Want Maximum Experiences for the Whole Family? Time to Go on a Cruise!

FEATURED IN ŽVILGSNIS Į PASAULĮ · WEST EXPRESS

A family of four from Vilnius — Evelina (43), Taurintas (46), Evinga Marija (16) and Justas Dovydas (10) Rudžiai — follow one rule: they always travel together on holiday. Three years ago, the desire to experience something new encouraged this active Vilnius family, who had already tried many different ways of travelling, to set off on a cruise. “Once you try it, you can’t stop…” says Evelina on behalf of the family. They now embark on a different cruise aboard luxury MSC Cruises ships every year.

Prepared by Aistė Jasinskaitė · Photos from the travellers’ personal archive

Is a cruise really just a pleasant trip for older travellers?

That is definitely a myth. When my parents, who travel actively, returned from a cruise three years ago and told us that many families with children choose this way of travelling, at first we found it hard to believe. Until we tried it ourselves. In reality, travelling by cruise ship is a balance between active and passive rest. Our family is very active — my son and I attend skateboarding training, our daughter chooses wakeboarding, and my husband plays tennis, so doing nothing is definitely not for us.

When we tried our first six-day cruise, the ship welcomed us in Genoa, Italy, and we sailed to Barcelona, Palma de Mallorca in Spain and Marseille in France. We wanted to find out whether this style of travel suited us. But as soon as we boarded the ship — Orchestra, which is not very small but certainly does not compare with MSC Cruises’ largest ships — we immediately knew that we would travel this way again the following year. The ship leaves in the evening and by the next morning you wake up in another port. It is a travelling “hotel” with plenty of entertainment and activities, while during the day there is an intensive programme as you try to see as much as possible in a new country or city.

Which routes did you choose for your next cruises?

Our next cruise was a year later on a larger ship from the same company — Divina. This time we chose Malta as our embarkation port and an eight-day itinerary visiting Malta, Mykonos and Santorini in Greece, Civitavecchia in Italy and Syracuse in Sicily. Again, embarking in Malta is very easy. The Bolt taxis we like operate all around the small island, so it is certainly worth allowing a few extra days before the cruise to see Malta’s old town or travel into the middle of the island, where life feels quite different.

We set off on our third cruise in 2024, this time aboard one of MSC Cruises’ larger ships — Grandiosa. It is an impressive 19-storey “city on water”, accommodating as many as 6,000 passengers, served by more than 1,700 crew members. This time we embarked in Marseille and during the journey returned once again to Barcelona, then visited Tunis, Palermo in Sicily, Naples and Livorno, from where Pisa and Florence can be reached. Marseille is not a particularly popular embarkation city, but once we found convenient connecting flights and knew that Bolt also operates in France, everything went easily and smoothly. Incidentally, when choosing a cruise itinerary there is usually more than one possible embarkation port, so it is worth checking which one is most convenient for you.

For many people, the biggest fear is probably getting independently to the port from which the ship departs when there is no direct flight or transfer. I believe some people are afraid of precisely this part — how to find their way around an unfamiliar country on their own. In that case, it is worth choosing a trip with a guide who can always help travellers. But if you have experience travelling independently, you will certainly manage. When planning your arrival at the seaport, always choose a flight at least one day earlier so there is no stress about possible flight delays and you can be sure you will make the ship. It is also a wonderful opportunity to see a little of the city from which you will board your holiday “home on water”.

Are MSC Cruises ships a kind of calling card of cruising?

MSC ships share one characteristic — they are designed to create a feeling of luxury, and the staircases decorated with Swarovski crystals are a signature feature of MSC ships. You feel as though you have stepped into a fairy tale. In truth, every MSC ship we have sailed on has been impressive: similar, yet different at the same time. Today we can confidently say that there is no bad ship; it is about your expectations and what you want to do on board — whether a new itinerary matters more to you, or the ship’s programme, activities and so on.

The larger the ship, the more entertainment there is, and with an intensive itinerary you simply do not have time to see everything, take part in every activity, watch every show or try the different dishes in the restaurants. And, of course, the newer the ship, the more modern it is; the larger it is, the more impressive it feels. MSC’s concept also encourages passengers to return: returning guests who register for the loyalty programme and book their journeys six months in advance receive discounts and other bonuses.

When is the best time to go on a cruise? Does seasonality matter?

So far, our family has chosen cruise holidays only during the summer holidays, but I believe that in the future we will definitely try travelling in other seasons, wherever it is summer at that time. I am already looking at itineraries around Gran Canaria, and there are excellent options departing from Dubai as well as from the Americas or Asia.

For those who prefer cooler summers, a cruise through the Norwegian fjords is a must. They say it is the most beautiful cruise of all, where you can admire natural wonders directly from the ship, not to mention the impressive coastal towns. This itinerary is also on our list for future cruises.

