Best Way to Book a Cruise for Families
Top Cruise Lines for Families and Tips for Family Cruises
It might not be the first thing that springs to mind when the summer months roll around and you’re trying to work out how to holiday with your kids, but family cruises are a fantastic – and, importantly, very affordable – option when it comes to organising a getaway for the whole family.
When you cruise, whether you’re on an epic transatlantic voyage to North America or a short break sailing around the Mediterranean, you’ll find that things like your travel, accommodation, food, and entertainment are all covered by a single cruise fare; this, if you’re booking a holiday for multiple people, can make things a lot easier to organise.
However, if you’re not quite sure what you’re looking for, planning a cruise holiday for your family – and then actually taking your family on a cruise holiday – can be a daunting task. There’s still going to be a lot you need to consider, especially if you’re travelling with younger children or you’re working with a tighter budget. From group cruise fares and cabin configurations to childcare options and kid’s clubs, booking a cruise can become quite a stressful experience if you go into it unprepared.
But, just because it can get a bit hectic, that doesn’t mean it needs to be a chore; going on holiday is supposed to be exciting, right? Well, we think so, and that’s why we’re here with some guidance on the best way to book a cruise for families.
Below, we’ll run through some of the most important things you need to think about when it comes to booking a cruise with kids, highlight some of the best cruise lines catering to travellers of all ages, and suggest some of the best destinations for families – although, if we’re being honest, everyone can enjoy a cruise holiday almost anywhere in the world, from the stunning Norwegian Fjords to South America and everywhere in between.
Picking the Right Time for Your Family Cruise
When it comes to booking cruises for families, wherever you’re thinking of going and whoever you’re thinking of going with, one of the first things you’ll need to settle on is when you’re actually going to go on your cruise holiday; the time of year can have a huge impact on your available options and the experience as a whole. This is true when you’re travelling by plane or train, and it’s certainly still the case when you’re cruising.
While the time of year is, of course, going to affect the weather you encounter in the destinations you visit, it’s also going to have an impact on the cost of your cruise fare and – quite possibly – dictate how busy the children-focused facilities are onboard.
If you’re travelling with younger children or kids that aren’t actually in school yet, travelling during school term time – the shoulder months considered ‘low season’ in the cruise industry, like January, May, and October – is a fantastic idea. Not only will the cruise fares available be more affordable, generally speaking, but you’ll also find that there are probably fewer other families sailing – meaning the available kid’s clubs and child-friendly facilities onboard will be less busy.
However, if you want to make sure your child has the chance to socialise during your cruise holiday, it might be better to take the financial hit of booking a cruise during the school holidays and summer months – largely considered the peak season for cruising. Cruise fares are likely to be more expensive during these times, but there’s a higher chance that children of similar ages to your own will be onboard; and, of course, chances are the weather will be a bit nicer too (depending on where you cruise to, of course).
Finding the Best Family Cruise Deals
Whichever month you do decide to go on holiday, however, a family cruise can still end up being quite an expensive affair; you’re likely going to need a larger stateroom or multiple cabins to accommodate everyone, you’ll need to spend more on snacks and sweet treats not included in your cruise fare, and then there’s the spending money you’ll need when you head ashore – just as a few examples. Sure, these are all things everyone will need to consider when cruising, but these expenses are multiplied when travelling with your family.
Thankfully, one way you can minimise the cost of your family cruise is to take advantage of one of the family cruise deals available – savings that can come in a variety of forms with a range of benefits and extras to enjoy.
From sweeping discounts on child cruise fares when travelling with fully-paying adults to additional onboard spending per passenger and discounted drinks packages, you’ll find a fantastic range of family cruise deals available throughout the year to destinations all over the world. If you’re concerned with keeping costs low, it might also be worth checking the last-minute deals and fly cruises – if you’re not feeling the incredible range of family cruises from Southampton – as these will bundle the cost of flights in with your cruise fare.
