Beyond the Ship: How a UK Cruise Can Unlock European City Breaks for the Whole Family

Why More UK Families Are Choosing to Cruise

Planning a family holiday is stressful at the best of times, but a cruise removes the complications that come with booking multiple flights and worrying about connections.

Southampton, Dover, Liverpool and Tilbury all have major ports, making it easy to start a holiday close to home. The short drive beats sitting in airport security lines for hours, and you don’t have to worry about weight limits for your luggage. It’s this convenience that’s drawing more UK families to cruises.

Once you board, everything is taken care of. Between the flexible dining options, shows, and kids’ clubs, there’s really no need to worry about anything. Parents rarely get this kind of break on family trips, which makes cruises feel like a real vacation for everyone.

Pair all of this with the ability to visit multiple destinations without the hassle of packing and unpacking, and you have what might just be the perfect holiday.

Popular Euro Destinations From UK Cruise Ports

As you explore Mediterranean cruise options, you’ll be spoiled for choice when it comes to destinations. But if this is your first family cruise, you might want to stick with these tried-and-true favourites.

Paris

Paris is one of those iconic cities that everyone should experience at least once.

Once your cruise docks at Le Havre, Paris is less than three hours away, so you get to enjoy the journey inland and spend an entire day in the City of Love. The Eiffel Tower is always worth a quick stop, but a picnic in the Tuileries Gardens and a boat ride along the Seine are also a must.

If you have younger children and don’t want to travel as far as Paris, there are some shorter excursions closer to Le Havre. The Normandy villages are beautiful, and the historic beaches make for interesting day trips.

Bruges

Cruises stopping at Zeebrugge will place you just a short transfer away from Bruges, which is like something out of a fairytale.

Bruges is compact and walkable, but there’s plenty to see in a small space. You can take boat tours through the canals, ride in horse-drawn carriages, and stop at chocolate shops along medieval streets that haven’t changed much in centuries.

Kids are fascinated as they walk around, and parents get to take some time to relax at one of the many cafes. There’s also the Bourgogne Des Flandres Brewery if you feel like tasting a beer or two.

Amsterdam

A number of Mediterranean cruise lines make stops near Amsterdam, so you can easily head into the heart of the city.

Amsterdam is a big draw for families because of all the cute canals and safe cycling routes. There’s also tons to see on the cultural front, including the Anne Frank House and the Van Gogh Museum. The NEMO Science Museum is also a hit with younger family members.

Overall, Amsterdam makes for a great day out with the family.

Other Destinations Within Reach of the UK

Paris, Bruges and Amsterdam are classic starting points for exploring some of Europe with your kids, but there are plenty of other stops that are just as easy to reach from UK ports.

• Located north of Spain, Bilbao has some incredible beaches and is home to the famous Guggenheim Museum.
• Hamburg. Kids will love Miniatur Wunderland, which is one of the largest model railways in the world.
• Enjoy a pint of Guinness or take a family-friendly history tour to learn more about some of Dublin’s historical gems.

Your Euro Adventure Starts In the UK

A cruise from the UK is a fun way to have a trip at sea while doing a European tour. You’ll wake up in a new European city every day without the stress that comes with packing and catching flights. This is your chance to take a family holiday where you can truly relax and enjoy every adventure.