First time cruise italy with children?

Hi, I had never even considered a cruise before but want to see lots of places so think it will be ideal. Looking for summer 2016 do a long way off but I love holiday planning. My girls will be 13 and 11, me and husband and possibly grandparents, 60. I hadn't really realised there were so many companies and it's a little overwhelming. Think p&o bit out of our budget more Thomson price range. We would like things to do on board as a family rather than children going to clubs or activities on their own. Any suggestions or advice greatly appreciated. Many thanks

I think your first step might be a visit to a travel agents, and pick up some brochures.

Things to consider are do you want to do a round-trip from a port in the UK or would you consider a fly cruise?

Also do you want an inside cabin, one with a window or one with a balcony?

Also to consider - Children under the age of 16 years old are not permitted to travel in a cabin alone. They must be accompanied by an adult of 16 years or over in the same stateroom.

Obviously most cruises are going to work out dearer during school break times, i.e. July and August.

There are plenty of online travel agents to compare prices but it's against CC rules to mention them on here.

Have fun!

Thomson can be good for a first cruise, because they use their own aeroplanes from many regional airports, so once you're checked in, you're in their care until you land back in Blighty! I don't know their itineraries, but they usually have a ship home ported in Mallorca, and one in Turkey. Old ships, but very few additions, as all tips are included.

That does appeal to me even though normally book holidays separately rather than a package. The other thing I am interested in is the experience on board as a family as kids clubs aren't for us.

Many itineraries in Europe are very port intensive so usually only one sea day so actual time spent on the boat would be that day and the evenings , what exactly do you mean when you say you want to do things as a family ? what types of activities would you want to do ?

Of the 4 cruise lines Ive been on Thomson, NCL ,MSC ,RCI the Royal Caribbean had the most activities going on and if I was a teenager or travelling with children of yours age I would choose them for activities if they liked to be busy that is .

Give us some idea of how you like to spend your time onboard and Im sure we can help .

If you're thinking of the budget, then it can be cheaper to use a package, unless you can find some great bargain with a budget airline. Unfortunately, many ships are more expensive in school holiday times- they know the dates!

Keep hunting the internet, and cruise specialist TAs...as Glittergal 1 says, there's not much sea time on a Med cruise, so there'll be a lot of family time when you're off the ship.

Hi thanks for replies. On board, swimming would be important. So a pool or pools, not necessarily fancy and with slides. I had thought shows wouldn't be for us but think I am wrong! Saw dancing on one and my girls would enjoy that so family shows and space to be outside.

As the itinerary will be port intensive, food, space, pool and the odd show is what we would be looking for. I am concerned about booking and them having too many extras to pay once on board. So for me research essential. 2016 a long way but guess it isn't she researching different companies and stops.

Any tips and suggestions gratefully received

food wise some companies / ships do different things and quality varies

They all have a buffet restaurant open for breakfast , lunch , evening meal and sometimes at other times too, these are usually large noisy and busy , for me personally I hate them I always use the formal dining restaurants .

Some ships/companies have a set dining time for evening meals an early sitting approx 6pm 6.30 and a late sitting approx 8pm 9pm it depends on itinerary and company . I like the set dining you get the same dining room table and waiters for the cruise , you can ask for your own table for your family or choose a large table and share with other cruisers .With set dining there is often 2 set show times 1 for the early diners and 1 for the late diners. Or there is free style/anytime where you just decide what time you want to go , for me I found when I wanted to go so did everyone else and there was a wait or you couldnt get the table you wanted and I often ended up missing the shows .

when choosing a shop or company there is soooooooooooo much to think about and sooooooooo much difference so make a list of all that you want and do lots and lots of research .

cruise critic posters will answer all of your questions .

Im sailing on NCL Epic in May and although its a huge ship with pools and water slides from my research Ive found the pools are very small and the deck space is limited, its difficult to actually see the sea and there is no promenade deck so do be swayed thinking big ships would be better .

Happy research

just a further personal point of view , I sailed on Thomson Majesty NEVER AGAIN!!!!!!!!!!! this was the worst on board experience of all my cruises and the worst customer service from Thomson .had it have been my first ever cruise I would never have cruised again it has also been my most expensive !!!!!!