Choosing the Right Cabin Configuration
Comfort really is key when it comes to enjoying a cruise holiday and the configuration of your cabin is something you’re going to need to consider when travelling with children. For example, while an inside cabin that technically sleeps four people might seem like the most cost-effective option available on paper, that doesn’t necessarily mean it’s going to be the right option for you and your family.
In a lot of cases, when cruise lines highlight that a stateroom sleeps more than two people, but doesn’t specify whether that stateroom has multiple beds or bedrooms, it will come with a pull-out bed or a sofa bed – a sleeping arrangement that can technically sleep two people, but might not be suitable for two children to share.
Beyond the beds alone, you’re also going to need to consider the amount of living space and the size of the stateroom as a whole; you might not be planning on spending a lot of time in your stateroom, but you’ll still want to make sure you and your family is comfortable when you do spend time in your accommodation.
So, checking the specific configuration of the staterooms available – the expected layout, the square-footage, and the sleeping arrangements – is all going to be an important part of the booking process.
If you’re travelling with younger children prone to napping during the daytime, you may want to consider cruising in a stateroom with a balcony; that way, you’ll still be able to sit outside and enjoy the sunshine while your little one is snoozing. Or, you may want to consider connecting cabins if you’re travelling with older children. While a pricier option, this will afford everyone the space and privacy they need; however, you’ll only be a door away from one another and still close enough to enjoy the cruise together.
Adding to your options, cruise lines often have larger, multi-room suites available on their cruise ships – with many of these specifically aimed at family groups. Cruise ship suites can be on the expensive side, but they will come with all the amenities you need to effortlessly enjoy your family holiday and more than enough space for everyone. So, they’re definitely worth considering when booking your next family getaway.
Top Family-Friendly Cruise Lines
Settling on the ‘when’ and ‘where’ is important, but there’s still a big decision to be made when it comes to choosing the right cruise line for your family holiday. Out there, the cruise ships sailing with some cruise lines are better-suited to catering for younger children, while there are others that offer more entertainment options for older children to enjoy. And, in some cases, there are cruise lines – like Virgin Voyages – that exclusively offer adults-only sailings.
Disney Cruise Line, for example, is a fantastic cruise line for children (and adults) of all ages, provided they’re fans of Disney and its associated brands – like Pixar, Marvel, and Star Wars. On ships like Disney Wish, Disney Fantasy, and Disney Dream, you’ll find a fantastic variety of kid’s clubs and children's entertainment available – almost all of which is themed. Examples include: Nemo’s Reef (a whimsical water play area for children ages eight and under), Disney’s Oceaneer Club (a multi-themed entertainment venue primarily aimed at children from ages three to ten), and Vibe (a teen-focused hangout area for children ages 14 to 17).
Nemo's Reef (Disney Dream), Star Wars: Millennium Falcon (Disney's Oceaneer Club), Vibe (Disney Magic)
Beyond this, both Royal Caribbean and Princess Cruises are fantastic options for anyone looking for family-friendly cruises. On Royal Caribbean cruise ships like Anthem of the Seas and Icon of the Seas, you’ll find onboard entertainment suitable for children of all ages, sensational stage shows that promise to dazzle and delight everyone onboard, and a decent range of childcare options; with some of these childcare services running as late as 2am, you’ll certainly have plenty of time to enjoy an evening or two without worrying about your children while sailing.
Similarly, on Princess Cruises’ ships like Diamond Princess and Island Princess, you’ll find an abundance of children’s entertainment in Camp Discovery (a collection of kid’s clubs with appropriate events and activities for children of all ages) and plenty of places for children to socialise and play games with one another while at sea. And, with some of the best shows on cruise ships available onboard (like The Secret Silk, which uses life-size puppetry from Jim Henson’s Creature Shop), there will be entertainment everyone can enjoy together too.
