With school holidays starting in April, cruising with kids can be a great option and pocket friendly too, providing you book ahead.

Family cruising is growing enormously selecting ships that present attractions for adults as well as their offspring is becoming easier.

Royal Caribbean’s Radiance of the Seas and Voyager of the Seas both sail in Australia, and are known for keeping young cruisers busy with heaps of activities for all age groups from toddlers to teenagers. You can even opt for baby sitting for kids if booked prior for $10 per hour.

During Easter, the Royal Caribbean ships will offer Easter egg hunts, egg decorating, special Easter meals as well as religious services.

Being on a ship doesn’t mean that kids lose out on adventure, as there’s plenty of it on these ships, be it the twisting water slides or rock climbing wall.

P&O’s latest ships Pacific Aria and Pacific Eden have age specific kids clubs like Turtle Cove (for 3 to 6 years), Shark Shack (for 7 to 10) and HQ, HQ+ for teenagers; also hosting karaoke sessions, film making, sports competitions amongst kids.

Carnival’s summer camps are a hit amongst family cruisers, with child counsellors onboard educating kids in various clubs. The little ones get their own menu during meals like mac and cheese, chicken nuggets etc.

Cruise Passenger picks the best child friendly Easter cruises.

1. Great Barrier Reef cruise for $110 per day

Discover the wonders of Great Barrier Reef with your kids aboard P&O’s latest ship Pacific Aria. On three ports, you and your kids can explore the reef, tropical islands and the marine life. You can also get up to $300 credit on select cabins and a soft drink package plus mystery shore tour in some cabin categories. The 7 night cruise departs Brisbane on April 5, 2016, fares at $776 per person for quad cabin ($110 per day) and $1,018 per person for twin cabins ($145 per day). For more information click here

2. South Pacific cruise $129 per day

Royal Caribbean’s another popular ship Legend of the Seas brings up to 28% savings for a quad cabin, with fares at $1295 per person for quad cabin ($129 per day) and 1,175 per person for twin cabin ($117 per day). The cruise also offers a supervised children programme for kids between 3 to 17 years. The 10 night cruise departs Brisbane on March 24, 2016 and you could also get $500 onboard credit on select cabins. Inclusions are all meals, entertainment, musical stage shows, kids programs, in-cabin movies. For more information click here

3. Four night Fraser Island cruise for $112 per day

Its a short cruise aboard Pacific Aria for four nights for a family, with an ocean view cabin and total fare combined with adults and kids at $3016. Each adult has to pay $1059 whereas its $449 per child ($264 per day for adults and $112 per day for kids). All meals and entertainment are included. The cruise departs Brisbane on April 1, 2016. For more click here

4. South Pacific and Fiji family cruise for $137 per day

A 12 night cruise on board Voyager of the Seas for a family of four, with inclusions such as meals, entertainment, gratuities and port charges. The Voyager is known for its kids club and activities such as finger painting, puppetry and more. The cruise departs Sydney on April 4, 2016, total fare at $9496 for a family of four i.e. $3099 per adult and $1649 per child ($258 per day for adults and $137 per day for kids). For more information click here

Royal Caribbean’s Easter Sailings – Explorer of the Seas and Voyager of the Seas depart Sydney on March 21 and 25, 2016 and bookings made before February 27, 2016 will qualify for buy one and get up to 50 per cent off.

5. Tasmania cruise for $136 per day

Carnival Legend is loved by most families for its camp carnival, arts and crafts, games and outdoor activities. The 5-night Tasmania cruise is ideal for any family looking for a short break. The cruise departs Sydney on April 5, 2016 with fares at $681 per person for a quad cabin ($136 per day) and $811 per person ($405 per day) for a twin cabin. For more information click here

Which cruises are the best for kids? Tell us!