Family River Cruises are becoming a more popular vacation choice especially for families who are seeking a unique and engaging travel experience. These cruises offer a blend of relaxation, adventure, and cultural immersion, making them an ideal option for families looking to create lasting memories together.
With a range of activities both on land and on the ship, there is something to suit all ages and interests. Whether it’s exploring ancient castles along the riverbanks, taking part in cooking classes on the ship, or going for a leisurely cycling tour through charming towns, there is no shortage of fun and engaging experiences for the whole family to enjoy.
Minimum Age For Children To Join A River Cruise
The minimum age for children to join a river cruise may vary depending on the cruise operator. In general, children under the age of four may not be permitted on certain river cruises due to safety reasons or the nature of the activities involved. It is advisable to check with the river cruise operator regarding their specific age policies to ensure a smooth booking process and a pleasant experience for the entire family.
Family River Cruises With Small Children
River cruising with small children can be a delightful experience for both parents and kids. Many river cruise operators offer kid-friendly activities and amenities to keep the little ones entertained while onboard. From children’s playrooms to interactive workshops and games, there’s plenty for kids to enjoy on a family river cruise.
Family River Cruises With Pre-Teens And Teenagers
For families with pre-teens and teenagers, river cruising can be a fantastic way to explore new destinations and cultures together. Many river cruise operators offer age-appropriate activities and excursions for older children, ensuring that the whole family has a memorable vacation experience.
Multigenerational River Cruising
Multigenerational river cruising is becoming increasingly popular, as families look for ways to spend quality time together across different generations. River cruises offer something for everyone, from grandparents to grandchildren, making them the perfect choice for multigenerational family vacations.
Children-Friendly River Cruise Operators
Several river cruise operators cater specifically to families traveling with children. AmaWaterways offers Family River Cruises in Europe in partnership with Adventures by Disney, providing specialised river cruise ships designed to accommodate multi-generational guests. A-Rosa Family River Cruises offer family cabins and kid-friendly spaces, with the A-Rosa Sena river cruise ship featuring a dedicated family pool and a pirate-themed treasure island kids’ club. Uniworld is another notable operator that offers multi-generational river cruises with a variety of onboard activities such as dessert-making, craft workshops, and VIP ship tours.
Private Dining Options For Bigger Families
For families traveling with a larger group, private dining options can be a great choice for enjoying meals together without the hassle of finding seating for everyone. Many river cruise operators offer private dining rooms or special group dining arrangements, ensuring that bigger families can dine together in style.
Best Kept Secret: Christmas River Cruises
One of the best-kept secrets of family river cruises is the enchanting experience of a Christmas river cruise. These cruises offer families the opportunity to visit magical Christmas markets along the riverside, participate in fun Christmas-themed activities on board the ship, and immerse themselves in the festive spirit in a unique and memorable way. This makes Christmas river cruises a perfect holiday getaway for the entire family to enjoy together.
Our Experience Of Family River Cruises
Recently, Alex had the pleasure of experiencing a delightful journey on AmaWaterways’ AmaKristina, and she highly recommends it for families. Here’s why this river cruise stands out for multi-generational travel.
AmaWaterways is one of the few river cruise lines that welcome children as young as four years old. This inclusivity means families can enjoy a vacation together, regardless of age. On our cruise, we had a diverse group ranging from grandparents and parents to teenagers and a four-year-old granddaughter.
Tailored Excursions To Suit All In The Group
The cruise offered a variety of excursions that catered to all activity levels, ensuring everyone had an enjoyable experience. For example:
Gentle Walking Tours: The picturesque cities of Avignon and Arles were explored through leisurely walks. These tours were perfect for the grandparents and young children, with the latter comfortably riding in a stroller when tired.
Historical and Cultural Sites: Parents and teens appreciated the rich history and culture of the region, exploring landmarks and learning about the local heritage.
Family-Friendly Dining
Dining on the AmaKristina was a highlight. The restaurant set up tables to accommodate our entire family, allowing us to dine together every evening. The menu offered a variety of western-style meals that pleased all taste buds, from the youngest to the oldest.
Top Deck Swimming Pool Fun
The swimming pool on the top deck was a hit, especially with the youngest family member. She spent hours splashing around while the weather remained sunny and warm. This gave parents a chance to alternate between pool duty and enjoying other activities or simply relaxing.
Peaceful And Kid-Friendly Environment
One of the best aspects of a river cruise on the AmaKristina is the serene environment. Unlike larger ocean cruises, there’s no overwhelming entertainment or a large number of children running around. The small size of the ship ensures a quiet and relaxed atmosphere, where children naturally fit into the rhythm of the cruise and still having fun rather than them being the focus of it.
Book Your Family River Cruise With Global River Cruising
Family River Cruises provide a unique and exciting vacation option for families of all ages. From quality time spent together to engaging activities suitable for all family members, these cruises offer a memorable and enriching experience that is unparalleled.
With specialised family-friendly cruise operators, and tailored experiences for small children as well as teenagers, family river cruises cater to the diverse needs and interests of families, making them an ideal choice for a truly unforgettable family vacation.
Get in touch today if you’re keen on taking your family on an unforgettable river cruise in Europe. You won’t regret it!
Call (0800 471 4754) or send us an email to discuss your cruise preferences and we will do the rest.
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About Christine Foulds
I’m originally from Germany and traveling has always been a part of my family’s DNA. Over the past 20 years, I’ve lived and worked in 5 different countries (USA, Austria, Russia, Peru and the UK) and learnt to speak 3 foreign languages (Russian and Spanish are getting a bit rusty though). I thoroughly enjoy working with travel enthusiasts who like to explore and visit new parts of the world as much as I do.
View all posts by Christine Foulds