Could a Cruise Be the Ultimate Multigenerational Holiday?

When I think of family holidays, my brain usually flits between suncream-sticky toddlers, grandparents trying to locate their reading glasses again, and someone (usually me) quietly weeping into a lukewarm coffee because we’ve all been crammed into the same villa for a week and no one can agree on what to do next.

You know the scene, Nan wants a quiet morning with a book, the kids want roller coasters and chips now, and someone, somewhere, always forgets their charger. So the idea of a multigenerational holiday on a family cruise has been floating around in my head lately (pun absolutely intended), and honestly? It’s starting to make a strange kind of sense.

One Holiday, Many Personalities

Let’s be honest, trying to please everyone on a family holiday is a logistical nightmare. My dad wants to talk to strangers about local beer, the kids want non-stop snacks and swimming, and I’d like five minutes to drink something cold while staring into space. A big ask? Maybe. But I recently stumbled on the idea of cruising as a multigenerational trip, and now I can’t unsee it.

Cruise ships, it turns out, are sort of like floating villages. There are quiet places, noisy places, kids’ clubs, spa treatments, early dinner options for fussy eaters, late-night entertainment for those with energy (so, not me), and, crucially, lots of built-in distraction.

According to what I found on Bolsover Cruise Club’s site, a growing number of families are doing exactly this: hopping on a ship together, grandparents included, and seeing where the sea takes them. And the best part? You don’t all have to do the same thing, all the time.

Together, But Not Trapped

I think this is where cruising really shines as a multigenerational idea. You can be together, have breakfast as a group, maybe do a day trip together in one of the ports, and then split off into your own little bubbles without feeling like you’ve accidentally joined a school trip.

Grandad wants to play cards in the shade? Great. The teens want to hang out at the arcade or splash around in a pool with zero adults interfering? Also fine. And if you’re like me and just want to lie down and not be touched by a sticky hand for ten minutes, well… bliss is just a sun lounger away.

There’s something about being on a ship that creates enough space (literally and emotionally) for everyone to do their thing, but still come back together for meals, sunsets, and the occasional group photo where at least three people are blinking.

Built-In Adventures Without the Exhaustion

One thing that appeals to me is that cruises do the travel bit for you. You get to wake up somewhere new without dragging suitcases, folding buggies, or navigating public transport while someone screams about losing their toy dinosaur. If we could roll up to a new city without packing and unpacking five times, I’m listening.

Itineraries I’ve seen through Bolsover often include cities like Lisbon, Barcelona, or even stops in the Canary Islands. Some have shorter routes too, like mini-cruises around Western Europe, which is a pretty good middle ground if the idea of a week or more stuck on a ship with your in-laws gives you heart palpitations.

You can also stay onboard if you’re not feeling an excursion. So if Nan’s not up for wandering around cobbled streets (fair), she can have a quiet day reading by the pool while the rest of you go exploring. It’s like the world’s most chilled choose-your-own-adventure.

Meals Without Washing Up (Need I Say More?)

Here’s where I admit something: I don’t want to cook on holiday. Not even a little bit. And I’d really prefer not to clean up after a toddler’s yoghurt explosion, either. One of the loveliest ideas I’ve seen in cruise reviews is the fact that you can all eat together, buffet-style, sit-down, picky-eater-friendly, whatever, and no one has to scrub a pan.

For big family groups, this is a game-changer. No “who’s cooking tonight?” arguments. No “I just made lunch, why are you hungry again?” rants. Just food. Ready when you want it. Honestly, I’d go for that alone.

A Holiday That Doesn’t Need Compromise (Much)

Multigenerational trips usually involve a lot of compromise. Someone’s always giving something up, their lie-in, their daily walk, their sanity. But with a cruise, you’re all in the same place, just doing different things.

That, to me, feels like the holy grail of family holidays: quality time without claustrophobia.

You still get those shared memories, watching dolphins off the side of the ship, exploring colourful markets, laughing over dinner, but everyone gets a bit of independence too. And isn’t that the sweet spot?

So… Would We Try It?

Honestly? Yes. I’m low-key fascinated by the idea now. The thought of loading up the whole chaotic crew of kids, grandparents, snacks, sunhats, and heading out to sea is actually appealing in a way I didn’t expect.

It might not be the cheapest option, and it’s definitely not everyone’s cup of tea, but as a way of getting the family together without driving each other mad? A Bolsover cruise is suddenly top of my maybe list.

And let’s face it, if a cruise can manage to keep three generations happy for a week without anyone hiding in a toilet for peace and quiet, that’s worth celebrating.