Ibiza, but for £1 – the new way to travel with family this summer

Family holidays can quickly get expensive during the school summer break – and what if grandad fancies joining too?

Bringing the whole gang together for a getaway is much sought after these days but pleasing everyone can be tricky and not always budget-friendly.

Enter your new best friend – Ambassador Cruise Line. The adults-only cruise line has unveiled its multigenerational cruise for summer 2023 and it’s a humdinger.

Firstly, it sails to some gorgeous Spanish and Portuguese hotspots from Porto to Mallorca and yes even Ibiza (more on this later) but secondly, it’s seriously easy on the wallet.

You ready? Children sail for £1. Yes, literally a quid for your kid on this 14-night Balearic summer sailing. That includes full board dining plus a drinks package (that’s non-alcoholic beverages including unlimited soft drinks) for your mini traveller if you book before May 17. Juice all round! Try getting that sort of bargain at your local Sainsbury’s.

Alas, dads, aunts and whatnot do have to cough up for the price of Ambassador multigenerational cruises – starting from £999 – but again that includes all dining plus a free adult drinks package (again, if you book by May 17) and gratuities.

All in all you’re looking at £2,000 for a family of four for a two-week European holiday, that’s just £143 a day! A snip!

To make life even easier, this family cruise 2023 sails from London Tilbury (and comes with free port parking or London Victoria Coach travel, when booking by May 17) so you and the little one won’t have to tackle the horrors of battling the airport. Yes, you can bring more than one teddy, no you don’t have to limit the liquids. Joy.

The perks of multigenerational cruising don’t stop there. This Ambassador cruise not only includes free matchday tickets to Essex Cricket but also a £40pp (£160 for a family of four) destination experience voucher.

You can use these to make the most of the incredible destinations you can visit on multigenerational cruises, which brings us to the itinerary itself.

From the UK, Ambassador flagship Ambience sails to Portugal, stopping at Leixoes, for Oporto. Adults will love the delicious port wine that has made the city world-famous while everyone will appreciate the trip to McDonald’s (bear with us). It sells McFlurrys and Happy Meals and is considered the most beautiful McDonald’s on the planet thanks to the Art Deco building it’s housed in!

Other family-friendly activities here include wandering the vast grounds of the Jardins do Palácio de Cristal, hiring a bike and cycling along the Douro River and visiting the interactive museum World of Discoveries which takes you back to the 14th and 16th centuries and boasts theme-park-like boat rides. All aboard, me hearties!

Then it’s away to Spanish lands on your family cruise, and Palma de Mallorca in particular. If you’re ready for some culture check out the magnificent 14th-century Palma Cathedral or head to Bellver Castle where you can soak up stunning views over the bay.

To do, well, nothing – there are lots of sun-drenched golden beaches to sprawl out and relax on, too. Yes, your sandcastle looks lovely, dear.

Perhaps more unlikely for multigenerational cruising is a stop in Ibiza but put the party stereotype of the Balearic island aside! There’s oodles for little ones and grown-ups alike to enjoy here.

If you fancy some thrills there’s Aguamar Water Park, outdoor adventure park Acrobosc and Ibiza Horse Valley which offers horseback riding throughout the year. To explore with fewer physical challenges, travellers can take an Ibiza Jeep Safari or the Ibiza Tourist Train.

Alternatively, just lie on Ibiza’s lovely beaches! Cala Bassa is a beautiful stretch on the west coast of the island and there are lots of opportunities for snorkelling and mooching along the promenade. Plus, if you do want a taste of ‘classic’ Ibiza there’s Cala Bassa Beach Club for exclusive vibes twinned with deep house music (OK and maybe a cocktail for mummy).

After a day a sea (the perfect chance to make the most of everything the ship has to offer, from the spa to theatre shows) Ambience calls at Cadiz for Seville, home of oranges and flamenco.

Don’t miss the splendid cathedral and Alhambra Palace. The latter is a walled city built in the 13th century – it’s one of the best-preserved palaces of the historic Islamic world and a UNESCO World Heritage site.

If you’ve got younger kids then Magic Island is a fun theme park while House of Science (La Casa de la Ciencia) is a good option with an educational angle. Alternatively, a hop-on-hop-off-bus-tour is perfect for tired little feet while feasting on tapas is an absolute must!

Last up on this multigenerational cruising itinerary is Vigo, for Santiago de Compostela. This walled medieval town is steeped in history and home to remarkable carved stone façades, grand plazas and intriguing winding streets. Explore on foot or opt for the Santiago de Compostela tourist train – a great way to see the main sights in a short time.

Other highlights include amazing food market Mercado de Abastos and the Cathedral of Santiago de Compostela (climb to the roof and let your kids’ imagination run riot up in the rooftop cloisters). Be sure to fuel up on churros and chocolate en route no matter how old you are!