Unpopular opinion: It’s OK to take your kids out of school for travel. What they’ll experience from seeing the world is a whole other level of education and enrichment. Plus, it allows time for the family to recharge from their busy day-to-day schedules.
While my family and I tend to be more intrepid travelers, lately I’ve been craving a vacation that involves less hassle to plan. Hello, cruising.
What I love most about a cruise is that you get to see multiple countries in one trip, while unpacking only once. You have a variety of family-friendly activities, restaurants, and more right outside your stateroom door—and all of it can be a great value for your money. Fuel your wanderlust, and join me in my international cruise-planning mom era, with these five magical itineraries.
1. Greek Isles: Santorini and Athens, from Istanbul
Ship: Norwegian Cruise Line’s Norwegian Viva
Greece is one of those destinations that’s best explored by ship, because it allows you to see more than one island. Santorini, Mykonos, Athens, Olympia, and Corfu round out the alluring isles on this 10-night itinerary, which is offered during the summer months, so you don’t have to worry about your kids missing any school days.
Norwegian Viva also will give you a taste of the Balkans—one of my favorite regions of Europe, due to its rugged beauty and persevering energy—with stops in Kotor, Montenegro, and the Croatian cities of Split and Dubrovnik. This is where families can truly tap into their adventurous sides. The cruise wraps up in Venice, where you can unwind on a gondola ride.
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The sailing begins in Istanbul, a city bursting with palpable culture and ornate beauty—qualities that can also make it overwhelming to explore on your own. For this reason, I recommend linking up with a tour operator (my go-to is Ada Vegas Travel) when you arrive at least a day or two early, to help you navigate the only city in the world that covers two continents.
Ship highlights for families: Splash Academy kids’ club for ages three and up; activities such as go-kart racing, an escape room, a water park, two dry slides, and interactive mini-golf course
2. Best of Japan and South Korea, from Beijing
Ship: Royal Caribbean’s Ovation of the Seas
Japan is all the rage, these days, and I’m here for it. The country has been on my wish list since I was a kid, awed by its well-preserved, ancient traditions that comingle so seamlessly with its modern ingenuity. Now, it ranks as a top travel destination, after interest heightened when it shut down tourism for two years during Covid-19.
Ovation of the Seas spends part of its season in Asia, with a handful of sailings to Japan. This nine-night itinerary likely will require some days away from school, but because of how long it takes to get there, you’ll want to maximize your time. The sailing also coincides with the tail-end of cherry blossom season—a once-in-a-lifetime sight you don’t want to miss.
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This “feast for the senses” sailing takes you to Seoul and Jeju in South Korea, and follows with three back-to-back days in Japan. You’ll visit Kumamoto, Kagoshima, and Kochi, and then end your journey in Tokyo. Expect to be left totally speechless by the scenery, learn about Japan’s samurai past, feel at peace in ancient temples, and see your kids become more adventurous eaters.
Ship highlights: Adventure Ocean kids’ club for ages three and up, with an optional nursery for littles as young as six months; activities such as sky-diving and surf simulators, a water park, rock-climbing wall, a circus school, and bumper cars; and cabins specifically designed for families
3. A Journey of Coral Kingdoms and Pirate Lairs, from Miami
Ship: Explora Journeys’ Explora II
With the Caribbean being the most visited cruise region in the world, this seven-night itinerary is a welcome break from the crowds. Explora II concentrates on lesser-touristed parts of the Caribbean, and its small size allows it to anchor and dock in places the big ships can’t reach.
From Miami, the ship makes its way to the small island of Anguilla and Southern Caribbean gems of Dominica and Guadeloupe, before heading back up to Saint Martin and San Juan, Puerto Rico. The itinerary unfolds like a treasure map, leading you to the most rewarding experiences like trekking volcanoes, swimming in secluded coves, rappelling down a waterfall, detoxing in volcanic mud baths, and snorkeling over a coral reef. San Juan might even tempt you to extend your stay.
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For a more destination-immersive experience, Explora Journeys offers Destination Experiences in each port designed for the whole family. Age requirements vary by tour but begin as young as four years old on this itinerary.
Ship highlights: Nautilus Club for kids six and up, with parent-accompanied activities for ages three to five, as well as pampering extras for little passengers
4. Bon Voyage! France Family River Cruise, from Paris
Ship: Tauck ms Emerald
When I embarked on a Viking River cruise through the South of France in 2016, I told myself I’d return someday with my future husband and children. The region is a wonderland for families, where the towns thrive but lack “big city” crowds; the scent of lavender and sweet, baked goods wafts through the air; a slower pace encourages wandering; and carousels abound, making for fun, impromptu rides. (I rode on as many carousels as I could—no shame.)
MORE JOIE DE VIVRE: 5 South of France vacations for escaping the crowds
What I love about Tauck Bridges’ seven-night itinerary is that it includes two nights in a Paris hotel before the five-night cruise, which stops in Arles, Avignon, Viviers, Tournon, and Lyon. The line makes it even more effortless for families to enjoy their trip, with shore excursions, meals, and unlimited drinks all wrapped up into the cruise fare. Summer departure dates also means guilt-free planning.
On this cruise, families will get to visit a private ranch in La Camargue—known as “French cowboy country—for a hayride and traditional Provencal lunch. Other standout experiences include early access to the Musee Marmottan Monet (exclusive to Tauck Bridges), a Van Gogh-inspired chocolate painting class, and a game of petanque played with locals.
Ship highlights: Destination-inspired activities for the whole family, as well as onboard amenities such as a putting green and hot tub
5. Cruises from Singapore
Ship: Disney Adventure
Never have I ever been more excited for itineraries that technically don’t exist yet. Can you blame me? All we know about Disney Cruise Line’s new ship is that it will homeport in Singapore sometime next year. The Southeast Asian city is marveled for its diverse architectural styles, melting pot of cultures, meticulously clean streets, and urban green spaces.
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Details of Disney Adventure’s sailings are expected to be announced in the near future, but we already expect them to visit enchanting destinations across the Southeast Asia region. Bookmark this article, and we’ll update as soon as this information becomes available.
Ship highlights for families: Everything families love about Disney, plus many firsts for the line including seven themed areas: Discovery Reef, Toy Story Place, San Fransokyo Street, Marvel Landing, Wayfinder Bay, Town Square, and the Disney Imagination Garden, an open-air performance space with dining and shopping venues
