Want to take your family on the holiday of a lifetime? Cruise holidays are becoming increasingly more popular with families, and with stunning ships, exquisite panoramic views, and great activities for all the family, there really is something for everyone. We take a look at what a family cruise holiday could offer you and your little ones.
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Looking for a totally different holiday experience for you and your family? Look no further, as taking to the 'Seven Seas' on a family cruise holiday is an increasingly popular way for families wanting to get the most out of a trip away. Paul Chard gives some tips on selecting a cruise for your family holiday
No longer are cruise ships the exclusive domain of the rich and famous, with fantastic liners catering more and more for customised family holidays as they seek to broaden their appeal. Family cruises offer holiday-makers a great pampering holiday that gives them the freedom of staying in excellent accommodation whilst also exploring a number of port stops en route.
Why choose a family cruise holiday? 
Modern cruise ship companies have completely updated their image to all-encompassing, family-friendly holiday ‘destinations’ and offer a large variety of family-oriented features, such as kids’ clubs, baby-sitting, adventure programmes, sports and entertainment, holiday clubs, even educational and environmental programmes - all onboard.
With many of today’s cruise ships providing the facilities of holiday resorts as well as taking you to new and exotic places, it’s easy to see just how much things have improved in the industry.
What's on offer?
- Many cruises feature all-inclusive prices for accommodation, food, drinks & activities
- With such a variety of cruises on offer, you can choose the level of luxury you want
- Take advantage of the sun, activities, pools, bars, etc. without needing anything more than your bathing suit
- Enjoy a full range of day and night activities, facilities, sports and entertainment on board.
- It’s just like being on a floating hotel and you wake up somewhere different each day
- You can choose the cruise with activities and destinations that suit you & your family’s interests
- The days of pokey cabins without windows are gone with modern cruise ships placing emphasis on cabin space and styling – and that all important window view.
Despite all of the fun that a cruise ship offers, they will not be suited to everyone’s tastes, so…
Why refuse to cruise?
- You get sea sick easily – the majority of people will either enjoy or not even notice the motion of the cruise ship, however, if you are prone to become sea-sick easily, you will either need to have medication or be able to ‘hang in there’ until the next port stop.
- You want to spend a lot of time exploring destinations – keep in mind that the cruise ship is designed to provide a level of quality accommodation whilst cruising the open seas. Port stops are generally viewed as an exciting opportunity to get off the ship and explore a new place for a few hours or a day at a time before setting off on the next leg of the cruise.
- You do not like the idea of staying in a confined space - the cruise liners are large and offer a variety of facilities, but cabins are generally small - think of it as a floating hotel.
How to choose a family cruise
- Choose from a list of reputable cruise companies. Check with your travel adviser for recommendations and also try to read reviews online by other travellers for recommendations. A good reliable source is cruisecritic.co.uk.
- Look for a cruise liner that has the best facilities for your family. Your travel adviser will be able to help you select a cruise company that specialises in catering for families and provides a well-structured kids club programme
- Choose a cruise which has destinations appealing to the whole family
- Look for cruises which offer free fares for children accompanying adults and/or the option to share a room or have adjoining rooms at discounted rates
- Look carefully at accommodation options and find the right balance of suitable accommodation standard and cost
- Take out travel insurance if you’re not already covered. A small expense upfront can cover you for any unexpected delays, curtailment or missed journeys on your trip.
Where to go
Some of the more popular cruise locations include;
- Mediterranean
- Greek Islands
- Caribbean Islands
- Scandinavia
- Alaska
