Travel Journals

12 of the best cruise lines for families

Published

2 months ago

May 25, 2025

Cruises can be a brilliant option for families. You’re all in one place, with no worries about accommodation, cooking or eating out, and every need is catered for: food, drink, activities, nightlife, entertainment and even kids’ activities. The facilities on the best ships are fantastic, with loads to keep little ones occupied while their parents get to enjoy some precious child-free time.

Most vessels give you the option of doing some onshore exploring too, allowing you to visit several places without having to worry about car hire, buses, traffic or unscrupulous tour operators. Onboard facilities can vary by ship, so do check details — and what’s included in the price — before you book. These are 12 of the best, for every kind of family.

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1. Marella Cruises

The Marella Voyager in Barbados

An all-inclusive voyage with Tui’s cruise arm, Marella Cruises, is a hassle-free option for any family. The standard fare includes everything from transfers to the ship to selected alcoholic drinks and mocktails, plus a choice of at least four different restaurants serving child-friendly food. There are kids’ clubs for those between 3 and 11 offering pirate hunts, mini-discos and chocolate parties, a teen-hangout area and family-friendly facilities galore, including climbing walls and cinemas. Children even get their own plush toy and activity booklet to help keep them busy on board.

2. Explora Journeys

Travelling as a family doesn’t have to mean scrimping on luxury. Explora Journeys aims to replicate the experience of a five-star hotel at sea on its two ships, yet children over six months are welcome (under twos sail free, and there is up to 50 per cent off for the third and fourth passengers in the same suite, aged up to 17). There are interconnecting suites for extra space, special kids’ activities and a poolside ice-cream gelateria, while the Nautilus Club room features games consoles, a pool table and a digital library. Best of all? The standard fare includes food, drinks, room service, gratuities and the all-important wi-fi to keep any travelling teens happy.

3. Celebrity Cruises

Children will love the bold design of the Celebrity Ascent

Toddlers, teens and all ages in between have been considered by Celebrity. Their Camp at Sea programme features slumber parties, Xbox stations for reclusive teens, and sports courts for older kids. And, in the unlikely event that your brood are missing school, there’s a chance to bone up on subjects such as marine wildlife and ecological conservation with Stem (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) on selected ships, offering activities and events around these topics. Cruises include meals (bar speciality dining), shows and activities. With the All Included option, drinks and wi-fi are also covered. Kids’ clubs are mostly complimentary.

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4. MSC Cruises

Teen activities on MSC Cruises

You’ll be entertained from dawn to dusk on MSC ships, which feature award-winning facilities designed to keep the whole brood happy. Zoom across deck on a zip line, score a lucky strike at the bowling alley and enjoy Broadway-style shows in the evenings. MSC Virtuosa features the Teens Lab, an immersive, tech-filled room created especially for older kids, a silent disco and a waterpark. Full board meals (bar speciality dining), entertainment, most activities and kids’ clubs are included. Excursions, some drinks, wi-fi and spa visits are typically extra.

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5. Norwegian Cruise Line

Vibe Beach Club on Norwegian Bliss

Norwegian offers families that all-important flexibility with no set dining slots. And, while every ship in the fleet has activities for children aged six months to 17 years, Norwegian Encore goes above and beyond. Race towards the chequered flag on the Speedway track, brave the waterslides, or head to Galaxy Pavilion, where virtual reality experiences include simulated hang-gliding. Included are meals (bar speciality dining), coffee bar, kids’ clubs, most entertainment and poolside activities. You’ll pay extra for most drinks, shore excursions, babysitting, and popular activities such as the race track. Look out for the occasional Kids Sail Free promotion, offering third and fourth guests complimentary cruise fares.

6. P&O Cruises

P&O is pushing the boat out with their Excel class ship, Arvia. There’s a chance to test your balance on the Altitude Skywalk high-ropes experience and practise your swing at mini-golf. Or, if you’d rather keep your feet on the ground, there’s a four-screen cinema and a retro-style diner serving all-American dishes. Dance classes, use of the sports deck and most of the kids’ activities, entertainment and food are included (bar speciality dining). It’s usually mainly Brits on board.

7. Princess Cruises

The Reef Family Splash Zone on the Caribbean Princess

Gone are the days of hunting down stray kids. Thanks to smart wearable devices in Princess MedallionClass you’ll be able to track down exactly where family members are at the touch of a button — as well as order food and drink to anywhere on the ship. Standout features to impress the kids include top-deck stargazing, an indoor planetarium and, depending on where you’re sailing, the chance to meet guest puppies or parrots on board. Over on Caribbean Princess, the Reef Family Splash Zone provides hours of watery fun for little ones, washed down with mocktails for the kids and cocktails for the adults. What’s included? Onboard activities, kids’ clubs, main dining (most drinks are extra), and entertainment.

