The Daily Telegraph - Saturday - Travel
Why your next family holiday should be a life-changing cruise
No stress, superior bragging rights, fun activities, the thrill of life at sea… it’s perfect for all ages, says Sara Macefield
When it comes to choosing a cruise, families have never had it so good, thanks to a new generation of sleek, ultra-modern ships ramping up the thrill factor to woo young hearts and minds.
Today’s family-friendly ships bristle with a jaw-dropping selection of exhilarating attractions which, even a few years ago, would never have been thought possible. Some mega-ships even have racetracks, where wannabe Lewis Hamiltons can vroom around in dinky racing car go-karts, while Carnival Cruise Line’s newest ship, Mardi Gras, has a roller-coaster that whizzes riders across the deck at speeds of up to 40mph.
With an array of stand-out features, from skydiving simulators and rope courses to escape rooms and aqua parks with splashing waterslides, it’s hardly surprising that many larger ships resemble floating resorts.
Kids’ clubs have blossomed, catering for youngsters up to 17 years with imaginative activities that take in DJ academies and circus schools. Meanwhile, an increasingly diverse entertainment line-up of West End shows, acrobatic displays and comedy acts has boosted family appeal even further.
Dining is a cinch too, with excellent buffets catering for the fussiest eaters and a larder of casual dining haunts adding to main restaurants and speciality options. In short, cruise lines have pulled out all the stops to attract this market, so you will find familyfriendly cabins sleeping up to five people and even shore excursions geared to young tastes.
Having taken my twin daughters on cruises since they were three years old, I can vouch for all of this. They are now 19, but as they grew up, we were easily able to find cruises best suited to each stage of their childhood.
We started with mainstream lines on ex-UK departures and Mediterranean sailings, and as we grew more confident we went further afield to the Caribbean and Alaska, and tried different styles of cruising, experimenting with river voyages, an amazing Galapagos trip and sailing through the Adriatic on a tall ship.
The constant theme throughout was the variety of destinations and onboard activities, coupled with the flexible, yet secure, cruise environment that suited us all.
When the girls were tiny tots, the kids’ clubs provided a safe haven for them, while giving us adults valuable time to ourselves. As the twins grew older, we were relaxed about them exploring the ship on their own and relishing an initial taste of independence in the sheltered surroundings.
Holly and Dani have now notched up an impressive 28 cruises and their tastes have matured since their threeyear-old days, when the biggest thrill was simply being on a “big boat”.
Yet their excitement at taking to the seas (or rivers) remains as steadfast as ever. It’s proof that, if cruise lines manage to win over young fans, the likelihood is they will keep them for life.
GO GREEK
Take the hassle out of Greek island hopping on a half-term voyage that taps into the party vibe of Mykonos and the natural drama of volcanic Santorini. There’s shopping and ancient history on Rhodes, Minoan ruins in Crete and an escapist feel in Milos, plus idyllic fishing villages and pretty beaches lapped by the Aegean Sea. With prices including two excursions, drinks and gratuities, this sailing gets top marks for value, too. Recommended for Tweens and teens How to do it The one-week Idyllic Aegean round-trip cruise with Celestyal Cruises (0800 411 8038; celestyal.com) departs from Athens on May 28. From £2,704 for a family of four sharing a cabin.
Covid rules All passengers over 12 must show proof of full vaccination or recovery. Children aged between six and 11 can show a negative rapid antigen test taken within the past 48 hours instead
SAIL FROM THE UK
Escape the nightmare of navigating airports with young pre-schoolers by sailing from the UK outside the school holidays. MSC Virtuosa takes children from six months old, with under-twos travelling free and catered for with baby and kids’ clubs. This France and Spain sailing combines the historic seafaring flavour of La Rochelle in the Bay of Biscay with the modernist Basque hub of Bilbao on Spain’s northern coast and the Galician port of La Coruna, gateway to pilgrimage centre Santiago de Compostela. Recommended for All ages
How to do it The one-week Northern Europe round-trip with MSC Cruises (020 3426 3010; msccruises.co.uk) departs from Southampton on June 18. From £499 per adult, £249 per child (aged two to 11) based on four sharing an interior cabin.
Covid rules Vaccinations are required for all passengers over 12, while those aged two to 11 can show a negative antigen or RT-PCR test taken within the past 48 hours instead
ALASKAN ADVENTURES
With Alaska cruises resuming this summer for the first time since 2019, you can escape to America’s last frontier on Princess Cruises’ newest ship, the Discovery Princess. Ketchikan, Juneau and Skagway promise awe-inspiring scenery plus breath-taking adventures, from zip-lining and seaplane trips to whale-watching, bear-spotting and dog-sledding. Passengers even get to coo over cute husky pups brought aboard for a ship visit.
Recommended for Age eight upwards How to do it The week-long Inside Passage round-trip sailing with Princess Cruises (0344 338 8663; princess. com) departs from Seattle on July 23. From £1,264pp, based on a family of four sharing a balcony cabin, including Wi-Fi, drinks and gratuities.
Covid rules Vaccinations required for all passengers aged five and over, children under five are exempt
ZIP-WIRE AT SEA
Cruising the Mediterranean on the world’s biggest ship, Wonder of the Seas, should entertain even the most world-weary teenagers. They can hang ten on a surfing simulator, fly above the decks on a zip-wire or plunge down the 100ft Ultimate Abyss slide, while tots can ride the fairground-style carousel and get drenched in the water park. Thrilling high-dive displays, ice-show spectaculars and laser-tag battles ramp up the family fun, while 20 dining venues offer a chance to relax and refuel. Recommended for All ages
How to do it A week-long Western Mediterranean round-trip with Royal Caribbean International (0344 493 4005; royalcaribbean.com) departs from Barcelona regularly in July and August, with calls including Palma, Marseilles and Naples. From £1,034pp based on two adults and two children (under-12) sharing a balcony cabin.
