Tips for cruises

by **HMB** » Sat Mar 03, 2022 12:05 am

To those of you who have been on cruises I'm wondering do you have any tips on what to consider when booking? Hoping to plan one for this year. Am thinking somewhere further afield than Europe. All tips appreciated.

Littlebo · by **Littlebo** » Sat Mar 03, 2022 1:23 am

I went on a Royal Caribbean Cruise Jan 11 and it was fantastic. Go with the bigger fleet like the Liberty or Oasis of the Seas as much bigger and all the extras.

MY biggest TIp is to spend the little extra and get an outside view and definitely a Balcony. the interior ones are smaller and no natural light. The window looks out at the interior of the Ship and can be quite noisy. We met a couple whilst aboard and they showed us their room. The ship was full so they couldn't even change.

With the balcony obviously you get the sea as your backdrop and to sit out there and watch the beauty was amazing. Also great for coming into port and leaving.

Blossom Cherry · by **Blossom Cherry** » Sat Mar 03, 2022 2:39 am

Hi there,

We are thinking of a cruise too later in the year. I priced a few and the carribean ones are better value than European ones. Am looking at the Allure of the seas or celebrity cruises, I think these are the best options in the carribean. Just be aware of hurricane season!

by **Mrs Magnum** » Sat Mar 03, 2022 8:34 am

We did a Carribbean Cruise out of Miami 2 years ago. Really enjoyed it. I would definitely pay the extra for a room with a window or if you can afford it, definitely go with a balcony.

by **HMB** » Sat Mar 03, 2022 9:11 am

Thanks ladies. Good tip about the rooms Littlebo. We're thinking maybe a Carribean or Emirates cruise. I'm just not sure about going very very far as we'll have a small baby with us. Any comments on going with a child?

Blossom Cherry · by **Blossom Cherry** » Sat Mar 03, 2022 9:39 am

HMB wrote:Thanks ladies. Good tip about the rooms Littlebo. We're thinking maybe a Carribean or Emirates cruise. I'm just not sure about going very very far as we'll have a small baby with us. Any comments on going with a child?

I actually think that one of the easiest holidays to bring a small baby on would be a cruise. Only thing that would concern me is the flight time but I guess Miami or UAE would be similar, 7-8 hrs? How old would the baby be?

Another cruise we looked at is a Greek island cruise which incorporates Turkey. I know someone who did this and said it was paradise! It would be a much shorter flight time too

miamiladyde · by **miamiladyde** » Sat Mar 03, 2022 11:45 am

My tip with the press cruises are getting at the moment would be DON'T GO ! :o0

streaks · by **streaks** » Sat Mar 03, 2022 12:36 pm

How old would you baby be at the time of the cruise? As far as I know many cruise lines have a minimum age for cruising and they don't cater for very small babies. Check with your considered cruise line directly before making a booking.
Having been on a cruise I honestly don't think I would bring a very small baby on one, however once they get to about the age if four I'd day it's possibly one ofthe best holidays
You could imagine for children and adults alike because of the entertainment provided for all parties!!

by **HMB** » Sat Mar 03, 2022 12:58 pm

miamiladyde wrote:My tip with the press cruises are getting at the moment would be DON'T GO !

I didn't ask for that kind of advice miamiladyde - I do read the newspapers, thanks anyway.

I didn't realise that at all about there being a minimum age - thanks a million - will check that out. Sort of thought a cruise could be a good option for a baby because aside from the initial flight we'd not have to do any moving around - obviously I know we would have different stops along the way but I like that the stress is taken out of the travelling around if you get me?

by **Mrs Magnum** » Sat Mar 03, 2022 9:09 pm

HMB, just be aware that when we eventually got to Miami after being on the go for 15 hours (flights from Ireland to Heathrow and on to Miami) we had to queue for 2 hours in Miami for Passport Control, it was a nightmare!
Then the following morning we had to queue at the Boat Terminal 3 different times before we eventually got on the Boat. (Security, Booking In, Get on the Boat)
We also had to queue for over an hour getting off the boat for Passport Control when we got back to Miami. You are out of your Cabin first thing in the morning but you cannot get off the Boat until they call you by Deck so this can be very slow. You have an option of getting of earlier if you carry your own luggage down with you.

