I think cruises are ideal for a family holiday but what is the best cruise for a family? Some ships offering non-stop entertainment onboard including pools and waterparks, various activities from mini-golf to bumper cars, a variety of dining options with something to suit even the fussiest eaters – not to mention all the different ports of call to keep the grownups happy. Don't get me started on the value for money you get from a cruise compared to a land-based holiday.
Part of my job is to pick the right cruise for the right family, taking into consideration the age of the children, the ship’s facilities, ports of call and the general vibe onboard. I feel like Cilla when I matchmake clients to the perfect cruise for their family.
Kerry's top tip: All ships within the same fleet don’t necessarily offer the same family-friendly facilities, so it’s important to check which ones cater for which age groups.
For younger CHILDREN
Several cruise lines cater well for young children, including (of course!) Disney Cruise Line. I also really like P&O Cruises and Royal Caribbean, and MSC Cruises for young kids too. MSC offer free stays for children sharing a cabin with their parents which make them amazing value!
Disney Cruise Line
Disney needs no introduction, and they have transported some of the theme park magic to the ocean with its cruise line offering Disney Pixar, Star Wars and Marvel character meet-and-greet sessions, youth clubs, themed waterparks and kid-friendly dining.
For very young children, an It’s a Small World onboard nursery takes youngsters from six months to three-years-old, and there are family cabins, with thoughtful touches such as privacy curtains plus double sinks in the bathrooms.
P&O Cruises
P&O Cruises also has character appearances, from Wallace & Gromit and Shaun the Sheep, and the array of onboard entertainment for little ones includes dance sessions, premieres of Aardman films. RCL’s newer ships, Arvia and Iona have splash areas for young ones, plus there are nurseries for babies from six months, plus kids clubs up to 17.
P&O Cruises also has the advantage of a wide choice of UK cruises leaving from Southampton, so parents can avoid the hassle and cost of flying.
Other Cruise Lines
There are some cruise lines that I would say don't instantly spring to mind for younger children but can still work. Marella Discovery and Discovery 2 have baby centres, and Cunard’s Play Zone takes children from two years old, plus there’s a kids club for 8-12 year olds.
River cruises tend to be less appealing to families, but A-ROSA and CroisiEurope are two lines that cater well for young children, with onboard creches and family cabins, plus child discounts on some ships.
For OLDER Children and teenagers
Bored and moaning teens and pre-teens are guaranteed to ruin your holiday - ask me how I know! On cruise lines such as Celebrity, NCL and Royal Caribbean there's plenty to do for older kids and teens. Royal Caribbean also offers childcare and babysitting to allow parents some time off while all age kids are occupied. I would be hard pushed to name just one of them as 'best' for children and teenagers, all are fabulous so which suits your family depends on your teen's personality.
Celebrity’s Camp at Sea, for children from three to 12, runs supervised activities such as treasure hunts and arts and crafts, while the Teen Club organises more grown up events such as video game competitions, teen parties and cooking classes. There are also outdoor movies nights, archery tournaments and silent discos.
Norwegian Cruise Line’s newer Prima class ships have taken teen entertainment up a notch with facilities such as multi-deck race tracks and amusement arcades with virtual reality games. Family suites or interconnecting rooms are available and there are youth programmes on all its ships except NCL Spirit. Royal Caribbean ships are packed with activities, such as laser tag, mini golf and a surf simulator, all to make sure that parents will never hear the dreaded phrase “I’m bored”. Well, we can only hope.
Other cruise lines
Don’t just look at the cruise lines that offer non-stop entertainment onboard. Other lines might also be good for kids too, depending on their age. Havila Voyages' Matthew Valentine said cruises along the Norwegian coast are perfect for families who love the outdoors, “Havila Voyages ships hug the coast, stopping regularly to offer incredible experiences such as boat trips, snowmobiling and husky sledding,” he said. “There is even the opportunity to meet and play with husky puppies.” I have to say Norwegian cruises are often a 'wildcard' I present to active families that they hadn't thought of themselves but absolutely love.
Cruises for multigeneration families
Celestyal's Jo Reid points out that cruises are also great for multigenerational families, and I wholeheartedly agree. She says "they allow each member of the family to do as little or as much as they like, from reading a good book in a cosy corner to going ashore on adventurous excursions. You can be sure to keep everyone in the family happy."
And isn't that the point of a family holiday?
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