Kid-Friendly, Cruiser Approved

See what family fun awaits on today’s river cruises.

If ever there was a sign that river cruising can definitely appeal to young travelers, it’ s when Disney got in on the river cruising action.

WHO SAYS RIVER CRUISES AREN’T FOR KIDS? WHILE there may be a long-held stereotype that river cruising isn’t suitable for families traveling with kids — smaller ships mean no mega-slides or rock-climbing walls on board, and the destinations tend to be steeped in history and culture —river cruise lines have increasingly been developing more and better activities and amenities for family travelers. Their efforts appear to be resonating with a whole new generation of river cruisers, and families traveling with children are booking river cruises in greater numbers than ever before.

DISNEY DOES RIVER CRUISING_ If ever there was a sign that river cruising can definitely appeal to young travelers, it’s when family travel behemoth Disney got in on the river cruising action and, starting this year, began offering river cruises through its Adventures by Disney vacation brand. Partnering with river cruise line Ama Waterways, Adventures by Disney began offering family sailings on the Danube River this summer, with two more during the holiday season in December. The initial launch was so successful that Disney has already added more cruises on the Danube and Rhine rivers for next year. Disney’s 7-night Danube river cruise, for example, takes place on the freshly minted 170-passenger Ama Viola, a ship that was developed with families in mind, including with the addition of six sets of connecting staterooms, and with a handful of rooms and suites that can accommodate families of up to three or four. The Rhine River cruises will take place on the forthcoming 158-passenger Ama Kristina, which has similar amenities and is set to debut in 2017.

Adventures by Disney river cruises were designed with features to satisfy both adults and kids. For instance, there will be wine tastings, fine dining, music, dancing, and an onboard fitness center geared toward adults, and for kids and teens, the ships will offer movie nights, karaoke, video games, and themed evenings.

Off the ship, families will go on excursions such as a horse show at the Lazar Equestrian Park in Hungary, a private marionette performance and strudel- making demonstration at the Schonbrunn Palace in Austria, and an Oktoberfest-inspired outing at a German brewery. Disney will also offer a biking activity in every port.

Adventures by Disney recommends the cruises for children ages 8 and older, and the minimum age allowed on board is 4 years old. There are eight Disney adventure guides who accompany the guests on board and provide hands-on service to families.

OTHER CRUISES THROUGH EUROPE _ While Disney is just now getting in on the river cruising trend, several river cruise companies have been offering family river cruises in Europe for years.

Uniworld Boutique River Cruise Collection, for instance, first introduced its version of family river cruises nine years ago. And this year, Uniworld will have 13 family-friendly departures on nine different itineraries including on the Rhine, Danube, Seine, and Po rivers.

For these cruises, which are geared toward passengers traveling with kids ages 4 to 18, Uniworld provides a youth counselor, a children’s menu, and both onboard and on-shore family activities and amenities. Sailings include activities such as biking and kayaking trips, arts and crafts workshops ( glassblowing and Venetian mask-making, for example), visits to amusement parks, hands-on cooking classes, and any number of creepy or kooky curiosities such as ghost walks and interactive spy games. Prices vary by cruise, but kids can sail for free or half off on select departures — so check for promotional offers.

In fact, family river cruises are getting so popular that Tauck recently doubled down on the number of cruises it will offer next year through its Tauck Bridges family travel

brand. This year, Tauck is offering 10 family river cruise departures on three itineraries on Europe’s Rhone, Rhine, and Danube rivers and the company will have 20 departures next year, including on the Seine River. For example, Tauck’s 2017 family river cruises will include “Family Fun Along the Seine,” “Blue Danube,” and “Castles on the Rhine” itineraries.

On Tauck’s river cruise ships, suites include pullout sofas that allow for three or four passengers in one stateroom, which makes them more amenable to families. Designed for families traveling with kids ages 7 and up, Tauck Bridges river cruises include activities such as a scavenger hunt in the Louvre in Paris, guided cycling excursions, and interactive cooking demonstrations.

For families looking for a more economic Europe river cruise option, French river cruise line CroisiEurope allows children as young as infants and toddlers on board, and has several family cruises during the summer months in Spain, Portugal, and Italy. CroisiEurope offers a discounted cruise price for kids under 10. Don’t expect much in the way of sophisticated children’s programs, but it’s a budget-minded option for traveling families who require less handholding.

GETTING EXOTIC_ Beyond Europe, river cruises in more exotic destinations are beginning to cater to families as well. This year, Pandaw River Expeditions, which specializes in river cruises in Southeast Asia, introduced a new family river cruise program — a handful of sailings designed specifically for families, including cruises on the Irrawaddy River in Myanmar and on the Mekong River in Vietnam and Cambodia. To accommodate younger passengers on these sailings, Pandaw will feature more menu options for kids, cooking lessons, more active excursions, bike tours at larger port calls, and movie nights on board.

On designated family departures, kids under age 4 travel for free if they sleep on a cot in the same cabin as their adult companions, and kids ages 4 to 18 travel at half off if they share a stateroom with two adults.

Aqua Expeditions is getting in on the family fun, too. The luxury river cruise line, which operates river cruises on the Amazon and Mekong rivers, just introduced new family river cruises on the Mekong.

Families traveling with Aqua Expeditions will have the chance to take cycling trips to local fishing villages, explore local markets, and participate in interactive cooking classes on board. There are also opportunities for kayaking, fishing, and outdoor movie screenings on the observation deck of the 40-passenger Aqua Mekong. The vessel is also outfitted with a library, board games, and a foosball table.

On select family departures, children between the age of 7 and 12 years old will sail on Aqua Mekong for free when sharing with both parents in a triple cabin or when accompanied by a single parent.

CLOSER TO HOME_ For families who want to river cruise closer to home, there are options — just don’t expect the allout children’s programs that are offered abroad. One of the main U.S. river cruise lines, American Cruise Lines, doesn’t have an official family program, but its hotel directors can help organize kid-friendly activities. And while there isn’t a minimum age to sail, the line says that when they do have younger guest son board, they are typically part of a multigenerational family traveling together.

The other major player on the U.S. rivers, American Queen Steamboat Company, doesn’t have programs specifically geared toward families, but touts the educational aspect of its cruises, which are steeped in American history, culture, and entertainment. American Queen also has a pool on the upper deck, which is a draw for families sailing with younger passengers. The line allows kids of all ages on board its ships, and children ages 2 and younger sail for free (kids aged 3 and up travel at the standard rate). Just know that the traditional clientele on these river cruises tends to be older, so if you decide to take the kiddos, they might be the only young ones on board.

Beyond Europe, river cruises in more exotic destinations are beginning to cater to families as well.