It’s not quite like going to Disneyland, but river cruising is a fantastic option for a family holiday, with kids catered for in a bid for river lines to entice younger and intergenerational travelmakers.
While there’s been a lot of discussion about families on ocean cruises lately, particularly after Royal Caribbean has decided to revisit their kids’ curfews amidst complaints of misbehavior, river cruise lines have avoided being dragged into the headlines due to their different child passenger policies.
While you won’t find a kids club present on any river cruise ships, most very much welcome families onboard with inclusive itineraries and room set-ups.
Do river cruise lines welcome kids?
Apart from one very vocal river cruise line whose marketing tagline is “no kids”, there are several river cruise companies that do allow, and encourage families to take children onboard. The minimum age to sail however differentiates between river cruise lines and is best to check before booking.
Most operators recommend children be at least 8 to 10 years old before cruising, according to Cruise Critic. The popular website states that even if children are accepted on the sailing, the cruise line might not have beds or other facilities for them.
Here are a few of the most popular river cruise lines and their policies regarding child passengers:
AmaWaterways has a minimum age limit of 4 years old on its Europe and Southeast Asia programs.
Avalon states “In our many years of cruising experience, we have found that children under the age of eight typically are too young to fully enjoy a cruise holiday. Because of this and for the safety and enjoyment of all passengers, we do not accept children under eight years of age. In addition, please note that there are no special arrangements or activities for children on our ships.’
Uniworld also explains that in their experience, children under 4 are not old enough to enjoy river cruising. Europe, Asia, India, and Egypt: Guests must be 4 years of age or older. Guests who are less than 18 years of age must be accompanied by a parent or guardian and booked in a cabin with someone who is 21 years of age or older. Peru: Guests must be 7 years of age or older. Guests under 21 must be booked in a cabin with someone who is 25 years of age or older or travelling with a parent or guardian who is booked in a connecting suite. Some excursions may not be suitable for young children.
Tauck recommends passengers should be over 3 years old on its specific family-centric voyages.
Minimum Age Requirements for European river cruises
| River Cruise Line | Kid-Friendly Sailings? | Special programs for kids? | Minimum Age requirements |
| AmaWaterways | Yes | Yes | 4 Years |
| Avalon Waterways | No | No | 8 Years |
| CroisiEurope | Yes; kids are accepted on all sailings | No | None |
| Tauck | Yes | Yes | 4 Years |
| Scenic | No | No | 12 Years |
| Emerald Cruises | No | No | 12 Years |
| Riviera River Cruises | No | No | 12 Years |
| Uniworld | Yes | Yes | 4 Years |
| Viking | No | No | 18 Years |
Are rooms set up for families?
While some river cruise lines only accept two people to stay in a single cabin, the lines stated above have catered for family travellers.
According to Cruise Critic, AmaWaterways was the first river cruise line to design a ship with groups and multigenerational travellers in mind. Family-friendly ships include staterooms that have adjoining cabins, accommodating up to five passengers connected via an internal doorway.
On Tauck’s newer ships, cabins have full-size sofa beds that can be used for families. The cruise line’s Suites can also accommodate three adults, or two parents and a child, Cruise Critic reports. Uniworld also has cabins with sofa beds on most ships.
Do cruise lines offer special family-centric voyages?
Yes! There are river cruise lines that offer specific destinations and itineraries suited for families or intergenerational travellers.
Uniworld
Uniworld offers a variety of options in its Generations program where departures include special programmes, events, and excursions designed specifically for your world travellers in training.
AmaWaterways
AmaWaterways offers a variety of sailings for ‘the whole family’ under its Connections programmes. According to the line, these itineraries have been well-rated by tweens, teens, and their families. The cruise line also has a partnership with Adventures by Disney and charters their ships to the US-based company.
Tauck
Tauck Bridges trips are said to be designed for family travellers of all ages and generations to enjoy together. From celebrating different cultures and traditions, discovering natural wonders, and learning about history firsthand, these trips help build bridges of understanding between young and old, locals and travellers, all over the world. They are also designed to include interactive experiences and fun for all ages.
How do activities differ on a family-friendly river cruise?
The river cruise lines that offer specific family-friendly departures, also ensure that kids are catered for with special activities.
Uniworld offers shore excursions tailor-made for families and hosted by local experts. The cruise line also goes above and beyond offering kid-friendly menus for each meal, a “Young Travellers’ Table” reserved for families on certain nights, and Family Hosts.
Other onboard activities catering to children include cooking classes and dessert-making with the ship’s chef and pastry chef, hands-on craft workshops tailored to the destinations you visit, and kid-only movie nights.
There is also a Young travellers’ lounge and game room, complete with PlayStation, games, movies, and local treats, and two dedicated Family Hosts to oversee all activities for Junior Cruisers (ages 4 to 12 years) and Teen Cruisers (ages 13 to 17 years).
Meanwhile, on AmaWaterways younger guests can enjoy Belgian chocolate tasting in Brussels, plenty of bike tours to burn off extra energy, and visit magical Christmas Markets in cities such as Cologne, Heidelberg, and Strasbourg on some specific itineraries.
What’s the verdict?
While the river cruise lines don’t offer the huge kids clubs that are often seen at sea, these lines do attempt to be all-inclusive for younger travellers with special meals and bespoke itineraries suitable for multi-generational travellers.
River cruising is a great way to connect with family members in a more relaxed setting where a slower pace may be just what everyone needs to unwind on a family holiday.
I’ve been on four river cruises, but wouldn’t sail with a company that allowed children of any age under 18 on board.