Christmas at Sea: Our Family Cruise on MSC Euribia

We traded last minute shopping stress for twinkling lights, festive shows and sea breezes aboard the stunning MSC Euribia. Our family of four plus my parents set sail from Southampton for a magical cruise that took us to Bruges, Rotterdam, Hamburg and even Paris. It was a week of adventure, comfort and serious holiday sparkle.

We boarded MSC Euribia in Southampton, with the excitement of Christmas buzzing in the air. The cruise itself lasted seven nights, perfectly timed to soak up festive fun and explore some of Europe’s most charming winter cities.

From the moment we stepped on board it was clear this wasn’t just a ship it was a floating winter wonderland. The atrium, called the Galleria Euribia (also known as the Anturium) was lit up with stunning displays and every evening it transformed into a lively hub with street performers, music and an LED ceiling that dazzled with festive light shows. It felt like being inside a snow globe but warm and full of life.

We upgraded to a balcony room and it was absolutely worth it. Even in winter, we wrapped up in cosy layers and started each morning with a hot cuppa on the balcony watching the sea roll by. It was peaceful, refreshing and a lovely way to ease into each day.

The first couple of nights we spent getting our bearings and no one was bored. Between the multi level waterpark, jacuzzi’s and high ropes course the kids (and the grown ups) were totally in their element. Our son couldn’t get enough of the gaming lounge and there were hangout spaces just for their age group that made them feel like VIPs.

One of the unexpected highlights of the cruise was joining in with the cruising ducks trend. We brought a little collection of rubber ducks from home each with a fun tag and took turns hiding them around the ship. Throughout the week, we also found ducks left by other families from all over the world some even with little notes and Instagram handles. It turned out to be such a fun and wholesome way to explore the ship and it added a little extra excitement to each day especially for the kids.

A handy tip we picked up before the cruise was to pack wetsuits for the outdoor waterpark. Even in winter this meant the kids could enjoy all the slides and splash zones without getting too cold it worked perfectly and kept them outside longer than expected.

We also made good use of the onboard gym, which is available to guests aged 13 and over. It was a great way for the kids to stay active and they loved the independence of working out in such a high spec fitness space. One morning, we even joined in on a relaxing yoga class together something we wouldn’t usually have time for at home. Between activities we also played a few fun games as a family and took time to unwind with a peaceful visit to the spa.

Evenings started with our pre booked early dinner slot in the main restaurant. The three course meals were consistently excellent Christmas roast one night, perfect pasta the next. Having the drinks and fun packages prepaid made things even easier. Cocktails for us mocktails and gelato for the kids no stress, just enjoy.

After dinner we’d head to the theatre for one of the nightly shows. We saw a fantastic magic show with mind bending illusions and also caught acrobatic performances, a live vocal concert and a fun jukebox style tribute show that had the whole audience clapping along. One of our surprise favourites was the bowling lane on board it became a nightly hit for our family. We’d head there after the show and it was such a fun way to round out the evening.

Booking shows was easy to do on board via the app and we never had to queue. Between the theatre and the Anturium’s ongoing entertainment there was always something happening after dark.

As for the destinations: Bruges was a storybook town full of twinkling lights, canals and Belgian waffles. Rotterdam gave us modern architecture and riverside views. Hamburg wowed us with its Christmas market. Paris (via Le Havre) which would have been a long but unforgettable day trip unfortunately cancelled due to port strike.

If you’re planning your own cruise be sure to take a look at our guides on Bruges, Rotterdam and Hamburg for tips on exploring these cities with teens in tow especially in winter.

The MSC Euribia delivered on every front, comfort, entertainment, amazing food and activities for all ages. It was perfect for multigenerational travel with the right balance of together time and space to do our own thing.

If you’re considering a family Christmas cruise even with teens this one was festive, fun and full of memory making moments. From street performers in the Anturium to soaring over the ship on a ropes course it was a Christmas none of us will forget.

Our Family’s Final Thoughts on Cruising at Christmas

Would we cruise again? Absolutely! Our Christmas sailing was such a fun and memorable way to celebrate the holidays festive decorations, great entertainment and plenty for everyone in the family to enjoy, from waterparks and jacuzzis to shows and exploring new cities.

Next time, we’d love to try a summer cruise. Warmer weather and longer days would mean more time enjoying the outdoor decks, pools and ports in the sunshine. Cruising really does make travel easy you unpack once, wake up somewhere new each day and have endless food, activities and entertainment at your fingertips. This Christmas cruise has definitely made us cruise converts and the teens loved it.

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