Best European Cities to Visit with Kids on a Family Cruise

Create a family cruising game plan in advance, so you can balance your children’s interests with cultural highlights, making sure to consider iconic stops to destinations like Rome’s Colosseum Kids Tour, LEGOLAND in Denmark or the historic Tivoli Gardens in Copenhagen.

To get started when planning travel with children, tweens or teens, call a family meeting well before you plan your vacation to give everyone the rundown of your getaway game plan. It's time to talk about interests. Ask what things your children may want to see or do in real life — or IRL, as they say — while abroad. Getting them involved now means less negotiation time spent on the road. Consider researching the best times to visit each city, using public transportation or family-friendly passes in advance to save time and money, and try to schedule popular attractions early to avoid crowds.

When I was working toward my Level III chocolate tasting certification in spectacular Italy, my husband and daughter came along. We went to some of the best European destinations: Milan and Turin, with a side trip to Venice. The idea was that when I was studying, they'd do some interesting travel activities for kids, and after I completed my course, I would join them.

For our 10-year-old daughter, that meant visiting Milan's Duomo, walking its rooftops for sweeping city views and enjoying local specialties, such as Turin's zabaglione or donuts filled with fresh whipped cream, while dad enjoyed a bicerin — a beverage layered with hot chocolate, Espresso, milk and cream. Other delectable delights kids will love tasting during their European adventure include Belgian waffles, Parisian crêpes, classic fish and chips or pastéis de nata.

After tummies were full, we decided to visit Turin's Egyptian Museum — considered one of the oldest and most important in Europe, second only to the British Museum in London. "Coolest museum I've ever been to," was the final commentary on that excursion. Next time we visit, we’ll have to add a stop to London’s Natural History Museum, where dinosaur skeletons may encourage another rave review!

We tapped into what she wanted to do and see and wove it into what Dad wanted, too. A little gelato for her, a trip to the Torino soccer store for him, and everyone was happy. Venice gave me the chance to visit an old palazzo-turned-restaurant and hotel, and we also threw in a jaunt to the Rialto Bridge and Piazza San Marco, which my daughter thought was simply stunning. We filled the memory bank with both agreed-upon and spontaneous activities that put a smile on all our faces.

Shore excursions allow families to explore Europe together and blend culture, fun and adventure for all ages and interests.

You'll be able to visit several European cities on any one cruise vacation. A bonus is that shore excursions can be customized to your family's tastes and interests. Older teens interested in the culinary arts and good food may want to try their hand at making their own pizza in Naples, taught by a local instructor. Or, take a walking tour in Brussels and visit Belgium's Frietmuseum, the only museum in the world dedicated to the humble and delicious French Fry! Adventure lovers can set sail on an impressive replica of Christopher Columbus's 15th-century ship, the Santa Maria, off the coast of cliff-lined summer paradise Madeira in Portugal! And that's just a starter on a Royal Caribbean European cruise.

If your teen is more of an adrenaline-seeker, consider a volcano hike in the heart of Santorini in Greece, followed by a sail to Palea Kameni for a thermal water swim to soothe those hiking-tired muscles. Or, channel your inner Jacques Cousteau by riding in a Bond Rider underwater scooter and submerging yourself below the ocean surface in comfort. The experience is the only one of its kind in the Mediterranean, off the coast of Palma de Mallorca, Spain.

From land to sea, your list of fun European cities to visit is almost limitless. One thing is for sure: Traveling with kids will give them — and you — memories to last a lifetime and cultural currency that can't be watched online or read in a book. Seeing these places in person, hearing the languages spoken, tasting the local specialties and learning how other people live will give your kids an appreciation for the world and their place in it more vividly than any classroom ever will. Embrace any chaos along the way and have a blast, fam!