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Destinations New to cruising Family

Family favourite: advice for travelling with children

We're incredibly proud to have been shortlisted for Best Cruise Line for Family Holidays at the 2023 British Travel Awards. Here are some top tips for travelling with children from parents who have travelled with us recently.

6 min 30 Aug 2023

Editorial Team

Author

There's no holiday like a cruise

What a wonderful way to spend hassle-free family time together. Start relaxing the moment you board to find delicious food for all appetites and entertainment for all tastes, every day, all day. Kids’ clubs can keep the little ones and teens happy while the grown-ups take in a show or have a well-earned break in the spa or snooze by the pool. Your food, fun and time ashore can all be taken care of for you, leaving you a chance to completely unwind, together and apart, on this fantastic family holiday experience. With unbeatable value and unforgettable destinations from the relaxed Caribbean to the lively Med, everyone wins.

First-time top tips

If it’s your first-time cruising, you’ve no need to fear the unknown. Most people on board either have kids or are grandparents who love to see the children having fun. Same goes for the crew - they adore children! If you feel like making new friends you’re bound to meet other families who are first timers as well as others who’ve been sailing with us for generations.

1. Before you go

Ready, steady, book!

Check out our cabin options. If you're a family of four, a little extra space like a Suite or Deluxe Balcony cabin might work best? Or maybe the blackout you get with Inside cabins might appeal if you're travelling with light-sensitive little ones
Need a cot? Call the Customer Contact Centre to add one to your booking. You can also add a baby bath, bed rails, bottle warmer, steriliser and request Hipp Organic jars* (subject to availability).

*Please note: baby food must be requested a minimum of 8 weeks before sailing. We also cannot supply guests with baby food on bookings made within 8 weeks of the departure date.

A family sea view suite on board Arvia

2. What to pack

Best foot forward!

All things are possible on our holidays so choose your shoes wisely. For swimming and paddling you might want jelly shoes, sandals, fins or Crocs; trainers for climbing, playing tennis or football in the sports courts; and comfortable walking shoes for exploring. Don't forget smart shoes for dressing up on Celebration Night. You can read more about our dress code here.

Don't forget...

Hungry kids are not happy kids, pack small tupperwaee for dried cereals and snacks
Pack plenty of nappies, they're not sold on board but you will find baby wipes and other essentials like suncream if you run out

TOP TIP

There's no tantrum like the 'I want to get in the pool now' tantrum! After you've checked your bags in at the terminal, you can be on board your ship and starting your holiday in a matter of minutes. That means you usually beat your bags to your cabin so our top tip is to carry a little hand luggage bag with essential items like swimwear, hats and sun cream with you. This way, you can head straight to the pool and keep tantrums at bay. Towels are free and available poolside, and you can grab a sun lounger, sit back and sip a cocktail while your little ones are entertained.

Don't forget the SPF!

3. Food glorious food!

All five of our family-friendly ships offer an incredible variety of dining for everyone. There are dedicated children's menus with favourite traditional dishes and all the home comforts, as well as more adventurous dishes and flavours from the destinations we explore. Dining times are flexible and there’s 24-hour room service. Do let us know in advance of any dietary restrictions or allergies.

Kids’ tasty teatime

Hungry tums will be happy with our children's tea - every day at 5pm in Horizon Restaurant. It's perfectly timed (as any parents of young kids will agree) in an area reserved especially for families. You can step back on board and head straight up to the buffet for tea. Lots of delicious and nutritious food is on offer every day (as well as the usual kids faves) plus delicious deserts. It’s a good time to meet other families with children. Best of all, it's all included in the price of your holiday.

Children's dining time is a great early option for children and young families
The crew are happy to help with heating food and are always very accommodating
Every restaurant has a kids menu; If you book speciality dining, the kids can have their standard menu. No supplement charged for children choosing the main kids’ menu.

Children's sundaes available in Ripples on board Iona and Arvia

4. There's so much fun to be had

There are lots of live shows- check your Horizon daily schedule as soon as you get to your cabin so you don't miss out on discos, quizzes, competitions, music, magic and more
Keep and eye out for special guests- Wallace and Gromit, plus Sooty, Sweep and Sue!
Try The Reef - our fun kid's club for 6 months - 17 year olds. You might think your children aren't 'children's club' kids but give it a go! The staff are brilliant and there's amazing facilities.
If you’re on board Arvia, check out Altitude*. There’s a high roped adventures (54 metres above the ocean!) or a tropical island-themed nine-hole minigolf course.

TOP TIPS

Set an alarm for booking The Reef spaces on My Holiday for the next day (opens at 10.30am for the following day) as these can fill up fast
Send younger children to the evening kids’ club sessions in their PJs - then if they fall asleep you can pop them straight into bed when you get back to the cabin.

Altitude high ropes course on board Arvia

5. Days ashore remembered forever

Exploring different ports of call is one of the highlights of our holidays. We’ll help you choose and pre-book age-appropriate activities in every destination, from aquatic bus tours of Lisbon to tree-top high ropes in a rainforest. Historical landmarks and latest action-adventures in the air, on the water, you name it we can make it happen.

Many of the places we visit have all kinds of family fun activities within easy reach. Choose your moments to match your mood with adrenaline-filled fun fair rides, waterparks on the Mediterranean coast (perfect for keeping cool) or a bumpy troll car mountain trip in the Norwegian Fjords. These very special moments spent together build family bonds and lifelong memories.