Is a cruise a good holiday for families? Absolutely.

Modern cruise ships have transformed what a family holiday can look like. Think spectacular swimming pools, waterparks, kids' clubs, family entertainment, sports facilities, incredible dining choices and destinations to explore, all combined in one holiday.

And there's something rather lovely about waking up somewhere different, knowing you haven't had to pack and unpack, change hotels or spend hours travelling between destinations.

For many families, a cruise offers the best of both worlds: the facilities and entertainment of a fantastic resort, with the added excitement of exploring different places along the way.

Why families love cruising

One of the biggest advantages of a cruise is just how much there is to do.

Depending on the ship and cruise line, you could find:

• Swimming pools, splash parks and spectacular waterslides
• Dedicated kids' clubs for different age groups
• Sports courts, climbing walls and adventure activities
• Mini golf, arcades and interactive games
• Broadway-style shows, live entertainment and family-friendly performances
• A huge choice of restaurants and places to eat

And that's before you even get to the destinations!

You can spend a sea day enjoying everything the ship has to offer, then wake up in a new port the following morning ready to explore.

There is also plenty of opportunity to slow things down. Not every family wants to spend their holiday racing from one activity to another. Sometimes it's about relaxing by the pool, enjoying a lovely meal together and having time to switch off.

Is cruising better value than a traditional family holiday?

It can be, particularly when you look at everything included in the cruise fare.

Your accommodation, main dining, many onboard activities and entertainment are generally included, alongside transport between destinations.

Some cruise lines also include drinks packages, Wi-Fi, gratuities or other extras within particular fares or packages.

There will usually be additional costs to consider, such as shore excursions, speciality restaurants, certain drinks and selected onboard activities, so it's important to understand exactly what's included before comparing prices.

But when you consider how much a family might spend on accommodation, meals, entertainment and getting between destinations on a land-based holiday, cruising can offer excellent value.

And you only unpack once!

Which cruise line is best for families?

This is where things get interesting, because not all cruise holidays are the same.

There are some fantastic cruise lines for families, but they offer quite different experiences.

Royal Caribbean

If your family loves big family-friendly resorts on land, Royal Caribbean is well worth considering for its spectacular facilities and sheer choice of activities.

Some of its ships have enormous waterparks, surf simulators, climbing walls, ice skating, zip lines and an incredible choice of entertainment.

There is a real sense of adventure, particularly on the newer ships, and plenty to keep older children and teenagers occupied.

MSC Cruises

MSC offers a fantastic choice of modern ships, impressive pool areas, family entertainment and dedicated children's facilities.

It can also be an interesting option for families looking for a more international onboard atmosphere, with a different style of cruising to some of the British and American cruise lines.

Disney Cruise Line

For families who love Disney, this is something rather special.

Character experiences, themed entertainment, imaginative children's clubs and beautifully designed ships make Disney a very different cruise experience.

It isn't necessarily the right choice for every family, and the price point can be higher, but for the right family, especially those who already love Disney parks holidays and appreciate the magic, it can be an unforgettable holiday.

P&O Cruises

For families wanting to cruise from the UK, P&O Cruises is a particularly popular choice.

There are no-fly options from Southampton, a familiar British onboard experience, dedicated children's clubs and plenty of family entertainment.

It's also worth looking at the different ships, as the experience can vary considerably depending on which one you choose.

Norwegian Cruise Line and Princess Cruises

These are two more options worth considering, particularly for families looking at destinations further afield.

Norwegian offers a more relaxed, flexible style of cruising with plenty of activities on selected ships, while Princess has a different balance of family facilities, entertainment and destination experiences.

The important thing is not to choose a cruise line simply because someone else has enjoyed it. It's about finding the right experience for your family.

Your first family cruise: choosing the right ship matters

This is probably the most important part of planning a family cruise.

I would never suggest that every family should book the biggest ship available, or that the ship with the most waterslides is automatically the best choice.

A family with a toddler will have quite different priorities from one travelling with children aged 8 and 12, or teenagers who want plenty of independence and activities.

Some families want non-stop entertainment. Others are more interested in visiting interesting destinations, enjoying time together and having a lovely ship to return to at the end of each day.

Then there are practical considerations such as:

• Cabin configuration and whether you need a family cabin or connecting rooms
• Children's club age ranges and facilities
• Dining arrangements and flexibility
• The number of sea days and port days
• The itinerary and how suitable it is for your children's ages
• Whether you want to fly or depart from the UK

Getting these decisions right can make an enormous difference to your holiday.

I've been on more than 30 cruises myself and have spent over eight months at sea. I also have first-hand experience of cruising as a parent, so I understand that choosing a family cruise involves rather more than suggesting a ship just because it has a zip wire!

What about multi-generational family holidays?

Cruising can be a particularly good option when you're bringing several generations of the family together.

Grandparents, parents, children and teenagers can all have different ideas about what makes a great holiday. Finding one resort or destination that keeps everyone happy isn't always straightforward.

One of the things I love about cruising is that everyone can enjoy their holiday in their own way.

The children can head off to their clubs, teenagers can enjoy the activities and facilities, grandparents can relax by the pool or enjoy a quieter afternoon, and everyone can come together for dinner, a show or a day exploring a new destination.

You can also look at different cabin configurations, including suites, connecting cabins and family accommodation, depending on the ship and your budget.

For milestone birthdays, anniversaries or simply getting everyone together, a cruise can make a wonderful family holiday.

You don't even have to fly

One of the biggest advantages of family cruising from the UK is the opportunity to sail directly from Southampton.

You can arrive at the port, board your ship, unpack and start your holiday.

No airport queues, no airport transfers and no need to worry about connecting flights.

There are some wonderful itineraries available from Southampton, including the Norwegian Fjords, Spain and Portugal, the Mediterranean and Northern Europe.

Of course, if you're looking for adventure further afield, fly-cruises open up a whole different world of possibilities, including the Caribbean, Alaska and Asia.

And if you want to combine a cruise with a few nights in a destination before or afterwards, that's something I can arrange too.

Is a family cruise right for you?

Honestly, I think more families should consider it.

But I also think it's important to find the right cruise rather than simply book the one with the lowest headline price or the most impressive facilities.

The ship, itinerary, cabin, departure port and onboard experience all matter. Get that combination right and cruising can become one of the easiest and most enjoyable ways to holiday as a family.

Whether you're considering your very first cruise or have cruised before and want to try something different, I'd love to help you explore the possibilities.

I specialise in family and multi-generational cruising and will take the time to understand what matters to you before recommending the right options.

You don't need to know which ship you want, which cruise line to choose or even where you'd like to go. That's what I'm here for.

Let's find your family's next adventure at sea.

Anna Murrell - Travel Counsellor

Call or WhatsApp: 01403 473833

anna.murrell@travelcounsellors.com