10 reasons to take the kids on a Cruise Holiday

Cruises are just for old people, not families – right?

WRONG!!

Ask the kids their favourite holiday and they will all say our cruise, without any hesitation and we cannot wait to book another one, although to somewhere a little cooler next time – Norway and Iceland!

So why take the family on a cruise holiday?

10 reasons to take a Family Cruise Holiday

The Destinations

You can cruise almost anywhere in the world and it is a great way of seeing several destinations without having to do battle with numerous airports, never mind packing and unpacking again and again.

We did a Mediterranean Cruise and were lucky enough to visit Barcelona, Sicily, Naples (Pompeii), Rome, Pisa, Marseilles and Majorca. It gave us a real taste of Italy and is the number 1 reason we want to go back.

Onboard Entertainment

With splash parks, swimming pools, water slides, indoor and outdoor cinema’s, shows, music and more, you will never be bored. Different ships offer different forms of entertainment, so do your research before you go.

Kids Club

Cruise ships have dedicated Kids Clubs and areas just for them and although they do lots of fun and games, some having learning opportunities too. Celebrity Cruises Anturus Explorer Academy for 3 to 12 year olds focuses on STEM (science, technology, engineering and maths), but in a fun way.

Our kids loved kids club so much, they didn’t want to leave. Check out these special offers for Celebrity Cruises, available on bookings for 2019, 2020 and 2021!!

Teens aren’t treated like kids

They can sample their first taste of independence on a cruise, making new friends and planning their own itineraries. Alongside daytime activities, there is their own place to hang out and evenings dedicated to teen entertainment with DJ parties, talent shows and prom nights.

All inclusive

Cruise ships offer all-inclusive dining, which includes free drinks and ice cream for the kids, so you don’t have to worry about forking out extra for them to eat well.

Family Friendly Cabins

Newer ships offer plenty of options to make the time at sea with your kids more comfortable. Many cabins will allow families of five or six to stay in the same cabin, or interconnecting rooms for more a more affordable option.

On our cruise ship, there was even a family lounge in our area, complete with video game consoles, a buffet area and games for the kids to play.

Family Time

Cruise ships offer plenty of opportunities for family togetherness, or time away from the kids. Depending on the kids ages, cruises can offer tweens and teens a bit of independence because they can’t go far and you can head off to the spa knowing they are ok.

It’s safe

My initial thoughts on taking a child on a cruise ship was “what if they try and climb over the side”. The rails are designed to make it pretty much impossible and there are security camera around every 6m on a ship, so any incidents or lost children are dealt with swiftly.

Flights aren’t necessary

I am not a fan of airports with kids in tow and with many departures sailing from UK ports including Southampton and Dublin, families can avoid having to fork out for long and often uncomfortable plane journeys.

Easy to plan

As soon as you book your cruise, you are given access to the ships itinerary and can book your port excursions in advance.

Although you don’t have to take the ships own excursions, they are often the best way to see the local area as will take in as many sites as possible before the ship leaves for the next destination.

Would you like to take your family on a cruise?