As we’ve mentioned many times in the past, the days when a cruise holiday was reserved for the older clientele are long gone, with an ever-increasing number of families looking to the high seas for their next holiday.
As a result, the activities that you can enjoy on a cruise holiday have changed beyond all recognition in a relatively short period of time and whilst the traditional favourites all still remain, a cruise in 2022 could include the likes of high-speed waterslides, high rope courses, dodgems and virtual reality experiences - all of which are geared more towards families.
Should you be looking to cruise for the first time with your family, there are plenty of options when it comes to both destinations and in terms of who you could chose to sail with - so we’ve pulled together a few suggestions for the best cruise lines for children.
Disney Cruise Lines
Little surprise that the first choice on our list is Disney Cruise Lines, which basically takes all the family fun from the famous theme parks and transfers it to the ocean.
Young ones will enjoy the opportunity to meet their favourite Disney characters whilst onboard the ships, all of which are - understandably - geared firmly towards the family market. Evening shows will feature some of the most famous Disney stories, accommodation and dining is all family focused and the many activities available are suited to all ages.
Expect to find water slides and aqua parks alongside different kids clubs that are targeted towards children of all ages.
Book a Disney cruise to the Caribbean, and you’ll even have the opportunity to visit Castaway Cay - a private island with family friendly beaches, teen hideout, waterslides and character visits.
Royal Caribbean
"fFamily comes first" is a statement made by Royal Caribbean and it certainly rings true when you look at the options available for a family break with the cruise line.
It starts with the accommodation options, which are catered firmly towards families and includes a number of 'Ultimate Family Suites' on a selection of ships. These suites include everything you could wish for and more besides - with a range of VIP perks to make your trip extra special. Even if that’s outside your budget, less expensive suites and inter-connecting family rooms are commonplace across the Royal Caribbean fleet.
Alongside the usual children’s clubs, Royal Caribbean arguably has more for families than any other cruise line, with multiple pools, waterparks, zip lines, slides, fairground rides and even onboard ski diving being featured on the fleet.
Cruising with Royal Caribbean is a sure fire way to have fun.
Norwegian Cruise Line
NCL has also taken huge strides forwards to make itself more appealing to the family market and is another fantastic option if you’re planning to take a break at sea with the children.
As with Royal Caribbean, the latest ships in the NCL fleet have been designed with plenty of family friendly accommodation as standard, whilst the cruise line’s 'Freestyle Dining' policy is fantastic for families as you aren’t tied down to eating at a set time or in a set location - giving you that all important freedom that you might need when the children are busy enjoying themselves.
Once again, the onboard activities include plenty that will keep children entertained, with waterparks, mini golf and even go kart tracks only adding to the fun factor.
P&O Cruises
A big selling point for cruise with P&O is that they offer plenty of sailings from the UK, which could make things easier for those who are travelling with children as it negates the need for a flight.
Anyone who has experience of taking a youngster through an airport will know how much of a challenge that can be…
Perhaps the most appealing option for families looking to book a cruise with P&O is the new Arvia ship, which is due to come into service later in 2022. The ship will include a raft of things to do in a special activity zone located on the top deck, with a mini golf course, splash park, sports arena and a high ropes course that sits more than 50m above the ocean.
That’s on top of the usual activities such as children’s clubs that you’ll find across the P&O fleet.
Carnival Cruises
Another top option for families, Carnival Cruises know how to have a good time with a wide range of fun-filled activities that includes a world first on the Mardi Gras ship.
BOLT is the first roller coaster to feature on a cruise ship and provides unrivalled thrills as you whizz around the course that is located above the main deck - providing astonishing views as part of the experience.
Consider it to be a more extreme version of the SkyRide that is found elsewhere on Carnival ships, with the activity being like riding a bike that is suspended above the ocean.
Waterparks with slides and mini golf also make an appearance on the Carnival fleet, whilst Carnival Panorama features an indoor trampoline park and challenge zone where the kids can be entertained for hours.
Family friendly accommodation and dining options are also key attractions for those considering Carnival for their next sea-based break.
Celebrity Cruises
If you’re looking for a high end family cruise then Celebrity Cruises are well worth considering, with the cruise line offering a range of itineraries that benefit from having drinks, Wi-Fi and tips included as part of the package.
When it comes to the younger traveller, there is plenty to thanks a to Camp at Sea programme that runs daily from 9am through to 10pm with a range different activities that are tailor made to a selection of different age groups.
Some of these activities, particularly for the younger age groups, are not just designed to be entertaining, but also to be informative with 'Cadets' (aged 6-9) able to learn all about the basics of sailing and 'Captains' (aged 10-12) enjoying things like scavenger hunts and the opportunity to take part on various STEM (science, technology, engineering and maths) activities.
Teens aren’t likely to find that of interest, so instead they can have access to a sports court for a range of competitions, or can do battle in a selection of video game tournaments.
