River cruising has long been associated with retirees and baby boomers, but many lines have begun to forgo their sedate, "stuffy" reputations to offer fun adventures for the whole family!
With exciting sailings, exclusive savings and entire ships designed to appeal to children of all ages and multigenerational family adventures, there has never been a better time to get the brood on board a river cruise.
River cruising means time together in the world's most famous cities.
We suggest speaking to a CruiseInsider expert at 1 (877) 734-6858 to learn more about options that fit your budget or bucket list, but keep reading to learn which cruise lines do it best and tips for making the most of your family river cruise.
A leisurely river cruise is the perfect way for families to connect while experiencing the history, cuisine and culture of exotic locales in a peaceful, scenic and enriching way. Your luxury hotel travels with you as your family visits hilltop castles, medieval sites, amazing cathedrals, bustling marketplaces and historic villages–treasures straight out of history books and fairy tales.
Here are some of the ways river cruising is perfect for families:
There are certainly river cruise options in Asia, Africa and South America, but the bulk of family-centric experiences are focused on the most famous European rivers like the Rhine, Danube, Seine and Rhone.
Rhine River voyages include overnights in some of Europe's most beautiful cities.
These majestic rivers offer plenty of choices as they travel through Europe's most history-rich regions lined with more big cities, beautiful castles, gothic cathedrals and gorgeous countryside than you can count. European river cruising in particular, is prime territory for older children, tweens and teens with a passion for exploration or a hunger for history.
We have insider access to the very best deals on a variety of family-friendly voyages. But families on a budget should consider cruising either late March or in the fall, when colder temperatures prevail. In general, voyages between May and September (the high season) are usually 15 to 20 percent higher than the average fare. When the temperatures in July and August go up, prices tend to go down slightly.
Specially themed Christmas market cruises can be priced lower than those during any other time of the year, offering the best deal in Europe overall. And for families with eight or more people, group discounts are usually available and may include extra perks that smaller parties can't get.
On many family-focused itineraries there are activities designed to bring everyone together and others dedicated to younger travelers. We can recommend voyages that will engage, enrich and entertain every member of your family, but beyond a "good deal," look for the ones that truly cater to the kids by including specific amenities, special niceties or stimulating activities for children like scavenger hunts, cooking classes, language lessons, arts and crafts, and interactive games.
Experience true holiday merrymaking on a family river cruise through Europe's most famous Christmas markets.
Where and when you're going matters too. There's more to do along the Rhine than many other rivers and while summertime is king in Europe, most lines offer Christmas market cruises which are particularly popular for families as the destinations and the cruise lines go out of their way to make the festive holiday experience extra special.
Family-branded voyages typically run about 10 to 15 times a year per cruise line, mostly during the summer or over the December holiday season. With such high demand and so little inventory, we recommend you book well ahead to guarantee your family gets the sailing and stateroom you desire.
Since summertime is considered prime river cruising season–coinciding with when kids are off from school–an affordable, action-packed European river cruise could top the list for "most memorable summer vacation ever"!
Even the most kid-friendly cruise lines don't cater to the tiniest tots. There are minimum ages to sail on some ships and restrictions on participating in many excursions, but frankly, your adventures just won't be as action-packed with little babies in tow. Some tours may require lots of walking, many activities require active participation and most accommodations may not fit a crib or a stroller. While we recommend a minimum age of 8 for your tiny travelers, we are happy to work with you to choose the river cruise best suited to younger children.
AmaWaterways journeys include bicycles for forging new paths as a family.
River cruising doesn't have too many drawbacks, but there are some caveats to keep in mind. For one, because of their smaller size and focus on the destination, there aren't any kids clubs, big pools, water slides, alternative restaurants, arcades or other things found on larger ocean ships.
Onboard and in port, you'll learn new skills from local artisans who love to share their craft.
And with the exception of a few ships, the cabins on many river boats are not configured for more than double occupancy, meaning that a family of four will have to purchase two staterooms. However, what these cruise lines lack in outrageous splash parks and over-the-top staterooms, they more than make up for in locally inspired activities, authentic adventures and magical family moments.
Truly the pioneer in family river cruising, this luxury line's most famous family-specific itinerary is "Tauck Bridges" which now traverses France's Seine River along with classic sailings down the Danube, Rhine and Rhone. These vacations are all about bringing families together (creating bridges), which means you'll likely see more of your children than you do at home. Activities on a Tauck river cruise are designed to be interactive and fun for both adults and kids and can include:
Partnering with the most kid-centric company on the planet, AmaWaterways features Adventures by Disney, a tour group that offers immersive adventures for families. Along with kid-focused menus, storytelling professional guides and interactions with Disney characters, you'll enjoy a wide range of activities designed with everyone in mind to experience the best in each destination. Each magical stop is an invitation to experience new cultures and participate in thrilling family-friendly adventures including:
It’s no wonder Travel + Leisure magazine has named Uniworld the “Top River Cruise Line for Families” year after year. With so much included for everyone, Uniworld truly makes travel a family affair with kid-friendly cruise itineraries featuring onboard visits from local children and special pillow gift each night for younger passengers from the destinations visited that day. They also offer discounts for children and a variety of inspired, youthful activities including:
Connect with one of our experts today at 1 (877) 734-6858 to learn more about family-friendly travel options or to let us help you create the ideal family river cruise vacation that fits your family's unique sense of adventure.