8. Royal Caribbean

Royal Caribbean’s Anthem of the Seas in the Bahamas

Royal Caribbean has a fair few trump cards when it comes to family fun: rock climbing, ice skating and zip lining being among the highlights. Anthem of the Seas is one of the most impressive ships in the fleet with a RipCord by iFly skydiving simulator, FlowRider surf simulator, bumper cars, and cocktails shaken by robot bartenders. Cruises include full board (speciality dining is extra), some drinks, most entertainment and onboard activities. You’ll pay extra for beverage packages, the spa, shore excursions and wi-fi.

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9. Uniworld

The Salon du Grand Trianon aboard Uniworld’s SS Antoinette

Uniworld is known for being a favourite among luxe lovers, so it’s a pleasant surprise that this river cruise line is also family friendly. The Generations programme, operating on a handful of departures during the UK school holidays, features itineraries and onshore activities aimed at children, with paddleboarding, treasure hunts and bike rides among the mix. On board there’s a lounge with PlayStation, regular cooking classes and craft workshops, as well as ship tours with the captain. Trips are all-inclusive, including premium wines and spirits, activities, bike hire and gratuities — and usually return flights.

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10. A-Rosa

The A-Rosa Donna in Budapest

All A-Rosa river cruises are designed with families in mind — they’re less formal than your average sailing — but E-Motion takes things one step further: expect spacious cabins with bunk beds and an age-appropriate toy box. Adults can unwind in the spa, kitted out with a sauna and whirlpool, while kids can meet the captain and splash about in their own separate pool. Top up on family time with mini-golf, pizza-making and mocktail workshops. Meals and selected drinks are included with its Premium All-Inclusive offering, and children aged 15 and under can sail free on some ships. During school holidays there are free kids’ clubs for children aged four to 15. Shore excursions cost extra.

11. Carnival

One of the rides on a Carnival cruise ship

Carnival majors on family fun. Kids can squeal at the twists and turns on Bolt, the first rollercoaster at sea (extra cost), get arty in the craft studio and be suspended 150ft in the air on SkyRide — a recumbent bike suspended beneath a metal track. Cabin fever is kept at bay with extra roomy staterooms and a family lounge, and the huge projectors on the top deck are perfect for getting together to watch movies under the stars. The innovative ship Mardi Gras has lots to keep children entertained, including waterslides, mini-golf and a ropes course. Meals (bar speciality dining), entertainment, kids’ programmes and many activities are included. Most drinks, spa treatments, shore excursions and gratuities are not. This line will have you dancing from the moment you board.

12. Disney Cruise Line

Captain Minnie Mouse on a Disney Cruise Line ship

MATT STROSHANE

Disney cruises deliver on the pizzazz the parks are known for. Little ones can be pampered in the kids’ beauty salon, meet their favourite characters and settle in for theatre shows based on Disney classics. If you’re lucky, you’ll cruise into Castaway Cay — the line’s family-orientated private island in the Bahamas, with a snorkelling lagoon, boat rentals and a teen hideout. Packages include entertainment, various dining options (including 24-hour room service), kids’ and youth clubs, and Castaway Cay (on most Bahamian and Caribbean cruises). You’ll pay extra for alcoholic drinks, adult-exclusive dining and tips. This themed cruise is all about the Disney brand and ideal for those who want to mingle with Mickey.

disneycruise.disney.go.com

FAQs

Which cruise lines have family suites?

You’ll find family suites on many ships, including Royal Caribbean (which offers perks such as an in-room slide, table tennis and cinema), Celebrity Cruises, Carnival, Princess, MSC, Disney and Norwegian Cruise Line (which also has the Haven Family Villas on selected ships).

How much do family cruises cost on average?

This depends on what cabin grade you opt for and where you want to go. For a seven-night sailing in the Mediterranean for a family of four, you can expect to pay upwards of £1,500. Look out for Kids Sail Free promotional offers on some ships, which could offer worthwhile savings.

What’s the cheapest month to go on a cruise?

Again, this depends on the itinerary and where in the world you are sailing. For Caribbean cruises, the best time to bag a bargain is during school term or hurricane season (which is the UK’s summer to autumn); for Mediterranean sailings, try the typically cooler months of March, April or November.

