There is no greater adventure for children than sailing the high seas. Many of our cruise partners understand a family holiday is a time to be cherished, so a huge selection of their finest superliners invite you to experience a cruise designed to bring the whole family closer together whilst having the time of your lives!
These selected ships all offer comprehensive programmes for children aged 6 months through to 17 years, with an exciting range of fun and educational acitivities, all under the supervision of enthusiastic and fully qualified staff. Children are cared for in Kid's Clubs dependent upon their age, helping them to meet new friends.
Younger children can paddle in splash pools and enjoy a dedicated soft play area where there are ball pools, toys and books, as well as taking part in singing, imaginative play, colouring and drawing, fun and games. For slightly older children, they'll be invited to join in pool games, deck parties, treasure hunts, arts and crafts, and computer and video games. Not forgetting teens, who also get their own space, they can take part in shipboard Olympics, Murder mystery games, slumber parties, video games and film viewing. Some ships even offer their own teen night club. (For specific details see individual Cruise Operator's own website).
Meal times are stress-free, with most ships providing early dining options for families. You'll find familiar children's favourites, such as pizza, hot dogs, fish fingers plus healthier menus offering salad, vegetables, pasta and fruit. Enquire about unlimited drinks packages for children on board.
We understand mums and dads need a bit of quiet time too. Whether it's during the day whilst your children are in the capable hands of the kid's club, giving you the opportunity to relax in the spa or explore ashore, or of an evening when you wish to indulge in a romantic meal together or take in a show. With that in mind, night nurseries and baby-sitting services are also available on board most ships. For older children you usually find a late night supervised party zone.
Cabins are well equipped for families, with facilities such as a TV, telephone, drawer and wardrobe space, and tea and coffee making facilities all as standard. Many twin bedded cabins have additional beds, either upper berths which fold down (similar layout to bunk-beds), or in staterooms and suites there are sofa beds. For those of you looking for that little extra space and privacy there are a number of interconnecting cabins.
Claire Rogers, Personal Assistant to the Managing Director, and her family embarked P&O Cruises' Oceana in September 2006. They sailed on the 13-night Classic Canaries itinerary departing from Southampton.
'Travelling on a cruise as a family for a first time, my husband and I certainly had our reservations. Once we boarded our ship though, we realised immediately we needn't have worried. A land-based holiday will never be the same again. It's definitely the best family holiday we have had yet!.' Says Claire.
Click here to read about their time on board family-friendly Oceana.
Holidays provide a valuable opportunity to spend some quality time together, so as well as the energetic activity programmes available on board, suitable shore excursions can be arranged such as aqua parks, horse riding and nature walks, assuring memorable moments for the entire family. The following operators offer excellent value family-friendly ships; P&O Cruises, Princess Cruises, Ocean Village Holidays, Royal Caribbean International, Norwegian Cruise Line, Celebrity Cruises, Holland America Line. Visit their website or contact our Reservations Team on 01246 819819 to discuss your next family cruise holiday.