Family Cruise
We love cruising for lots of reasons - including the food, entertainment and getting dressed up! You don't have to go all out on getting dressed up though on a week's cruise. They have two formal evenings and if it's not your thing you can opt to eat in the Windjammer dining room. Reservations aren't needed so you can just turn up and sit where you like at any time and enjoy the buffet.
Sapphire is the main dining room, where you will need a particular table booked at a specific time. It is a formal dining room, but on the non-formal evenings a smart casual dress code applies.
This is our favourite restaurant on an evening and also during sea days when the Windjammer can get quite busy. We switch between both these dining options at breakfast depending on time, but have also opted for room service which is included.
On this occasion we booked a Panoramic Family suite which features floor to ceiling windows. It was very spacious for the four of us - I would definitely stay in this room again.
We watched most of the evening shows on offer - they were all very professional and a good mixture for everyone. Our favourite was the Ice Show - you cannot believe you're sailing on a ship. We also got involved in the family disco, which wasn't just a case of just sitting watching your children - it was a full family participation!
Daytime activities range from the two pools and jacuzzis which on occasions we struggled to get our children out of! They also loved the mini-golf and rock climbing which are all included in the price; we ran out of time on this occasion to go ice skating! We also took part in the ballroom lesson run by the professional ballroom duo on-board the ship.
Ports of Call; Gijon, Vigo, Bilbao & Le Havre We got off at every port and found Gijon, Vigo and Bilbao to be stunning, rugged parts of Spain and very typically Spanish. We sampled the famous cider in Gijon and tapas in Vigo, and we found stunning beaches just a short taxi ride away here too - I would highly recommend this itinerary.
We sailed from Southampton which is a very smooth and hassle free check in process, we were on the ship by 12.30 and had lunch and our children were straight in the pool. Checking out and getting off the ship is again a very smooth and very well organised process.
I have also sailed on Anthem of the Seas, Adventure and Freedom of the Seas and Brilliance of the Seas, so please get in touch if you have any cruise questions.