CherylFP

We're looking to go on the 7 July cruise which is 11 nights. It's for a family holiday with 6 adults and four kids aged 11, 13, 13 abd 15. I've read about the Ambassadors of the Environment program and would be interested to hear from anyone whose teens have been on that. I have a few questions:

Is the program interesting or does the marine theme get a bit boring?

Does the Paul Gauguin have deck games?

Is there an icecream bar?

As there are two sea days is there enough for the teens to do - particularly without the Internet 😀😀. My four grandchildren are sporty kids and active. They've looked at other ships with all the bells and whistles. I'm hoping Paul Gauguin would be ok. Any information would be so appreciated, thank you.

I've just been advised by our travel agent that Holland America are typically 65+ year old passengers. The cruise I am looking at is in the July school holidays so I'm hoping for teens on board. Any comments would be most appreciated.

I would be really interested to know how teens enjoyed the Oosterdam.

We're looking at a Mediterranean cruise on July 11th 2018 and have four grandchildren aged 11, 13, 13 and 15. Will there be enough for them to do? Is the HAL club good? Is there an ice cream bar? Is the solarium adults only? I would really appreciate any comments and feedback on this ship. We were going to go on Vision of the Seas, Royal Caribbean, but its sold out. I think the Oosterdam might be nicer for the adults but maybe not so good for the teens. There are only two sea days out of 12 days. Many thanks everyone.

I, too, am cruising Alaska with my kids this summer. Our first one!

Zaandam, August 13.

16, 14, and 12 year olds.

My kids are very independent and fun. Between the novelty of being on a cruise ship and the 3 ports of call, I have zero doubts they will be bored. We plan to do may active excursions off-ship.

I am pretty sure even if they are the only kids on board, they will entertain themselves in the Loft, the Oasis, the pools, the hot tubs, the basketball court, the ping pong tables, the decks, the...well, the whole ship!

I am so looking forward to our trip!

Hi there

I am looking to do a Mediterranean cruise I July next year with four grandchildren aged 11, 13, 13 and 15. Will be very interested to hear how your kids enjoyed the cruise and teen entertainment.

If you do a Google search for Vision of the Seas Compass for Teens you can see activities. Does anyone know if they're great or not?

Our 2 favorite cruises of all time were on The Rhapsody, Vision's sister. Voyager class is the largest we've been on and we still prefer Vision class. Smaller, more intimate, lacking in all the bells and whistles of the larger ships which was fine with us. No royal promenade which was ok since there were enough areas around the centrum for people watching.

 

We traveled with our 18 year old and she loved it.

Have smooth sails and blue skies no matter what you choose.

Thank you for your message. We're looking at a family holiday in July (13th) next year as the Mediterranean itinerary is fabulous (12 days). We have four grandchildren aged 11, 13, 13 and 15. I'm concerned there won't be enough for them to do but noticed that you said your 18 year old loved it. We have one day at sea earlier then two days later on. Rather than travel through airports to the places we want to visit we thought better to relax and cruise. Any feedback you can give me is most appreciated.

Just a side note. If you are traveling on a very Port intensive Cruise then I do not think it would matter because you would be in ports each day. I noticed you mentioned cruising on the vision in July which is perhaps a Europe Cruise. That might work assuming it has quite a few ports.:D

Yes it is a Mediterranean cruise and port intensive but still 3 days at sea. I'm wondering how good the teens program is and have looked at the Teens Compass seems quite good. Better that the kids are on a cruise than on planes and in and out of airports I would imagine.

Do kids have access to the solarium pool or is it adults only.

Many thanks.

Can anyone please tell me how much the video games cost.

I meant the boys ate aged 11 and 15. Not 1 and 15

Hi there

We are looking at the July 13 cruise 2018 as well. We have four grandchildren - 2 boys aged 1- and 15 and 2 grand-daughters both aged 13. There are 3 sea days but if we travelled to Rome and Venice we would lose two days holiday anyway so I guess it is better to be on a ship. Presumably the kids can use the pool whenever they want to. Does anyone know if they have to pay for video games? I'm worried too that there may not be enough for them to do but it is such a fabulous itinerary. I'm not sure how much is planned for teens on the ship so would be really interested to hear from others who have taken kids on the Vision. We are actually booked on the Jewel but going to change if we can as this is a better itinerary. It is port intensive for a lot of the time but still a lot of time on the ship. Many thanks.

Did you have to pay for room service breakfast? I think they charge now

Hi there

We're looking at going on the Vision July 2018 for family holiday. Four kids 11, 13, 13, and 15. The itinerary is great July 13th. I'm interested to know what activities there are for kids this age. Would appreciate any feedback. There are three sea days. Does it have a putting green, basketball court etc. I've read it has a teen club. Many thanks. We had looked at the Jewel on July 8th but the Vision itinerary is so much better.

Yes they do have alcohol free wine on Navigator.

