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

[EmmaMumsnet]

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Please see the answers here

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

Husband and I have a 12 and 9 year old, where would you recommend we cruise. Thinking 2 weeks, summer 2020

Are there some cruises or cruise lines which ban children under a certain age?
Personally, I don't think that a cruise is a suitable holiday for those with young children. I can't understand why a family would even consider one as children need a lot of space to run around and enjoy themselves.
I hate being on the sea though so would never consider one but I did take a river cruise on the Nile and loved it. It was October and the temperature was still very hot so we had to get up at 5pm to go on all the included excursions because of the heat and then go back for breakfast. We then stayed on the boat all day until the evening when we went out again. Hence my comment that cruises are not suitable for all age groups.

Did

I have an 8 year old daughter who loves to join in with activities when she is on holiday. What types of activities do you offer and is there a variety of nationalities on board? Are the activities done in all different languages?

What is the ratio of trained children's entertainers to children and is the children's club included in the price of the cruise?

I just clicked on the find out more button on the advert for your cruises and was unable to add 5 passengers. Do you have cruises for families of 5?

Another one who would like to know about options for families with 3 dcs please!

Also, I’d love to understand more about the various activity options for different age kids: we have a 14 yo, 11 yo and 8yo and generally it’s only possible to keep 2 out of 3 happy at any given time....[insert eye roll and parental shrug]

Finally, it would be lovely to have some insight as to where to go on a cruise...is the best option something exotic, or should we try something out a bit closer to home if we are going to do this for the first time?

The main thing that puts me off is safety, how safe is it for children on the deck?

I also worry about everything about what happens if someone becomes ill and needs full medical attention, oh and getting off at a stop and not getting back on board in time!

@EmmaMumsnet

When will you select the 10 questions and make the draw?

Is there a babysitting fercility on board any of your ships for in the evening time for babies/ small children

What to do... I am in a mixed race relationship. My children from my previous relationship are black and my partner of 5 years is white. We argued recently and during the argument he brought the issue of race into the equation and said “at least I’m not a black...” since then I cannot even look at him. Any thoughts?

Do you do all-inclusive deals on your cruises? i.e. Are drinks included with meals, are passengers, especially children, able to have a snack or ice-cream at times outside of meals, as part of the holiday cost?

We recently looked at a few cruise websites for our first cruise. I couldn't for the life of me understand the accommodation if you are a family of four, do you need two cabins? There didn't seem to be the option of putting in how many people and of which ages. It all seemed so complicated!

Hello!
What activities are there for teens and are there quieter spaces? I am always put off because I imagine a ship to be busy and nowhere to have a quieter night. Thanks.

I'd love to go on a cruise with my husband and kids (15,13 and 11). Husband not keen as says it will be boring. How do I persuade him it would be a fab holiday? (he loves swimming, travel, cycling and being with the kids - yes, really!).

I'm a 'single lady' in my 50s. I've always wanted to go on a cruise but worry that I'd be lonely or stand out. Are there cruises that would be more appropriate for my age or situation?

@emmamumsnet, are any of these questions ever going to be answered and did anyone actually win £300?

@AgentProvocateur

It is a recurring issue I have taken up with mymabet

They have competitions but they NEVER give the date as to when the competition will be drawn.

And in the meantime the companies involved get valuable customer insight for no outlay...

@Kikipost @AgentProvocateur thank you for your queries, we normally give around 2 weeks for everyone to ask their questions so this thread is being closed today and the prize draw will be done by the end of today. With regards to the answers, these should be ready in the next 2-3 weeks and I will post the link to them on here when they are ready.

Thanks and hope you had a great Christmas

For first time cruisers, would you recommend one of the smaller ships so it doesn't feel as overwhelming, or a larger ship with many different activities going on? Thanks.

I would suggest it would be a good idea to put closing date and draw date on your future competitions. I’m surprised you are not obliged to actually as a T&C?

@Kikipost This is something we are looking into and we would love to be able to give more information on closing dates but this isn't always possible. Please do be assured that we are working on this.

It’s not a question of mumsnet “would love” to provide closing dates to competitions.

I think you actually may be required to.

Significant conditions are those which are likely to affect a consumer’s decision to participate. Rule 8.17 includes a non-exhaustive list of conditions which are likely to be considered significant. That list includes how to participate, any entry restrictions (for example, are the promoter’s employees and family excluded?), what the prizes are and a closing date.

How do the children cope with being on a boat? Is sea sickness ever a real problem?