Additional reporting by Oliver Berry

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Travel Journals

Why are Titans spending next 2 weeks road tripping? Brian Callahan, players explain value

Published

9 hours ago

August 6, 2025

Nick Suss, Nashville Tennessean

It’s still summer, but this sure won’t be a summer vacation.

The Tennessee Titans will spend parts of the next 10 days on the road, logging a total of nine nights in Tampa and Atlanta on a preseason road trip for joint practices and preseason games against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Atlanta Falcons. It won’t be the busiest slate; the Titans will only practice three times with two games in between, meaning there will be four off days. But it’ll be a stretch spent together, and, crucially to coach Brian Callahan, it’ll be a stretch where opponents will be able to start forming their opinions about the Titans.

“One of the things I’m really looking for is what do those teams say about us when we leave?” Callahan asks rhetorically. “What do they say about how we played, the intensity we practiced with? Those are all things we get to go make an imprint of what our team can be this year.”

ROSTER TALK: Tennessee Titans roster projection: 5 tweaks to 53-man depth chart after training camp Week 2

Callahan envisions this road trip as an opportunity for his players and coaches to get closer, continuing the ongoing trend of Callahan emphasizing connection and togetherness as team-building tacts. It’s also an opportunity to get ready for the long road trips the Titans will have to endure in the fall; the Titans travel to Phoenix, Denver, Las Vegas and San Francisco this season, with the Raiders and Cardinals trips coming in back-to-back weeks.

The players seem to be bought into the idea. Receiver Calvin Ridley says the trip will go a long way toward bringing the team together. Rookie tight end Gunnar Helm says he’s looking forward to getting closer with his teammates. And offensive tackle Dan Moore Jr., in his first year with the Titans, plans to take advantage of the closeness.

“I do think it’s a great time for us to bond us a team,” Moore said. “Spend some time on the road. Get to know each other a little bit better, spend a lot more time with each other and just come together.”

Practicing with the Buccaneers presents a long list of challenges. Coach Todd Bowles’ defense blitzes at one of the highest rates in the league, which should test quarterback Cam Ward and the offense’s readiness. Quarterback Baker Mayfield and the Bucs’ talented receiving corps, led by Mike Evans, will be a huge test for the secondary. And then there’s the Florida heat. The forecast calls for mid-90s temperatures and extreme heat with a “real feel” of 104 degrees by the time practice is going to be ending.

When asked if he has any advice for enduring the Florida summer heat, cornerback and Florida native Jarvis Brownlee Jr. said to keep hydrated. And then he repeated his advice four more times.

Another underrated element is these joint practices, and preseason games, will be the Titans’ first opportunities to experience unfriendly environments. Having enemy fans around isn’t high on the list of reasons to go on these trips, but it’s a factor.

“It’s gonna be us against everybody for the next 10 days,” Helm says.

Nick Suss is the Titans beat writer for The Tennessean. Contact Nick at nsuss@gannett.com. Follow Nick on X @nicksuss. Subscribe to the Talkin’ Titans newsletter for updates sent directly to your inbox.

This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: Why Tennessee Titans are spending 10 days away from Nashville

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Travel Journals

Have the best road trip ever with these planning tips

Published

9 hours ago

August 6, 2025

Scott Hocker, The Week US

A road trip is the best kind of liberation — you (and your loved ones, if you so choose) plus the open road and limitless possibilities. Still, to optimally embrace that freedom, some upfront planning is required. These practical tips will ensure the trip is all you hope it will be.

Plan food stops before you leave

Just because you can see those golden arches from the highway doesn’t mean you must stop at that McDonald’s. Much of the country’s tastiest food is located just off the road, in what can seem like unsuspecting locations. “Some of the best expressions of regional food flavors and unique culinary styles can be found in gas stations,” said Frank Beard, a traveling sales rep, to Condé Nast Traveler. “Just because a place has four walls and a gas pump doesn’t mean they can’t do something different.”

“If you are planning a trip where you are going to drive, say, 12 straight hours to your destination, just fly if at all possible,” said American Weekender. “It’s not worth wasting an entire day of your trip in the car when you don’t have time to explore.” Clichés exist for good reason, so remember: The journey is indeed the destination. Stop at the dinosaur park you saw from the road. Sleep in, if the mood strikes. And relish the chance to break up the drive with an overnight stop.

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One certainty of road trips — and driving in general — is that at some point, there is going to be a car malfunction. Two arguably essential tools to have stowed in your auto are a portable jump starter for a stalled engine and a portable air compressor for pumping tires. “If you’re driving alone or in remote areas where car trouble will really ruin your day,” these mechanisms are “game changers,” said frequent traveler Rachel Engen to Outside magazine.