I'm looking at the same choice Vision or Jewel for July next year. We have four grandchildren aged 11, 13, 13 and 15. Has anyone been in the Vision with families? Is there enough entertainment for teens? We love the Vision itinerary but did a lot of research into the Jewel. Vision cuts down air fares, accommodation and food.

Many thanks.

Cheryl again here. Yes agree that decks 8 and 9 midships would be the best location. Food, staff and service is wonderful. Certainly wouldn't go on Navigator for a world cruise. We are 28 days from San Francisco to Montreal. Do t go at this time of the year as the heat is unbearable and not many sun loungers in shady places - none on deck 6. Yes no lounge at the front of the ship as the gym is there - should be at the back. Spaces are small, ie lounges. Like the ship though but couldn't stand the vibration again. Had read that aft cabins vibrate so booked forward but think only the mid ship cabins avoid vibration. Will find out about non alcoholic wine.

We're currently in a penthouse suite 1108 on the Navigator from San Francisco to Montreal. Some good, some bad on this ship. Staff are wonderful as are the meals, drinks etc. shore excursions thrown in are a bonus but choose carefully. We were told on board the first day that we wouldn't be going to Catalina Island with no reason given with Ensenada as the replacement. A big disappointment as we were looking forward to that. The worst part about this ship is the vibration. In 15 cruises I have never come across this before. They don't care and just say that's the way this ship is. Don't pay extra for a penthouse suite unless you truly want a butler. Other cabins are the same size with most of the same amenities. Certainly don't book cabins on decks 10 and 11 as these get the most movement and vibration. Middle of the ship on deck 8 would probably be a good place. We found out from many kiwis on this cruise that there are huge specials which include air fares and pre and post accommodation so look for those. Apart from the above the standard of service is superb. If you have any questions just let me know.

Thank you all so much for all this information. We may be on the same cruise. July 8th 2018 on the Jewel. We have two 13 year old grand-daughters, one 11 year old grandson and a 14 year old grandson. Plus two daughters and son- in-laws and my husband and I. I have worried about this cruise as I'm hoping there will be entertainment for the kids without all the bells and whistles of the megaships. Because it is port intensive I guess there will be lots to do. I'm trying to find information on this so anything anyone can share would be most appreciated. There seems to be some bad reviews on the Jewel but there are on all ships. We've never been on a bad cruise yet!

Lots of good reading thank you. Could anyone let me know if there is a special teens Compass and if they have been on the Jewel with teenagers. We're on the July 8th 2018 sailing.

Many thanks

Am really interested in how people liked this ship as there are some awful reviews on Cruisecritic. I'm pleased to read good ones as we are having a family holiday next year on the Jewel with 6 adults and 4 teenagers.

Hi

I have booked a family holiday on Jewel of the Seas July 8th, 2018 for our family if 10. 6 adults and 4 teenagers. This is to be a holiday of a lifetime. We are from New Zealand. I have read some terrible reviews of this ship on Cruisecritic, ie bland lukewarm food, poor entertainment for families and run down cabins. I'm now very worried as we were hoping this ship would be wonderful for our family. We were hesitant in going on a 6000 passenger ship and thought the Jewel would be a better ship experience. I would be grateful for any feedback.

Many thanks

Cheryl

Hi

We're looking at a family holiday next year. My husband and son-in-law don't want to go on a mega ship with 5000 plus passengers in the Mediterranean in July. We have four grandchildren aged 11, 13, 13 and 15. Is there enough for them to do on the Jewel of the Seas? The ship is in port most days. Your comments are appreciated, thank you.

Cheryl

Hi

We're looking at going on the Jewel of the Seas. We have four teenage grandchildren. My husband and son-in-law don't want to go on 5,000 plus passengers in the Mediterranean in July. Any feedback would be appreciated.

Hi there

We are planning a family holiday with 6 adults and four early teens aged 11, 13, 13 and 15 in the Mediterranean in July next year. We are thinking of going on a cruise and it seems that the one that would fit in with our plans is Symphony of the Seas. I would really appreciate any comments regarding the following:

Should we get adjoining cabins for the kids? (Prefer ocean view balcony but any input would be appreciated)

Do you have to stand in line for dining, activities etc.

Do these ships feel as if there are thousands of people on them?

Is there an excessive amount of time in getting on and off at ports?

Are there areas that are quiet?

My son-in-law has never been on a cruise before and I am trying to convince him that he will enjoy it - but do have concerns about 5,000-6,000 passengers.

Many thanks for any help you can give me.

Cheryl

Hi Everyone

Thank you for your replies. Symphony of the Seas sounds the best option or the MSC ship. However have been on RCL before and liked them. My concerns about this huge ship are as follows:

Is it so big there are lines everywhere for restaurants, activities etc?

Are there long waits to get on and off at ports?

Are the shows overcrowded?

Is it difficult to arrange to meet family?

My son-in-law has never been on a cruise before and don't want him to hate this :)

Any comments on the above and anything else on these mega ships would be most appreciated.

Many thanks

Cheryl