family cruising

Every parent knows that family holidays are all about spending valuable quality time together yet being able to create a balance where there is something available to suit everyone, catering for all interests and to keep the younger ones entertained.

You may be surprised to learn that a cruise holiday is the perfect answer to this age old problem. Gone are the days where cruise ships are exclusively for the older and wealthier generation, nowadays they have been equipped with an amazing array of children’s facilities – much better than any found in most resort hotels.

A cruise is really a holiday the whole family can enjoy with activities to do together or age specific entertainment to give children their own independence, while giving parents precious space.

We take a look at what’s on offer for all family types

those with infants 6 months to 2 years

Royal Caribbean offer Aqua babies and Aqua tots clubs where your little ones can enjoy baby gymnastics, musical inspiration and a whole host of fun during playgroup sessions developed by early

childhood experts at Fisher-Price. Infants can enjoy ballparks, games and a paddling pool in Ocean Village' Base Camp.

P&O Cruises offers Noddy onboard all Ventura cruises – offering children of all ages the opportunity to meet him and join in fun and activities.

Playrooms and areas offer ball pits, climbing apparatus, tricycles, little cars, sandpits and much more.

Carnival Cruises will also serve as the site for Carnival's babysitting services, which are available from 10pm to 3am nightly.

those with juniors 2 - 12 years

Royal Caribbean offer 3 – 5 year olds the opportunity to become Aquanauts taking part in activities like story time, face painting, games and theatre. 6-8 year olds can become explorers –

a programme designed to blend educational activities with good fun, learning about local customs, making kites and masks – even learning to make sweets. A range of activities is also available for ages 9 – 12 years.

Ocean Village’ Base Camp offers Juniors a huge array of activities including talent shows, face painting, colouring competitions, outside play, dance competitions, feature movies and story telling – to name but a few.

Juniors can enjoy Junior Sailors, First Mates and Navigators clubs with NCL – each packed with activities such as arts & crafts, painting, storytelling, parties and treasure hunts.

P&O Cruises hosts the first Scalextric at Sea aboard Ventura providing fast paced fun for budding Lewis Hamilton’s as well play stations, a video corner, arts and crafts area, sports challenges, quizzes and a whole host more.

Carnival Cruises will offer a wide variety of activities specifically geared toward children, including the WaterColors art programme; ExerSeas, SeaNotes and EduCruise.

Celebrity Cruises offer a variety of youth club activites in the Fun Factory - a place on board exclusively for their junior cruisers.

those with teenagers 13 – 17 years

With Royal Caribbean teens can enjoy teen only special theme nights, games and competitions, while the teen-only lounge and night club lets them hang out and catch up with friends.

For young adults aged 12-17, Celebrity Cruises offers a supervised yet independant program featuring various social activities designed for ultimate fun.

Older children and teenagers can enjoy SEGA Village aboard Ocean Village Two, this is an amusement and entertainment arcade at sea which includes 19 amusement arcade games, dance booths and simulator games.

Teen Zone is also available offering free use of computer games, circus workshops, sports tournaments, scavenger hunts and Great Escapes – parent free onshore excursions.

Teenagers can enjoy social clubs, discos, movies and sports & actives with NCL.

P&O Cruises offer specialist activities such as sports coaching and DJ clubs during school holidays in addition to entertainment such as music, videos, discos and interactive computer games.

Sure to be a big hit with the older kids Carnival Cruises offers high-tech Circle "C" and Club O2 facilities, catering to 12- to 14 year olds and 15- to 17-year olds respectively where they can make new friends and dance to the latest hits cranked out by a high-energy DJ.

call us now for our best cruise deals
0845 219 0419

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special offers

Mediterranean Spirit
7 Nights, Island Escape
13 May 2010
Mediterranean Treasures
14 Nights, Independence of the Seas
05 Jun 2010
From only £1,399pp
Groves and Gondolas/Temples and Tavernas
19 Nights, Ocean Village
24 Jun 2010
From only £1,649pp
Mediterranean Spirit
7 Nights, Island Escape
24 Jun 2010
Central Mediterranean
17 Nights, Aurora
06 Jul 2010
From only £1,583pp
Mediterranean Spirit
7 Nights, Island Escape
08 Jul 2010
Castles and Chianti
14 Nights, Ocean Village
13 Jul 2010
From only £1,529pp
Castles and Chianti
7 Nights, Ocean Village
13 Jul 2010
From only £859pp
Cruise Break
7 Nights, Azura
16 Jul 2010
From only £679pp
Fjords and Iceland
7 Nights, Ventura
17 Jul 2010
From only £787pp

most cruise operators offer the following

Children’s dining – Child friendly meal times hosting their favourite dishes combined with healthy options. Also catering for older children with more sophisticated tastes with separate “cool” eating areas away from parents.

Night nurseries – where little ones can be settled down, tucked up safely whilst parents are free to dine alone and enjoy onboard entertainment. Paging/telephone services alert parents in the event of any problems.

In-cabin listening services – Little ones can be settled in your cabin and telephone systems enable listening facilities, meaning you can call from anywhere on the ship to check on your children.

Babysitting services – this service is available with hourly charges