Auto maintenance either comes easily to you or it never crosses your mind until those pesky dashboard lights start blinking. If you’re the former, skip ahead. If you’re the latter, gather your strength and get all that maintenance done before you hit the road. “Check the oil, fluid levels, battery and tires,” said Lonely Planet. “Make sure you have air in your spare tire.” Obvious, yes. But obvious is best — especially if you follow through.

Picture it: You’ve entered your destination into Google Maps, and the app is guiding you smoothly there. Then, poof: Out goes the cell service. Avoid the abject terror that results and save everything you might need for offline use. That includes “Google Maps, trails, campsites and itineraries,” said Julia, the creator behind Julia Takes a Hike, to Outside magazine. Screenshots of reservations so “you don’t struggle to dig through email without Wi-Fi” is a wise idea, said Engen to Outside. “Make sure your music or audiobooks are downloaded too.”

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How dealerships can power up summer fun for riders

Published

10 hours ago

August 6, 2025

The Staff

By Susan Medrano

This article first appeared in the August edition of Powersports Business.

Summer vacation season has begun, and as Americans gear up for adventure, the high cost of air travel is fueling a road trip renaissance. According to a survey from GSTV, “83% of people said they plan to drive to their summer vacation destination, and 54% said they will drive instead of fly due to the rising cost of airfare.”

Powersports enthusiasts gearing up for summer road trips should ensure their vehicles are up to date on maintenance.

For powersports enthusiasts, a summer road trip may include trailering their ATVs and other on- and off-road vehicles to explore new trails, such as Iron Mountain Resort in Dahlonega, Georgia, Ride Royal Blue Resort in Pioneer, Tennessee, or Badlands Off-Road Park in Attica, Indiana. That is, of course, if their vehicles are up to the challenge.

Before hitting the dirt, riders need to ensure their vehicles are road-ready, and that can be costly. A rule of thumb in the powersports industry is that for frequent riders, an ATV should be tuned up every three to six months, and these costs can add up. For example, a tune-up for an ATV can cost between $100 and $400, while regular oil changes typically range from $30 to $55.

And let’s not forget those items not covered in a tune-up. For example, new tires, shocks, and batteries. According to ATVTires.com, some entry-level tires are priced from nearly $81 to $148 per tire, and for some high-performance tires, the prices go up to nearly $214 to $414 per tire. And remember to maintain those brakes. The price tag adds up quickly if you’re hitting the trails often and/or are covering the cost for the whole family. Keep in mind that maintenance and repair costs have surged in recent years, driven by rising prices across the economy.

For many, the upkeep costs may be too steep to handle without financing. The same applies to purchasing a new vehicle. According to the University of Michigan’s consumer sentiment index, anxiety about inflation, tariffs, and economic uncertainty is pushing consumer sentiment to its second-lowest level since the pandemic. Since January, sentiment has dropped by nearly 30 percent, with many Americans cutting back on discretionary spending.

But all hope of a powersports-filled summer isn’t lost. Like consumers, many dealerships may be feeling the squeeze as inflation rises and discretionary spending dips. However, many continue to be valuable resources for customers by showing them how, through financing, their services team can breathe new life into their existing vehicles. This includes financing everything from essential repairs and tune-ups to upgrades, new accessories, and even gas.

For small businesses that are not offering financing from companies such as Synchrony, this is the time to act. For businesses with existing programs, there is a good chance that many of your current and prospective customers are unaware that they can finance the upkeep of their vehicles. That means it’s time to begin promoting the full extent of these programs online and on-site in the dealership — in store windows, on the store floor, and more.

From there, educate your sales and services teams on the financing options. Make them your store’s financing experts, helping your customers understand how they can use these loans to maintain their current vehicles (and in doing so extend their lifespan) and upgrade accessories that may need replacement. For those riders with relatively new vehicles, be sure to educate them on the benefits of regular maintenance. For example, by financing more frequent tune-ups and replacing worn parts, riders can avoid more significant, and far more costly, repairs down the road. Financing can turn these proactive steps into easy-to-manage monthly payments, saving money and stress over the long haul.

This summer, powersports dealerships could be more than just a place to buy a new vehicle. They can become trusted partners in helping customers extend the life of the equipment they already own, allowing them to embark on their next getaway adventure and generate lasting memories.

Susan Medrano is the senior vice president and general manager at Synchrony Outdoors. With over 25 years of financial services experience, she leads Synchrony Outdoors within the Lifestyle platform. In this role, she provides general management and P&L accountability for Synchrony’s consumer business within the outdoors industries, including powersports and lawn and garden.

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