Explora I: a Western Mediterranean week for three generations
Barcelona to Rome with connecting suites, a real kids' programme and nobody dressing for dinner.
Cruise ideas
Not hundreds of cruises. The ones worth considering.
Every idea here is a sailing we would put a real family, couple or group of grandparents on, with the cabins we'd choose and the things we'd add around it. Prices are planning figures per person, not quotes.
All cruise ideas
Evrima: the Riviera and Corsica on a Ritz-Carlton yacht
Nice to Rome by yacht, with a marina off the stern and a children's programme that makes it work for families.
Seven Seas Grandeur: Greek islands with everything included
Athens round trip with excursions, drinks, speciality dining and flights in the fare.
Silver Nova: Venice to Athens down the Adriatic
Silversea's brightest ship through Croatia, Montenegro and the Ionian, with a butler in every suite.
Seabourn Ovation: the Norwegian fjords from Dover
No flight, a small sociable ship, and scenery from the veranda from breakfast to midnight.
Silver Endeavour: Antarctica in comfort
The trip of a lifetime with a butler, zodiac landings twice a day and a fly-cruise option across the Drake.
S.S. Maria Theresa: a Danube family sailing for three generations
Budapest to Passau on a dedicated family departure: castles, chocolate and no sea days.
Le Bougainville: Greek islands in summer with Ponant's kids' club
A small French ship, a summer children's programme and harbours only yachts can use.
Oceania Vista: Lisbon to Barcelona for people who travel to eat
Portugal, Andalusia and the Spanish coast with the best restaurants at sea, at an upper-premium price.
Seven Seas Explorer: Alaska with Vancouver and the Rockies
Glaciers and whales with excursions included, plus Vancouver and the Rocky Mountaineer for a 14-night family journey.
Explora II: a Caribbean Christmas for the whole family
Barbados round trip over Christmas with the Grenadines, connecting suites and someone else cooking.
Don't see the right one?
These are examples, not the whole list. Tell us who's travelling and when, and we'll shortlist the sailings we'd actually recommend for your party.
Worth knowing
If you're travelling with six or more, start early.
None of this is pressure. It is simply how luxury ships work, and why the planning is worth doing properly.
Plan Our Family Cruise- The best family suites and connecting cabins are the first to go, often many months before departure.
- Peak Mediterranean and school-holiday sailings fill early on the small luxury ships; there may be only a handful of suites that work for a large party.
- Connecting suites are limited on most ships, and some lines have none at all.
- The right cabin can matter as much as the ship: deck, position and layout change how a week feels.
- Flights and pre-cruise hotels for six or more people are easier, and cheaper, when planned together and early.