Planning a cruise for your extended family can be really tricky. Everyone wants something different from their holiday – which leaves you with the challenge of finding something that ticks all the boxes for everyone.
However, after trying pretty much all of the cruise lines that allow children on board, I’ve found what I believe is the best cruise for the whole family – grandparents included!
We were invited to spend a week on Sun Princess, Princess Cruises’ newest ship. My children, husband, mother-in-law and I all had the best time.
Here’s why you won’t find a better ship than this one for your family holiday…
Fun for All Ages
Some other cruise lines are geared towards retirees, making them very popular with the over-60s. I’m talking about lines like Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines, Cunard, and Ambassador Cruise Line.
While these may be favourites with the grandparents – and they do allow kids on board during school holidays – children’s activities can be something of an afterthought.
If your kids are young enough to be happy with just a swimming pool and a colouring book, then these can be great. But older kids will probably want more from their summer holiday…
Then, there are cruise lines that are ALL about the kids. I’m talking about Royal Caribbean, Disney Cruise Line, and Carnival. Sure, your teens will love the facilities, but Nana and Grandad might find these mega-ships a bit too large, loud, and overwhelming.
Plus, you’re essentially paying for the zipline, waterslides, and rock climbing walls whether you use them or not.
Princess Cruises gets the balance just right. Their large and modern ships are especially designed with all generations in mind.
Princess Cruises’ kids’ clubs are among the best at sea, and there’s plenty for older adults too. You’ll find a jam-packed schedule of trivia, language classes, cookery demonstrations, dance lessons, afternoon tea and so much more.
With so much to do on board, you can enjoy activities together or head off and do your own thing.
Princess Cruises’ Medallion Technology is a Game-Changer
The more people there are in your group, the harder it can be to keep everyone organised. But the Princess Cruises Medallion solves that problem.
The Medallion is a small device, about the size of a ten pence piece (or a quarter, for my American friends). It uses GPS technology to do some seriously clever things.
One of my favourite features is that you can see where your family members are using your phone. So you don’t need to plan to meet at a specific place and time – you can just find each other whenever you like.
If kids or grandparents don’t have a smartphone, that’s not a problem. There are screens around the ship where you can check where everyone is. It even gives you step-by-step directions to help you find them.
The Medallion also replaces your cruise card. Because you can wear it on your wrist or around your neck, you’re far less likely to lose it. No more “Mum, can I have my cruise card to get a drink?” – the kids can just go and get one themselves.
Suggested read: 10 Best Princess Medallion Accessories
You can also use the Princess Cruises app to order food and drinks anywhere on the ship. Crew members can see your location, so even if you move, your order will still find you.
There’s Food Everyone Will Love
Everyone loves the food on Princess ships – whatever their tastes, dietary needs, or level of fussiness!
In the Main Dining Room, there’s a new menu every day, with separate options for children, vegans, and vegetarians.
The buffet is open throughout the day and offers just about every cuisine you can think of – from Asian and Mexican dishes to American favourites and kid-friendly classics.
Sun Princess has loads of casual dining spots too, both by the pool and along Deck 8. Here, you can grab pizza slices, burgers, hot dogs, tacos, burritos, nachos, and salads – all at no extra cost.
When it comes to speciality dining, Sun Princess is a foodie’s dream! We went for the Premier package, which gave us unlimited access to the speciality restaurants.
From teppanyaki live cooking shows to steakhouses and gourmet Italian restaurants, there are countless options – you could eat somewhere different every night.
There’s also an extensive room service menu included in your fare. And thanks to the app and Medallion technology, you don’t have to eat it in your cabin – you can have it delivered anywhere on the ship!
With Princess Cruises, you can dine as a family or enjoy an adults-only meal while the kids are at the kids’ club, which is open throughout the day and from 7pm to 10pm in the evening.
For couples, I recommend the Love By Britto restaurant – it’s probably the most romantic restaurant at sea.
The Vibe is So Relaxed
I love how relaxing a Princess cruise is. There are no strict dress codes – although you can dress up for formal night if you fancy it.
Some people go for floor-length gowns and tuxedos, while others stick to a sundress or polo shirt. It’s totally up to you, and you’ll never feel out of place.
There’s no need to rush around following a rigid schedule – there’s so much going on that you can just wander and stumble across something fun.
The ships are spacious, and we never had to queue for anything. Sun Princess is big – but not too big. There’s no blaring music or wild parties – just good, wholesome family fun.
Entertainment for All
The entertainment on a Princess cruise is brilliant for all ages. Sun Princess has several venues, so you might find acrobats in the Arena, a comedy show in Princess Live, trivia in the Irish Pub, and live music in the Piazza – all happening at the same time.
You can do as much or as little as you like. One person might want to watch Movies Under the Stars on the outdoor screen, another might head to the casino, and someone else might fancy a show – and that’s absolutely fine.
Children aged eight and up can sign themselves in and out of the kids’ club (once you’ve given permission). That’s perfect, because if they ever get bored of the evening entertainment, they can just head to the club and join in the fun – with air hockey and Minecraft gaming being firm favourites with my kids!
Spacious Family Cabins and Connecting Rooms
One of the biggest challenges when cruising with extended family is the cabin layout – but Sun Princess makes it easy. There are spacious family cabins with extra beds and generous storage, as well as interconnecting rooms.
On our cruise, Granny stayed in her own cabin nearby. We made sure hers had extra beds too, so the kids could enjoy a sleepover a couple of times during the week.
Shore Excursions That Everyone Can Enjoy
Another reason a Princess cruise works so well for multigenerational holidays is the variety of shore excursions. There’s something for everyone, including a range of excursions that are designed especially with families in mind.
We loved that many of the excursions were short enough to avoid overtiring the little ones (or the grandparents!) and were well organised with plenty of shade, water and knowledgeable guides.
It really takes the stress out of exploring new places when all you need to do is step off the ship and onto a coach. The excursions can be a little bit pricier than third-party excursions, especially for larger families, but they are just so convenient if you want a stress-free day ashore.
NEW DEALS JUST RELEASED!
See the latest Princess Cruises offers…
Final Thoughts
If you’re planning a cruise with kids, grandparents, or the whole extended family, Sun Princess truly offers something for everyone. From top-notch kids’ clubs and delicious dining options to relaxing spaces and smart tech that makes everything easier – this ship has nailed the balance between fun and relaxation for all ages.
Our multigenerational holiday couldn’t have gone more smoothly, and I wouldn’t hesitate to recommend Princess Cruises for your next family adventure.
Please feel free to share this article with your family members, or send them this video where I go into more detail about what you can expect on a Princess cruise…
Ready to Set Sail?
Cruise deals for next year are already being snapped up – especially during school holidays. Booking early gives you the best choice of cabins and often the biggest savings too.
Check out the latest Princess Cruises deals for 2026 now – and get your family cruise locked in before prices rise!
NEW DEALS JUST RELEASED!
See the latest Princess Cruises offers…
Related Posts:
- Princess Cruises Dress Code & Packing Guide
- 7 Reasons Princess Cruises Are Great For Families
- Princess Cruises Dining Explained
Jenni Fielding is the founder of Cruise Mummy. She has worked in the cruise industry since 2015 and has taken over 30 cruises. Now, she helps over 1 million people per month to plan their perfect cruise holidays.
