cruise holiday

poisonated

Hi im going on a cruise around the med this summer with royal caribbean.I was wondering if anyone could answer a question that was on my mind,what would the drinking age be on board since it is an american company
other than that I would be interested on hearing people opinions on cruises...
Thanks

KevinC

I'm just curious as to what you would pay for a cruise as we a looking for a holiday idea.

Would it be suitable for a family with a 2.5 year old and a 8 month old?

We did a cruise (before the kids) in China (Yangtze) and even there drink was expensive. Best bet is to stock up before and during "shore leave".

Thoie

poisonated wrote: »

Hi im going on a cruise around the med this summer with royal caribbean.I was wondering if anyone could answer a question that was on my mind,what would the drinking age be on board since it is an american company
other than that I would be interested on hearing people opinions on cruises...
Thanks

I went on a Royal Caribbean cruise and can't praise it enough. Mine was over the other side, and drinking age was definitely 21.

This page might answer a few questions for both of you.

Basically all children must be 12 months or older.

Quoting a few bits from there:

No guest under the age of twenty-one (21) will be reserved in a stateroom unless accompanied by an adult twenty-one (21) years of age, or older. This age limit will be waived for minor children sailing with their parents or guardians in adjacent staterooms or under-aged married couples (proof of marriage is required).

The drinking age is 21, but

on cruises departing from European and South American countries, where the legal drinking age is typically lower than 21, a parent who is sailing with his or her son(s) and/or daughter(s) who is between the ages of 18 to 20, may sign a waiver

Stocking up on alcohol in port is a non-runner:

Guests are not allowed to bring alcoholic beverages onboard for consumption or any other use. Alcoholic beverages that are purchased in ports of call or from onboard shops will be stored by the ship and delivered to guest staterooms on the last day of the sailing.

- they were very strict on that on the cruise I was on. Even if you bought duty free on board they didn't give it to you until the last night.

I was surprised by how much I loved cruising - I didn't think it would be my cup of tea, but the ships are huge, there's always things to do (like lounging and relaxing . There will be at least one "formal" night, and people really go all out for these, so bring an evening dress/tux (suit hire available on board afaik).

A newsletter will be delivered daily to your cabin (like this). I'd recommend checking in online in advance as it saves some messing around when you get there - you have to do it at least 3 days before. I'd recommend doing it about a week before if you can, and have a good look at the shore excursions in advance too - the first day ones sold out really quickly, and required a lot of queueing, so if there's anything in the first port you're really interested in, consider booking it in advance (min 4 days).

While you're on board you pay for everything with your room card - you can set it up in advance as a credit card, or it can be a cash account, in which case you need to pay on the last day. You can purchase a sticker for your room card for something like $60 (can't quite remember) and that gives you unlimited soft drinks for the entire time - you buy that at the information desk.

I was a bit taken aback when I was asked to pre-pay gratuities when I was booking on the basis of "what if I get ****ty service?". Don't worry about that at all, and bring some extra cash and envelopes - you'll want to leave more of a tip than you've prepaid, the service is so great. IIRC the prepaid gratuities were for your cabin attendant, your waiter, and your head waiter.

*sigh* I'm all jealous now - I want to go too! Feel free to PM me if you have any specific questions!

jhegarty

poisonated wrote: »

Hi im going on a cruise around the med this summer with royal caribbean.I was wondering if anyone could answer a question that was on my mind,what would the drinking age be on board since it is an american company
other than that I would be interested on hearing people opinions on cruises...
Thanks

21. You can get some drinks between 18 and 21 if you are traveling with parents and they sign a waver.

KevinC wrote: »

I'm just curious as to what you would pay for a cruise as we a looking for a holiday idea.

Would it be suitable for a family with a 2.5 year old and a 8 month old?

We did a cruise (before the kids) in China (Yangtze) and even there drink was expensive. Best bet is to stock up before and during "shore leave".

A 7 day med cruise usually costs about €500 to €1000 per person. Depends on the cruise line , when you go and type of cabin.

Most ships have children's clubs.

Drinks will usually cost less than Ireland , but again varies by line.

poisonated

Thanks for the advice.
sorry kevin im glad jhegarty could answer that for ya, Im only a young lad,I was lucky enough not too have to pay for it:)