The Comfort of a Yorkshire Staycation
For the past few years, we’ve really leaned into the beauty of a classic Yorkshire staycation. With so much right on our doorstep – the North York Moors, the Dales, and seaside favourites like Whitby and Robin Hood’s Bay – it’s been easy to enjoy family breaks without ever leaving the county.
There’s something wonderfully relaxing about packing the car for a weekend in Scarborough or setting up a tent near Malham. We’ve had beach days, countryside walks, and everything in between – all with the added bonus of familiar surroundings.
A New Kind of Family Adventure
But like many families, we started to feel the pull for something a little different. We didn’t want to give up our local escapes, but we were curious about new experiences – places we’d never been, cultures we hadn’t explored, and food that wasn’t served with a side of chips (as much as we love them).
That’s when the idea of a cruise came up – something we’d never really considered before.
Debunking Cruise Myths
We had always pictured cruises as being for retirees or couples celebrating anniversaries. Not exactly the obvious choice for a family with children still in school. But a conversation with a friend changed our thinking. She told us about her own experience and how much her kids had loved it – the freedom, the activities, the excitement of waking up somewhere new every day.
So, we started researching and quickly found there are plenty of family cruises designed specifically with kids in mind. Pools, play zones, family-friendly excursions, and even onboard babysitting in some cases – suddenly, the idea didn’t seem so far-fetched.
Setting Sail from Close to Home
One of our biggest concerns with travelling abroad has always been the airport experience. Early mornings, long queues, and the stress of making sure everything and everyone gets through security. So, we were relieved to find a wide range of cruises from the UK, with departures from Southampton, Liverpool, and other ports just a few hours’ drive away.
It completely changed the travel experience. We loaded the car, set off after breakfast, and by the afternoon, we were boarding the ship – no passport control queues, no baggage reclaim dramas. Just a simple, smooth start to our holiday.
Life Onboard: More Than We Expected
Once on board, we quickly realised that cruising offers a balance of adventure and relaxation that’s quite hard to find elsewhere. The kids were off enjoying supervised activities and making new friends, while we actually had time to sit down, read, or simply stare out at the ocean (a rare treat in parenting life!).
There were movie nights under the stars, lazy breakfasts, and shore days that gave us a taste of local culture. The variety of destinations made every day feel like a fresh start, while the comfort of returning to our cabin each evening gave us a consistent routine that the children appreciated.
Swapping Scarborough for the Sun – At Least Sometimes!
We’re still big fans of Yorkshire holidays and always will be. But this cruise opened our eyes to a new type of family travel – one that’s far less stressful than we imagined and full of the kind of moments you remember for years.
Whether it was dolphin spotting off the side of the ship or getting lost down cobbled side streets in Lisbon, we came home feeling more connected, more refreshed, and full of stories to tell.
Would We Do It Again?
Absolutely. We’re already looking at future routes and planning our next voyage. That said, you’ll still find us exploring Helmsley or wandering through the Yorkshire Sculpture Park in the meantime. It’s not about replacing local trips – just adding something new to the mix.
If you’re a family who loves to explore but isn’t keen on airports or the hassle of coordinating flights and luggage, a cruise might just be worth considering. We were surprised – in the best possible way.
