FamilyTravlin

We are trying to plan a memorable family vacation with our two teen boys, age 14 and 16.
This will be one of the last family vacations that we will have while they are still under our roof. I asked for some suggestions from the forums and got a lot of great suggestions of possible trips.

I have come across a Mediterranean Cruise in June that starts in Barcelona. Does anyone have any experience with this cruise line or experiences taking teens on cruises??
Will it be really hot? Itinerary and ship description below-
Thanks,
Leslie

Ship: Voyager of the Seas is a revolutionary marvel of naval engineering. Enjoy one-of-a-kind features like an ice-skating rink, the Royal Promenade and a rock-climbing wall, just for starters. How did Royal Caribbean accommodate all of these innovative ideas? Simple. They built a bigger cruise ship. The 138,000-ton, 3,114-guest Voyager of the Seas became the world's largest cruise ship when it entered service in November 1999. Innovations on this and other Voyager-family ships add up to more space for every guest, and include enhanced staterooms, expanded dining options and exceptional recreational facilities.

Barcelona, Spain


7:00 PM

29-Jun

Villefranche (Nice),France

10:00 AM

7:00 PM

Tendered
30-Jun

Livorno (Florence/Pisa),Italy

7:00 AM

7:00 PM

Docked
01-Jul

Civitavecchia (Rome), Italy

7:00 AM

7:00 PM

Docked
02-Jul

Naples,Capri,Italy

7:00 AM

7:00 PM

Docked
03-Jul

Palermo (Sicily),Italy

7:00 AM

7:00 PM

Docked
04-Jul

Cruising

05-Jul

Barcelona, Spain

6:00 AM

mcnyc

Hi Leslie,

I've done a similar cruise, but starting from Savona, Italy.

We took our cruise in mid July, and found it not to be too hot. The breeze from the cruise ship sailing cools everything off. Plus, air conditioning inside all parts of the cruise ship.

I'm sorry I don't have any experience with Royal Carribean Cruise Line, or taking cruises with teens. Most cruise lines will have teen clubs, which get the kids together for some activities.

Anyway, for more information, you should head over to http://www.cruisecritic.com
They will have separate boards for each cruise line, and even roll calls for the specific cruise you're thinking of taking.

Enjoy!

janisj

I personally would not choose a cruise for a family trip to Europe. For two main reasons - 1) these are relatively expensive compared to other types of European travel. Therefore there are more couples and older couples than even on most cruises - simply the economics.

and 2) you see very little of "Europe" - just short shore excursions. For example, less than a full day in Rome?

For the same amount of money you could probably spend nearly 2 weeks in Italy (or France, or wherever) instead of 1 week on a ship w/ short peeks at a few land-based sites.

bozama

Cruises are probably a good deal, the euro being so strong and the dollar so weak, paying an american price for hotel and ALL food ( your cruise fare) is better then trying to feed to teen boys in euros 5 times a day in euros. LOL

We took our three kids on a cruise( carribean, not med) when our two boys were 13 and 15( three years ago) . They still consider this the " funnest " holiday we have had, and they have been to Disneyland, Paris, London, Hawaii, and we RV every year too.
The boys loved the freedom they had onboard, plus non stop food. WE got an outside cabin for us and got the kids an inside one right across the hall from us.

Royal Caribbean is considered one the most popular cruiselines for teens as their newer ships have superior facilties (pools, skating rinks, rock climbing walls etc) for lots of action and fun.

I would go onto a cruise forum to get better opinions on this particular type of holiday and ship,, try Cruisecritics or Cruisemates.

FamilyTravlin

Hi,
My thought were exactly the right price for a weak dollar and lots of activities for sightseeing weary kids, plus I have some health issues so I could rest and the family could still "go" if necessary. I will check out the cruise boards.
Thanks,
Leslie!

QueScaisJe

I'm sure that most of the posters in this Europe forum will express a bias against cruising. Our family has done land vacations and cruises in Europe, and enjoyed both. One advantage of a cruise is that your boys will quickly find friends to hang with. Perhaps combine the best of both with a few days pre-cruise in Barcelona; you recover from jet lag, ensure that you'll get to the boat on time, and get to see one of the most beautiful cities in the world.

FamilyTravlin

I just priced airfare to Barcelona and it was 1200 to 1500 dollars per person! Ouch! Even with the good price on the cruise, this probably puts that trip out of our reach because of having to buy 4 tickets. Back to the drawing board.
Leslie

a_cafe_of_dreams

That's unfortunate that the European cruise wouldn't work out for you.

If you do decide to still go with a cruise for your family vacation, Royal Caribbean is a good choice. I was around your sons ages when I went on my first cruise and have been on 5 with 3 different cruise lines. Royal Caribbean was my favorite of the three. Fun, lots to do, but still family-oriented.

As mcnyc suggested, Cruise Critic has ample information.

annettetx

Leslie --

Sorry to hear that airfare puts the cruise out of reach.

We're taking a Med cruise with our 14 and 15-year-old this summer, and think that cruises are great family vacations!

For us, the cruise will be more affordable than an entire land-based vacation (mainly since we'll be eating most breakfasts and dinners on the ship).

Cruises don't allow for in-depth sight-seeing, it's true, but a taste of Europe is better than no Europe at all!

Finally, if I'm on a land-based vacation, I really want to be on the move all the time and see as much as possible. On a cruise, we can enjoy relaxing on the at-sea days, and I don't feel guilty about not being out seeing something.

In case you look for cruises close to home, we love Royal Caribbean -- there are usually a lot of kids the ages of your sons. The Voyager class ships that you were looking at have lots of entertainment that appears to adults as well as kids.

Good luck!
Annette

mcnyc

Yes, I agree. If a European cruise is out of the question right now, then definitely go on a cruise closer to home. I have learned to like cruising as a way of life. It relaxes me, forcing me to do nothing. Although I know that cell phones are now working on some cruise ships.

I think my parents have to go back to the drawing board to keep me away from technology! But at least I don't have a Blackberry!

Dukey

Was that airfare price the one offered by the cruise line or was it one you priced on your own?

mom9153

My husband myself and our son, 16 next monthm will be cruising from Rome on Celebrity for 10 days; Italy, Greek Islands, and Turkey...we looked into other options but with the exchange rate it is the best we think; I have never been to Europe and we all absolutely love cruises...all food, entertainment included...

Jake1

It is certainly a matter of personal choice, but my wife and son and I really disliked the one and only cruise we went on several years ago. Nothing went on on board the ship that we couldn't do at home for much less money, and we never had enough time on land to do/see all we wanted to. FOR US, it was one of the worst vacations we ever experienced.

BUT it really does depend on what YOU want and need out of YOUR vacation time and money. We have friends who cruise extensively because they really need stress relief and the way they get it is to be fed, and housed, and not have to do anything for several days or a couple of weeks. They come back recharged and refreshed; we came back frustrated and disappointed.

FamilyTravlin

Dukey,
I did price the airfare myself. I am going to call the travel agent this morning. I am so used to doing all my own research and booking.
Thanks,
Leslie

suec1

Just my opinion but I think Celebrity and RCCL usually do not offer good deals on the airfare - you might want to check out other cruise lines and see if they offer better deals - I never understood why RCCL did not offer better prices with large group bookings. We did the cruise you are thinking about - it was great. If it doesn't work out this time, maybe another!