European Cruise Ships

average_runner

Hi All,

Already thinking of next year summer holiday. We are thinking a cruise in Europe with the kids. Is there any particular one people could recommend or any info from past experiences?

We looked at the Norwegian Epic Boat so far.

Thanks

Fine Day

We were on Norwegian Escape lately from Italy. Was very good. We have 2 young kids. Food, drinks and staff was excellent. Ship was very clean and we had a nice cabin with sufficient space also.

Having cruised with Royal Caribbean in the past I would say the there entertainment is miles ahead for both adults and children. Norwegian entertainment is way behind Royal Caribbean in my opinion. We would love to try Celebrity at some stage but they are very expensive.

average_runner

So the Norwegian is not as good as the Carribbean? Is there much for the kids to do on the Norwegian?

Thanks

jhegarty

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119368355#Comment_119368355

NCL and RCCL would be in the same class.

RCCL has some bigger ships but NCL has no formal or fixed dining.

finbarrk

We did a Mediterranean cruise with the kids a few years ago on a MSC ship. Couldn't fault it. The majority of the passengers were Italian or Spanish, which was fine. We had a great time. The drinks package was worth it too.

Rossie11

Hi,

Planning a first cruise in April 2 adults & 2 kids so gathering info. I have read some bad reviews on MSC but nothing that would put me off using them at moment

Looking at a 7 day one from Barcelona which takes in Marseille, Cinque terra etc

Few things. What is average cost of a glass of wine or a pint on the ship. Not planning on doing any big session or anything but trying to see if package is worth it

When it says excursions are extra does that mean that you cannot leave the boat at these ports without paying and are the excursions

all pre arranged?

Thanks

Calahonda52

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119376924#Comment_119376924

Drinks package when we went was great value, cost 400, allegedly spent 1,000 a head but my guess was the staff were adding stuff on, certainly was the case at dinner when you were put down for 3 bottles of wine.

Included better quality coffee and fresh orange juice at breakfast etc

Excursions all pre arranged, of course you can disembark and do your own thing, just look at each port to see how far from humanity the boat will dock and see if its walkable with your kids, especially if it is hot.

There may be taxis but they dont get right up to the boat in most ports I have been in.

Excursions can double the cost of the trip.

Be aware that if you do your own thing onshore and you are late back, ship will sail without you. not the case for their own excursions.

finbarrk

We didn't do any of the official excursions from the MSC Ship. Just did our own thing at each stopover. I don't know the exact price of the drinks, but our total drinks package was about €350, and on checking receipts afterwards we saved about that much again. Although we drank some nice cocktails and probably wouldn't have if paying individually for them.

deisemum

I've been on 3 MSC cruises and couldn't fault the ones I've been on. We did our own excursions - much cheaper than the ships excursions and I'd researched all the ports beforehand and got great advice on here. Drinks package was worth it.

k123456

If you don't want to overspend, look at MSC or Costa, both excellent in my opinion

While cruises themselves are good value, the onshore excursions can be expensive , and there is a herd mentality if you go with the excursions organised by the cruise co. The cruises I have been on push their own excursions to increase their profit margin, like any good business model. They are not doing anything wrong, as lots of people will automatically prefer to go on excursions with the cruise co.

For example, when your ship docks in Civitavecchia a port close to Rome, the cruise co will tell you , you can book with them and pay for a coach into Rome, without a guide or with..more expensive. Or if you alight from the ship , you walk a short distance to the train station at Civitavecchia , and get a train, which brings you directly into the main points of interest in Rome

In Naples for example, you can join the cruise co tour to Pompeii , the Amalfi coast etc or organise this yourself.

Year 1, we joined a cruise co tour, on a coach , lots of people on the coach , 30 mins to board, went to Pompeii , obligatory and unnecessary stop at a shop selling "genuine " shop selling "genuine handmade " tourist stuff

Year 2 , we pre booked a Merc 8 seater, chauffeur service, brought us all round Amalfi coast, saw lots, same price as Year 1 , but saw much more, in comfort

Toms port guides can be useful

https://www.tomsportguides.com/

Some ports , Palma, Greek Islands, kusadasi, Barca , Naples etc are interesting in their own right and you walk off the ship, and are close to the action, or a very short taxi ride or bus ride from the ship.

Naples for example, the cruise ship pulls in directly into Naples

option1 join the hoards

Year 1, we joined a cruise co tour, on a coach , lots of people on the coach , 30 mins to board, went to Pompeii , obligatory and unnecessary stop at a shop selling "genuine " shop selling "genuine handmade " tourist stuff

Year 2 , we pre booked a Merc 8 seater, chauffeur service, brought us all round Amalfi coast, Pompeii , saw lots, same price as Year 1 , but saw much more, in comfort..

Explore Naples , or taxi or public transport to Herculaneum, Pompeii etc, excellent ferries two minutes walk to ferry, ferry to Capri

It can be difficult pre booking trips , independently , while on the ship, as wifi is slow, and expensive , better to book at home