You may have mistaken cruises as something for people with a lot of time on their hands, or for those who like to holiday in luxurious surroundings. You could not be more wrong.
Over the last decade cruises have opened their cabin doors to families, from an array of different backgrounds. Cruises are more affordable today than they ever have before.
However, just because it is more affordable, how does a cruise cater for families, especially those with younger children?
It is simple, and really follows the same principles cruises have offered its passengers for years: they cater for everyones needs onboard. For those families it means offering entertainment, for both the parents and the children.
This entertainment is great whilst you are onboard, and if your cruise plans to stop off at any of the worlds most exciting ports, it means there will be plenty of things for them to do there too.
The UK is a great place to start your family cruise. Within the UK, you have an abundance of choice when it comes to choosing what port you want to depart from. The most popular choice is Southampton, and here are a few cool facts about Southampton port:
-
1.5 million passengers use Southampton port each year
-
The largest ship that uses the Southampton port is the Royal Caribbeans Independence of the Seas: It carries 5,700 passengers and crew
-
It will soon be home to the Queen Mary II, Queen Elizabeth and Queen Victoria (the ships of course)
-
Southampton port is the gateway to the Isle of Wight, taking over 800,000 people across to the island each year
-
Southampton is also known as the Cruise Capital of Europe, with hundreds of destinations served each year. If you want to go somewhere, you can probably get there from Southampton. Check out this Directory of Galapagos Cruise Options to get started on your journey!
-
Southampton is famous for its port, with plenty of history to go and see in person, from the Titanic museum to the old city walls.
Royal Caribbean
One of the most popular cruise operators to use from the UK is Royal Caribbean. It has a huge focus on families, providing them with much more to do onboard than other cruise operators. It caters for all age ranges, from the very young to the more mature. There is also plenty to do onboard for adults and senior citizens.
You will never be bored on a Royal Caribbean cruise, there is so much on offer you may not ever get round to doing everything you want.
- Activities: There are rock climbing walls, which is both great for exercise, active kids and just to keep them out of trouble, zip lines, ice rinks and so much more.
- Entertainment: The line has partnered with Dreamworks Entertainment to provide their famous characters to help entertain you and your family. Characters from the likes of Shrek and Madagascar will help both entertain and educate (there are also a lot of learning opportunities too!) you children whilst on board. There is also an abundance of Broadway-style shows and performances, and tutorials and classes that help children and adults alike hone and develop new skills, in whatever they want.
Celebrity Cruises
Whilst Caribbean Cruises may offer plenty for those families with younger children, Celebrity Cruises certainly help provide activities and entertainment that cater for a varied age range and interests.
One of the great aspects of using Celebrity Cruises is that its youth programs, which are split into four separate groups, with a focus on age appropriate activities for each group. As these groups are run by well trained members of staff, these leaves the adults to go and play or rejuvenate themselves.
Carnival Cruise Lines
The Carnival Cruise Lines are great for those families who are on a budget, yet they still can offer something for all the family. Carnival Cruise Lines have very large ships, that are designed to hold a number of onboard activities such as; water parks, miniature golf courses, and even basketball courts.
Carnival Cruise Lines also offer three separate kid groups, which cater for children aged between two and 17. These groups offer a number of activities, including karaoke, pool parties, arts and crafts and much more. They also aim to entertain your children whilst onboard, watching movies, shows and other performances. These kids groups will allow you to go off and do your own thing, yet you have the flexibility to take them out at any point if you want to enjoy some family time.
Norwegian Cruise Line
The Norwegian Cruise Line offers families a more relaxed approach to cruising. So, there is no strict dress code, or dining times, and activities and kids groups are completely optional.
There are two childrens groups on offer, one for children up to 12 and one for ages between 13 and 17. The younger age childrens group can enjoy plenty of activities and entertainment, including; juggling, arts and crafts and computer gaming. The older childrens groups are treated slightly differently, given more responsibilities and activities and entertainment more suited towards their age. They can partake in night-time pool parties, sports tournaments and other day and night activities and entertainment. Both groups are supervised, allowing adults to go and participate in the Norwegian Cruise Line more age appropriate activities and entertainment, or just a chance to relax.
Holland America Line
The Holland America Line has a reputation for attracting the 50 plus crowds; however, this is not case. The Holland America Line is, however, a relative newcomer to the family cruise. This is not a bad thing.
This cruise operator has a new program that is completely tailored for child guests, aged between 3 and 17. The HAL program gives children access to a wealth of supervised activities and entertainment. The younger passengers, aged between 3 and 12, can participate in ice cream socials, arts and crafts and onboard scavenger hunts. The older group have their own spaces to occupy, and a different set of activities and entertainment that caters for them, including cooking demos, youth yoga and plenty of night club events to keep their teenage head and hands busy.