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Family Group Cruise


Obilix
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I've cruised a few times with my wife, and managed to get reasonable deals by searching and researching on the internet, but never with kids.

 

Next December we would like to take our children and grand children on a cruise out of Sydney, either to the South Pacific or around NZ. There are 11 of us, 7 adults and 4 grandchildren between 3 and 8 years of age. Cruise duration around 9 - 12 days.

 

I'm not confident of making the right decisions, both cost wise, and to ensure the kids have a great time without disturbing other cruisers.

 

What cruise lines can we realistically look at?

Can we negotiate the cost, based on the number of travellers in our package? Is it best to deal through an agent, or directly with the cruise line? Do the children pay full fare or is there a reduction?

Will the kids parents be driven nuts if they are to share a balcony stateroom with their children (2 each) or is there a better alternative?

We have never used the ships pool facilities when cruising (there are enough fat porpoises in the ocean to look at) but the kids will love the pools (under supervision). Will it be too cold for them to enjoy in NZ waters in December?

 

Any suggestions from the battle hardened would be greatly appreciated.

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I would suggest talking to a travel agent.

 

I don't think your group is big enough for any group discounts, but a travel agent would know better. The group discount issue usually is dependent on number of cabins needed, and the usual numbers mentioned are 10 or more cabins. So 20 or more people.

 

Also know the cruise area you are talking about is usually 12-15 days. Can you still fit that in your schedule?

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I applaud you in planning such an amazing vacation for your family. However, if you are leaving from the US, it will indeed be a costly trip. I have a few questions and thoughts:

 

Are you planning for a cruise during the December holidays? This would significantly increase your costs. Also bear in mind that it is summer in the Southern Hemisphere in December, so a popular vacation location.

 

While I don’t think you should be very concerned about the impact of four young children on other cruisers, I do wonder if the children may be too young to appreciate this itinerary?

Would they enjoy a Disney Cruise or Royal Caribbean beach itinerary more?

(I actually just took my grandkids who are the exact same ages as yours on the Liberty of the Seas and they had an awesome time)

 

In most instances, any 3rd or 4th passenger in a cabin will cost approximately 1/3 less than the first two. There are cruiselines that have promotions where “kids sail free”. That being said, when I assist family groups, I often recommend they consider two less expensive adjoining cabins for privacy and the extra bathroom. Some families with small children feel they are safer in an oceanview cabin.

 

Depending on the total number of cabins booked, you may qualify as a group booking and you as “tour conductor” may sail free.

 

You really need a good travel agent to help you with a multiple cabin booking to ensure the individual bookings are cross referenced for dining, air, etc and just general assistance in making the best plan to ensure a great trip.

 

Maureen

 

 

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I've cruised a few times with my wife, and managed to get reasonable deals by searching and researching on the internet, but never with kids.

 

Next December we would like to take our children and grand children on a cruise out of Sydney, either to the South Pacific or around NZ. There are 11 of us, 7 adults and 4 grandchildren between 3 and 8 years of age. Cruise duration around 9 - 12 days.

 

I'm not confident of making the right decisions, both cost wise, and to ensure the kids have a great time without disturbing other cruisers.

 

What cruise lines can we realistically look at?

Can we negotiate the cost, based on the number of travellers in our package? Is it best to deal through an agent, or directly with the cruise line? Do the children pay full fare or is there a reduction?

Will the kids parents be driven nuts if they are to share a balcony stateroom with their children (2 each) or is there a better alternative?

We have never used the ships pool facilities when cruising (there are enough fat porpoises in the ocean to look at) but the kids will love the pools (under supervision). Will it be too cold for them to enjoy in NZ waters in December?

 

Any suggestions from the battle hardened would be greatly appreciated.

 

Fat porpoises?? Really??

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This is wonderful.

 

Like CruiserBruce said I would enlist the aid of a TA to help you with this.

 

We have done these types of cruises and they are wonderful.

 

We cannot recommend a TA on Cruise Critic so best to get input from friends on one.

 

One Cruise Line that comes to mind is Celebrity but there are others doing these types of cruises.

 

Keith

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Thanks, Maureen and Bruce.

 

I am in Australia, so that's one less problem!

 

I will compare costs in the August school term holidays (two weeks here) but one son lives in Sydney and the other in Perth, while the daughter is still a University student, so the holiday periods between States may not coincide.

 

The two girl cousins are eight and the eldest boy five, so it's probably only the youngest (that won't have much recollection, though I'm sure he will enjoy.

 

Sadly, Disney doest cruise from Australia, and the extra cost of travel to the US is more than I can justify. All the children live close to beaches, and I want them to experience something unique and different whilst we can still enjoy it with them.

 

We will need to discuss the possibility of our daughter in laws' safety concerns with the type of accommodation, which possibility did not occur to me, though.

 

I will talk to an agent, and seek the best deal I can find.

 

Thanks again.

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I wanted to add something to the discussion when you speak with your TA.

 

Some cruise lines do have promotions when it comes to children so you might find some benefit there.

 

And while not a large group sometimes there are family promotions.

 

We took our two children, spouses and three grand children on a cruise last May and while we didn't quality as a group our cruise line did offer a family program since we needed four rooms and the program provided on board credit for everyone from the cruise line as well as not paying for the third person in a room where we had three people.

 

So my point is as you work with the TA have them explore what is out there.

 

Keith

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OP: with almost a dozen family members, don't discount the idea of a crewed yacht charter. Not as expensive as one might think. Not familiar with Aussie yacht brokers. But, you could start by contacting Ed Hamilton & Co. here in the US

 

 

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Don't think a Yacht is a good idea for children that age nor sailing that area of the world for them. Just my opinion.

 

Nice about a traditional cruise ship is all of the activities for everyone.

 

Keith

 

 

Perhaps not. Sailors/motor cruisers with "boat babies" are nothing new and there are plenty of them all over the South Pacific.

 

For example: If they're willing to fly to Fiji, they could island hop on a carefully selected, kid-proofed (including "walk-around" harnesses) motor or cat yacht of at least 100 feet. (Our own kid started cruising with us in a 30' sloop out of SF before she was 3 y.o.). And, like the food selections, activities could be custom designed based on the needs of the group.

In any case, checking with the right broker who is a charter specialist would lead to a comprehensive selection process (boat/crew/itinerary/provisioning). At least, worth a discussion.

I'm pretty sure that there's a Fraser Yachts office in varying locations in Australia.

 

 

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Erica, I was talking about myself!

 

My apologies! I read it differently. I shouldn't have jumped to conclusions. Although, I don't think you should be speaking about yourself in those terms either! Please have a wonderful time on whatever cruise you decide.

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Not sure which cruise lines sail the itinerary but just wanted to add that my kids have cruised since they were young. They are in their 20s now but still have great memories of the kids camps they have gone to they have been to carnival, NCL, and royal Caribbean and have loved them all It was nice as parents to have a couple nights as a “date” night and often times my kids didn’t want to leave because they were having so much fun

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  • 2 weeks later...

Thanks again for all your input, guys.

 

I have taken your advice and seen an agent. She was very helpful, and we are now all booked on Carnival Spirit in January 2019 for a South Pacific Islands cruise.

 

The agent secured us two connected rooms for each couple with children, one with balcony and one without, so the kids can be on the balcony under their parents' supervision, and have a room for themselves at other times.

 

Whilst the entire cost was more than I wanted to pay, it was within the budget I had expected, and I received some discount for the group booking.

 

Thanks again for your comments and suggestions. I took them all into consideration.

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