Family-Friendly Barge Cruises: Unforgettable Adventures for All Ages

What are the benefits of a chartered family barge cruise?

With our luxury barges offering the very best in comfort and convenience, the whole family can stay in one secure space. We’ll provide child seats for the minivans, and onboard, a wide selection of safety equipment such as travel cots, safety gates, bicycle helmets and more.

In addition, you’ll find that the barge is fully stocked with facilities for the whole family. Adults will love the spa pool where there’s an opportunity to relax and watch the world float by, and younger guests will be kept busy with board games, puzzles, films, and unlimited Wi-Fi. We can even arrange a cookery session with the onboard chef! Should there be anything else you need, our crew will do their utmost to cater to your every need.

Your family barge cruise with European Waterways will feel private and tailored to your every need. Our Family Cruise itineraries are based on the barge’s Classic Cruise itinerary, which can be adapted to include four family-friendly activities to suit grandparents, parents, and children alike.

We’ll also ensure that mealtimes are a joy for all ages, with the option of arranging separate meals and times to suit younger guests – both on board, and ashore. No matter the age of our guests, we’re proud to offer a range of experiences from wine-tasting to castle-touring, and hot air ballooning to quad biking.

Where can I go on my family barge cruise?

As well as waterparks, kayaking, go karting, horse riding, theme parks, and paintballing, we offer other educational and unique visits which may make the perfect adventure for a multigenerational family.

Here are some of our favourite experiences to enjoy on a European Waterways family barge cruise!

1. Chateau Guédelon – Medieval Castle Construction Project

Deep within the Guédelon forest, 50 master craftsmen are taking on the challenge of a lifetime! With only the tools and techniques of the Middle Ages, they are building a castle from the ground up. Step back in time to see the craftsmen at work in medieval costume and explore this impressive architectural feat. Started in 1997, Chateau Guédelon is the only construction of its kind in the world and is a day excursion the whole family will enjoy.

Visit Chateau Guédelon on a family cruise to Burgundy aboard L’Art de Vivre.

2. Prehistoric Caves at Limoussis

If your family is adventurous, they’ll love the Prehistoric Caves at Limoussis, also known as the Grotte De Limoussis. Magical reflections, sparkling aragonite crystals, and thousands of years of history await in this series of underground tunnels. Make your way through the tunnels with a guide to experience seven separate spaces that were inhabited from the Neolithic times to the Middle Ages. Not for the faint-hearted, these twisting tunnels feature a cave bear’s refuge where you can even see claw marks on the walls!

If your family isn’t scared of the dark, then experience the Prehistoric Caves of Limoussis aboard hotel barge Athos, when you traverse the Canal du Midi.

3. Venice Natural History Museum

This Italian gem of a museum is located on the Grand Canal in Venice, Italy. Filled with items spanning an astonishing 700 million years, Museo di Storia Naturale di Venezia is a museum of natural history. Its collection features animals, plants, fossils and ethnographic items that tell the story of Venice from before dinosaurs ruled the earth until today. In fact, scientific research is still done by the museum, and it has a scientific library with more than 40,000 books!

Book a Family barge cruise on La Bella Vita and stop off at the Venice Natural History Museum on your time in Venice.

4. Goat’s Cheese Farm at Chèvrerie de Combebelle

Do you love the idea of seeing a rustic country farm? For a thoroughly authentic French experience, we recommend a visit to the Goat Farm at Combebelle. The whole family will enjoy meeting the goats, watching them milked and exploring the rugged farm. There’s also a chance to try some mouth-watering goat’s cheese and purchase souvenirs in the farm shop.

Swap something on the classic itinerary for this excursion when you cruise aboard Enchanté on the Canal du Midi.

5. Oppidum d'Ensérune – Pre-Roman Hilltop Settlement near Béziers

Climb to the top of the archaeological site at Oppidum d’Ensérune for incredible panoramic views over the surrounding Béziers countryside. This UNESCO World Heritage Site dates back 2300 years and occupied an important trade route between Italy and Spain. Excavations at this ancient site uncovered the foundations of buildings, streets and settlements as well as coins, bronze ornaments, and amphorae that stored wine.

