The magic of multigenerational cruising

^{As seen in Sail Away Magazine:}

Step aside family cruises, there’s a new cruise type in town and it’s crossing the generational divide. Multigenerational cruises mean that more grandparents are joining their children and grandchildren for at-sea getaways than ever before. After all, where else can so many different generations explore different destinations together? Enjoy extraordinary experiences together? And savour time, you guessed it, together? From singalong sessions to cultural tours, the opportunities cruising offers are endless. Here are seven reasons why multigenerational cruising is so magical: 

On a multigenerational cruise, endless entertainment options for each and every family member means that each day and night brings something new to do. From one-of-a-kind dining concepts that bring table tops to life to hit Broadway musicals and dance battles at silent discos, you’ll find all sorts of ways to fill your days onboard a Celebrity Cruises voyage. Adventure isn’t confined to daylight hours, though! After dark, continue the fun with a sensational main-stage production, a movie night under the stars or enjoy a late-night sweet treat at Oceanview Café. The hardest part is deciding where to start! 

Cruising is famous for many things, but perhaps most notably, the food. With such an incredible selection of cuisines available, the renowned quality of food will leave you dreaming of a particular dish forevermore. Holland America Line is certain to tempt your taste buds with an appetising array of onboard dining options to suit everyone’s needs. Family favourites include Lido Market, a casual but modern marketplace serving up the widest range of food options onboard, Dive-In, a poolside grill with the best burgers at sea and The Dining Room, where families can come together at the end of the day to share newfound experiences over a superb multicourse dinner. 

As more and more people are sailing with their nearest and dearest, cruise lines have started to offer a wide array of accommodations geared to families needs. All ships in the Norwegian Cruise Line fleet, for example, offer family mini-suites, balcony and oceanview staterooms and even interconnecting staterooms close to children’s areas. Even more special is The Haven by Norwegian®, Norwegian Cruise Line’s most luxurious, well-appointed and spacious accommodations which are neatly hidden away at the top of the ship. One benefit (though there are many) of booking a stateroom within The Haven, is the close proximity to youth spaces like Splash Academy and Entourage, meaning you’re just steps away from hours of fun.

With kid's clubs aimed at different ages and stages, tots and teens and everyone in between are well entertained for the duration of the cruise. P&O Cruises offers free clubs in a fun and safe environment to those aged 6 months to 17 years. Ensuring children are happy and entertained throughout the day while giving them the opportunity to forge friendships, the kids’ clubs are tailored to age-specific needs with a wide range of activities to enjoy. Choose from the Nursery (6 months to 2 years), Night Nursery (6 months to 4 years), Splashers (2 to 4 years), Surfer (5 to 8 years), Scubas (9 to 12 years) and H2O Children’s Club/The Scene (13 to 17 years).  

As technology has evolved, cruise lines have developed seamless ways to improve their overall onboard experience. One such cruise line is Princess Cruises, which, through its clever MedallionClass® technology, offers voyages of discovery and reconnection that everyone from grandchildren to grandparents can share. MedallionClass® enables families to embark and disembark more quickly and easily, makes dining preferences more customisable, provides interactive games (think location-based scavenger hunts, word puzzles and trivia) and fast, reliable Wi-Fi that keeps the whole gang entertained and, perhaps most importantly, allows you to keep track of everyone, wherever they are onboard. MedallionClass® is just one of many reasons Princess Cruises is a popular choice for multigenerational adventures. 

Not only is a multigenerational cruise the perfect way to explore the high seas with all the family, but it’s also the perfect way to explore life on land, too. Celebrity Cruises sails to over 300 destinations around the world and offers an array of family-friendly shore excursions at almost all of them. From carefully curated cultural tours to thrilling water sports, guided trips at local landmarks to private hikes up volcanoes, families will have no trouble finding the perfect shore excursion for their next port of call. What’s more, you’ll have the opportunity to discover any destination, granting in-depth knowledge, expertise and a truly extraordinary experience. What could be more special than generations bonding over making history? 

If the last few years have taught us anything, it’s that it’s more important than ever before to take a break from our busy lives to spend quality time together as a family and make memories to last a lifetime. And what better way to do so than on a cruise? Ambassador Cruise Line’s exclusive range of multigenerational cruises allows you to share your passion with your family, enjoy the familiarity of a holiday you know, make the most of low-stress travel and see more of the world, all while building precious memories with those closest to you.