Arts and Crafts (Camp Discovery, Princess Cruises), Ultimate Family Suite (Symphony of the Seas), The Reef (P&O Cruises' Iona)
If you’re looking for a more affordable option when it comes to family-friendly cruises, sailings on P&O Cruises ships like Iona and Arvia are certainly worth considering. With facilities like The Reef (which caters to children of all ages, from two to 17) available alongside poolside splash-zones and nursery services throughout the day and into the night, there are a lot of reasons to consider choosing P&O Cruises.
Top Family Cruise Destinations
When it comes to deciding on a destination for your family getaway, this decision really does all depend on the type of holiday you’re after – there are fantastic destinations for cruisers of all ages all around the world.
For example, if you’re looking forward to spending some time in the sunshine with blue skies overhead and sandy shores aplenty, a Caribbean cruise or a voyage through the Mediterranean might be the best option for you. However, if you’re after more of a ‘coolcation’ with dramatic scenery and more active activities, an Alaskan cruise or a sailing to the Norwegian Fjords might be more suitable.
If, though, you’re just after a short break, then there are some incredible European cruises worth considering; you’ll find some of the top museums to visit on a cruise, and some of the top historical destinations to see on a cruise, in Europe – although, younger children might not appreciate that particular aspect of these destinations as much as they would a day at the beach splashing around in the sea.
In any case, it really all depends on what you’re after for you and your family and what activities you think they’ll enjoy when you head ashore. You’ll find that most places offer something for everyone of all ages, and there will be shore excursions and activities ashore to keep everyone entertained – though, of course, you’re more than free to make your own plans for shore days, or stay on the ship if the destination doesn’t interest you much.
With all the best cruise line private islands out there — such as Royal Caribbean's Perfect Day at CocoCay and Disney Cruise Line's Castaway Cay — home to waterparks and family-friendly entertainment, these islands are fun for travellers of all ages and the highlight of any itinerary including them.
Frequently Asked Questions about Family Cruises
Is it a good idea to take a child on a cruise?
This really all depends on the individual child and whether you think a cruise holiday would be suitable for them! But, with a wide range of childcare options, kid’s clubs, and family-friendly entertainment aboard most cruise ships from all the major cruise lines, it’s far from a bad idea to take a child on a cruise holiday.
If you’re travelling with a child who has autism, you can find out more about the top autism-friendly cruises right here. With specialised staff onboard and unique activities planned throughout each voyage, these cruises will ensure you get the support you need – and access to all the entertainment and amenities available – to enjoy your holiday.
How much does a family cruise cost?
A cruise can be an excellent, affordable way to take the entire family on a holiday somewhere exciting. However, the price of a family cruise can change dramatically depending on the time of year your cruise, the cruise line you’re sailing with, and both the destination and duration of the cruise.
So, where some deals might only cost around $50 per person per night, others might set you back upwards of $150 per person per night. A lot of cruise lines do offer discounts on the third and fourth passengers in the same stateroom, which is something to keep in mind when booking, but this might not be suitable for your family group.
Do children need passports for cruises?
They might do! This all depends on the destinations you’ll be visiting on your itinerary, so it’s best to check ahead of time what passport requirements and visas you’ll need when you want to head ashore during your cruise holiday.
What ages can children go on cruises?
On most cruise lines, and in most cases, children must be at least six months old at the time of embarkation to be allowed to cruise. However, on transatlantic and transoceanic cruises (and on itineraries where there are more than two consecutive sea days at once), children often must be at least 12 months old at the time of embarkation. It’s best to check the terms and conditions of your chosen cruise line before booking if you’re travelling with a child within this age range.
Can children walk around the cruise ship alone?
While there isn’t usually any set rules that say this isn’t allowed, this is something that will depend on the individual. If you trust your child to roam alone, then it should be fine if they’re well-behaved and respectful. The kid’s clubs suitable for older children, often those over the age of ten, will usually allow guests to come and go as they please without the need for adult supervision or a sign-in and sign-out process.
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