Are cruises an easy family holiday option with primary age children?

[Skippythebeercan]

This year for many reasons I'm more short on time than usual and have still not booked a summer holiday for DH, DC's (6 and 8) and I. We went to Hungary last year and stayed in half board in a small waterpark resort. We had a hire car and did pop into Budapest, it was lovely and probably the first actual relaxing holiday I've had with the kids - I mention this for context.

Anyway, no time this year and wondering if a cruise is the answer. On paper it seems great, all food and activities provided and we are taken to each destination for a sort of taster - I image that we wouldn't do much in each destination perhaps planning to return properly in the future if we wanted more of an explore. They seem totally marmite but I am of the view that you should try everything once. However I now have no idea about ships, what I should be looking for in terms of a family cruise. I love the look of the Caribbean cruises (why are they cheaper than the European ones?), although I suspect we will end up sticking with europe.

Where do I book so I can book once, flights if needed, and everything so its really easy. Which cruise line/ship is best for families with primary aged children?

Is this in fact not the easy option at all?

We did a P&O cruise last summer around the Greek isles. It was honestly my favourite holiday we've had as a family, and it wasn't even a particularly family friend cruise (azura). No water slides or anything but 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 😊

There are a higher grading of ship brands with reflective pricing but of the standard ones:

If you want to utilise kids clubs, NCL are only open when not in port. They are also port intensive and spend long days theds

Royal Caribbean - big ships with lots of facilities mostly, although a couple in the med this season which are smaller with less

Disney - expensive but amazing experience with fabulous kids clubs and service (although only short cruise or eye watering Norway itineraries in summer hols

MSC - more European. I wasn’t keen on every announcement being in lots of languages but the facilities and kids clubs of the bigger ships are meant to be good

Celebrity and Princess - less kid focused but good kids clubs to keep occupied. Good food and service I understand

Most cruise lines will only let kids use the pools once they are toilet trained - swim nappies are not an option.

depending on your itinerary, the ports might be a cab ride away from the sites of interest which can be tricky with car seats.

We've done about six cruises with PO directly from Southampton over the last two years it's absolutely fantastic with children IMO we've done it between the ages of almost two and almost four. Definitely recommend.

Is the timing of the Caribbean cruise when weather could be bad?

We use Marella.

A 6 and 8 year old will have a blast.

Are the Caribbean ones including flights to get out there?
MSC is great for your age kids with a nice mix of Brits and Europeans so feels like you are on holiday.
Always book through a travel agent rather than directly. You will get a better price and if you are unlucky and anything is not right the TA will sort it -cruise companies hardly ever address complaints.
Pick your ports after research ( ask here - we’ve all done them) /French and Spanish ports are great and easy to explore, Italian less so and often far from the “attraction”.

Its a nice easy fun holiday.

If considering the Caribbean check the hurricane season info! Also, many Caribbean cruises depart from Florida so you get into the US border control hassle and need an ESTA so choose one departing from Barbados with a direct flight there. Also, consider how many islands you want to see if going there as it can be very get on/get off every day....not that you have to leave the ship or do any excursions if you don't want to!
A Med cruise might be best for a first timer?