Our Family Northern Europe Cruise on MSC Euribia

We sailed from Southampton and visited Hamburg, Rotterdam, Zeebrugge and Le Havre, with each port giving us something completely different to experience.

And while we loved getting off the ship and exploring, one of the biggest surprises for us was just how much the kids enjoyed the ship itself.

From water slides and a rope course that actually went over the side of the ship, to the arcade, bowling, sports complex, entertainment and plenty of food, there was always something going on.

Setting sail from Southampton

Our cruise started in Southampton, which made things nice and easy for us.

One of the things we love about cruising from the UK is that you can avoid flying and all the faff that comes with airports. We could simply make our way to Southampton, board the ship and start our holiday.

And what a ship to start it on!

MSC Euribia is a huge, modern ship and there was so much for the whole family to enjoy.

The kids were immediately drawn to the water slides and the outdoor activities, and we quickly realised that keeping them entertained wasn’t going to be a problem!

Hamburg – animals, aquariums and a family day out

Our first port of call was Hamburg, Germany.

Rather than simply wandering around the city, we decided to take a trip to the zoo and aquarium, which turned out to be a great option for a family day out.

Travelling with children can sometimes mean finding the balance between what the adults want to see and what will actually keep the kids interested.

The zoo and aquarium gave us exactly that.

We got to explore somewhere new while the kids had plenty to see and do.

It was also a lovely change of pace after spending time on the ship and gave us the chance to experience a different side of Hamburg.

Rotterdam – catching the train to The Hague

Next up was Rotterdam.

We decided to head further afield and caught the train from Rotterdam to The Hague.

This was another thing we really enjoyed about this cruise — having the opportunity to use the ports as a starting point for exploring beyond the immediate city.

Our destination was Madurodam, and this was definitely one of the highlights for the kids.

Madurodam

If you’ve never heard of Madurodam, it’s a miniature park showcasing famous Dutch buildings, landmarks and places on a miniature scale.

And honestly, it was so much fun!

The kids loved being able to explore all the different miniature versions of Dutch landmarks, and there were interactive elements that made it much more than simply walking around looking at models.

It was one of those attractions that worked really well for all of us.

The kids were entertained, we got to see some of the Netherlands and it made for a really memorable family day.

Zeebrugge – off to Bruges

Our next stop was Zeebrugge in Belgium.

From the port, we caught the train to Bruges, and this was probably one of the most Christmassy days of our cruise.

We spent time wandering around the beautiful streets, looking at the Christmas shops and, of course, stopping to admire all the chocolate shops!

Because who can go to Bruges and not look at Belgian chocolate? 🍫

Bruges is such a lovely place to simply wander around without having a strict plan.

We enjoyed taking in the atmosphere, looking in the shops and soaking up the Christmas feel before making our way back to the ship.

It was a lovely way to spend a few hours and another completely different experience from our other ports.

Le Havre – a very relaxed final stop!

Our final port was Le Havre in France.

And if I’m being completely honest… we didn’t really do much!

😂

We got off the ship, went for breakfast and then headed back onboard.

And you know what?

Sometimes that’s exactly what you need.

After several busy port days, it was actually quite nice not to have another packed itinerary.

It gave us more time to enjoy the ship, relax and make the most of everything MSC Euribia had to offer.

The kids’ favourite part – the ship!

Although we loved exploring the different ports, I think the kids would probably tell you that the ship itself was one of their favourite parts of the whole holiday.

MSC Euribia has loads for children and teenagers to do.

The water slides

The water slides were a huge hit.

Being able to spend time on the slides and in the pool areas meant the kids could have fun while we enjoyed some downtime too.

The rope course

But the rope course was probably one of the most memorable activities.

And when I say it goes over the side of the ship… it really does!

It’s suspended out over the edge of the ship, so you get the added excitement of being high above the sea while making your way around the course.

Definitely not one for anyone who doesn’t like heights!

The kids absolutely loved it.

Arcade, bowling and sports

There was also plenty to keep them entertained when they weren’t swimming or climbing.

We spent time in the arcade, played bowling and made use of the sports complex.

It meant there was never really a moment when the kids were sitting wondering what to do.

And that makes such a difference on a family cruise.

And what about the adults?

Don’t worry — MSC Euribia isn’t just about keeping the kids happy!

We really enjoyed the ship too.

The food was great, and there was plenty of choice throughout the cruise.

We also enjoyed the entertainment shows, which gave us something to do in the evenings once we’d finished dinner.

One of my favourite things about cruising as a family is that you can have completely different experiences during the day, but then all come together in the evening.

The kids could enjoy the activities and entertainment, while we could sit down for dinner and enjoy some proper family time.

Would we recommend MSC Euribia for families?

Absolutely.

What we loved about this cruise was the balance.

We weren’t just spending the whole holiday onboard, but we also weren’t getting off at every port and spending the entire day rushing around sightseeing.

We had a mixture of:

🇩🇪 Hamburg – zoo and aquarium
🇳🇱 Rotterdam & The Hague – train journey and Madurodam
🇧🇪 Zeebrugge & Bruges – Christmas atmosphere and chocolate shops
🇫🇷 Le Havre – a relaxed morning before heading back onboard

And then we had all the fun of MSC Euribia waiting for us when we returned to the ship.

For families, that combination is fantastic.

Our verdict

Our Northern Europe cruise was a brilliant family holiday.

The kids had an absolute ball, we got to explore several different European destinations and we genuinely enjoyed our time onboard MSC Euribia.

I think that’s one of the biggest things we’ve taken away from the experience.

A cruise doesn’t have to be about constantly getting off the ship and ticking off as many attractions as possible.

Sometimes it’s about finding a ship that is just as much a part of the holiday as the destinations.

And MSC Euribia definitely delivered on that.

Would we do another Northern Europe cruise?

Without a doubt. ❤️

If you’re a family looking for a cruise from the UK that gives you the chance to explore Europe while still having loads to keep the kids entertained, this is definitely one I’d consider.

And if you’re not sure which cruise would suit your family, that’s where we can help.

As travel advisors, we can look at the different ships, itineraries, cabin options and what’s included, and help you find the cruise that’s right for your family.

Because the best cruise isn’t necessarily the one with the longest itinerary or the most ports.

It’s the one where everyone comes home saying they had an amazing time. ❤️🚢