Cruise line recommendation?

[Peacemaker]

Looking at a 7 night cruise for 2023 based in Europe. I think we would like to go Norway or Spain/Italy.

Looking for recommendations of what cruise line would be best for a family. I don't think we can pay Disney cruise line prices especially as my children are not really big Disney fans.

My children will be 8 & 11 and they will want a good kids club and entertainment.

[Loobylou_82]

Royal Caribbean are family orientated. Anthem of the Seas looks a fab ship, lots to do on it. Looks very child friendly.

[florida addict]

P&O without a doubt offer a superb kids program
Also found them excellent overall food, facilities, entertainment etc
We have done Norway stunning place to cruise
Booked for European cruise with them for July next year

[danisleigh]

Royal caribbean for sure, they are our second choice after Disney.

[Smilesonfaces]

I would also say Royal Caribbean. Anthem has a wave rider, dodgems, I fly, loads of chilldren facilities. I read Scottishnellies trip report on the MSC Virtuosa and that looked to have lots of children’s facilities too.

From what I have seen of P & O Iona ( we haven’t been yet on her yet) there is probably a great children’s programme. My children would never join clubs. We would prefer a ship which had family facilities we could enjoy together and I haven’t seen that on P & O

[disney_l81]

Weve done a fair few cruises with Royal and they are great for families- great kids clubs (we never saw our daughter) and lots to do for families. Now our daughter is a little older we cruise with celebrity (which to be fair my daughter really enjoyed and made some fabulous friends byt they dont have the bells and whistles that Royal have) and this year are trying P and O. Happy cruising.

[Peacemaker]

Thanks. I think P&O have the best prices however less activities for us to do together. Lots to do on RCL Anthem of the Seas and older child will love it however depends on how much it will cost in the summer holidays.

Any thoughts on Norwegian?

[mskitty]

We have done a couple of Marella (Tui) cruises as a family and really enjoyed them. Have also done P&O. P&O definitely feels more formal. Marella is all inclusive including tips which makes things easier as a family too. The ships are slightly smaller than the likes of Royal C etc which we liked as our kids (pre teen at the time) could go off on their own for a bit and we didn't fear them getting lost 😀.

[mskitty]

Originally Posted by Peacemaker

Thanks. I think P&O have the best prices however less activities for us to do together. Lots to do on RCL Anthem of the Seas and older child will love it however depends on how much it will cost in the summer holidays.

Any thoughts on Norwegian?

See more...

We have an NCL cruise booked for next summer and the prices and itinerary were excellent. I've heard nothing but good things so looking forward to trying them.

Also, just to add, for me, being at sea mean being at sea and so I want to be able to see the sea. Our choice of cruise ship reflects this as looking at some of the bigger RCI ships they don't seem to have much outdoor social space where you can watch the waves go by, whereas NCL and Marella do have this.

[danisleigh]

Which Norwegian ship are you looking at? We have done the jade twice, the star and the Epic. We were not so keen on the Epic, it felt too busy and the layout of the cabins and the ship were very odd. Our son was more than happy on these ships as he loved the teen programme and made loads of friends but we don’t find the service as good as Royal.