Discover this extraordinary site and its covered museum, when you charter a Family Cruise on the Canal du Midi aboard Anjodi.

6. Medieval Castle, Moat and Gardens

Muiderslot Castle in Holland is the ultimate fairytale castle. With its circular turrets and moated surroundings, it dominates the flat landscapes of Muiden for miles around. See the exquisite checkerboard floor and grand paintings in The Knight’s Hall, and view suits of armour, medieval furniture and historic books on display. For younger visitors, the 300-year-old gardens are the perfect place to let off steam, experiencing treasure hunts and falconry demonstrations!

Jump aboard Panache on our Holland cruise, to experience this impressive medieval castle at Muiden.

7. The Jacobite Steam Train across the Glenfinnan Viaduct

Imagine yourself riding the Hogwarts Express through miles of Highland forest in Scotland! On this unforgettable experience, you can traverse the famous Glenfinnan Viaduct bridge that’s appeared in dozens of films and enjoy 84 miles of scenery aboard the steam train between Fort William and Mallaig. Board ‘The Jacobite’ train at the foot of Ben Nevis, the highest mountain in Britain, and travel past the most westerly train station at Arisaig. The train also passes the deepest freshwater loch in Britain, the shortest river in Britain, and the deepest seawater loch in Europe, Loch Nevis!

This unmissable excursion is only available on our Spirit of Scotland chartered cruise in Scotland.

8. Nevis Range Mountain Gondola

Rising 1850 feet up in the sky, families love riding the Nevis Range Mountain Gondola in the Scottish Highlands! Save your feet and hitch a ride up Aonach Mor, which is the eighth highest peak in Britain. Take in the scenery as you float with the clouds on this incredible cable-car ride, showcasing stunning views over Fort William and the surrounding Scottish Highlands. On your fifteen-minute journey you’ll see Ben Nevis and the Great Glen, as well as miles of forests and highlands. Will you be eagle-eyed enough to spot the monster of Loch Ness from afar?

Book a barge cruise on Scottish Highlander with your family if you’d love to add Scotland’s Nevis Range Mountain Gondola to your itinerary.

9. Ghost hunting at Leap Castle – Ireland’s most haunted castle

If your family can handle themselves with a thrilling, spooky experience, then Leap Castle is not to be missed. Ireland’s ‘most haunted’ castle offers visitors a chance to go on a chilling ghost hunt through cold, eerie spaces, and learn about its violent past. From the Bloody Chapel to a trap door concealing dozens of skeletons on spikes, Leap Castle is full of secrets and spirits just waiting to be discovered…

Join the latest addition to our fleet, the Shannon Princess, and go in search of ghosts at Leap Castle in Ireland.

10. Warner Bros. Studio Tour London

Families with Harry Potter fans won’t want to miss an opportunity to see the wonderful wizarding world of Harry Potter. A tour of the Warner Bros. Studio Tour London, will walk you straight into Hogwarts to experience iconic film sets like the Great Hall, Diagon Alley and the Forbidden Forest. There’s a chance to try butter beer and see some of the model creations made for the films, such as Buckbeak, Aragog, and the terrifying Basilisk from the Chamber of Secrets! There really isn’t a more magical experience than exploring the delights of the Harry Potter Studios.

Charter a Family Cruise for the whole family on Magna Carta to see England’s most famous wizarding world!

11. Bekonscot Model Village & Railway

Established in 1929, Bekonscot Model Village & Railway is the oldest miniature village in the world. Explore 1.5 acres of meticulously maintained gardens and intricate model buildings that were built from photographs and memories of Bekonscot’s visitors. Featured on television in Midsummer Murders, this incredible model village has been a popular destination for almost 100 years! Don’t forget to take a ride on the model railway, which is one of the largest in Europe.

See Bekonscot Model Village & Railway on Magna Carta when you cruise the River Thames in England.

Family Cruises with European Waterways

Ready to find out more about our Family Cruises? If you’ve been inspired and would like to experience our luxury barge Family Cruises for yourself, why not contact a friendly member of the European Waterways cruise team. Alternatively, order a brochure to consider all of your cruise options!