Cruising advice with a 4yr old and 9month old

arial · 23 Jan 20, 10:17 PM

We are considering going on our first cruise in May/June time, taking our two little ones with us but don’t know where to start or if it’s even a good idea!

What should we be looking for in terms of cabins? Are we going to end up with the grown ups in those pull down beds?! I’d rather not! Budget won’t stretch to a suite but possibly a balcony but is that a good idea with little ones or will I be worried constantly that they will get out?! I get travel sick so thought it might help to be able to get fresh air.

Anyone who has had experience of going with two small kids any stories good or bad would be greatly appreciated!

vampiress88 · 23 Jan 20, 10:53 PM

We went on a p&o cruise last year. Our kids were 3&4 and we are going again in April when they are 4&5. They both went in the top bunks. We just put a pillow at the bottom of the bed and they had bed rails on that I alway request when booking. We didn’t have any problems at all so I would say your eldest will be ok but I wouldn’t know with your youngest to be honest.

We had a great time though. We only did a cheap deal it was inside cabin. We had a window one booked for this year and balcony for ‘21.

We took them and left them at kids clubs which they loved.
They ate in the dining room most nights rather than buffet. I thought we would just do buffet.

Can’t think of anything else to add. We enjoyed it

**arielrocks** · 24 Jan 20, 09:43 AM

Cruising is our preferred holiday method since we had kids. Ours are now 1 and almost 3, they’ve each got 14 sea days under their belts. For us it’s perfect because there’s no airport, flight or prolonged queues to deal with. Your luggage is transported for you and once unpacked you get to see a few different places and just go back to your room at the end of the day.

P and O are incredibly family friendly and can provide cots, bottle warmers, nappy bins, bed rails... just ring and get them to add to your booking. They have an early dinner in the buffet for kids which is at 5 (from memory) and has all the usual ‘kids things’ nuggets, burgers, pasta, veggies etc. They also have petit filous but don’t put them out at they get swiped and the kids miss out.

Cabins. Well if you can afford. Balcony then yes have one because they are fab and my little boy is obsessed with looking at the lifeboats and watching all the dockside activity in port. What the bed configuration will be depends on what you book. Standard inside on p and o and princess with usually be 4 singles with 2 of the upper lill down beds. However some cruise lines have insides with a sofa bed so 2 doubles. You’d need to check. We are going with p and o in April and have a balcony with sofa bed, so girlie will be on her travel cot and my son on the sofa bed.

vampiress88 · 24 Jan 20, 01:40 PM

Originally Posted by arielrocks

Cruising is our preferred holiday method since we had kids. Ours are now 1 and almost 3, they’ve each got 14 sea days under their belts. For us it’s perfect because there’s no airport, flight or prolonged queues to deal with. Your luggage is transported for you and once unpacked you get to see a few different places and just go back to your room at the end of the day.

P and O are incredibly family friendly and can provide cots, bottle warmers, nappy bins, bed rails... just ring and get them to add to your booking. They have an early dinner in the buffet for kids which is at 5 (from memory) and has all the usual ‘kids things’ nuggets, burgers, pasta, veggies etc. They also have petit filous but don’t put them out at they get swiped and the kids miss out.

Cabins. Well if you can afford. Balcony then yes have one because they are fab and my little boy is obsessed with looking at the lifeboats and watching all the dockside activity in port. What the bed configuration will be depends on what you book. Standard inside on p and o and princess with usually be 4 singles with 2 of the upper lill down beds. However some cruise lines have insides with a sofa bed so 2 doubles. You’d need to check. We are going with p and o in April and have a balcony with sofa bed, so girlie will be on her travel cot and my son on the sofa bed.

We’re on a cruise in April too but I different one I think. Gotta get them in at holidays now.

Best thing about a cruise. Dinner made for you and no washing up!

Yes they do kids tea in the buffet but you can also get them chicken nuggets etc in the main dining too.

I get sea sick though so will take tablets this time

24 Jan 20, 09:43 AM	#3
	24 Jan 20, 09:43 AM arielrocks VIP Dibber ✓Premium Member
arielrocks VIP Dibber Join Date: May 11	Cruising is our preferred holiday method since we had kids. Ours are now 1 and almost 3, they’ve each got 14 sea days under their belts. For us it’s perfect because there’s no airport, flight or prolonged queues to deal with. Your luggage is transported for you and once unpacked you get to see a few different places and just go back to your room at the end of the day. P and O are incredibly family friendly and can provide cots, bottle warmers, nappy bins, bed rails... just ring and get them to add to your booking. They have an early dinner in the buffet for kids which is at 5 (from memory) and has all the usual ‘kids things’ nuggets, burgers, pasta, veggies etc. They also have petit filous but don’t put them out at they get swiped and the kids miss out. Cabins. Well if you can afford. Balcony then yes have one because they are fab and my little boy is obsessed with looking at the lifeboats and watching all the dockside activity in port. What the bed configuration will be depends on what you book. Standard inside on p and o and princess with usually be 4 singles with 2 of the upper lill down beds. However some cruise lines have insides with a sofa bed so 2 doubles. You’d need to check. We are going with p and o in April and have a balcony with sofa bed, so girlie will be on her travel cot and my son on the sofa bed.