Family cruising can you relax?!

Yes!!

If you’re anything like me part of you will dread your family holiday?! I have a toddler so you can see where I am coming from! You have so many more concerns, worries and things to think about. You save long and hard for your holiday it’s got to be right for everyone including the kids.

I will be honest I haven’t yet cruise with my little boy Charlie mainly I was feeling unsure of how the experience would be for him. I have cruised lots over the years before Charlie came along but didn’t take any notice of kid’s facilities.

Last weekend I was lucky enough to be invited by P&O Cruises onto the Ventura for a mini cruise. This was my perfect chance to check out the facilities on board and I have to say they did not disappoint.

The on board children’s programme is known as the reef. The ages are split into four groups

Splashers 2-4 years

Surfers 5-8 years

Scubas 9-12 years

H2o 13-17 years

Each age group has their own designated area within The Reef. There is a whole host of activities organised daily by the well qualified Reef Rangers.

On board Ventura the Splashers & Surfers area are next door to each other. Charlie would have had a whale of a time with the other Splashers had he been with me!! The rooms were really bright and colourful with drawing going on in one area, painting in another. Then there were the kids having lots of fun in the soft play area. The times available for kids club does vary and I was told they usually offer longer play sessions on sea days as they find most families get off the ship on port days. I checked the timetable for when I was on board and the sessions were 10-12, 2-5 and then night nursery. The night nursery is a great chance for mum and dad to enjoy their meal in peace!! You can drop your little one off at night nursery and as long as they settle off you go to enjoy your evening. You will be given a monitor and if your little one wakes up or is upset you will be called back. Just imagine how much you could potentially save. On a 14 night cruise even if your little one went to night nursery 5 nights how much would you normally pay for a baby sitter? That’s right I forgot to mention the kids club and night nursery are completely FREE!!

The sessions are great and change regularly throughout the day, kids are well known for having a short attention span! On to the Scubas & H2o these rooms are geared up for the teenagers with football tables, computer games and even a Dj deck!! There is so much available for the kids they will be kept entertained for your full cruise.

We all know happy kids means happy parents!!

So Ventura you really did make your mark on me so much so I am planning on booking the sister ship Azura for my first family cruise holiday next summer. I can’t wait and I know Charlie will have a blast and I will even get some me time to have a treat in the spa!

So what are you waiting for?? Don’t fancy a few days at sea before you hit some sunshine? Fear no more!! Ventura is heading out to spend next summer in the Mediterranean so you can fly straight to the sunshine, so why not try a 7 or 14 night fly cruise? If flying is not for you then you still have the family friendly Azura, Aurora & Oceana sailing from Southampton.

Call me on 0800 408 6104 for more details & prices