The Best Cruise Lines for Young Families

At Odysia Cruise, we know that planning a holiday with a young family can be challenging. Cruising is an excellent option for parents with small children looking to spend quality time together and create lifelong memories, but booking a cruise can come with lots of questions.

What are the best cruise lines for families? Which destinations are most suitable for children? Do all cruise ships have facilities for children? In this guide, we’ll answer all your questions about cruising from the UK with a young family, covering the key topics to help you choose the best cruise line, ship, and destination.

What Are the Best Cruise Lines for Families?

The first step in booking a cruise for a young family is often deciding which cruise lines to consider for your holiday. Whilst cruise lines may share the ultimate goal of delivering an excellent cruising experience, different lines will specialise in providing cruises for certain guest types, with some being specialised in providing family fun cruises suitable for children and adults alike.

Here are a few standout cruise lines that we suggest you start your search with:

MSC Cruises

Synonymous with adventure and excitement, MSC Cruises regularly offers family cruises departing from Southampton, which provide fun for all the family. Designed with spaces tailor-made for children, MSC ships have activities just for little ones to have the time of their lives. 

What immediately catches the attention when it comes to MSC’s family cruise offering is the partnership with LEGO. Days at sea will never be the same thanks to hits like The LEGO Family Game Show, where parents and children compete together to build incredible creations, and the LEGO Family Parade, where mascots spread energy and fun throughout the entire ship.

And the fun with MSC doesn’t stop there! Young families can take on Guinness World Records to try and break official records, hit the dance floor with MSC Original experiences like the DOREMIX Family Disco, or take on the world as a team across 75 original Trivia Quizzes!

P&O Cruises

With a cruising legacy 180 years in the making, P&O Cruises lets young families sail the seas in the true spirit of adventure. Providing itineraries packed with daytime fun and evening excitement, there’s something for every member of the family to dive into and enjoy. And with relaxed dining options like The Horizon Buffet, meals are relaxed and laid-back, making for stress-free family meals.

No matter how old your little ones are, P&O offers kids’ clubs for all children to have a great time. Whether parents are looking for soft-play fun at Splashers (2-4 years), old-school arcade excitement at Scubas (9-12 years), or relaxed evenings with the peace of mind that their babies are well looked after at Night Nursery (6 months – 4 years), P&O is sure to be a big hit with every family.

Royal Caribbean

Get more than a family getaway with Royal Caribbean. Whether you want a quick break or the family escape of a lifetime, there’s no better feeling than knowing your cruise ship is equipped with everything your young family needs to have a holiday to remember. Royal Caribbean’s Adventure Ocean Youth Program has activities for every age group, meaning everyone from toddlers to teens can splash, dance, and play the way they want!

Fun is never far away with Royal Caribbean, and young families are in for the adventure of their lives. Feeling brave? Fly down the 10-storey Ultimate Abyss waterslide or test your balance on the gnarly FlowRider surf simulator! Excitable little ones will be spoilt for choice as they jump from hilarious bumper car clashes to thrilling games of laser tag to speedy ice skating sessions.

Princess Cruises

Unforgettable experiences are what every cruiser dreams of, and Princess Cruises specialises in delivering this for families. Young families climbing aboard can look forward to fun-fuelled adventures every day of their voyage thanks to Princess’s Camp Discovery, which hosts everything from science experiments and treasure hunts to movie nights and themed parties for children (and adults!) to get lost in the seafaring fun.

Young families can say hello to hours of fun across Princess Cruises’ incredible kids’ clubs. While the little ones (3-7 years) lose themselves in hours of play at the Tree House, older kids (8-12 years) can dance, game and make friends in The Lodge. There’s even somewhere for teens (13-17 years) to chill out, listen to music and watch films at The Beach House, offering that vital sense of independence throughout your holiday.

What Are the Best Cruise Ships for Kids?

Cruising provides you and your young family with a home away from home as you journey across the sea, so selecting a cruise ship that is appropriate for you and your children is really important.

The biggest factor in determining whether a cruise ship is suitable for your young family is the accommodation. It’s essential to select a ship that provides spacious, flexible, and comfortable cabins for both parents and children alike. MSC Virtuosa, for example, offers dedicated family cabins that are spacious, ensuring the whole family can feel connected during their stay without tripping over one another.

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After a good night’s sleep, the next most significant contributor to a happy family holiday is dining. We all know little ones can be fussy eaters, so selecting a cruise ship with flexible and varied dining options can make all the difference. P&O Cruises’ Arvia, for example, has The Quays food court, which offers not only flexible eating times but also kid-approved classics and healthier options to satisfy the whole family.

Last but not least, there’s one other little thing to think about – fun! Cruising offers incredible opportunities for young families to step away from everyday life and have a blast, and picking the right cruise ship can shape what activities can be explored while on board. Royal Caribbean’s Independence of the Seas, for example, has its Splashaway Bay for the whole family to slide, cannonball, and splash their days away!

What Are the Best Young Family Cruise Destinations?

You’ve chosen your cruise line and researched the best cruises – now all that’s left is deciding where to go! This is the fun part, but it’s also an important decision to make, as while destinations across the world each have their own marvels and mystique, some are more suitable for young children than others. But fear not, here are a few of our top picks!

Mediterranean

Sunshine, scenery, sensational food – there are a few reasons why the Mediterranean is such a cruising hotspot! For excellent cuisine and the perfect weather for exploring cities or kicking back on the beach, this part of the world makes for excellent young family cruising. From educational visits to some of Europe’s cultural gems to lazy days paddling in the sea, Mediterranean cruises are a perfect option for every member of the family.

Caribbean

Across the Atlantic, a destination of exploration and exhilaration awaits! Not only are the Caribbean islands diverse in culture and cuisine, but they also offer white beaches that invite children and adults alike to dive in and have fun! As an added bonus, the transatlantic voyage on a Caribbean cruise provides ample time for enjoying onboard entertainment, allowing little ones to make friends and splash their days away in the pool.

Canary Islands

Few destinations guarantee fun in the sun as consistently as the Canary Islands, and young families setting sail for this destination can look forward to dips in the pool, educational excursions, and quality time together enjoying delightful food. A Canary Island cruise is also an excellent option for those looking to depart from  Portsmouth, Southampton, or Liverpool, with round-trip cruises offered regularly.

Young Family Cruises with Odysia Cruise

Cruising is an excellent option for young families looking to book an unforgettable holiday, but it’s normal to have questions about what the best cruise lines, ships, and destinations might be for you and your little ones. Don’t worry, because Odysia Cruise is here to help!

If you have more questions about young family cruising, be sure to contact us and our team of friendly experts will help you make the best decision and guide you on your way to the cruise experience of a lifetime!