Why a cruise might be the best way to enjoy the Mediterranean with kids
Cruises have quickly become the top travel method for British families – and that’s
not a generalisation. According to a report by the Cruise Lines International
Association (CLIA), people from the UK and Ireland took 1.7 million cruise holidays
in 2022. 27% of that number travelled in a group with three or more generations.
The top destination? 38.4% of cruise-goers chose to hop on ships that traverse the pristine
waters of the Mediterranean, beating Northern Europe, the Caribbean, and other
hotspots. Cruise lines have ensured they’re an appealing holiday option for travellers
of all ages. Here’s why they could be the best way to see the Mediterranean with your
brood.
Age-appropriate group activities
Most, if not all, cruises come with tons of adult and senior-friendly activities,
from casino gambling to live music and more. But for parents who want to ensure
their kids will be entertained on the voyage out to the Mediterranean, there are a
variety of cruises that accommodate children of all ages.
Celebrity Cruises‘ Camp at Sea program for kids aged three to twelve is
available on family-friendly ships like the brand-new Celebrity Ascent, which will be
journeying to Mediterranean ports like France, Italy, Spain, and Greece in April 2024.
Camp at Sea offers more than 500 guided activities kids will enjoy, including arts and
crafts, treasure hunts, and more. For your harder-to-please teens, the Teen Club is
where they can socialise and meet new friends. Teens can come and go as they please
and enjoy silent disco parties or video game tournaments. This is handy for kids who feel ‘dragged’ onto a cruise; meeting people within their age – group keeps them engaged.
Elevated experiences
Kids’ activities are often an afterthought, if not completely unavailable, on luxury
cruises – but this doesn’t have to be the case. Indeed, Explora Luxury Cruises has
ensured that their young passengers have access to elevated experiences, inspiring
kids and teens to immerse deeper and enjoy a refined Mediterranean holiday like their
parents. EXPLORA I, which journeys to Athens, Dubrovnik, Sicily, and more
throughout 2024, has a dedicated Nautilus Club that treats children as they do adults.
Instead of sticking to rigid schedules, flexible and customisable activities like
basketball and arts and crafts cultivate an Ocean State of Mind. Knowing that kids
love tech, the Club is outfitted with a digital library, video game consoles, VR
headsets, and more. These well-thought-out luxury experiences allow your kids to feel
equally pampered on holiday, so they don’t feel like you are having all the fun while
they’re bored in a half-baked kids’ corner.
Amusement park-like adventures
Theme parks are no longer exclusively on land. With the Disney Dream vessel set to
sail the Mediterranean in the summer, families can enjoy a quintessential amusement
park experience. From real-life interactions with costumed characters to roller coaster
rides, to Disney movie-themed bars and restaurants, kids and kids at heart can enjoy
exclusive or shared experiences.
One major appeal of Mediterranean cruises is the ability to enjoy various Asian and
European destinations on land. Kids and teens need to stay engaged in transit, too. Cruises provide a range of activities and opportunities to meet new friends that air travel may not. Now, kids can have the best of both worlds, enjoying much-needed family time with you – and the chance to explore independently.
