GadaboutGranny

We are taking the Norwegian Epic Mediterranean cruise with our grandchildren, ages 12 and 14, July 8, 2015. We are interested in an independent tour to St. Paul de Vence and Antibes through Viator that leaves Cannes at 9:00 a.m. However we aren't sure how long it will take us to tender off the ship. The itinerary shows an 8:00 a.m. arrival in Cannes. Can we realistically expect to be able to meet up with a tour group at 9:00? I have heard it sometimes takes 2 hrs. to tender off the larger ships. Most of the tours show 8:30 - 9:00 departures. Any other suggestions?

Thank you all for your comments. Those of you who commented that this cruise will be very port intensive have an excellent point. I am going to let the kids make the decision--after all this trip is for them. They are both quite shy and may not want to participate in the organized programs in any case.

My husband and I are planning on taking our grandchildren, a boy age 12, and a girl, age 14 on a Western Mediterranean Cruise in 2015. I have been researching ships and itineraries to find the best one for them. The Norwegian Epic seems to have eveything I am looking for, a great ship, a good itinerary and lots of family activities. The problem is that the age restrictions on the teen program will separate them and I don't think either will participate in the programs alone. The 12 year old will be 13 two weeks after the cruise ends but I have heard that Norwegian is very inflexible on age restrictions for the teen program. Has anyone else had this problem? Are there things they can do together, video games etc., that don't have the age restrictions attached? Our altenative is a RCCL cruise with a similar itinerary. RCCLs children's program separates the tweens , ages 12 to 14, from the teens. Would we be better off doing that instead? Help.