Cruising is without a doubt one of the most popular holiday options for Australian families, and for good reason.

With cool kids’ clubs, amazing water parks, ziplines, delicious kids’ menus and more, there’s always something for everyone – and with so many all-inclusive deals, cruising has never been more affordable.

So why exactly are so many Aussie families choosing a cruise over a normal run-of-the-mill holiday?

Here’s everything you need to know about a family cruise holiday with kids:

Are cruises good family-friendly holidays?

Cruising with your kids is a fun, safe, and convenient way to see the world as a family. With a wide array of activities – from waterslides and kids’ clubs to shore tours and wildlife encounters – a P&O Cruise is one of the best ways to keep kids (and adults) of all ages happy and entertained for days on end.

Even better, almost everything is taken care for you on a cruise. You won’t have to worry about cooking, cleaning, or entertaining – and you’ll only need to unpack once!

On a cruise you get the chance to unwind and enjoy quality time with your loved ones over great food and water views, without having to grocery shop, cook, or do the dishes.

P&O Cruises offer a huge choice of nutritious, tasty menu options for the whole family on every ship. Even the pickiest of eaters will find something they love.

Are cruises expensive?

Cruises are a pretty economical choice for a family holiday, thanks to their all-inclusive nature.

A P&O Cruise is particularly affordable, with cost-effective cruise packages to suit anyone and everyone’s needs and budget. Main meals, entertainment and onboard activities are all included – all while your family is transported from stunning destination to stunning destination, saving a significant amount of money on travel costs.

When you compare this to the combined cost of accommodation, food, travel and activities on a typical family trip, a holiday with P&O makes a lot of financial sense. All that’s left for you to do is relax!

From what age are children typically allowed on cruises?

A cruise line like P&O welcomes children 6 months and over on Australian Domestic and New Zealand Domestic cruises – for all other itineraries, children must be 12 months and over to cruise.

Any little ones under two years will need to remain with their parent or guardian at all times.

P&O is also one of the only cruise lines that limits the number of kids onboard to ensure each child receives a higher level of care.

As well as an endless collection of fun experiences, P&O also offers a fantastic range of Kids Clubs for different age groups, all included in your fare. With help from professional childhood academics, the cruise line provides engaging daily activities specially designed for kids, from arts and crafts to music and sports.

Supervised by experienced youth staff, each program features specialised, age-specific activities:

Turtle Cove (2 years to 5 years)
Shark Shack (6 years to 9 years)
HQ (10 years to 13 years)
HQ+ (14 years to 17 years)

Want a night off?

P&O Kids’ Clubs sometimes run special evening events designed for children and teens, so parents can get some extra downtime.

What activities are available for kids and families?

With so many exciting experiences to be discovered, cruising provides a perfect combination of relaxation, action, and family time. Kids will love the tropical adventures and colourful creatures they’ll encounter on a P&O Shore Tour. From exploring ancient temples to meeting adorable baby turtles, there’s always something for everyone – and it’s all organised for you. Some Shore Tours offer children’s prices for ages 2 to 12 years, and infants aged less than 2 years sitting on a parent’s lap are not charged for the tour.

P&O Cruises also feature the P&O Edge Adventure Park, with 14 awesome outdoor activities for kids aged 6 to 16 years, including the funnel climb, cross the slackline, walk the plank and more.