Cruise holidays for kids: three of the best

A few years ago, a cruise holiday may not have been the first break that sprung to mind for a perfect family getaway. But these days offerings for children at sea are so fabulous that you'd be mad not to consider taking the kids on a cruise .

Amazing activities (including skydiving on a ship!), Disney characters galore and free holidays for under 18s are just a few of the reasons why cruising is a great option for families.

Cruise holidays offer affordability, sailings throughout the year and the option to fly directly to the area you will be cruising (fly-cruise) so you can leave out the 'boring' part of the trip. Europe, the Caribbean and America are popular destinations to explore on a cruise with the children, and with a vast array of onboard entertainment, you will wonder why you didn't treat the family to a holiday at sea before!

Whether your children are little ones or teens, these are the cruises to book for an unforgettable family holiday...

Carnival's Seuss at Sea

Carnival Cruise Line has recently partnered with Dr. Seuss Enterprises to become the first 'Fun Ship' to offer Seuss at Sea: family, dining and entertainment experiences inspired by the world of Dr. Seuss. Young passengers can enjoy the first-ever Green Eggs and Ham Breakfast with the Cat in the Hat and Friends, which features deliciously playful food straight from Dr. Seuss' imagination. Carnival Splendor also hosts Seuss-a-palooza story time and a character parade, where guests join Dr. Seuss characters in a swirly conga line along Carnival Splendor's promenade. The array of classic Dr. Seuss books, toys and games stocked on Carnival Splendor, as well as special showings of beloved movies such as The Cat in the Hat on the giant outdoor screen are other activities your children won't want to miss.

Norwegian's Freestyle Cruising

Teens will love a cruise on Norwegian Breakaway where they can enjoy their freedom with Norwegian Cruise Line's Freestyle Cruising, allowing them to dress up or down, sleep in or catch the sunrise and dine somewhere different each day of the week. The best part is that they don't have to follow an itinerary and can look forward to the casual holiday atmosphere every teen wants. The outdoor sports complex is an excellent space to play basketball, conquer a rock climbing wall or play mini-golf with the rest of the family. Teens aged 13 to 17 can also take part in theatre or fashion workshop, watch scary movies or go to a night-time pool party. The teen lounge has flat screen TVs, Wii U, air hockey and foosball to keep them entertained inside too.

Disney's Holiday Cruises

Disney Cruise Line's Holidays on the High Seas offers families the chance to celebrate Halloween, Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year's with Mickey and the gang at sea. As you sail from port to port, you and the kids can enjoy festive parties and activities. On the Halloween cruise, kids can watch scary movies such as Tim Burton's The Nightmare Before Christmas Sing and Scream, Haunted Stories of the Sea. The Very MerryTime Cruises, from November to December, offers all the magic you expect from Disney on a Christmas cruise, including the King Triton's Tree Lighting Ceremony, a life-sized gingerbread house, as well as teen-only and tween-only Christmas parties.

Have you been on a cruise holiday with your children before? Leave a comment below and tell us about your experience.

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