The_Daddy

Dear Flyertalkers,

i really would love your sincere opinion on the subject.
I want to take my family on cruise this summer, much probably in the mediterranean.
Now, I completely tend to favor small yacht/ship and if I could choose for myself i will elect something like seabourn/seadreams/silversea for my cruise as i value quite a lot privacy, service and especially quality over quantity in all senses. I will love as well the possibility to swim in the sea once in a while from the platform/marina while at anchor and I noted that those company offer such a possibility during most of the trip.

But I have the idea that the children will not be happy (take in mind my girl will be 3 yo and the boy just 1 yo) with this kind of arrangement so I should look to something diverse.

But i really cannot see myself eating at certain and fixed times... doing big lines and things like that. And, sorry, I don't feel comfortable with big crowd.
I'll be glad to do it anyway to make all happy but i know as well that if parents are not happy and relaxed, this might reflect on the children as well.

I have done a small search on cruisecritic, but i really would appreciate some feedback from this community....

Can children be happy on the above mentioned cruising company? Do they offer kids entertainment (especially for my 3 yo daughter)? or should i forget about that and looking only to Disney/Carnival and alike (nothing against those, just I believe they do not fit me...or I do not fit them :-)) ?

Very long introduction....sorry for that...and thanks in advance for your input.

Best

The_Daddy

MoreMilesPlease

I would look to Disney or Holland America. Disney is probably the only line that will have activities for both children.

Disney is a very highly rated line.

The_Daddy

Thanks. Unfortunately Disney offers only one itinerary in July/August which is not suitable for us

I'm looking at the moment even:
celebrity cruises
regent seven seas (but it look like they do not offer activities for children under 5yo)
princess

and will look into Holland America as you suggest...

any comments is welcome

BurBunny

Unfortunately, most of the true luxury lines, especially on the yacht scale, don't cater to children. Regent often has summer programs in the summer, but most notably in destinations such as Alaska.

Have you considered Cunard? Extensive children's program, down to 6 months (1 year if Transatlantic), more upscale experience, especially if you're in Princess or Queen's Grill. They won't give you the on-ship marina experience, but the other aspects more of what you seek with the programming for your children. Look particularly at Queen Victoria who has some absolutely lovely Med itineraries this summer and next.

Feel free to PM if you have questions.

JanePond

With over 250 days on Seabourn I can attest to the fact that the line is not for you with your children. There are no activities for any age child and no swim facilities, no babysitting available, nada. That's just the facts. In addition, while the short summer cruises in the Med may have families with school age children because of the intensive port itineraries, they will have no special activities either. Seabourn attracts mostly older cruisers and families with children, especially your ages, cute as I am sure they are, do not look kindly upon them. I am also not sure about a regular 'suite' with 4 occupants.
OTOH, I have sailed Regent and they have childrens' programs but they seem to be for older ones. And often, marina days are cancelled because of weather and/or rough seas, much to the disappointment of many cruisers.
Perhaps there are grandparents to care for the kiddies while you cruise? A nanny?

The_Daddy

@BurBunny - Thanks a lot. I'm actually thinking of contacting Regent to verify their children programs on the cruise departing on 26th July from Venice as those date fit my schedule perfectly and i like the itinerary. We do not need really intensive children plans as we would like to keep babies with us most of the time, but a kid's club and some activities to have my daughter (3yo) meet other children once in a while will be nice.
I will look into Cunrad as well; date/itinerary are not exactly what i had in minds but it looks they are worthy to be considered.
I will appreciate any feedback. The "Grill" things is only a private restaurant and bigger cabin or you have even private boat area (such as pool, library, bars...etc)?

@Janepond - Wowww 250 days on Seabourn!! i must say I'm impressed and a little bit envying you as well
In fact I'm almost canceling seabourn from the option as it looks like you all agree it is not the right choice. Yes, I'm considering to travel with grandparents and to take the nanny... but it is optional at the moment as we do not look to children programs and kids club because we want to leave the children and have fun by ourself...but mainly because we want the baby to have fun and enjoy other kids. And as you suggest, being four I understand that we need a larger room/suite in order to travel comfortably. Thanks for your help.

I'm even looking now to Cristal and Norwegian... i'm impressed to see that cristal has a Nobu restaurant on board

JanePond

I would investigate Crystal. A friend of mine in the high-end cruise business has written positively about this line. A quick check of the website shows a children's program starting at 3 years, however. You can PM me and I can give you more information if you want,
But like most parents with young children, it becomes a 'grow-up' waiting game for some more sophisticated relaxation.

Tenerife

Royal Caribbean, although absolutely not a luxury line, does have a children's program and also has the possibility of open-seating dining. With that you would not be locked into set dining times of either early or late seating.

