Cruise Expert Marc Shoffman Explored the Netherlands and Germany With His Children on A-rosa Sena

The Independent's journalism is supported by our readers. Any English speakers? the captain asked as he greeted guests on A-Rosa Sena, keen to ensure everyone was welcome on the mainly German language river cruise ship.

Among the 312 passengers on the ship, only around 60, it transpired, spoke English. But that wasn’t the most unusual aspect for this river cruise. It was more interesting that kids are allowed on board.

The river cruise market has been growing in recent years but there are not many options for parents like me who want to bring their young children with them. Most major river cruise brands are adult-only or have few kids’ facilities. That is understandable as one of the benefits of a river cruise is the relaxed vibe as you float through major cities.

No one wants unruly kids ruining that but A-Rosa – which has been offering child-friendly river cruises since 2002 – appears to have found a way to welcome families without the need for waterslides or 24-hour entertainment. I took my wife and our two daughters, aged 11 and 13, to Cologne for a week-long river cruise along the Rhine to test out their credentials. There is a clear effort to welcome guests of all ages. recognisable due to its shiny white exterior and bright red lips – has 12 family rooms, that include an queen-size bed and bunk beds for the kids as well as his-and-hers sinks and a separate toilet to the bathroom.

We opted for interconnecting rooms, as our girls have enough skincare to fill a cabin. The cabins were spacious, with enough sockets and USB ports to plug in the various devices that come with a family of four. Catering for children can be tricky, especially if you have fussy eaters or are used to 24-hour buffets and all-night pizza on an ocean-going ship.

The best cruise deals for 2026. River cruises tend to stick to set meal times, but A-Rosa Sena’s giant Nutella dispenser was enough to get our girls excited about breakfast. There was a lot of pork on offer at lunch and dinner in the A-Rosa Market buffet, which we don’t eat, but the chefs were kind enough to offer delicious alternatives to meet our dietary requirements. The biggest challenge for any kind of family-focused cruise ship, though, is keeping the kids occupied.

Tweens, such as my girls, can be a particular challenge as they won’t be satisfied with being stuck in a ball pit anymore. A-Rosa Sena does have a fun kids club for younger children, with a small rock climbing wall and tiny slides. Our girls got involved in bracelet-making and mocktail classes.

It was the pool deck that first attracted our children as we climbed aboard. Two hammocks at the back of the ship provided perfect spots to relax and take selfies. Unusually for a river cruise ship, the pool was big enough to do a few lengths and handstands.

The low capacity and spacious deck meant there was no race for sun beds. It being much smaller than an ocean vessel, forgetting suncream or a book was no big deal – it didn’t take long to return to the room just two decks below. You do need to be prepared for the pool deck to be closed on a river cruise.

The locks and low bridges on the Rhine require furniture to be folded away, and the area is closed in bad weather. It provides a good opportunity to explore indoors, however, and it was a novelty to be able to visit the onboard spa, free for all guests without any age restrictions. Our girls revelled in the chance to relax in the sauna and apply their own face masks surrounded by magazines and a faux fireplace. Any English speakers?