Myths about cruises

The ship rocks a lot. Not true. You only feel a little vibration, and rarely — more often when the ship is docking.
Cruises are a paradise for seniors. No. There are many families with children, young people and older passengers on board.
There is a lot of chaos on board. Not true. Even though there may be 8,000 people on the ship at one time, they are spread across a 16–19-storey “city on water” and are never all in one place. The ship runs like clockwork.
Everything is very expensive. No. In the duty-free shops on board, cosmetics, leather goods and accessories from well-known brands can cost less than on land and even… in Vilnius.
There is too little time. It is a myth that when the ship stops in port there is not enough time to see the city. The important thing is to do your homework: plan your route if travelling independently, or buy an excursion in advance.
There is nothing to do on board. As soon as you board, you will realise that you will not have time to see, try and experience everything.
Evening wear is compulsory. Not true. Themed clothing is not mandatory, only recommended.

What should you consider when choosing a ship?

Until now, we chose destinations according to how many cities we could visit that we had never seen before, or had visited a very long time ago. But a cruise is not only about that. You see so much and experience the intensity of travelling, but at the same time you have the opportunity to enjoy excellent service, delicious food, time in the spa or by the pool, children’s clubs and fantastic shows every evening — all designed for both children of different ages and adults.

For a very active itinerary, smaller ships are perfectly suitable. If you plan to spend more time on board, or if the itinerary includes more days at sea, we would recommend choosing a larger ship so that you have as much choice as possible when it comes to activities.

Today we can confidently say that there is no bad ship — there are only expectations about what you want to do on board.

We choose what feels like the optimal eight-day cruise, although in the future we will try a longer one as well. The reason is simple — it is never boring here. Every time we left the ship, we had the feeling that we had not tried everything and had not seen everything. Sometimes I think it would be nice to spend longer on board, because there are so many activities, and when there are also many stops, the holiday becomes very intense. Some days you walk 20,000 steps!

What are the cabins where you spend your holiday actually like?

A standard cabin is around 16 square metres. It is furnished quite modernly, like a hotel room, with the usual hotel amenities. We normally choose a cabin with a balcony because enjoying breakfast on the balcony is one of the pleasures of cruising, and it is also lovely to watch the views as the ship enters or leaves a port from your own room balcony. But there is no need to be afraid of cabins with only a window. You generally spend very little time in the cabin because there are countless places on board where it is enjoyable to spend time.

For passengers who want exceptional service and a little more privacy, MSC offers a higher level of service — the Yacht Club. There you can enjoy à la carte restaurants reserved exclusively for club guests at breakfast, lunch and dinner, as well as separate bars, pools and relaxation areas. The cabins are larger, and there is also the option to book suite-class accommodation over several floors or with several spacious rooms and lounge areas.

If you go on a cruise with children, how do you keep them entertained?

Children certainly will not be bored! Our children enjoy the kids’ clubs, where activity leaders work with them. The clubs are divided by age group, so activities are tailored to the children’s age and interests. The kids’ clubs are fully equipped with all kinds of things, from the newest Lego sets to PlayStation and other interactive games.

There are also game rooms where, with a Fun Pass, children can try a Formula 1 simulator, bowling, VR entertainment and more. Our daughter is 16, and for her the club is a place to meet travel friends her own age from all over the world. Of course, speaking English is a great advantage for children here, but I think today’s generation communicates very well in English from an early age.

Life on a cruise ship probably goes on around the clock…

Active life begins in the evening, when passengers return from excursions and those who have been relaxing on board want some entertainment. MSC offers dinner both in the buffet and in the à la carte restaurant, where each cabin is assigned its own table and service staff for the entire journey. Food lovers will find restaurants serving cuisines from different countries, as well as themed restaurants where dinner is available for an additional charge.

After dinner, all the ship’s bars and cafés come to life. Every ship has its own theatre, with musical, magic and acrobatic performances, and there are sizeable casinos for passengers who enjoy gambling.

Every day on board has its own theme, which is listed in the daily programme. MSC ships have a GALA night, when elegant dress is recommended: women wear evening dresses, while gentlemen choose an elegant suit or a shirt-and-trousers combination. It is one of the most beautiful nights because all the guests feel as though they are in a film, and the ship’s captain gives a welcome speech.

White Night is impressive too — be sure to pack a white outfit, because the whole ship dresses in white and neon lights draw everyone into the ship’s white party. Tropical Night celebrates life to tropical rhythms; floral motifs or details in your outfit come in very handy. The whole ship moves to samba rhythms. Enjoy!

Useful things to know before going on a cruise

You do not need cash: passengers receive a ship card and use it to pay.
There is no need to leave tips — they are included in the cruise price.
The ship’s daily programmes will help you experience more — make sure you have suitable clothing.
Buy a drinks package before the cruise; both non-alcoholic and alcoholic packages are available.
Children can enjoy entertainment with a Fun Pass; buying it in advance can save around 40%.
Join traveller groups on social media — recommendations and tips can help you prepare for your journey on a particular ship.
If you plan to buy excursions on board, book them as early as possible.
It is recommended to buy the ship’s internet package in advance.
Not every port is in the city centre, so before buying a transfer, check whether free or much cheaper public transport is available.
Try dinner in the à la carte restaurant; if you do not like it, the buffet is open until midnight.
Only alcoholic drinks sold on the ship may be consumed on board; alcohol bought as a souvenir will only be returned to you after the cruise.