Three for Tuesday: cultural cruises for families

Want the kids to learn something? Want to try something slightly different? We have highlighted some cruises that would be perfect for the family, that call in at some of Europe’s many cultural hotspots.

These trips are not for those passengers who crave some beach time – although there will be plenty of time to relax onboard!

Following on from the publication of Cruise Adviser’s Ex-UK 2015 guide, each week we will be running our Three for Tuesday feature, which gives you a trio of cruise options to choose from. This week it’s ex-UK trips for families who want a bit of culture.

Cruise Adviser’s River guide is out now. To request a copy email: info@cruise-adviser.com or click here to read the digital version. Our family guide is out in May.

Iceland

Line: Crystal Cruises
Departure port: Dover
Departure date: June 28, 2015
Destination: Iceland
Duration: Ten nights
Ship: Crystal Symphony
Price: Price upon request

A holiday with ultra-luxury Crystal Cruises wouldn’t be the first place you would think of for a family cruise, but the line is rightfully proud of its children’s facilities and lavishes the same care and attention onto its younger clientele as it does its older. This sailing, which takes passengers from Dover to Ireland and on to Iceland, is a great way to see
a bit of the UK – and far further afield too.

The Baltics

Line: P&O Cruises
Departure port: Southampton
Departure date: December 19, 2015
Destination: Baltic
Duration: Nine nights
Ship: Aurora
Price: Inside from £3,776 for four passengers

Ever thought about taking the family on holiday for Christmas but the idea of an airport around the festive holiday brings you out in a cold chill? The answer is to take a cruise. This Southampton roundtrip departs on December 19 and includes calls at Gothenburg, Copenhagen, Amsterdam and Bruges before pulling up in the UK for December 28. One way to ensure no one burns the turkey.

Russia

Line: Royal Caribbean
Departure port: Harwich
Departure date: July 17, 2015
Destination: Baltic
Duration: Two nights
Ship: Brilliance of the Seas
Price: Inside from £5,068 for four passengers

Departing from Harwich in July this 12-night sailing takes passengers to Copenhagen, Tallinn and Saint Petersburg. Guests will enjoy sea days to try out the rock climbing wall, spa and theatre as well as shore excursions to some of Europe’s most historical cities. One undoubted highlight is an overnight stay in Russia, where passengers will have the opportunity to visit some of the grandest palaces ever built.