Never considered a cruise holiday? You’re not alone. It would never cross the minds of many parents to take their kids on a cruise. Even those who have thought about a cruise often have doubts about whether they would like it, or whether they could afford it. 

However, regular cruisers appreciate all that the wonderful world of cruising has to offer. They recognise that there’s a ship to suit everyone’s tastes, and that once you add up everything that’s included in a cruise, cruising actually offers outstanding value for money. With that in mind, here are five reasons why you should consider a cruise for your next family holiday…

1. Cruise ships have SO much stuff on them

Did you believe that cruise ship activities were limited to table tennis and ballroom dancing? Think again! How about laser tag, water slides, zip lines, ice rink, roller skating, bumper car, sky diving simulators and surfing machines? That’s just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to cruise ship activities. So, whether you have teens who want to get lost in time in the virtual reality arcade or tots who just want to splash about by a water sprinkler, there’s a ship for every family. 

2. Cruise ship food is amazing

Whether you want to enjoy four-course gourmet dinners or prefer to keep it casual in the all-you-can-eat buffet, you’ll never be short of dining options. Some ships have as many as twenty different dining venues on-board. Whilst some of these speciality restaurants cost a little extra, there’s no shortage of complimentary dining options on-board each ship. Fussy eaters are catered for extremely well. If you have a special dietary requirement such as vegan or gluten free, ship staff will go out of their way to make sure that you have lots of options to enjoy.

3. Kids learn a lot on a cruise

Cruise ships offer some of the best childcare in the world. The complimentary on-board kids’ clubs are not just fun, they’re also educational. Here, kids can make new friends and enjoy lots of different activities such as sports, dancing, treasure hunts, soft play and arts and crafts. Teens have their own hangout space too. If they want to they can also join in with organised events such as DJ lessons, mocktail making, karaoke or Xbox tournaments.

4. Parents get child-free time

Whilst the kids are being entertained under the close supervision of a team of highly-trained childcare professionals, parents are free to relax in any way they like. Enjoy a couples’ massage in the spa, have a romantic meal for two, catch a show in the theatre or have a flutter in the casino. Every parent know how valuable child-free time is, and with kids’ clubs open from just after breakfast until late in the evening, you’ll have plenty of opportunities to enjoy uninterrupted time together.

5. There’s no need to fly

Hands up who likes flying with kids? Thought not! Especially when they’re younger, flying with children can be an absolute nightmare. Add to that the hassle of trekking through the airport.  Plus the restrictions on luggage and it’s no wonder that many families opt to only holiday in the UK. A cruise gives you the best of both worlds as you can board the ship in Southampton and cruise to a whole host of destinations in Europe and beyond. Embarkation is easy, and you’ll even have staff members on-hand to take your luggage all the way from your car to your cabin so you don’t need to deal with it.  

Will you choose a cruise? 

Whether you’re holidaying on a budget or want to push the boat out with a luxury cruise, you’ll find that there’s a ship for everyone. From two-night breaks from the UK to longer exotic cruises to some of the world’s most exciting destinations, you’ll find so many places to explore. So what are you waiting for? Isn’t it time you added a family cruise to your ‘book-it list’?  

This is a guest post by Jenni Fielding.