While some cruises are branding themselves as “adults-only,” many others cater to families looking to hit the high seas without sacrificing luxuries. Aside from having family-friendly amenities, these cruises travel to some of the world’s most family-friendly destinations. If you’re planning to take the family on a luxury cruise to Europe, here are some of the most incredible countries to visit. These places offer attractions and activities geared towards adults and kids. Here we have put together some luxury family cruises for 2023 that you don’t want to miss.
Luxury family cruises for 2023 – the places you don’t want to miss
Italy
First on our list of family cruises for 2023 has to be Italy. With five major home ports, Italy is one of the most popular stopping points on a cruise to Europe. It’s in the middle of the Mediterranean Sea, which makes it easily accessible to various destinations within the Mediterranean. Being home to many family-friendly cities, Italy is an ideal stop on your luxury cruise of Europe.
Most cruises will stop in Venice, a picturesque city offering many fun activities for adults and kids. Taking a Vaporetto ride along the Grand Canal is one of the best things to do with your little ones. Marvel at the colourful buildings and beautiful palaces as your ride glides along the canal. After a relaxing ride, take your little ones to visit St. Mark’s cathedral, a massive church featuring fascinating gold mosaics. After a day of exploring, treat your kids to some of the tastiest gelatos in the city.
Another popular stopping point for cruises in Italy is the Amalfi Coast. Like Venice, the Amalfi Coast is full of fun activities for the entire family to enjoy. Go on a short boat trip to Positano, explore the Roman Archaeological Museum, and spend some time at Spiaggia di Atrani, a lovely beach with calm waters, ideal for little kids.
Croatia
Croatia is one of Europe’s most popular destinations for a luxury cruise and a great country to explore with the kids. It’s home to pedestrian-friendly cities steeped in history and offers plenty of opportunities to explore the great outdoors. Home to thousands of islands, you’ll have plenty of options for ports of call in Croatia.
Dubrovnik is a great city to visit on your luxury family cruise to Croatia. Lying on the shores of the Adriatic Sea, it is famous for its old town, fortresses, and museums. The Old Town of Dubrovnik is pedestrian-only, so it’s safe to stroll around with the kids. Take the kids for a scenic cable car ride towards Srđ Hill. When you get to the top, walk further to the Honey Valley, a lovely farm with a petting zoo where your kids can interact with donkeys, horses, and sheep.
Korcula is another island that’s a favourite stop on most cruises to Croatia and the easiest Dalmatian Islands you can visit with kids. It has lovely beaches and lush olive groves that you can explore on a hike. Moor off the coast to teach your kids to fish and visit secluded bays where you can enjoy kayaking and other fun activities.
Norway
Norway is a gorgeous country having one of the longest coastlines in the world. It’s home to fjords, bays, and islands, which you can visit on a cruise. Cruising in Norway with the family is fun, as it has many great places you and your kids will enjoy exploring.
Oslo, the land of Vikings and Trolls, is one of Norway’s most family-friendly cities. Take them to the Viking Ship Museum, established by a Viking King and showcases the country’s Nordic past. The museum features a fascinating collection of wooden ships and artefacts, including a Viking longboat, discovered buried in Southern Norway for centuries. Take your active kids to TusenFryd Amusement Park, Norway’s largest amusement park with numerous fun attractions and rides.
Bergen is another city worth exploring in Norway on a luxury cruise with the family. It’s the country’s largest city and the gateway to the majestic fjords of Norway. Bergen has plenty of family-friendly attractions, which include the Bergen Aquarium, VilVite science centre, and Vannkanten Waterworld.
France
Your luxury family cruise through France will take you to ports of call that combine the charm of Paris, the gourmet food of Lyons, the scenic wine regions of the Rhône Valley, and the beautiful beaches of Nice. Consider a luxury river cruise on the Seine River starting in Paris and stopping at several other picturesque destinations that can make for a fun-filled family adventure.
Before you head off for your river cruise, spend some time exploring Paris with your kids, visiting famous sights like the Eiffel Tower, the Louvre, and the Champs Élysées. Leaving Paris, your boat will take you to Giverny, famous for being the home village of renowned painter Claude Monet. Explore his beautiful house and garden before heading to Vernon, where you’ll discover a charming town with medieval streets lined with half-timbered houses.
The other places to see on your river cruise of the Seine are Les Andelys, an idyllic countryside full of historical sites, Rouen, a historic city with stunning Gothic architecture, and the lovely coastal town of Honfleur.
UK
The UK is one of Europe’s most popular travel destinations. It’s a great place to enjoy a luxury cruise with the family. Its magical waterways are best explored on a canal cruise, where you sail through the stunning landscape of the countryside. You’ll also stop at some of the country’s most significant historical sites.
The river Thames is an ideal vantage point for some of London’s most scenic family cruises. If you don’t want to travel far, you can choose a hop-on hop-off cruise. This takes you to London’s top tourist spots, including the London Eye, the House of Parliament, and Tower Bridge. There are also dinner cruises where you ride a sleekglass boat with 360-degree views of London’s top attractions.
If you want to explore the countryside, you’ll find cruises taking you to gorgeous riverside towns and charming villages. Visit the picturesque towns of Surrey and Berkshire and enjoy multiple stops to soak up the stunning natural beauty of the UK countryside.
Which of these family cruises for 2023 will you be embarking on? Let us know, we’d love to hear from you!
