20 reasons cruising is the ultimate family holiday
Imagine a family holiday that’s relaxing, exciting and easy to plan.
A holiday where your toddlers are entertained, your tweens and teens appeased all while you enjoy your own grown-up time – sounds like a dream, right?
Cruises are designed to keep everyone happy, from nappy-wearing tiny tots to adventurous grandparents. One trip can include multiple destinations, endless activities, zero repacking and all your accommodation and meals in one place. Here are 20 reasons why cruising really is the ultimate family holiday.
1. Unpack once
No need to decide whether to grip your luggage or your children’s hand as you navigate from plane to train to bus. On a cruise, you only need to unpack once. Watch as your family spill the contents of their suitcases across the space and make it their own – you only have to pack again at the end.
2. All you need in one place
All cruises are different, but typically you’ll find the all-inclusive convenience of meals, accommodation and entertainment in one place makes budgeting and planning easier. All you need to do is decide which restaurants to choose each night.
3. Two words: kids clubs
Also teen lounges. Non-adult-only cruises will include a kids club, where your little ones are looked after in age-appropriate spaces. It’s a chance for them to play, make friends and participate in activities to keep them happy and occupied.
4. Exciting shore excursions
It’s a thrill to disembark each morning in a new city, country or even continent. From educational to down-right fun, shore excursions let the whole family get a taste for different cultures, histories and nature. Tiny tots splashing in the shallows of Mystery Island surrounded by vibrant tropical fish. Choosing from twenty different flavours of gelati in Venice. Soaking up the spectacular rainforest, waterfalls and gorges of the Kuranda Scenic Railway. The options are endless.
5. Onboard activities
Go on, challenge your kids – and yourself – to get bored. All ships are different, so check before you float, with everything from pools and waterslides to mini-golf and arcades.
6. Free theatre and live entertainment
Evening Broadway-style shows, talented circus acrobats, guest celebrity interviews and more are all included, saving you money on experiences that would cost extra on land.
7. Food for the pickiest of eaters
Most ships include a main dining room, buffet and a few casual eateries like pizzerias, cafes and pubs where you can eat at no extra charge. In addition, there are speciality and fine-dining restaurants that you can splurge on for a special occasion. There’s are so many options to keep things interesting without being overwhelmed by too much choice.
8. Onboard shopping
Did someone forget to pack their toothbrush? Perhaps one of your sandals broke on the first wear out of the suitcase, or you have a magnet collector in the family. Most ships have general stores and gift shops where you can pick up a range of items including toiletries and hygiene products, medicine, books, clothing, the list goes on. So you won’t have to hop to the nearest 7/11 in one shoe.
9. Choose the perfect length
There are a variety of cruise lengths from three-day getaways to multi-week voyages so families can find the best suited trip. Short sailings closer to home are a great way to test the family’s sea legs before committing to a longer itinerary.
10. Professional family photos
Built-in photo ops at exotic ports when you’re all dressed up on special nights mean you can capture those unforgettable family memories – with no eyes half closed and you in the picture too.
11. Rooms to suit all group sizes and budgets
Rooms for every budget allow you to choose from interior cabins to interconnecting staterooms to double-deck suites without sacrificing access to activities. This way the whole family – and we mean the whole family – can travel and enjoy time together while maintaining their own space. Here’s a quick guide to choosing the right lodgings for your travelling group.
12. Value for money
If you calculate the dining, accommodation and transport costs of a land holiday – not to mention entertainment – it quickly adds up. If you have dining, accommodation, transport and onboard entertainment already included in your package, anything extra you buy is the cherry on top of a great trip.
13. Built-in digital detox
Wi-fi can be patchy when you’re in the middle of the ocean, so it’s a great chance for the whole family to look up from the screens and out across the horizon.
14. All-ages travel
There’s no such thing as the “perfect” age for a cruise. Sometimes you just need a holiday, no matter how old or young the kids are. Infants as young as six months are allowed on many shorter or regional cruises, and 12 months old on longer cruises. On the other end of the scale, there’s no upper limit – so get your 101 year old great-granny packed for the adventure of a lifetime.
15. Variety without the effort
Wake up each morning to a different view, a new port and thrilling – or chilling – experiences. Be transported, hassle-free to new adventures every day on shore, followed by evenings of back-to-back entertainment. Just pack water, sunscreen and snacks and let the itinerary do the rest.
16. No chores
You’ll love it, your teens will love it. Imagine no cooking, cleaning or grocery shopping – or trying to agree on where and what to eat in different cities. Return to daily cleaned rooms and a little square of chocolate on your pillow (if you’re lucky!) and dishes that are whisked away at the end of a meal. Laundry services can be collected and returned beautiful pressed and is sometimes included in your fare cost. Otherwise, there’s often clothes washing and ironing facilities – sorry, this one you’ll have to do yourself.
17. Discover new interests
Fencing, mini-golf, quilting, pickleball, surfing, cocktail classes, salsa dancing, whale watching, sushi making and behind the scenes ship tours – the options are many and varied depending on the cruise Each ship offers a huge variety of on board activities, so check what is included on your ship and daily activity schedule for what’s on.
18. Health and safety
Safety is a priority on and off the ship, and security is taken very seriously. There are onboard medical facilities, hand washing and sanitising stations at every turn and medications and tools to help prevent or keep seasickness at bay. The contained environment allows kids a sense of independence while staying within a secure setting, while giving you the chance to sit beside the pool, sipping a pina colada.
19. Accessibility
With ramps, lifts, accessible cabins, automatic doors and mobility-friendly layouts, cruising means the whole family can join in. There’s plenty of quiet spaces and predictable routines, and the consistency of having one base can reduce feelings of being overwhelmed – even as the scenery changes. While not all onboard or on shore excursions will be accessible, with so much choice, you can find a cruise that means everyone can feel included.
20. Sail from your own backyard
Ok, you’ll need to make your way to the Port, but with Carnival Cruise Line announcing a series of sailings departing from Adelaide in 2028, you won’t have to travel interstate or internationally for a taste of the high seas.
Ready for family fun at sea?
Why not make your next family holiday a cruise. Let RAA’s travel agents help you set sail.