Could a cruise be the easiest family holiday ever? These Mumsnet users think so

Are you seeking a family holiday without the stress? According to Mumsnet users, cruises are some of the easiest and most enjoyable family getaways. Instead of complex logistics organising multiple flights, transfers and hotels, you get all the benefits of waking up in a new destination almost every day, while only needing to unpack once. 

Combining stylish accommodation, family-friendly entertainment, pools, high-quality kids' clubs, and delicious dining options – it's not hard to see why cruises are a top choice for a hassle-free family holiday. 

If you’ve never cruised before and are wondering where to start, we’ve got you covered. We’ve gathered valuable insights from real families in our popular Holidays forum, collating their top tips on family cruises.

Why cruises feel easier than land holidays

For many parents, preparing for a family holiday – even to a single destination – can feel like hard work.

Researching and booking hotels, packing cases, rushing to the airport, waiting in long queues at check-in and coping with relentless delays at departures, all followed by flights, hire cars or multi-stop transfers with overstimulated kids – it’s exhausting.

If you’re looking to spend less time planning logistics and more time actually enjoying your holiday, here’s why a cruise is a great alternative:

• Your choice of departure: With P&O Cruises you can choose how you want your holiday to begin: either set sail on board your cruise ship from Southampton, or opt for a fly-cruise and meet your cruise ship in the sunshine.

• Everything in one place: From food to pools, entertainment and accommodation, you’ll have everything there for you on your ship – removing the mental load of researching restaurants or organising transfers between locations. 

• Only unpack once: With a cruise, your comfortable cabin comes with you, so there’s no inconvenient packing and unpacking at every single destination.

• P&O Cruises signature service: Tipping isn’t needed on our ships, so you can relax knowing good service and good times are all part and parcel of your holiday.

What families can expect from P&O Cruises

P&O Cruises holidays offer incredible value for money for families. Comfortable and stylish accommodation, delicious dining, and exciting entertainment are all included in the price of your P&O Cruises holiday.

And in 2026, families have more options than ever - there are brand-new five-berth cabins now available on Arvia, Britannia and Iona cruises; great news for larger families or groups. Children are also now welcome on board Arcadia and Aurora for selected cruises for the first time.

Mumsnet families particularly rate:

Family-friendly entertainment and kids’ clubs

While the exact entertainment schedule will depend on the ship, P&O Cruises offers an impressive entertainment programme including theatre shows, live music and cinema screenings.

Family fun is at the forefront of a P&O Cruises holiday, with plenty of activities designed for parents and children to enjoy together. Toddlers will love the soft play, toys and activities, while teens can join their ship's relevant club, enjoy a game of table tennis or even archery on deck, or simply hang out at the pool.

You’ll also find other age-appropriate kids' clubs, led by a qualified crew. Suitable for children from 6 months to 17 years, there’s something to keep all ages occupied. During school holidays, you’ll even find special character appearances – sure to be a hit with little ones.

-Mumsnet user PinkPlantCase

A perfect combination of relaxation and activities

When travelling with P&O Cruises, you can approach each day at your own pace, balancing planned activities with some much-needed downtime. 

Families will love the swimming pools, splash zones and sports courts. While the kids are at the kids' club, parents and grandparents can choose to indulge in a range of rejuvenating spa treatments for a little extra, or take part in a fitness class.

Want to spend more time together as a family? Play games on the deck or take part in the family game shows, creating memories that’ll last a lifetime. 

Optional all-inclusive packages 

Essential drinks like water, tea, coffee and fruit juice (typically at breakfast) are all included in your P&O Cruises holiday; however, other soft drinks and alcohol are available on a pay-as-you-go basis. 

If you prefer to budget in advance, you can take advantage of a choice of drinks packages for everything from soft drinks to cocktails, wines, beer, spirits and speciality coffees.

You can also upgrade to an all-inclusive package that combines drinks, Wi-Fi and a speciality dining credit, so you can relax knowing all the details have been taken care of in advance.

Itinerary inspiration

Where can your P&O Cruises holiday take you? Here are just a few of the options you can add to your wishlist.

Norwegian Fjords

With breathtaking views of snow-topped mountains, crystal- clear lakes and cascading waterfalls, these cruises are a sightseer’s dream. From exploring picturesque coastal villages to high-speed RIB tours of the fjords and walking in the footsteps of ancient Viking kings, each port day offers something unforgettable for the whole family. 

Mumsnet user Doyouthinktheyknow says: “We love P&O Cruises, Norway is awesome on a cruise ship, the views through the fjords are out of this world. If you can afford a balcony, do so. Or get out on deck; it’s magical, gliding through the fjords.” 

Mediterranean sunshine

If stunning beaches, delicious Mediterranean cuisine and amazing architecture appeal, a cruise around the Mediterranean is a great way to visit some of Europe’s top destinations, including Spain, Portugal, Italy and Croatia.  

