Explora for Families

Explora Journeys is enhancing its family-friendly offerings aboard their newest ships, EXPLORA III began sailing this summer and EXPLORA IV will debut next summer.  The new ships will have two dedicated spaces for children’s activities: Nautilus Club Juniors for children ages 3–11 and Nautilus Club Teens for ages 12–17. Your children can enjoy engaging activities ranging from sports, technology tournaments, creative arts, and crafts to interactive games. The club is generally open from 9:00am to midnight with both open play and organized activities scheduled each day.  Ashore, your family can look forward to thoughtfully curated excursion experiences such as farm visits, cooking classes, food tours, wildlife and nature experiences and other educational outings that bring each destination to life. Explora is an ideal, luxury cruise line for multi-generational families with spacious suite accommodations, all specialty dining options along with pools, spa, gym and more.

Families can also take advantage of special savings for younger travelers on selected journeys: infants ages 6–23 months sail free, while children ages 2–17 can receive up to 50% off the journey fare when booked as the third or fourth guest in the same suite. Adult children sharing a cabin can save 25%.

Explora Journeys is a luxury ocean cruise line offering an elegant, hotel-inspired experience at sea. The line focuses on slower-paced, immersive travel. Its modern ships blend European sophistication with relaxed luxury, appealing to travelers seeking a more intimate, all-inclusive-style cruise experience.

Patagonian Cruise Exploration

Looking for a truly memorable family adventure? Australis is once again offering a special December promotion on its small-ship expedition cruises through Patagonia, making this an exciting time to let us plan a memorable family trip to one of the world’s most spectacular wilderness destinations.

For all December 2026 departures, children up to age 15 sail free when sharing a cabin with an adult, with one complimentary child per paying adult. Adults also receive $750 off per person. Choose from departures from Punta Arenas, Chile or Ushuaia, Argentina for 5 days of exploration.

Australis cruises between Chile and Argentina aboard small expedition ships carrying approximately 200 guests. Families spend their days exploring the rugged landscapes and waterways, with excursions by Zodiac and on foot to glaciers, fjords, remote islands and spectacular wilderness areas. Wildlife viewing and hiking are a major part of the experience, making this an especially appealing adventure for families with older children and teenagers.

The short cruise can be easily combined with additional time in Chile or Argentina for an amazing South American adventure.

Adventure at Sea with Aurora Expeditions

Looking for a family vacation that goes far beyond the ordinary? Aurora Expeditions has just expanded its voyages to welcome children ages 6 and older, opening the door for families to experience some of the world’s most extraordinary destinations together.

On these small-ship expedition voyages to Antarctica, the Arctic, Europe, Asia and Central and South America, your family can get up close to wildlife in its natural habitat, explore remote coastlines by Zodiac, meet local communities and learn from expert expedition guides. Rather than simply sightseeing, children have the opportunity to experience glaciers, whales, penguins and remote cultures firsthand turning a family vacation into an unforgettable learning adventure.

Aurora’s purpose-built expedition ships offer a more intimate way to explore, with expedition teams leading shore excursions, wildlife encounters and educational programs onboard. It’s an especially appealing option for families with older children and teens who are ready for something more adventurous and meaningful than a traditional resort vacation.

And there’s an added incentive for families: children ages 6–15 can receive savings of up to 50% off the best available fare on eligible voyages!

A Sneak Peek at Crystal Grace

Crystal Cruises has shared new details about Crystal Grace, its newest ship scheduled to debut in 2028. The ship will introduce a collection of thoughtfully designed family and outdoor spaces, giving your family even more ways to relax, play, and enjoy time together at sea.

Located on Deck 11, the dedicated youth area will offer a shallow pool, outdoor recreational games, and comfortable spaces for families to spend time together.

Teens ages 13 to 17 will have their own expanded Waves Teen Center with an entertainment lounge with a large screen for gaming and movies, card and board games, and a dedicated music and dance area with a sound system and dance floor. During popular family travel periods, including the summer and holiday seasons, the teen program will offer daily activities and programming.

Younger children ages 3 to 12 will enjoy a reimagined Fantasia Children’s Playroom, featuring creative activities and supervised experiences. Crystal will continue to offer drop-off programming for younger children, supervised activities for older children, and in-room babysitting services. The outdoor experience will center around the Seahorse Pool with a large outdoor LED screen for everything from live sporting events and destination programming to movie nights under the stars.

Belmond Boats for Families

While traveling on one of Belmond’s luxury canal boats in France, enjoy exclusive family-friendly experiences tailored to each region, with curated adventures and added flexibility when traveling with your children and grandchildren.

Coquelicot Boat (through the Champagne region): Enjoy two magical days out – one at Disneyland Paris, exploring the new Adventure World and Frozen universe, and one at Parc Astérix. Both experiences include fast-pass access and valid on all Coquelicot journeys in August.

Napoléon & Pivoine Boats (through Provence): Enjoy the Naruto Experience at the Parc Spirou Provence in Monteux with fast-pass entry, followed by a day at Wave Island Water Park with a reserved private area, sunbeds and fast-pass access. Continue with a full-day canoeing adventure on the Ardèche River, led by a private guide. Valid on all Pivoine and Napoléon journeys in August.

