Carina79

@PORT ROYAL and @rkacruiser QV seems like an excellent cruise choice, thank you for your valuable input. 

@Heidi13 I think there is something alluring about experiencing a WC on the last active true ocean liner in existence (correct me if I'm wrong). Thanks to your post I tried to read up on the difference between an ocean liner and a regular cruise ship, but I wonder if there are any disadvantages? The large size I would say is a plus, especially for my boys (14 &16) who love ship exploring, also considering the long duration of the cruise. I understand QM2 can't do the panama canal, but if the itinerary is otherwise good that is ok. We're most interested in Asia (my oldest is a real japanophile), Australia and New Zealand. The Antipodes are as far as you can possibly travel from Sweden (where we're from). According to Cunard they release the WC 18 months prior to departure, so likely in June?! I guess patience is a virtue 🙂

On 2/17/2022 at 11:26 PM, stoogesmom said:

I think it is a wonderful idea to cruise the world with your children!  While I haven't yet cruised the world (but will be on the QM2 in January 2023) I have been on a few cruises that were actually segments of the world cruises, both on Cunard.  Both times I met families world cruising with children. I agree with "Port Royals" suggestions.  The kiddos "clubs" always look  so engaged and fun.  And the entire staff on Cunard go above and beyond to make every passengers voyage the best regardless of their ages.  

 

I have cruised around 35 times on different lines and wouldn't hesitate to go for it on Cunard.  I may be oblivious but I have not witnessed the "class" differences.  Yes, they offer staterooms in all categories as does most cruise lines.  Yes, they have specialty restaurants and private areas as do many cruise lines.  Walking around and taking part in the ships activities people are just people, as they are anywhere.

 

Just my two cents worth and my own opinions.  

Hi @stoogesmom I now sadly know Queen Anne is not a WC option for us (she will do her first in Jan 2025). Which of Queen Victoria and QM2 do you recommend for a family? If any other Cunerds  😉 would honour me with a response it would also be very much appreciated 😊🙏🌹

23 minutes ago, Carina79 said:

Thank you for your input. I have done lots of research over the last couple of weeks and I lean more and more towards Cunard. What is fine during a week is not necessarily great for 3 months.. While I am patient and haven't experienced a bad cruise (I've done at least 10), I am sure our expectations would be higher/different when the ship will be our home for a quarter of a year! It's hardly cheap to bring five, but at the same time this will be a once in a life time family trip. 

 

You make a really good point about the "class issue", tbh every cruise line has it.

 

I'm pretty sure a Cunard WC will be somewhat full of golden oldies, but that doesn't bother me, I like them 😉 I just hope they will like us back ha ha.

 

I remember when the boys were little and a few grand old ladies of the ship called them "double trouble" 😬 although with a smile 😊

 

What about the new ship Queen Anne, does anyone think she will venture around the world?

I realized golden oldie doesn't mean what I thought it meant, to be clear I meant it as a compliment for senior cruisers 😊 

On 2/17/2022 at 2:30 PM, BVILady said:

Carina79 - check costacruises.de - they seem to still show more availability. You might need to call Italy to get what you need (skype to the rescue).

Thanks. I will keep Costa on my short list, maybe Cunard will have a dreadful itinerary or some other dealbreaker. I will just wait and see until spring until I decide for sure..

On 2/17/2022 at 11:26 PM, stoogesmom said:

I think it is a wonderful idea to cruise the world with your children!  While I haven't yet cruised the world (but will be on the QM2 in January 2023) I have been on a few cruises that were actually segments of the world cruises, both on Cunard.  Both times I met families world cruising with children. I agree with "Port Royals" suggestions.  The kiddos "clubs" always look  so engaged and fun.  And the entire staff on Cunard go above and beyond to make every passengers voyage the best regardless of their ages.  

