Don’t miss the boat: sailing Back to the 80s onboard Navigator of the Seas
Exciting news! The Tin Box girls and I have added a cruise to our 2018 travel plans. We’ve been invited to sail from Southampton for seven nights onboard Royal Caribbean’s Navigator of the Seas. Even more mind-blowing for me is that it’s an 80s-themed festival cruise. The Back to the 80s Cruise is the first of its kind staged by Cruiseco and I can’t wait to relive a bit of my youth at sea!
80s fun on a cruise ship
So, what makes this 80s cruise so special? For me it’s going to be seeing icons of the decade performing hits that echoed through my teens and beyond. But let’s not dwell on quite how long go my teens were!
Tony Hadley, the former lead singer of Spandau Ballet, is headlining the festival while other huge names on the programme include ABC, Kim Wilde and Go West. My personal must-see is going to be Belinda Carlisle. I make no apologies for some serious rocking out to Heaven Is A Place On Earth. All-in-all there are more than 100 performances over the week.
As well as the awesome live music, DJ Sara Cox will be hosting her 80’s disco. I think I’m almost as excited to experience this as I am Belinda’s set. Then there’s going to be neon parties, 80s style pool side workouts, signings with the artists and plenty of leg warmer-inspired fancy dress.
The 80s cruise itinerary
A cruise wouldn’t be a cruise without a few fabulous ports of call. Navigator of the Seas will be making stops in Bilbao and Vigo in Spain before heading to one of my bucket list destinations, Lisbon in Portugal. I’m over the moon to be ticking this one of my travel hit list in 2018. However, I have a feeling that a one-day visit won’t be enough. Still, that’s one of the things I love about cruising; you can get taster experiences of places and mark them up as somewhere to return for a longer break another time.
What’s onboard Navigator of the Seas for kids?
I’d be in a dream world if I thought my two and five-year-old daughters were as excited about the Back to the 80s Cruise for the same reasons as me. They love a good bop but, sorry Tony, they don’t have quite the same enthusiasm for Gold as I do.
What I know they are going to love is the award-winning Royal Caribbean kids club. Baby will be three-years-old when we board so she’ll be able to join in the Aquanauts club for three to five-year-olds with her big sister. We’ll be making plenty of use of these complimentary fun sessions on the sea days and maybe during the evenings so I can indulge in some 80s throwback fun with Lisa from Travel Loving Family who will also be onboard. There are also age-specific clubs for tots as young as six-months (there’s a fee for under three-year-olds) through to teens.
Aside from the kids clubs families can indulge in some quality time enjoying the pools, ice skating, the sports courts, outdoor movies, the Flowrider surf simulator and a rock climbing wall over-hanging the sea. Sounds exhausting, right? I might have to plan in a visit to the Vitality Spa to recover!
When is the 80s cruise?
The Back to the 80s cruise sets sail from Southampton on Sunday 6 May 2018 returning a week later on Sunday 13 May 2018. Prices start at £649 per person* with all meals and entertainment included which, when compared to what you might pay for a weekend at some UK festivals, is a super bargain! Find out more and book your cabin now, but be quick or you might miss the boat!
So, do you fancy joining us to sail back to the 80s?
* Prices include all meals, activities, entertainment and gratuities (excluding drinks, specialty restaurants & duty-free shopping).
Disclosure: we are guests of Cruisco and are helping to promote the Back to the 80s Cruise in return for our free cruise.
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This sounds like my kind of cruise! I bet you’re all going to have the best time.
Sam | North East Family Fun Travel Blog recently posted…What’s On in the North East for Kids | March 2018
Can’t wait! The entertainment is going to be fab and I cannot wait to visit Portugal!
I’m very excited for you, Claire! This sounds fantastic – I bet you’ll have a wonderful time, and it’s nice that the girls will be together in the same club, so you and Lisa can have some fun. Sara Cox and Gold – sounds like it’s going to be brilliant!
Nell (Pigeon Pair and Me) recently posted…#CulturedKids March 2018
Having the girls in the same club is really going to help – they really enjoy playing together and are at an age where a bit of sisterly back up helps 🙂
This looks like such great fun! I would love to take mine om a crusie..and imtroduce them to the 80’s all in one go!
It’s going to be a huge education for mine 🙂
That sounds so fun – my husband is a big 80s fan and cruises are one type of holiday we both love. Shame my daughter’s half term isn’t until later in the month! I sailed on Allure of the Seas years ago and have been on board Oasis with my daughter , and Royal Caribbean looks so great with kids. Have fun!
Thank you! I can’t wait to try out Royal Caribbean!
Oh this is going to be SUPER fun! Cannot wait to see the photos. I’m still yet to go on a cruise, but an 80s theme would most definitely tempt me. Mr Tinbox is seriously missing out!
TraveLynn Family – Jenny recently posted…We are off to AFRICA!
Yep, he’s gutted. He’ll be on his own cruise on a big grey ship. It’s all-inclusive but I don’t think the entertainment will be up to the same standard 😉
This looks like my perfect vacay! 80s + cruise what more could you want plus I love rc
Leona recently posted…Grand Hyatt Beijing Luxury Resort – the Answer to the Question of Where to Stay in Beijing!
It’s going to be out first cruise with Royal Caribbean so I can’t wait to see how they do things.
Oh my goodness this sounds AMAZING! I’ve never been keen on the idea of a cruise I have to admit, but throwing 80’s pop music into the mix is a genius idea. Have fun – I’m already looking forward to seeing your photos 🙂
Chloe: Picture Taker Memory Maker recently posted…Florida! (Part 4): Hollywood Studios
I’m very much looking forward to sharing them 🙂
OMG this sounds epic. I love the concept. We did our first cruise recently, I was sceptical at first but they are just so awesome. Thanks for sharing this for future ideas.
I can totally understand the scepticism and being bowled over. I was too! We’re cruising from Southampton for the first time too – can’t wait for a bit of slow and easy travel 🙂
Wow this sounds ridiculously fun, an 80’s cruise! Can’t wait to read about it when you get back and see all of your photos. Have the best time!
Stevie x
Stevie – A Cornish Mum recently posted…Kindness On Social Media
Thank you Stevie! x
This sounds like such a good laugh. Would be perfect for a group of friends wouldn’t it? Enjoy, and can’t wait to read all about it! 🙂
Emma Raphael recently posted…Introducing Favourite Cities – a few days in London
Exactly! I’m super happy to be sharing the experience with Lisa from Travel Loving Family. It’s going to be so much fun 🙂
This looks SO much fun! All my 80’s fav’s but sadly we are not on half term break til the week of the 28th! Gutted!
We’re not either *hangs head in shame* but I think a bit of cruise schooling will work for four days 🙂
Whoop so pleased you and your gorgeous girlies are going to be onboard too! We are all going to have a blast. We need to start coming up with ideas for our fancy dress costumes:)
Lisa recently posted…Unique and useful gift ideas for kids who love to travel
It’s going to be so much fun! Yes, our outfits have to coordinate 🙂