Mediterranean cruises for the family

Family cruising is the biggest growth sector in the cruise market. Accordingly, you can now expect family facilities in spades, ranging from kids’ clubs to children’s meals and child-friendly shore excursions.

Costa Cruises is a case in point. Costa Magica, its latest ship launched in November, has capacity for 3,400 people with excellent facilities, including those for children. The Squok Club provides supervised activities for 3 to 17-year-olds (divided into three age groups). Children’s supervisors are also available on port days, and parents with over-3s can leave their offspring on board while they enjoy shore excursions on their own. In addition, the ship has three swimming pools plus children’s splash pool and waterslide, a play room and video games room. This summer it is offering weekly seven-night cruises to and from Savona in Italy, calling at Barcelona, Palma, Tunis, Valletta (Malta), Palermo (Sicily) and Civitavecchia (for Rome).