-Mumsnet-user Kerning

Mumsnet user IMustDoMoreExercise rates this as one of the best: “Just finishing a two-week Med cruise on … P&O Cruises Arvia, we dock at Southampton tomorrow. We go every year and love it.”

School holiday sailings

If you’re travelling with junior-age children or teens, P&O Cruises school holiday cruises are an excellent choice, designed to fall outside of key school term dates. Aimed specifically at families, you can visit several stunning destinations without needing to miss valuable school time. 

For many families, sea days become one of the highlights of a cruise because unlike with port days, there’s more time to make the most of the huge range of activities on board together.  P&O Cruises ships, in particular Arvia and Iona, have plenty to keep kids of all ages occupied, including kids' clubs, entertainment, pools, and sports facilities. 

“You will NOT be bored!” says Mumsnet user nannyl, “There is too much to do to fit it all in! They have a HUGE entertainment programme. My children love kids club on sea days, and they create a really fun full-on programme of things that kids enjoy.”

Exploring new destinations and chilled-down time on sea days works well for tweens and teens. P&O Cruises offers a great balance of family time and independence, explains Mumsnet user Chewbecca - “We spent mealtimes and port days together; they also made friends and had great times on the ship after dinner and on sea days. Everyone was happy & there are many different ways for everyone to have a good time!”

There is also, of course, plenty of choice when it comes to deciding how long you want your cruise to be.

We did a P&O Cruises [holiday] last year with our toddler and really enjoyed it. We picked somewhere with lots of city stops so we could regularly get off the [ship] and easily find things to do that were suitable with a child.

-Mumsnet-user Winglessvulture

Is it stressful?

On the whole, cruises are generally considered one of the most stress-free types of holiday due to everything being taken care of for you on board.

For families with babies and young children, maintaining their usual routine is easier than you might expect, although Mumsnetters recommend taking a night light or comforter for the cabin. Blackout curtains help support naps and bedtimes, and cots can be arranged on request. Plus the cabin itself never changes, so while you’ll get to wake up to so many exciting new destinations, your baby can settle into their new sleep environment and adjust to it throughout the trip - win win!

With a range of dining options, mealtimes are straightforward too. You’ll typically find dedicated children's menus packed with British family favourites, appealing to even the pickiest of eaters. 

For families, the Freedom Dining option is ideal, allowing guests to eat at a time to suit them, and with whoever they like during their cruise. 

We did Freedom Dining with P&O Cruises. We had a set restaurant which was fantastic, but we could go for dinner whenever we wanted. Sometimes we had to wait a few minutes, or they gave us a pager, and we went for a drink. We never shared a table. The food and service were brilliant! We loved it!

-Mumsnet-user elizabethcharlotte

How to make a family cruise feel effortless

Use our handy checklist to help your family cruise run smoothly:

• Pre-book your kids' clubs 

• Consider pre-booking family-friendly shore experiences 

• Pack an easy-to-grab port bag including medication, sunscreen and essentials 

• Pack an easy access ‘day one’ bag with swimming costumes and a change of clothes so you can start enjoying the ship straight away

• Build in some relaxation time

• Download movies or books to tablets/e-readers, ready for downtime (although don’t panic if you forget - with P&O Cruises, there are TVs in the cabins and plenty of entertainment options on board, plus libraries on most ships!)

• Agree on a meeting point for older kids 

• Take advantage of early dinner sittings to keep hungry kids happy

• Once on board, log into ‘My Holiday’ - your personal on-board planner, - to tailor your experiences and manage your bookings and on-board account in one place 

Are cruises good value for families once you add drinks/extras?

Yes, cruises are good value, with optional extras such as the Wi-Fi package and a great choice of drinks packages. You can calculate their value for money by considering your preferences and comparing them against the price of pay-as-you-go for your family.

Whether you’re in the mood to switch off completely or stay connected, you’ll have the choice of two affordable Wi‑Fi plans during your holiday: Essential for browsing, emails and social media (no videos), or Ultimate to do it all, including calls, streaming and social media with video.

Last year was the first time I bought Wi-Fi. I have elderly parents, and my husband was at home manning the fort. I got the non-streaming package, and it was worth every penny. My 22-year-old daughter could stay in touch with her boyfriend too.

-Mumsnet-user Dearover

Should I sail from Southampton or book a fly-cruise?

P&O Cruises offers the option to fly-cruise or depart from Southampton. Fly-cruises require some initial flight travel from the UK before boarding the ship at an international port. The easiest option for families is to travel from Southampton, reducing the amount of travel required before you set sail. 

-Mumsnet-user Andnowshesatoddler 

We've done several and prefer the round-trip from Southampton ones rather than fly- cruises. You can take as much luggage as you like from Southampton, and it's so easy and stress-free. Also, it's usually [1-3] days at sea at the beginning and end (some see this as a downside,) but we find it incredibly relaxing, exploring the ship and sitting on the balcony, sunbathing etc

-Mumsnet-user dinnerdinner 

Cruises for all ages: holidays that bring everyone together

One of the big benefits of cruises is that multi-generational families can spend time together and make memories without needing to coordinate multiple accommodation bookings. Each guest can plan their own daily routine before meeting up at key times of day, such as mealtimes or evenings. 

