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Gravitas
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Gravitas is offline
North England
Joined: Mar 2017
Posts: 2,061
Gravitas is male  Gravitas has posted at least 25 times and has been a member for 3 months or more 
 
06-03-2019, 07:29 PM
31

Re: Taking a Toddler on a Cruise

Originally Posted by ruthio ->
OK. Not your concern perhaps, but certainly I'm sure it was your daughter's.
I think that "child friendly" is the most important phrase you've used.

Let's consider the title you chose...Taking a Toddler on a Cruise
Now let's alter it so that it reflects the cruise that you cite in your original post where you say, "I've never been on a cruise and wouldn't fancy it, but with a two year old along it seems an even worse idea to me

Don't you think that if the title had been, for example...Taking a Toddler on a "Child Friendly" Cruise, would you do it?...you would have immediately made the picture clear, as to why your daughter had (presumably/obviously) picked out this particular cruise, and you would have attracted very different and more informed responses?
The "child friendlyness" isn't my concern (as I said). They don't normally let kids on them. But on this one they do.

I wouldn't have expected her to take a two year old on a cruise that didn't allow children.

I was more concerned with the adult's pleasure on this particularly expensive holiday.

As I said, "I've never been on a cruise and wouldn't fancy it, but with a two year old along it seems an even worse idea to me".
May
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06-03-2019, 07:57 PM
32

Re: Taking a Toddler on a Cruise

Methinks Granny & Grandad are a bit miffed at losing out on looking after Their Grandchild for a week or so,eh?
Realist
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06-03-2019, 08:53 PM
33

Re: Taking a Toddler on a Cruise

Hi Gravitas

Cruising with young ones is excellent and most parents absolutely love it.

Kids are looked after by staff in the special kids clubs. They are given all manner of fun activities day in day out.

Parents therefore get to go on holiday and ACTUALLY have a holiday themselves instead of having to constantly watch out for their kids and keep them entertained.

P&O Cruises are great, very kid friendly.

The ship Realspeed highlighted with the photo, the Aurora, is imho the best ship in the fleet however it is about to become adult only. So you'll have to pick another.

Ventura is a good option. Bigger than Aurora, but much less formal and very kid friendly. There are 1000s of balconies and so they are cheaper on that ship. Definitely get a balcony and don't worry one jot about danger. A 2yr old could never ever scale the balcony glass barrier and railing.

Also note that for a 1st cruise, the temptation to just do a really short one to see if you like it, is false economy and will likely lead to disappointment. Short cruises of around 7-8 days or less tend to attract a different set of clientele.

You need to decide whether to fly-cruise or go round trip from Southampton. I ALWAYS do the latter. Driving to the port, dumping our car off and stepping straight onto the ship is irreplaceable. No long queues and waiting at airports. Your holiday starts right there.

The Fjords are lovely and scenic but since every port is at the bottom of craggy rocks and mountains there's bugger all to do at most of them and so taking expensive excursions and coach trips becomes necessary. The Fjords is an expensive choice. A pint of beer out there costs a fortune.

My recommendation would be to go into the Mediterranean.
Most ports there are easy "walk-offs" where you can stroll at your leisure without forking out for expensive excursions.

The sailing in the Med is idyllic, calm seas 90%+ of the time.
Lots of great places to visit. Barcelona, Rome, Venice, Dubrovnik etc etc. If sailing from Southampton then it takes 2 days to get down to the Med crossing the Bay of Biscay and down the east coasts of Northern Spain and Portugal. At times that stretch can be lumpy but it's all par for the course. Totally manageable.

Take a 12-14 nt cruise to the Med or if you can spare the time the 18-19 nt cruise to Venice and back.

You won't be disappointed.

On a shorter 7-9nt cruise you will get a totally different experience. You cant judge one by the other.

Also it makes a huge difference if you cruise in school holiday periods. Different clientele again.

I would definitely encourage everyone to try cruising at least once. Most people never look back and get quickly addicted. It is for me the absolute best way to travel.

Majestic, totally relaxing, exhilarating and wonderful.

And you get to meet so many lovely new people who inevitably become friends.
Gravitas
Senior Member
Gravitas is offline
North England
Joined: Mar 2017
Posts: 2,061
Gravitas is male  Gravitas has posted at least 25 times and has been a member for 3 months or more 
 
07-03-2019, 08:39 PM
34

Re: Taking a Toddler on a Cruise

Originally Posted by Realist ->
Hi Gravitas

Cruising with young ones is excellent and most parents absolutely love it.

Kids are looked after by staff in the special kids clubs. They are given all manner of fun activities day in day out.

Parents therefore get to go on holiday and ACTUALLY have a holiday themselves instead of having to constantly watch out for their kids and keep them entertained.

P&O Cruises are great, very kid friendly.

The ship Realspeed highlighted with the photo, the Aurora, is imho the best ship in the fleet however it is about to become adult only. So you'll have to pick another.

Ventura is a good option. Bigger than Aurora, but much less formal and very kid friendly. There are 1000s of balconies and so they are cheaper on that ship. Definitely get a balcony and don't worry one jot about danger. A 2yr old could never ever scale the balcony glass barrier and railing.

Also note that for a 1st cruise, the temptation to just do a really short one to see if you like it, is false economy and will likely lead to disappointment. Short cruises of around 7-8 days or less tend to attract a different set of clientele.

You need to decide whether to fly-cruise or go round trip from Southampton. I ALWAYS do the latter. Driving to the port, dumping our car off and stepping straight onto the ship is irreplaceable. No long queues and waiting at airports. Your holiday starts right there.

The Fjords are lovely and scenic but since every port is at the bottom of craggy rocks and mountains there's bugger all to do at most of them and so taking expensive excursions and coach trips becomes necessary. The Fjords is an expensive choice. A pint of beer out there costs a fortune.

My recommendation would be to go into the Mediterranean.
Most ports there are easy "walk-offs" where you can stroll at your leisure without forking out for expensive excursions.

The sailing in the Med is idyllic, calm seas 90%+ of the time.
Lots of great places to visit. Barcelona, Rome, Venice, Dubrovnik etc etc. If sailing from Southampton then it takes 2 days to get down to the Med crossing the Bay of Biscay and down the east coasts of Northern Spain and Portugal. At times that stretch can be lumpy but it's all par for the course. Totally manageable.

Take a 12-14 nt cruise to the Med or if you can spare the time the 18-19 nt cruise to Venice and back.

You won't be disappointed.

On a shorter 7-9nt cruise you will get a totally different experience. You cant judge one by the other.

Also it makes a huge difference if you cruise in school holiday periods. Different clientele again.

I would definitely encourage everyone to try cruising at least once. Most people never look back and get quickly addicted. It is for me the absolute best way to travel.

Majestic, totally relaxing, exhilarating and wonderful.

And you get to meet so many lovely new people who inevitably become friends.
Thanks for that extensive analysis, Realist.

Much appreciated.
 
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