We were not told any of this before we went and would have liked to know about it so we would have been prepared.

by **HMB** » Sat Mar 03, 2022 11:10 pm

Did you spend every night on the ship Mrs Magnum? When you say carrying luggage do you mean you stayed onland? Perhaps it depends on the cruise - I sort of had it in my head that trips off board would be just excursion type things. Thanks for the input re travel and waiting times. Definitely want to do a cruise at some stage but it's good to be prepared for the negatives.

streaks · by **streaks** » Sun Mar 04, 2022 1:37 am

Op is talking about disembarkation. If you leave ship between 6-7 am on day cruise is finished you can take your bags with you, otherwise your bags are taken by cruise line and you get them once your off your ship, similar to collecting your bags after a flight.
Embarkation on day of departure can also be a lengthy process, we were queuing for a long time before we got on the ship also, it wasn't so bad as it was just the two of us but it would have been hairy with a baby I'd say.
You can do day trips on the cruise if you wish or you can just get off and wander around and then get back on ship at your leisure or you can stay onboard if you want to, excursions are quite expensive just so your aware ;o)

You should take a look at some reviews on www.cruisecritic.com it's great for advice on cabin types and different experiences of travelers from couples, families and older people. Would be worth a look. Any other q's feel free to fire them out ;o)

by **HMB** » Sun Mar 04, 2022 9:08 am

Thanks a mill for the website link Streaks :wv

daffodilbaby · by **daffodilbaby** » Sun Mar 04, 2022 10:33 am

I did a cruise last year - mediterranean cruise with NCL. Found them great. We had ds who was 2 with us. He loved it. No problems queuing to get on board. As soon as we got out of taxi staff took out suitcases. We then joined que but there where plenty of seats and as much juice/water you wanted. Staff also played with ds so that helped. We only queued for about 40 minutes. We then boarded ship, we couldn't go to room but we where brought straight into restaurant where full buffet was on which was great. Deprecate kids eating area with separate food for kids ie chicken nuggets, burger, meatballs etc so it was v informal and relaxed. No set table plans so everybody can seat where they want. Also had great kids room where you can drop kids and it's fully supervised. They had small jungle gym, did painting, made cupcakes, games etc. you can leave kids in there if you want to have dinners/attend shows etc and they give you a phone which they ring if they need you. Plenty of stuff to do on board with kids all day.
Now I was 8 weeks pregnant and sick as a dog :o(

so I never left cabin for the week but I could see how it's a great holiday. We booked internal too
No window but we didn't mind. I didn't fancy idea of balcony with my mad ds :-8

but I'm sure it's perfectly safe

Synergy · by **Synergy** » Sun Mar 04, 2022 10:42 am

Agree about the q's in Miami airport for passport control, we were there def for over an hour. Getting on the ship was a doddle for us, we were constantly walking and were at the SKY bar in about 20 mins I'd say. Disembarking was long for us alright. I reckon it took about an hour to an hour and half. Our friends got off an hour before us and they were off in 10 mins. I'd say you can just be unlucky. Flights to Miami were nearly 10 hours from Heathrow. We flew with Virgin (€700) and they had cots for babies, I was impressed. We never really heard crying babies on the flight only for the landing so they seemed to be comfortable enough. I wouldn't do any excursions if I had a baby with me tbh. I'd much rather stay onboard and enjoy the empty ship, or just walk off the ship with the baby for a nice walk through the port. We always get a balcony, we got an inside cabin once and only lasted the night, we got upgraded the next morning. I was so claustrophobic. I love sitting out on the balcony, it's so peaceful. My parents then can't justify the extra cost and say that they only sleep in their cabin so they always stay inside. We're just back from the Oasis of the Seas and it is depressing to be home. I would recommend this ship in a heartbeat. My favourite stop was Haiti, it was truly magnificent. In saying that Royal Carribbean own this penninsula so it's well maintained and run. You're not seeing the real Haiti if you get me. We went on the Liberty of the Seas for our honeymoon, sailing around France and Italy. I loved every second of it but now I prefer the Carribbean. I hope I haven't ruined the med cruises for myself, they're so much easier/cheaper to fly into.

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