Families need some luxury too, not just mum and dad, and that’s why we decided our blog today would highlight three of the best luxury cruise ships that cater for kids AND grown-ups.
Family Cruising with Hapag-Lloyd Cruises
Travel together, experience the world together. That’s what they say aboard EUROPA 2 and she is our Hapag-Lloyd Cruises family-friendly ship in the spotlight.
EUROPA 2 offers a fully comprehensive onboard kids programme, with clubs geared to three separate age groups:
Knopf Club – the Knopf Club is offered for children aged 2 to 3 years old, but it does come at an additional cost and spaces are limited. In the Knopf Club you will find a ball pit, sensory wall, Steiff cuddle lounge, baby beds and changing table.
The Knopf Club is open from 09:00 to 17:00 and sleeping supervision from 18:30 to 22:00.
The Kids’ Club – The Kids’ Club is perfectly arranged for those guests aged 4 to 10 years old and features a creative studio/art workshop, research laboratory, children’s library, reading and play area, adventure/climbing wall, kids’ cinema, stage and theatre corner, Wii and PlayStation consoles.
The Kids Club is open with supervision from 09:00 to 17:00 and 18:30 to 22:00. Children can still use the clubs on their own outside of the supervised times.
Teens Club – The Teens Club is for the older kids, those aged 11 to 15 years, and allows them the space and freedom to enjoy their holiday at their leisure. A chill-out area, iPod chairs, PC area with Internet access, teens’ disco, table football, DVD player, karaoke, Wii and PlayStation consoles are all part of the experience.
The Teens Club is open with supervision from 09:00 to 17:00 and 18:30 to 21:00. Children can still use the club on their own outside of the supervised times.
What else?
Children up to 11 years old cruise for free when staying in the suite of one or two full fare paying adults. Children 12 to 15 years pay just 60 euro a night.
Hapag-Lloyd also offer special excursions for the older kids and teens, and families can take advantage of private tours – for an additional charge.
A free baby welcome package can also be put together onboard for you and is offered for babies up to 3 years old. The equipment etc. will all be set-up for you in your suite and includes everything you would usually have at home – disposable changing mats, changing bag with baby care products, selection of baby food in jars and milk formula, baby bath and travel cot.
Family Cruising with Crystal Cruises
Crystal Symphony and Crystal Serenity, two of the world’s finest passenger vessels and both with fantastic family cruising options – although they are only available on selected voyages – with kids aged 3 to 17 years catered for.
Fantasia Playroom – Fantasia Playroom is for the younger kids and has supervised activities, tables and chairs for board games, arts and crafts, giant padded cubes, puzzles and large-screen televisions with kid-sized stadium seating.
Waves Arcade – Waves is definitely for the older crowd and offers Sony PlayStation® 2, Nintendo Wii™ and Xbox 360TM kiosks.
Kids can also head to the Library where a selection of children’s books and videos for in-room viewing are available; children can also see recently released films in The Hollywood Theatre.
What else?
A daily paper, Surf Runner provides details of the following day’s activity schedule, tailored by age group. Activities often include: Scavenger hunts, hide and seek, pyjama parties, pizza making, fashion shows, mini Olympics, volleyball, late night pool parties and teen disco.
Children 11 years and younger occupying the third berth pay 50% of the minimum fare when accompanied by two full-fare paying adults. We do advise you call us first to double check the price for your child as Crystal Cruises often have special offers available on select voyages where children can cruise for free.
Crystal also offers in-stateroom babysitting. Arrangements can easily be made by contacting the concierge at least 24 hours in advance. Fees are $10 per hour for one child, $15 per hour for two children and $20 per hour for three children.
Book Your Luxury Family Cruise with The Cruise Line
Luxury cruising with kids? Then let us do the hard work! If you are thinking about booking a family cruise for 2015 or 2016 then give us a call. The majority of our Cruise Experts are parents themselves and can certainly point you in the right direction of what will work best for you and your family. We also offer family voyages with P&O Cruises, Princess Cruises, Cunard, Celebrity Cruises, Regent Seven Seas, Silversea, Oceania Cruises and Holland America Line.
Whatever you are looking for, we have the right cruise for you!
Our Luxury Cruise Experts can be contacted Monday through Saturday on 0800 008 6677. Alternatively, you can leave us a message and request a call back by filling out the short ‘Contact Us‘ form on our website.