If you are even considering Norwegian (NCL), then RCCL is at least as good or better (having been on both!), and Celebrity is a good "notch" above both of them.

BurBunny

Unfortunately, Cunard doesn't offer other private areas, except the Courtyard and dining, for the Grills passengers.

Crystal might be an option - it certainly is on quality. However, even though they do offer a children's program, the odds of other children that age are quite low, even in summer. One or two possibly. It's not a line that attracts young families as a whole.

And yes, the Nobu restaurant is heavenly. As good as the main dining room is, I often dine in Nobu, or at least have appetizers at the sushi bar prior to dinner. Somewhat limited menu (compared to the shoreside versions), but if they have the ingredients, they're happy to make anything for you.

NCL in the Villas could be an option for you, but not what I'd have considered immediately. The Epic's Villa complex is lovely (do be careful which specific cabin you select, however, as there are some obstructed views and poor layouts). Private pool area, the dining, workout and other exclusive areas, escorted onboard, to tenders, to shows, and of course your lovely butler. NCL otherwise is firmly a lower mass market line, but the Villas are truly a ship within a ship with an entirely different level of service and quality. Still not a luxury line, but some of the best suites at sea.

I wouldn't consider RCCL at all for you as they don't provde any exclusivity for their suite pasengers on the ships in the Med. The Allure and Oasis have a suite lounge, but they are exclusively Caribbean ships. While they are direct competitors to NCL, NCL's Villa complex provides more of the amenities I think you're seeking.

The_Daddy

Thanks everybody. I really appreciate all your support.

The Focus now is on:

Crystal
Regent Seven Seas (in case they are open to entertain 3yo kids)
Celebrity
Norwegian (for the upscale programs BurBunny mentioned)
Princess (still did not look at it)
Azamara (not sure about their kids programs)

Please add more information if you can...I'm in the middle of the decision storm right now

Jane...ahahah...you are right...I have to wait they grow up a bit to get back to sopisticated relaxation...I'm just "learning" what the right balance is at the moment...I'm still a "new" father

BurBunny

[QUOTE=The_Daddy;16310461]Thanks everybody. I really appreciate all your support.

The Focus now is on:

Crystal
Regent Seven Seas (in case they are open to entertain 3yo kids)
Celebrity
Norwegian (for the upscale programs BurBunny mentioned)
Princess (still did not look at it)
Azamara (not sure about their kids programs)
[QUOTE]

Princess, while offering an extensive children's program, doesn't have any of the upscale features you seem to be looking for, so to narrow the options a bit, I'd go ahead and cross that one off.

Celebrity does offer some very nice Suite amenities, including dining course by course ensuite, and a good children's program (though not at the level of sister brand Royal Caribbean). Likely to have a good number of families onboard, of the mainstream brands, this one is likely the best fit outside NCL's Villas, especially on a Solstice-class ship (Solstice, Equinox, Eclipse, Sillhouette). The ships, while large, have fit and finish most like Crystal or other luxury lines, and lots of amenities the smaller ships can't provide.

fs2k2isfun

Why not leave the kids at home with grandma and grandpa (or someone else) while you enjoy an adults vacation? Let's be honest, a 3 year old and a one year old really won't appreciate or even enjoy a luxury Mediterranean cruise, and you probably won't find it very relaxing with them either.

JanePond

Were you planning on taking shore excursions? Most of the vehicles are not geared for children, no car seats and often no seat belts. Even if you hire a car and driver this can occur. And naturally, the children would be bored to tears at a wine tasting in Provence.

The_Daddy

Thanks all.

@Burbunny - thanks for all your support... Princess is off

@fs2k2isfun - kids at home? not an option...I'll do you a favor and will not mention to my wife you said that ..... But seriously speaking I think you are right! Kids will not enjoy luxury; but parents will...this is why I'm interested to know if there is a luxury line that even organize kids programs and threat them properly... but looks like there is not out there. and frankly speaking i do not understand why...maybe just not to much market... I know lot of fantastic hotel/resort (name them FS, RC....and others) where children can have a great time while adults enjoy the level of service that they desire...so i don't understand why it should not be the same on board. the sea is a fantastic environment for children and there is no better way to show it to them then sailing... This is my HO of course.

@Janepond - Yes you are right, and we know that some activities will not be for the family :-) Depending from the itinerary and from the location of the port we will maybe have a walk in the centre of the town (for example Capri or Portofino or Montecarlo allow you to do that) otherwise we will just enjoy ourself onboard.... not a problem.

JanePond

Found this in USA Today Travel:
http://travel.usatoday.com/cruises/p...-sale/155904/1