a cruise with 4 children?

Belovedbagle · 21/02/2024 18:00

I'm not one for cruises but with 4 kids it's a no brainer.. no arguments, all happy, they can do and eat what they like.. easy holiday.

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Justwingingit2005 · 21/02/2024 18:01

Three kids. They loved it so did I.
We went on Anthem of the Seas.

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vintageshopshopping · 21/02/2024 18:10

ah thanks both! @Justwingingit2005 did you have 2 cabins? Seems like there are no larger or interconnected options?

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Star81 · 21/02/2024 18:30

Have done it with 3 children several times. Get yourself a travel agent who will be able to get you inter- connected rooms which means you also benefit from 2 bathrooms.

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Mindymomo · 21/02/2024 18:36

We’ve gone on several cruises with 2 teenagers, one loved the kids club, the other enjoyed doing quizzes, watching films and just chilling in cabin on sea days. It really covered everyone’s needs for a great holiday. New ships have larger cabins and interconnecting cabins for larger family groups.

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RunningAndSinging · 21/02/2024 18:40

Anthem isn’t great for family rooms - have a look at Independence for next year or consider going to the Med this year - probably cheaper including flights.

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vintageshopshopping · 21/02/2024 19:23

thank you, recommendations would be great :)
googling now

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CheshireCat1 · 21/02/2024 19:26

We’ve been with Celebrity, they’re great with kids of all ages. Interconnected rooms are really good as there’s an opening on the balcony too.

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RunningAndSinging · 21/02/2024 19:27

When, how long for and are you wanting warm weather or would you go up to the Fjords?

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mitogoshi · 21/02/2024 19:32

Most ships do have some interconnecting cabins,

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CraftyGin · 21/02/2024 19:44

We've been on Thomson/Marella with three teens. It was paradise. The kids were in the same room, which I think had four berths. We weren't interconnecting but close.

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vintageshopshopping · 21/02/2024 19:50

ooh this is very encouraging. We need school holidays - Easter or beginning of summer but avoiding middle/end of August.

Would like hot weather and beaches and some interesting places to sightsee.

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vintageshopshopping · 21/02/2024 20:02

and kids clubs/evening childcare essential

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FinallyFeb · 21/02/2024 22:07

Two triple birth interconnecting cabins would work or a more expensive option would be a large suite.

Cruises are fab for families.

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RunningAndSinging · 22/02/2024 07:49

Oasis of the Seas from Barcelona - 28th July for a week. You can get interconnecting interior rooms (4 in one, 2 in the the other) for just over £7k. They also have interior and ocean view rooms available that will take 6 people - you have to call for a price once it is more than four in a room and it might be a bit much with one bathroom between 6. Barcelona airport is not far from the city and the port so it wouldn’t be too much hassle and you are straight in the warm weather without having to sail South first.

All the kids clubs and entertainment you could ask for.

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budgiegirl · 22/02/2024 10:21

With four kids, definitely look at the larger ships with plenty to do, as well as kids clubs. The big Royal Caribbean ships are good particularly for younger children, very family friendly. We like NCL, I'd say it is a bit more adult orientated than Royal, although they still have kids clubs, slides, go karts, ropes courses, mini-golf etc, depending on the ship. Our teens absolutely loved NCL, and didn't even make it to the kids clubs.

We had a oceanview cabin for 5, it was fine, and no problems with the bathroom sharing! But as a previous poster said, you may need to call to see what ships have larger cabins for 6. Having 2 cabins can really bump up the price.

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mondaytosunday · 22/02/2024 11:02

Only if your kids are happy at those club things. Mine wouldn't do them. And a cruse has a pool but fairly limited as far as on board activities. Are they happy to go on day long excursions? Pick carefully.

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FinallyFeb · 22/02/2024 12:11

Mine didn’t really do the clubs but enjoyed quizzes, shuffle board, climbing wall, mini golf, eating, getting sodas from the machine, watching films and the shows etc, etc.
One DC is arty and enjoyed the watercolour classes with me and things like napkin folding, another DC is more sporty and competitive and enjoyed organised sports and the quizzes.
We all loved the ice skating and ice shows they have on some of the Royal Caribbean ships.
We used to either pick all the excursions together as a family or everyone got to pick one. To be honest it was hard to fit everything in, never mind the pools, slides and jacuzzis.

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Funf · 22/02/2024 19:02

We have done 14 with the kids, Avoid P&O its a grubby Butlins
Royal Caribbean, Celebrity and Holland America all cater well for kids of all ages.
Look on the Cruise Critic forum loads of advice
Plan your trips yourself as you can save a fortune, one trip we did was £600 for the six of us via the ship, it was £100 inc lunch via public transport, we carry two credit cards and about £100 in cash incase we get stranded.

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coxesorangepippin · 22/02/2024 19:04

What are the ages of the kids?

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vintageshopshopping · 23/02/2024 07:51

coxesorangepippin · 22/02/2024 19:04

What are the ages of the kids?

They are 12. 9, 7 and 2 :)

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vintageshopshopping · 23/02/2024 08:17

Argh, tried to reply and got intercepted by the toddler. Thank you so much for these replies - so helpful!

the children generally love clubs, usually top of their list. Making new friends and the club activities. Would climbing/pool/golf etc all be accessible via the club?

with RC do I need to book separate flights? (if so, is it to go through an agent or book separately?)

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vintageshopshopping · 23/02/2024 08:19

Funf · 22/02/2024 19:02

We have done 14 with the kids, Avoid P&O its a grubby Butlins
Royal Caribbean, Celebrity and Holland America all cater well for kids of all ages.
Look on the Cruise Critic forum loads of advice
Plan your trips yourself as you can save a fortune, one trip we did was £600 for the six of us via the ship, it was £100 inc lunch via public transport, we carry two credit cards and about £100 in cash incase we get stranded.

Thanks for note - will avoid P&o.

you arrange the excursions yourself?

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vintageshopshopping · 23/02/2024 08:21

Also, sorry for extra question, are activities (climbing, ropes, golf etc) included or extra to pay for?

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Funf · 23/02/2024 08:23

If you book direct with the company or an agent then will usually sort the lot. For peace of mind it can be a little bit more expensive but if you book direct with the company you are protected by the credit card protection, if through an agent you won't be as they will claim they are just an agent.
We once booked the cruise one cabin with an America company two with a UK agent and flights with several other providers as sometimes a travel agent will tell you its full but another will have some allocated cabins

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a cruise with 4 children?