P&O Cruises has recently opened selected sailings on Arcadia and Aurora to “all ages”, so there are now even more options for multi-generational families to travel together on previously adult-only ships.

We did a P&O Cruises holiday last summer around the Greek isles. It was honestly my favourite holiday we've had as a family … the kids had a great time. Flights were included, the transfers are so easy with staff at every step of the way to help you. I loved waking up in a new location each day and having breakfast on our balcony watching turtles swimming about.

-Mumsnet-user AnonymousCapybara  

-Mumsnet-user GameOfJones  

Do P&O Cruises ships have kids’ clubs?

Kids’ clubs are available on board Arvia, Iona, Britannia, Ventura and Azura. They cater for children aged 6 months - 17 years as follows:

• The Nursery (6 months-2 years)

• Night Nursery (4 years and under)

• Splashers (for 2-4 year olds)

• Surfers (for 5-8 year olds)

• Scubas (for 9-12 year olds)

• H2O/Scene (for 13-17 year olds)

-Mumsnet-user DeltaAlphaDelta79   

How to make the most out of port days

There are guides and plenty of shore experiences you can book through P&O Cruises to make the most of the fantastic destinations your ship calls at, whether you’re looking for a structured, bookable activity or would prefer to explore at your own pace.

Be sure to allow plenty of time to return to the ship for boarding (a 30-60 minute buffer is recommended). While you can arrange excursions directly, ship-organised excursions are the safest option, as the ship will wait for official tour groups delayed by circumstances beyond your control.

Remember, you don't have to leave the ship at every port. When other passengers have disembarked, it's a great time to make the most of the pools and facilities with fewer people around.

What should first-time cruisers pack/plan so it feels easy?

• Thanks to the generous luggage allowance on P&O Cruises departing from Southampton, you can pack bulky essentials like strollers, travel cots and baby gear, although some items may be available on board if booked in advance. 

• In addition to comfy and practical clothes you can wear on board, be sure to research the destinations you’ll call at and pack accordingly - walking sandals, wet weather gear, sun hats, for example.

• Every cabin on board a P&O Cruises ship has a TV with access to films and box sets. Arvia, Britannia and Iona also offer 250+ on-demand films and TV programmes.

• All P&O Cruises cabins provide The White Company handwash, body wash and shampoo. But don’t forget any medication or prescriptions that you may need throughout your holiday.

• Formal wear isn’t required for kids, but it can still be fun for little ones to get dressed up for special occasions, including the popular Celebration Night. 

• The best part? You only have to unpack once! 

-Mumsnet-user Notateacheranymore

-Mumsnet-user lightsandtunnels  

About P&O Cruises

P&O Cruises is Britain’s favourite cruise line, and its home port is Southampton –  a great option for a round trip cruise. Boarding from a UK port makes for an easy family getaway - there are no luggage restrictions on a P&O Cruises holiday, so you can load up on all the essentials like prams, travel cots, bottles, nappies and favourite toys.

P&O Cruises has five family-friendly ships (Arvia, Azura, Britannia, Iona, and Ventura), all featuring kids’ clubs and fun amenities like pools, splash zones, and family-friendly theatre shows. With over 230 destinations visited worldwide, P&O Cruises holidays are carefully curated to inspire discovery whilst being great value for money. 

Mumsnetters rate Iona and Arvia, both of which have a sports arena for active kids, an impressive SkyDome entertainment space and an infinity pool. P&O Cruises sailings to the Norwegian Fjords are particularly popular with families for their incredible views of the fjords. 

From December 2026, P&O Cruises are opening up selected cruises on Arcadia and Aurora to guests of all ages, so the whole family can come together to experience these elegant ships and exciting destinations with their loved ones. 

About the author

Lucy Cotterill is a mum of two and a Content Writer at Mumsnet, specialising in baby/child, home product reviews and travel round-ups. Having written reviews on her own blog, Real Mum Reviews, since 2012, Lucy loves researching holiday packages and destinations, helping parents make confident purchases that benefit their families. 

About the editor

Jenny Wonnacott is a Content Editor at Mumsnet, where she writes, edits and optimises family-focused content designed to make everyday parenting that bit easier.

As a mum of three, Jenny brings first-hand parenting experience to everything she writes, with plenty of trial-and-error along the way. Her family travels have ranged from UK camping trips to more adventurous long-haul breaks, giving her a clear understanding of what really matters when travelling with children - from location and layout to those small but crucial details that can turn an average family trip into the best holiday ever.

She regularly researches and reviews family travel options, combining expert insight with real parent feedback from the Mumsnet community to help other families plan holidays with confidence.