It had been on my list for a while. With the DFDS to Newcastle to take a look at England, but especially to let the children 'taste' a trip by boat. And last weekend it happened! Yeah, time for making memories (again). I realize all too well how lucky we are to be able to try out these kinds of trips, such as the 3 day mini cruise with the DFDS again this time. And actually I owe that to my loyal readers , so to you. Thank you again xxx. I therefore hope that you enjoy reading my reports about our trips and trips with the children.
Table of Contents
DFDS offers a number of mini cruises. If you would like to go to Newcastle, you can choose a 3-day or a 4-day mini cruise. We were away for 3 days, but I would advise anyone who wants to make use of this to go for the 4-day cruise. Firstly because three days is really on the short side if you also really want to enjoy everything Newcastle has to offer and secondly because there is a chance that -just like me- you can enjoy a 3-day mini cruise with the DFDS to Newcastle. even the 4th day at home still waddles around with sea legs. And if possible, it's nice if you can prevent that 😛 .
It's very simple, when the children have left school you race madly to IJmuiden to get on the Ferry with the man stressed behind the wheel because he is afraid he won't be on time for check-in. You will have dinner, sleep and breakfast on the boat before disembarking in Newcastle the next morning. After a quick exploration of this city that has much more to offer than we've seen, you'll board the transfer bus that will take you to the DFDS ferry for the return journey. You dine, sleep and have breakfast on the boat and then go ashore in the Netherlands after breakfast.
That was short and sweet, wasn't it? Not rightly so, of course, but that gives you a sense of time if you opt for the 3-day mini cruise with the DFDS 😉 . Of course I will tell you in detail what we have done and then you will see that you can actually do a lot more than you think in advance - also in the 3-day mini cruise with the DFDS to Newcastle!
On arrival at the DFDS, hubby's stress immediately dropped to zero. Fortunately. We're pretty on time, so all the sweat beads have been for nothing. Well, the nature of the beast so to speak. I start my trips a lot more relaxed than the man happily.
The check-in and customs formalities from IJmuiden to Newcastle are done fairly quickly and the children are amazed when we walk through the enormous trunk to the luxury ferry. How big is that ship! That is a bit different from the Catamaran we were on during our holiday to Tenerife with the children. Once inside, the kids immediately jump into exploration mode. As ever. Actually, I think that's the best moment of all 😉 . They shoot from left to right in a fast-as-you-say-you-go train to see everything. And of course they also have to try out the bed immediately when we are in our cabin.
There is quite a bit to do on board the DFDS which sails from IJmuiden to Newcastle, in any case enough to keep you entertained during the 3 day mini cruise. I'll give you our more extensive exploration that we did after we left the suitcases in the cabin and put Lotte and I on a pill. I was once seasick and I can tell you… you don't want that! Secretly I was also a bit apprehensive about this trip, but the pills have helped tremendously. Available free of charge at the reception!
To start with, you have a number of bars on board and of course we had our first drink there after arrival. A nice wine for me, beer for the man and soda for the kids, with popcorn and nachos. mmmm. Incidentally, the bar where we stay is 'the place to be', even if you want to see some of the evening entertainment.
We were immediately entertained by a club of Dutch men who took a trip together and entered the DFDS in quilt. Laugh! Of course I had to explain a few things to Lotte, which only added to the fun. Why men in skirts? And why no underwear?
On deck 10 you will find a coffee bar where you also have a kids' club, a very handy combination of course if you have some younger children. Not so interesting for our kids anymore, but there are plenty of other fun things on board for them too.
During this 3-day mini cruise with the DFDS, there is an arcade for the older children where they can play games and the massage chairs were also very popular with Luc and Lotte. Of course we also took a look at the Orca Wildlife Center. You will only find these on board the DFDS Kings, so keep that in mind if you book a trip and would like to see the Orca Wildlife Center.
In the Wildlife Center you will learn everything about life in the North Sea. You can follow a presentation and participate in activities such as crafts. In addition, you can see what animals have been spotted in recent years and that is quite a lot! Where exactly which dolphin or whale has been spotted is indicated on the map that you will find in the Orca Wildlife Center. Complete with marked route. Of course you can also go spotting yourself and from March to September you can do that with a real Wildlife Officer who is on board.
We also participated in a serious deckwatch in the morning at 08.00. Unfortunately in vain. Spotted no dolphins or seals, but birds, but we secretly didn't go for that 😉 . In addition, there was a strong, fresh wind. Would you like to visit this Orca Center with your children and are you free to choose a date? Then make it a summer sail, then it is probably better while spotting and it is also a great place to relax on deck 12 - at the very top of the boat - at the Mermaid bar.
As already indicated, there is extensive evening entertainment during a 3-day mini cruise with the DFDS, where we did not make it to the end twice 😉 . With swinging performances, a bingo in which people participate fully and a kind of Guess Your Picture, in which Frank and Luc naturally participate enthusiastically. For enthusiasts, there is also a casino where you can try your luck and a cinema if you get really bored (which we can't imagine, by the way).
Our tickets for the 3-day mini cruise with the DFDS included dinner and breakfast buffet. We have therefore seen nothing of the other restaurants, except for a small view from the outside. Now I'm never a big fan of a dinner buffet (with breakfast), but I can be short and clear about it… it was delicious! Yes, you have to stand in line to fill a plate, but what a choice. I was stunned by all those goodies and we really didn't lack anything. Only Luc has eaten less. Despite the fact that he is normally a good eater, he found the journey by sea in combination with food a bit difficult. He doesn't want pills, because that makes him sick, but this did result in a somewhat restless stomach. Fortunately, it didn't bother him much.
There was also plenty of choice at breakfast. From an obvious English Breakfast to a delicious yogurt buffet (yippee!), fruit and other delicacies.
If you would like to plan your trip in advance in terms of budget, I can heartily recommend this buffet. Reserving a table in time for the dinner buffet is then no superfluous luxury, you understand that 😉 .
The wheelhouse. But we haven't seen it from the inside 😉 . No kidding, it's the great feeling of the ship that made the most impression. The cars, buses and trucks that go on board (not to mention all engines), until the moment of departure when you feel the engine roar and the immense ferry slowly leaves the harbor. Or come in. Then standing on deck during a 3-day mini cruise with the DFDS is 'the bomb'. And then I use my children's words!
It has already become such a story just about the 3 day mini cruise with the DFDS that I have decided to write about our experiences in Newcastle again soon. At least this way the blogs remain readable.
Read also: Dierenbos holiday park is also great for a weekend away!
Our next trip is to France by the way, for a weekend 😉 . What do you think, is it worth going to France for a weekend with your family? You'll hear from me in a few weeks!
