I am looking at booking a Med cruise for next summer with Mrs Billet and the two kids.

Has anyone recently done this? From looking at the Royal Caribbean ships it looks like the kids sleeping would be on a sofa bed. That simply would not work. What alternatives have people used?

Anyone got any tips / tricks ... websites to use?

Thank you for any advice in advance

Crookedbillet wrote: ↑

Mon Jul 21, 2025 9:41 pm

I am looking at booking a Med cruise for next summer with Mrs Billet and the two kids.

Has anyone recently done this? From looking at the Royal Caribbean ships it looks like the kids sleeping would be on a sofa bed. That simply would not work. What alternatives have people used?

Anyone got any tips / tricks ... websites to use?

Thank you for any advice in advance

Hi, shameless plug here but my wife is an independent travel agent and has booked a lot of cruises. She can often speak to the cruise lines and ask for specific things for certain guests.

There's no charge for her services but she'll help you find what you need and she's there in case of any issues right up until you get home.

If you want me to put you in touch, drop me an email to marc_fretwell@hotmail.com, or her business is The Travel Lifestyle if you want to message her on the socials. Mention this message board to her if you do that, I've told her to pay extra attention to any UTC members

Leave the kids at home/ with family. Problem solved.

Don’t go on Costa or Carnival. Have a look on Cruise Critic.com

FCBurnley wrote: ↑

Mon Jul 21, 2025 10:45 pm

Don’t go on Costa or Carnival. Have a look on Cruise Critic.com

We took our daughter and 4 granddaughters on 2 Med Cruises both on Carnival and they had a great time. Booked the 5 of them in a Sea Harbor family room which slept all 5 of them - they had an excellent time and spent a lot if time in the various kids clubs. C

I would say the best Cruiselines for families are Royal Caribbean and Carnival as they seem to be more geared up for family needs.

Unless you stump up for one of the suites, or 2 rooms it's going to be pull out beds

We always go with MSC.

What's wrong with the Leeds to Liverpool canal?

ClaretPete001 wrote: ↑

Tue Jul 22, 2025 8:54 am

What's wrong with the Leeds to Liverpool canal?

selfdrive too Captain Crooked Billet or would that be Pirate Crook

ClaretPete001 wrote: ↑

Tue Jul 22, 2025 8:54 am

What's wrong with the Leeds to Liverpool canal?

There's not much water in it?

ClaretPete001 wrote: ↑

Tue Jul 22, 2025 8:54 am

What's wrong with the Leeds to Liverpool canal?

It goes to Leeds.

ollieclarets8 wrote: ↑

Tue Jul 22, 2025 10:59 am

It goes to Leeds.

But it also gets you out of Leeds to Burnley !!

I would recommend Tui Marella cruises if you want an English based straight forward all inclusive cruise holiday.
We will be on our fourth next month and have really enjoyed them every year.
Our kids still come even though they are young adults, they do their own thing some days.

We picked Marella based on a recommendation that they are not posh, i.e. no dressing up required, everything is in English, its one price up front, and they travel to some of the most popular places in Europe.

I cant compare to other cruise lines having not been on the others, but I am told P and O are the closest comparison to Marella.

FCBurnley wrote: ↑

Tue Jul 22, 2025 1:05 pm

But it also gets you out of Leeds to Burnley !!

Yes I think you could confuse a room full of Rovers fans by asking them where the Leeds to Liverpool a canal ends up...!

Oh and one Burnley fan.

Plenty of lines have cabins for four with bunk beds. Big discounts for third and fourth sharing a cabin.

One thing to remember is that there is no need to spend any time in the cabin. There are plenty of lounges - you can easily use the cabin for dressing and sleeping only.

Bear with me….. Disney cruises. I’m not even kidding.

I’ve done two from Florida to the Bahamas (4 nights), on the Disney Wish.

This September I’m going from Southampton to Spain and France on the Disney Fantasy.

They’re absolutely amazing, the level of service is exceptional, they can’t be faulted. The ships are absolutely pristine, worth having a look on YouTube.

FCBurnley wrote: ↑

Mon Jul 21, 2025 10:45 pm

Don’t go on Costa or Carnival. Have a look on Cruise Critic.com

Been with Carnival and it was one of the best hols i've ever had

thomo27 wrote: ↑

Wed Jul 23, 2025 1:04 pm

I would recommend Tui Marella cruises if you want an English based straight forward all inclusive cruise holiday.
We will be on our fourth next month and have really enjoyed them every year.
Our kids still come even though they are young adults, they do their own thing some days.

We picked Marella based on a recommendation that they are not posh, i.e. no dressing up required, everything is in English, its one price up front, and they travel to some of the most popular places in Europe.

I cant compare to other cruise lines having not been on the others, but I am told P and O are the closest comparison to Marella.

I can vouch for Marella too. Did a Canaries/Madeira cruise on Marella Voyager two years ago with a 14 year old and she was fine. The room was an inside cabin and whilst it was small it suited our needs. She slept above me on a fold down bunk above the double bed. There is a dress up night but it is optional and it isn't black tie kind of thing..just smart. On the night the only rule is you need to be dressed smartly to eat in the a la carte restaurant (which is fab and has great views to the rear of the ship) There is a buffet restaurant and a few others and some with extra upcharges if you want to enjoy something a little more special. A little more expensive than your average all inclusive but I would go with them again.