or can you do your own thing?

Sea sickness - I get travel sick/ sea sick on all other modes of transport, unless I'm actually driving!
Many people tell me you can't even feel the boat moving on a cruise as the ship is so big....is this actually true? What % of your passengers suffer on a nice warm med cruise for example?

I’ve got status match with MSC but not sure how this works when booking up.
Also is it easy to see online if there are any disabled cabins available?
Do you have ship visits in Southampton?
Now that MSC are trying to break into the uk market will your restaurants offer more British menus?

I believe you do adults only cruises. Do these generally attract an older customer?

How many different destinations do you visit per cruise and what kind of activities do you have on board for teens?