The river cruise industry, once thought to appeal mostly to an older crowd, is continuing to develop new itineraries and facilities for family travel.
Last year saw the beginning of the trend, with a partnership between Disney and cruise operator AmaWaterways, which has designed its newest ships with families in mind. Other operators, including Tauck and Uniworld also announced family-friendly cruises.
Now, Vantage is adding a series of Family Journeys cruises for summer and school holiday periods, with activities for kids such as arts and crafts workshops and music, teen activities, and a dedicated activity host for family activities. There will also be kidfriendly menus and language lessons—even visits to local schools if they are in session.
The family cruises will start with the 2017 season, and are for children 8 and up. In some categories, kids 8-21 can cruise free if they share their parents’ cabin. The first itinerary will be on River Venture, following the Seine from Paris to Normandy and the D-Day beaches, with stops at Giverny, Honfleur and Rouen.
