Why a no-fly cruise is the ultimate in family fun

Words by Karen Pasquali Jones

Forget the faff of a busy airport, trying to keep the kids entertained on a long-haul flight or contending with jet lag when you finally arrive – when it comes to a family holiday the fun can start almost immediately by stepping onboard a no-fly cruise from Southampton.

Whether you want to have fun and games on a fortnight’s trip around the hotspots of the Mediterranean, or discover the coolest coastal towns of the Great White North, you can explore the world right from your very own doorstep.

That means you can visit multiple destinations – we’re talking Lisbon, Barcelona, Nice, Rome, Naples, Capri and Gibraltar in one trip – without having to pack or unpack more than once, and instead of having to rush from airport to airport, you can relax in the sun as having fun on a no-fly cruise is plain sailing.

And while cutting out the hassle of a flight is a great way to start your holiday – and help the planet – there’s no baggage limits to worry about, or  restrictions so you can forget about having to put all your hand sanitisers in pesky plastic bags. You can even take two bottles of Champagne or wine on board when you board to sailaway in style.

Thrill seekers will never want to get off Royal Caribbean’s Anthem of the Seas which has been designed to keep every generation entertained onboard from the moment it leaves Southampton.

Let the daredevils in the family feel the gravity-defying headrush of skydiving on Ripcord by iFly, or try to catch a wave – or not! – on FlowRider, the cruise line’s 12m-long surf simulator where water rushes in at speeds up to 45mph. Whether they surf or wipe out there’s plenty of IG and TikTok moments guaranteed.

Everyone will love the retro fun of bumper cars in SeaPlex, the largest indoor activity space at sea. There’s roller skating, Zumba classes, football, pickleball (a fun combination of tennis, badminton and table tennis) and basketball on offer there, too along with an arcade and Sea Pods, with the latest consoles and games.

Whether you want to brush up your skills or learn new ones there’s myriad choices from Latin dance classes, archery, the trapeze at Circus School, sushi making and even folding artistry – a towel swan or monkey anyone?

On sea days, parents – and grandparents – can drop the little ones at the kids’ club Adventure Ocean (with activities for babies from six months to 11 years) or teen areas The Living Room and Fuel disco (for 12-17 year-olds) and then recharge at The Solarium, an indoor-outdoor adults only oasis at the front of the ship.

With a crystal canopy offering ocean views, and swimming pool, whirlpools and a lounge area – with no children in sight – this is the perfect place for some precious me-time. No kid-ding.

If you want to be together, why not take a dip in one of the four pools on Anthem of the Seas or step onboard the record-breaking North Star, a glass-enclosed pod that soars 92m above sea level – that’s almost as high as Big Ben and is the tallest viewing deck on a cruise ship – for the most awe-inspiring views?

Or how about dining together in a speciality restaurant: the kids will love Johnny Rockets, the American diner, Jamie’s Italian and iZumi sushi, while there’s a gourmet gastronomy journey to take at Wonderland, which serves up dishes ‘beyond your wildest imagination.’

Afterwards, everyone can take their seats for the Olivier Award-winning musical We Will Rock You in the Royal Theater or watch the mesmerising Spectra’s Cabaret in Two70, while adults can grab a cocktail mixed by a pair of robotic bartenders at the Bionic Bar.

When it’s time to bed, along with the usual staterooms, for a special trip you can upgrade to Royal Suite Class.

The two-storey Ultimate Family Suite has a slide from the kids’ bedroom to the living room, a climbing wall, and hot tub on the balcony as well as exclusive access to Coastal Kitchen where dishes are made fresh with local ingredients. Those splashing out on the top tier also get their very own sun deck and a Royal Genie to make all their wishes on board come true.

As well as exploring the ship, you’ll all be heading ashore to discover new destinations, or secret gems in favourite cities and share and make memories with all the family. From the best that Europe has to offer to transatlantic crossings to the good ol’ US of A, there’s always somewhere new on the horizon to explore that everyone will love.