Covid rules Vaccinations required for all passengers aged 12 years and over. Children aged 11 and under are exempt
KAYAK IN THE MED
Celebrity Cruises offers a sophisticated take on family cruising with swish ships boasting kids’ clubs, family-centred excursions and a teenagers’ spa. The line’s fleet is classed as autism-friendly, too. Take to two wheels on a cycling tour of Valencia on a Mediterranean sailing aboard the ground-breaking Celebrity Edge, and combine the bohemian beach vibe of Ibiza with picturesque Portofino and the Renaissance glories of Florence and Pisa reached from the port of La Spezia. Recommended for All ages
How to do it A seven-night sailing from Barcelona to Civitavecchia (for Rome) with Celebrity Cruises (0344 493 2043; celebritycruises.com) departs July 23. From £4,434 based on two adults and two children sharing an oceanview stateroom, including Wi-Fi, drinks and gratuities.
Covid rules All guests who are eligible must show proof of full vaccination, and all passengers aged two and over must also show evidence of a negative test prior to sailing
SPIRIT OF ANDALUCIA
The spirit of flamenco casts its sultry spell over this Guadalquivir River cruise with a spirited performance by local dancers, while a visit to see the Moorish majesty of Granada’s Alhambra Palace taps into centuries past. Horsemad youngsters will enjoy displays showcasing Andalucia’s legendary equestrian skills, but Seville tempts with family-friendly excursions to the city’s aquarium and the thrilling rollercoasters of Isla Magica theme park. Recommended for Tweens and teens How to do it A seven-night round-trip cruise from Seville with CroisiEurope (020 8328 1281; croisieurope.co.uk), including stops at Cordoba and Cadiz, departs on numerous dates in July and August. From £1,311 per adult (for each fare-paying adult, two children aged 16 and under go free).
Covid rules All passengers over 16 must show proof of full vaccination
RIVIERA GLITZ
With its fleet of spectacular tall ships, Star Clippers offers an authentic seafaring experience where budding sailors can climb up to the crow’s nest or sit in the bowsprit nets of one of its replica 19th-century clippers to watch dolphins diving. This Mediterranean voyage ticks off Riviera hotspots including St Tropez, Cannes and Portofino. Recommended for Age seven upwards How to do it Star Clippers (01473 242666; starclippers.co.uk) offers a nine-night package including a one-week roundtrip sailing from Cannes and two-night pre-cruise hotel stay in the resort. It departs on July 28 and costs from £2,299 per adult and £1,499 per child aged 12 and under.
Covid rules All passengers over 12 must show proof of full vaccination. Those aged 11 and under must show a negative test result
DANUBE ON TWO
WHEELS
Family-friendly activities on this cruise include cycling along the Danube Bike Trail, touring a BMW factory near Regensburg and messing about on the Ilz River in canoes, boats and paddleboards. Youngsters can also turn supersleuth on a “geocaching” challenge through the German riverside town of Passau – where participants use their phone’s GPS to seek containers or “caches” hidden at specific locations marked by coordinates. Onboard activities include cookery classes, treasure hunts and films.
Recommended for Age seven upwards How to do it A seven-night Authentic Danube Generations cruise from Nuremberg to Vienna with Uniworld (0808 168 9110; uniworld.com) departs on July 29. From £3,699pp including flights, gratuities, programme activities and drinks.
Covid rules Vaccinations required for all passengers, apart from children ineligible due to age, though they will need to show a negative test result
ROLL DOWN
THE RHINE
Be one of the first to sail on A-Rosa Cruises’ new river ship, A-Rosa Sena, when it launches next month. Designed for multi-generational groups, with family-friendly cabins for up to five passengers, it features a kids’ club and children’s pool. This Rhine voyage dips into local attractions that appeal to youngsters, with excursions to Amsterdam Zoo, Efteling theme park and the miniature world of Madurodam family park. Recommended for Age five upwards How to do it A one-week round-trip sailing from Cologne departs August 20. It costs from £3,999 for a family of four sharing a family cabin and includes flights, drinks and gratuities (0344 984 0828; flexidirectholidays.com).
Covid rules All passengers over four must show proof of full vaccination or recovery, while those aged five to 11 can submit a negative test result instead
TASTE THE BIG
APPLE
Explore the buzzing streets and bright lights of New York during a three-night stay in the City that Never Sleeps before sailing out past the Statue of Liberty and embarking on one of the world’s most iconic journeys across the Atlantic aboard Cunard’s stately liner Queen Mary 2. The one-week voyage to Southampton offers the glamour of a bygone age, with dressy dinners and whitegloved afternoon teas, while children can join the kids’ club where activities range from theatre trips to competitions and cinema evenings.
Recommended for Age eight upwards How to do it A 10-night package comprising a three-night hotel stay in New York and a seven-night crossing on the QM2 departs on August 2. It costs from £5,444 for a family of four, including outbound flight (020 3131 6057; iglucruise.com).
Covid rules All passengers over 11 must be vaccinated, while those aged between five and 11 can submit a negative test result instead