The family debate:
Ship V Destination

A young family comes into your shop and asks you to recommend them a holiday. What do you do? Well, you know that a cruise is the perfect choice but what’s your biggest selling point – the ship or destination?

We asked Craig Jeffs, national account manager at MSC Cruises to explain exactly what is on offer onboard (and off) one of the most family-friendly cruise lines operating today. He gives us an outline of what the company offers below…

So, who would win in a fight? Ship V Destination…

 

The ship

“When it comes to families, a cruise is not only great value-for-money but it also provides something for everyone. With five different kids’ clubs onboard and a whole host of activities for adults to indulge in, MSC Cruises is well equipped to cater for all different tastes and ages.

Kids’ Clubs onboard split into the following:

• Baby Club 0-3 years
• Mini Club 4-6 years
• Juniors Club 7-11 years
• Young Club 12-14 years
• Teen Club 15-17 years

Dedicated and qualified children’s entertainers keep the kids occupied with parties, live shows, arts and crafts lessons, sports tournaments and adventures, while the adults can relax in MSC Aurea Spa or even go on an excursion safe in the knowledge that the kids are being looked after.

Entertainment facilities onboard the ships include a 4D Cinema, Formula 1 simulator (on Fantasia class ships) mini-golf, dedicated children’s waterparks (onboard MSC Fantasia) and the longest waterslide at sea, the Vertigo on MSC Preziosa.

Dinner time is also designed with children in mind with a dedicated children’s menu and ‘Happy’ and ‘Fun Time Dinners’ for children aged 3-11 years.

Children are able to eat with their families before being collected by members of the entertainment team and whisked back to the kids’ club to enjoy even more fun.

Alternatively children aged 3-11 can have dinner four times per week in a specially-dedicated children’s area of the restaurant, accompanied by the entertainment staff.”

 

The destination

“Clearly destination is also important and, despite being Mediterranean specialists, MSC Cruises has itineraries all over the world.

MSC Divina is based year-round in the Caribbean allowing families to escape the UK in search of sunshine, palm trees and blue seas but there are nine ships sailing in the Mediterranean with a whole host of activities and family-friendly shore excursions on offer.

Shore excursions can be organised with members of the entertainment team accompanying the family on the excursion and keeping the children occupied with interactive games and fun activities.”

 

 Cruise Adviser verdict

While the destination is the most important factor for most potential cruisers, a family is a different matter. Cruises to the Mediterranean and Caribbean are always going to be popular – and are ideal for families – but there’s a reason why so many cruise lines are investing in kids’ clubs, waterparks and even dodgems onboard.

Winner: Ship

Did we get it right? Tell us what’s your biggest family cruise selling point: Ship or Destination.