Added family benefits include one additional full day plus one evening of dedicated childcare on board or offshore, plus dinner at a local restaurant.

New Ship for RCCL

Royal Caribbean International recently announced its newest Icon Class ship, Hero of the Seas, set to debut from Miami in August 2027 and is now available for booking! As the fourth ship in the groundbreaking Icon Class, the ship is designed to elevate the family cruise experience with even more pools, dining options, accommodations, and entertainment. The ship will feature eight distinct neighborhoods, nine pools and a record-breaking 28 dining venues.

Families can look forward to a wide range of activities, including the massive waterpark, which introduces the first funnel raft slide at sea, the Crown’s Edge skywalk and zip-line experience, FlowRider surf simulators, mini-golf, sports courts, and more. Dining also takes center stage with immersive new concepts.

Accommodations include a new three-story Ultimate Family Treehouse suite complete with a rooftop terrace, whirlpool, teen hangout spaces, and multiple bedrooms. Other family-focused options include Surfside suites and the Ultimate Family Townhouse with direct access to the family neighborhood.  

The ship will alternate seven-night Eastern and Western Caribbean itineraries from Miami.

Tauck Adds Small Ship Cruising for Families

Tauck’s small ship cruising experiences are so popular, they decided to create a family version as part of their Tauck Bridges offerings.   Currently two unique experiences are available for 2027:

Croatian Coast (June-August 2027): Explore five Croatian islands on an intimate small ship reserved exclusively for Tauck guests, where a scenic coastal voyage pairs seamlessly with enriching onshore discoveries. From daily swim stops to curated excursions, each day blends relaxed adventure with meaningful family moments along the Adriatic Sea.

Galapagos Wildlife Wonderland (June and July 2027 and December Festive 2027): Embark on a family expedition to the Galapagos Islands where rare wildlife, vibrant ecosystems, and untouched landscapes take center stage. Each day brings close-up encounters and guided adventures, from snorkeling and hiking to swimming and sightseeing cruises, designed to immerse travelers in one of the world’s most extraordinary natural habitats.

Note that families booking a Tauck Bridges family adventure need just 8 guests traveling together on the same departure for the 9th to travel for free! Gather the family and book now as these will sell out fast!

Nature Cruise Savings

Don’t miss out on UnCruise Adventures‘ Double Kids in Nature Savings on two special and week long Costa Rica and Alaska sailings One is a Thanksgiving sailing and the other for summer vacation. Children ages 3-17 save $1,000 per child while children 2 sail free on the following departures:

• Glacier Bay Adventure Cruise with 2 Days in Glacier Bay – June 14, 2026
• Kids in Nature: Costa Rica’s Pure Life Adventure Cruise – November 21, 2026

Your 7-night Alaska sailing aboard the Wilderness Discoverer or Wilderness Adventurer features two full days in Glacier Bay National Park, glacier exploration, whale watching, and exceptional birdlife viewing.

The 7-night Costa Rica voyage aboard the Safari Voyager explores the country’s Pacific Coast, with highlights including nature reserves, Golfo Dulce (one of the world’s only tropical fjords), rainforest hikes, kayaking through mangroves, snorkeling, beach time, and more.

Both sailings offer dedicated kids-only activities such as scavenger hunts, science labs, and bonfires.

This promotion ends on April 30…so book now for the best availability!

Oceania Changes

Our families with adult children now have a fresh way to enjoy cruising in an adult-only setting. Oceania Cruises has transitioned to an adults-only policy for all new bookings, while still honoring any children already booked to sail. The line aims to provide a more tranquil, refined, and sophisticated onboard experience.

Current promotions include up to 40% savings with reduced deposits plus the choice of a complimentary beverage package or double shore excursion credits on select sailings.

Oceania, an upper-premium cruise line, operates a fleet of small, elegant ships carrying around 1,250 guests, and is part of the same company that operates Norwegian Cruise Line and Regent Seven Seas Cruises. Its itineraries span the globe from the Caribbean and Alaska to the Mediterranean, Northern Europe, Asia, and extended world voyages often combining major ports with smaller, boutique destinations to provide a rich cultural experience.

Home at Sea with Explora

Luxury cruise line Explora Journeys invites your family to experience a true Home at Sea, where every voyage is designed to feel effortless, relaxed, and genuinely special for all generations. Thoughtfully crafted sailings make family travel seamless, with generous savings for younger guests and comforts that allow everyone to focus on spending time together.

Adults sailing as a third or fourth guest in the same suite can enjoy savings of up to 25%, children ages 2–17 receive up to 50% off, and infants from 6 to 23 months sail free making it easier than ever to bring the whole family along.

On board, your family will enjoy spacious accommodations, including connecting suites and kid-friendly amenities that make settling in simple and comfortable. Young explorers can immerse themselves in the lively Nautilus Club for ages 6–17, where engaging activities and new friendships await. At the same time, adults can retreat to serene, adults-only lounges and relaxation spaces whenever a quiet moment is needed.

Beyond the ship, Explora’s family-friendly Destination Experiences bring each port to life through immersive, engaging adventures. From cultural discoveries to nature-filled explorations, these shared moments create lasting memories for every generation. With every detail carefully considered, Explora Journeys makes it easy for families to connect, unwind, and embrace the Ocean State of Mind together.