 

I have cruised around 35 times on different lines and wouldn't hesitate to go for it on Cunard.  I may be oblivious but I have not witnessed the "class" differences.  Yes, they offer staterooms in all categories as does most cruise lines.  Yes, they have specialty restaurants and private areas as do many cruise lines.  Walking around and taking part in the ships activities people are just people, as they are anywhere.

 

Just my two cents worth and my own opinions.  

Thank you for your input. I have done lots of research over the last couple of weeks and I lean more and more towards Cunard. What is fine during a week is not necessarily great for 3 months.. While I am patient and haven't experienced a bad cruise (I've done at least 10), I am sure our expectations would be higher/different when the ship will be our home for a quarter of a year! It's hardly cheap to bring five, but at the same time this will be a once in a life time family trip. 

You make a really good point about the "class issue", tbh every cruise line has it.

I'm pretty sure a Cunard WC will be somewhat full of golden oldies, but that doesn't bother me, I like them 😉 I just hope they will like us back ha ha.

I remember when the boys were little and a few grand old ladies of the ship called them "double trouble" 😬 although with a smile 😊

What about the new ship Queen Anne, does anyone think she will venture around the world?

Dear @BVILady Thank you for great advice and insight. Costa is definitely on my short list along with MSC and MAYBE Cunard (not sure what I think about their class system and maybe it's too "stiff" for us, but I am intrigued)

The downside with Costa is the bad selection of cabins left (I think it's almost sold out which does say something!) and that I've never tried the line before. I've seen people strongly dislike MSC, but I have been with them twice and liked it. 

MSC and Cunard have not yet released WC 2024..I'm a bit sad I missed the chance with Costa, but I can't book two expensive balcony cabins on deck 4 😑

The boys are already taking Spanish, I do hope it will improve! We have to make sure they are well prepared for school the year after so there will also be lots of reading and maths on sea days.

What do you think about Cunard and MSC btw? 

Thanks guys 💐

@RICHARD@SEA I'm pretty sure sail boat around the world would drive me crazy, and probably sea sick. Where are the multiple restaurant choices, gym, pools, library and entertainment options? 😋 Why don't you think a world cruise would be right for us btw? I could be wrong but I truly believe it would be the family experience of a life time. My boys will be 16, 14 and my daughter 5. So yeah, little Emilia is too little in a way, but she will appreciate the quality family time I think.

As for the grand parents, the three still alive are healthy and youngish, sometimes I feel older than my 80 yo mother in law at 42 😂

Thanks for sharing. I was tempted to splurge on a more high end cruise line, but I don't think it would be good for kids and I don't like to waste money 😄 I'm considering doing a segment of the RC ultimate world cruise, I know there will be at least a few kids there deeming by that cruise thread. However, will there even be anything to book left by December when the segments are supposed to go on market? Time will tell..

Thank you 🌷. I realize it's unusual to bring kids for a massive cruise like this, but I feel like it would be an amazing family memory for life. The 5 year old girl will probably not remember much but my 14 and 16 year old boys most likely will. We also plan to "ship school" the big kids so they are ready for school after. We will have things to do on sea days 😉  A bonus is that the big boys will get a computer game detox during this trip 😈

I will definitely do research on Costa and Cunard and I will also look into the cabin limitations etc.

I really am hopeful we'll find an option that will work 🙂

Hi everyone,

Many of you have suggested amazing cruise lines that doesn't really "like" kids, some of them are even adults only. If you had three kids between 5 and 16, which WC cruise lines provide the best value for the money in your opinion?

Doing a world cruise for two adults is quite the undertaking, but doing it as a family of five? I desperately want it but feel a bit overwhelmed. We plan a sabbatical for a school year and aim for a WC with departure in early 2024. 

Before you recommend RC ultimate world cruise, 9 months is way too long. About 3-4 months seems ideal for us and Europe is the least interesting continent for us (as we live there and have been to a lot of it).

Any advice you could give is greatly appreciated. 

Have a lovely day all 🙂

Kind regards

/Carina