Hop on an unforgettable journey with your loved ones on a family-friendly cruise departing from the historic port city of Southampton. Discover the perfect blend of relaxation and adventure as you sail the open seas aboard a luxurious ship with many amenities and activities designed to cater to guests of all ages. From world-class dining options to exciting on-board entertainment, these cruises offer the perfect opportunity for families to create lasting memories together.
2024’s Top Family Cruise Options
For families planning a cruise in 2024, Royal Caribbean International offers exceptional options departing from Southampton. The Anthem of the Seas, one of their most family-friendly ships, is packed with activities for all ages, including the SeaPlex, the most significant indoor active space at sea, offering bumper cars, roller skating, and circus school. Families can enjoy the onboard water park, rock climbing walls, and adventure-themed rooms explicitly designed for kids and teens. The convenience of cruising from Southampton in 2024 makes this an excellent choice for families looking to embark directly from the UK.
P&O Cruises also sets sail from Southampton and is highly favoured by families, particularly with their ship Iona, which is dedicated to providing a fun and relaxing experience for parents and children alike. The ship features an impressive SkyDome with a pool that transforms into a stage for nighttime entertainment, a dedicated children’s club for various age groups, and family-friendly cabins that cater to larger groups with comfort and style.
Cunard Line, known for its luxurious cruises, offers a more refined experience that appeals to families desiring an educational and sophisticated travel experience. Departing from Southampton, the Queen Mary 2 is pet-friendly and provides a unique Planetarium at sea, where families can learn about stars and planets together. The ship’s rich program of workshops, lectures, and shows ensures that even the youngest travellers receive a culturally enriching experience.
Celebrity Cruises departs from Southampton with the Celebrity Silhouette, emphasising family luxury and comfort. This ship boasts a range of family-oriented accommodations and dining options, along with the Lawn Club, where one can enjoy outdoor games and movies under the stars. Their extensive kids’ club program, Camp at Sea, offers over 500 activities that change daily. It ensures no two trips are the same and provides educational and playful experiences tailored to children’s interests and age groups.
Onboard Activities for Kids and Teens
Family cruises provide a treasure trove of activities for kids and teens, ensuring that younger passengers have as much fun as their parents. Onboard programs often include supervised kids’ clubs, segmented by age groups, allowing for tailored activities that cater to specific developmental stages. For instance, toddlers might enjoy puppet shows and play areas, while older children could engage in science experiments and cooking classes.
Many ships feature dedicated zones equipped with the latest gaming technology for teenagers, offering everything from video games to virtual reality experiences. These teen lounges often have their disco areas for evening dances, an excellent opportunity for teens to socialise with peers in a safe, supervised environment. During the day, sports tournaments, scavenger hunts, and filmmaking workshops encourage teens to be active and creative, providing a break from screen time.
Water-based activities are a central attraction for families, with many ships boasting expansive water parks that include slides, splash pads, and wave pools. These aquatic playgrounds cater to thrill-seekers of all ages and are perfect for families to enjoy together. For a more relaxed pace, family pool areas offer the chance for everyone to cool off, while lounge areas provide a space for parents to keep an eye on their kids comfortably.
Family cruises often feature live shows that appeal to a younger audience, such as magic acts, acrobatics performances, and character meet-and-greets with favourite animated characters. Evening movies under the stars and themed family nights, like pirate or movie characters, offer wholesome entertainment that brings families together for memorable experiences. These diverse offerings ensure that kids and teens have no shortage of engaging activities, keeping the youthful spirit alive throughout the journey.
Tips for Smooth Boarding with Kids
Boarding a cruise with kids at Southampton’s terminals is streamlined by specific family-friendly processes designed to make the experience as smooth as possible. Family lanes are available at check-in, especially during peak times, allowing families to move faster than regular lines. These lanes are staffed with personnel trained to assist with families’ needs, from handling strollers to entertaining young children to keep them happy and engaged during the wait.
Once through check-in, families often have access to priority boarding, a benefit that reduces the time spent waiting to board the ship. This is particularly advantageous when travelling with young children who may find it challenging to wait in long lines. Priority boarding allows families to settle into their cabins and start enjoying the ship’s facilities sooner, helping to keep everyone in good spirits.
For entertainment, while waiting, Southampton terminals provide play areas designed to keep children occupied. These areas feature a variety of games and activities suitable for different age groups, ensuring that children are safely entertained while parents handle boarding logistics. The play areas are situated close to the main waiting zones, so parents can easily keep an eye on their kids.
Upon approaching the boarding time, announcements are made specifically for families, guiding them to board at convenient times to avoid the rush. This helps manage the flow of passengers and ensures that families with small children can board the ship in a relaxed and orderly manner. These announcements are clear and frequent, ensuring that all families are well-informed of the best times to head towards the gangway, contributing to a stress-free start to their vacation.
Packing for the Whole Family
When packing for a family cruise, it is essential to organise clothing by climate and planned activities. Pack versatile layers for everyone—light t-shirts, long-sleeved shirts, and sweaters or hoodies. These can be easily adjusted to suit varying weather conditions onboard and ashore. Include at least one formal outfit per person for special evenings, and don’t forget swimwear and cover-ups for poolside lounging or beach excursions.
For toiletries, create a central family kit with larger-sized shampoos, toothpaste, and sunscreen to save space instead of packing individual items. Include medications and first aid essentials such as band-aids, pain relievers, and seasickness remedies. Waterproof pouches are excellent for storing these items to prevent leaks and are easy to carry on excursions. Additionally, packing a separate bag for each family member’s smaller personal items keeps things organised and accessible.
Entertainment is crucial, especially for younger travellers. Pack a range of options without Wi-Fi, like books, colouring books, travel games, and a deck of cards. For compact packing, electronic tablets loaded with movies and apps can be a lifesaver during downtime. Don’t forget chargers and portable batteries to ensure devices stay powered up throughout the journey.
Consider the logistics of carrying your luggage. Use suitcases that are easy to manoeuvre, and ensure each family member holds a backpack or tote for personal essentials. Packing cubes can be a game-changer—they help separate clothing by type or day and simplify unpacking and finding things on the ship. Label each bag clearly with tags to quickly identify your family’s luggage among the sea of travel gear. This systematic approach to packing will keep the family organised, comfortable, and ready to enjoy every moment of the cruise.
