Where to Cruise with Kids & Which Cruise Line is Best for Families
Whether you're a complete cruise novice, a seasoned traveller looking to rekindle your love for cruising after having children, or part of a family unit that regularly enjoys adventures on the open ocean, the world is full of incredible family-friendly cruise destinations waiting to be discovered. But, to ask a rather obvious question, where actually are those places? While there are plenty of family cruises worth considering for your next adventure, not all cruises are family-friendly and some destinations just aren't suitable for younger travellers.
Although, that doesn't mean you have to miss out on enjoying an exciting getaway – far from it, in fact!
From sunny summer holidays in the Mediterranean and Christmas cruises through Northern Europe to warm winters in the Caribbean and so much more, keep reading for a run-down of the best family cruise destinations out there. You'll also find information on the best time to go on a cruise to these holiday hotspots, some destination inspiration for each region, and which cruise lines are worth keeping an eye out for when browsing upcoming itineraries and the latest cruise deals.
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Family-Friendly Caribbean Cruises
Home to stunning white-sand beaches, welcoming warm waters where watersports are always an option, and vibrant cultures boasting colourful and flavourful cuisines, Caribbean cruises are something the whole family can enjoy – and the perfect winter treat when it comes to escaping the dull weather back home. With enough time at sea to enjoy everything your incredible cruise ship has to offer, and plenty of days where you can head ashore and relish in the relaxing atmosphere of an idyllic Caribbean island, this destination is the perfect place to travel if you're looking for a little fun in the sun with your family.
Where to Go on a Family-Friendly Caribbean Cruise
When it comes to the destinations you'll find in the Caribbean, the best Caribbean cruises for families travel to islands like the Bahamas, Jamaica, Barbados, and Saint Lucia. Whether you want to spend your time relaxing on the beaches here, checking out the thrilling watersports opportunities, exploring the local shopping experiences, or sampling the regional specialties, there's something for everyone to enjoy here and the whole family will have a fantastic time.
On top of all this, you'll also find all the best cruise line private islands in the Caribbean – destinations like Royal Caribbean's Perfect Day at CocoCay or Disney Cruise Line's Castaway Cay. With waterparks and exciting attractions to take advantage of, alongside sensational food, family-friendly events, and engaging activities to take part in, cruisers of all ages will enjoy hours of fun and excitement in these incredible resort destinations in the Caribbean.
When to Go on a Family-Friendly Caribbean Cruise
While temperatures remain quite high throughout the year here, the best time to visit the Caribbean as a family is during the winter months. If you want to escape those winter blues and enjoy a different kind of Christmas, spending the festive season soaking up the sunshine and exploring new places in the Caribbean is far from a bad option.
Top Family-Friendly Cruise Lines for Caribbean Cruises
With so many cruise lines spending the winter season in the Caribbean, you'll be met with an abundance of options when it comes to booking a family-friendly Caribbean cruise. However, the following are among the best cruise lines to travel with when you're cruising with kids; they have some of the best family-friendly entertainment onboard, amenities and attractions children will love, and offer itineraries with destinations everyone can enjoy – no matter how old you are.
Mediterranean Cruises For Families
Quite a bit closer to home than the Caribbean, and a region where you have the option to embark on no-fly cruises from Southampton if you want, the Mediterranean is where you'll find some of the best family-friendly cruises for travellers with younger children. Choosing to enjoy one of the many upcoming Mediterranean cruises will see you and your loved ones whisked away to bustling cities and picture-perfect beaches from Southern Spain and Italy to destinations on the Adriatic Sea and the history-rich Greek Islands. Sure, younger children may not be able to appreciate wonders like Athens' Parthenon or Rome's Colosseum in the same way as adults, but you'll find fantastic family-friendly adventures await in this remarkable region of the world.
Where to Go on Mediterranean Cruises for Families
When it comes to family-friendly Mediterranean cruises, a considerable number of the most popular itineraries sail to destinations in the Western Mediterranean – visiting ports of call in Spain, France, and Italy. These will give families the chance to explore some of Europe's most vibrant cities alongside warm weather and sandy beaches along the Alboran Sea, Balearic Sea, and Tyrrhenian Sea.
If you're looking for something a little different, though, Eastern Mediterranean cruises are always a fantastic option. You'll find fewer no-fly cruises to this region, though, which is something to keep in mind when cruising with younger children. Destinations here include Greece, Turkey, Croatia, and Montenegro.
When to Go on Mediterranean Cruises for Families
With some of the holiday hotspots in this region not very far from the UK at all, the best time to visit the Mediterranean with family is during the half term holidays and school summer holidays. This is when the weather is warm, you won't have to worry about skipping school, and everyone can enjoy an incredible adventure somewhere new and exciting.
For more, check out the latest summer half term cruise deals and summer holidays cruise deals right here. You'll also find February half term cruise deals and October half term cruise deals here – if you're looking for a few more options.
Top Family-Friendly Cruise Lines for Mediterranean Cruises
While you'll find plenty of cruise lines offering exciting itineraries to the Mediterranean, no-fly cruises are the more family-friendly option; with that in mind, you'll find the following cruise lines offering some sailings to this region – without the hassle of dealing with flights.
Family Cruises in Europe
If endless sunshine and sandy beaches aren't quite at the forefront of your holiday plans, there are plenty of incredible places to visit via cruise in Europe; and, you'll still find sunshine and sandy beaches here if you travel during the summer months. A fantastic option for exploring new and exciting destinations throughout the year, European cruises come in all shapes and sizes, and the cruise ships sailing these itineraries boast fantastic family-friendly amenities and activities for your family to enjoy.
Where to Go on Family Cruises in Europe
Europe has a lot to offer everyone who travels there on a cruise, especially those of you considering a family-friendly European cruise, with many major cities in the Netherlands, Germany, and Scandinavia region offering travellers the chance to combine exploring local culture and history with incredible cuisines and spending quality time together as a family.
You'll also find some of the best European cruises for families whisk you away to the stunning Norwegian Fjords; with every chance you'll see the Northern Lights if you travel at the right time of year, and breathtaking landscapes awaiting you here, this is an alternative – but equally enjoyable – family cruise destination to consider.
When to Go on Family Cruises in Europe
Whether you're looking to travel during the summer holidays, over the Christmas break, or anywhere in-between, there's never a bad time to cruise to Europe. Although, the winter months are often best if you're looking to see the Northern Lights specifically.
Top Family-Friendly Cruise Lines for European Cruises
Much like cruises to the Mediterranean, you'll find a fantastic selection of no-fly cruises to a variety of destinations in Europe. While there are a lot of cruise lines to choose from, those worth keeping an eye out for are:
Book Your Next Adventure with Iglu Cruise Today
From the latest last-minute cruise deals and all-inclusive offerings to luxury cruises and more, Iglu Cruise is home to an incredible range of itineraries for you to choose from – whether you're looking for family cruises, solo adventures, or short breaks somewhere exciting.
You'll also find more interesting content on our blog, if you're looking for more travel inspiration or any guidance ahead of your next cruise adventure. Check out some of our latest posts down below:
