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

[EmmaMumsnet]

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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

Is travel sickness anything to be worried about on a cruise?! Love the idea of a cruise but would hate it to ruin the experience.

My question is similar to others on here. I desperately want to go on a cruise but last year felt sea sick on the Portsmouth to cherbourg ferry A friend tells me that cruise ships are different,but how?
Also how can I convince dh that he'd love it?!

For those asking about motion sickness, I’m a very poor traveller and bought a pair of these

www.travelshades.com

to survive a cruise last summer. I was a bit dubious but found they worked so well that I even managed a tender ride into one of the ports, which I wouldn’t have considered without them. They are ugly looking, but effective!

FWIW when I was googling for the link I also found links to a different style from Citroen, they look to be more expensive but it seems like they are growing in popularity.

What do families do for cabins? Book 2 cabins next to each other or are their cruise lines which are good for family cabins? When I've looked it's either "sleeps 2" cabins or really expensive suites

I've never been on one, the idea seems great but worried we'd get cabin fever, not being able to escape the other passengers especially. Am I being daft?

What age would you recommend is the "perfect age" to take children on a cruise?

My teens are going with my parents and sister and brother and law on MSC Meraviglia in March/April, my parents have cruised loads but never on a ship this big or this family friendly, my question is - is there any dress code on this ship? Will my teens need any specific items of fancy clothing?

My husband and i have been on a cruise before we had children and would love to take our two teenagers now.

My DD suffers from seasickness and dosent like the idea, even though we have told her that the cruise ships are stabilised and you cant really tell you are on one.

Any tips for persuading her? I think we will have to wait until they dont want to holiday with is anymore before we go on one again!

What activities do you have for pre-teens/teens and are they included in the price? What are the chances of getting to do the activities-are they not oversubscribed? I’ve seen cruise ships with climbing walls and flow riders etc but think the chances of getting on them is slim

Are cruises formal? Would we need to dress up in formal attire for our evening meal?

How do you cope Ruth hyperactive children? We have a DS who needs plenty of activities which burn up energy.

My DD is 10, too 'cool' for the kids activities but too young for the teen things. What sort of cruise might suit her? She's an only child which makes things slightly more difficult

How many teenagers go on these cruises?

I would be terrified of a child falling overboard. Is this just paranoia?

Is it possible to request kosher or halal food options in advance

I can answer the doctor question. My friend’s dad is a retired GP, and he now spends his life being the cruise ship doctor. So, yes, there’s a doctor on board.

What do you do to minimise your ships’ environmental impacts?

I'd be interested in cruises which cater for families of 5 too. I have teenagers now so I suppose would need 2 cabins anyway but is that a really expensive option?

What activities are there for pre-teens and are activities included in the price? I also worry about seasickness - do people suffer with this?

I have always cruised with Disney but now I have older teens we are looking for a change. What do you have for 15 and 16 year olds? And do you sail from England? Thanks

Are cruises tailored for couples and families? Your thoughts on a single person going on one?

What entertainment would you have on board please for a non sporty 15 year old boy who plays the piano and loves computer games?

Do many cruises leave from the UK or do you mostly have to fly to a destination first and return by flight too?

I have a medical diet with strict non allergy requirements ie gluten free, dairy free, allergies to rapeseed and a few others and would love to go on a cruise but in real life this is so hard to eat out, so what chance would i stand on a cruise?

What about teenagers - mine are 14 and 16, what sort of cruise/entertainment would be best for them?