A third of Spaniards will travel with children this summer

With another school year now over, the 2024 summer season officially begins. Many Spaniards are already planning their holidays, especially those traveling with family and children.

According to the second survey of today's traveler: preferences and their relationship with cruises, one in three Spaniards will travel with children this summer. To better understand how families travel, MSC Cruises has researched their priorities when planning vacations.

The results indicate that tourism (57%), saving money with family packages (45%) and having leisure activities adapted to all ages (42%) are the most important factors for Spanish families when traveling.

Ranking of priorities for Spaniards when traveling as a family

1. Sightseeing (57%).
2. Family packages (45%).
3. Leisure and entertainment for all ages (42%).
4. Comfort (34%).
5. Good food: a variety of restaurants and buffets to suit all tastes (32%).
6. Safety: spaces to relax while children enjoy themselves (32%).
7. Flexibility: services always available to plan your schedule at your own pace (29%).
8. Socializing: family-friendly environments to share with other children and parents (13%).

Fernando Pacheco, Managing Director of MSC Cruises in Spain, stated: “Considering families' priorities, we are convinced that cruising is one of the best vacation options for them. We are an 'all-in-one' solution, allowing families to organize a vacation without major complications and ensuring enjoyment for all family members. This summer, and beyond, in autumn and winter, we will be delighted to continue welcoming families ready to fall in love with cruising and everything the onboard experience has to offer.”

One third of Spaniards travel with children

Although a partner is the most common travel companion for Spaniards on leisure trips (73%), a third travel with their family. This figure is higher among respondents aged 40 to 54, with almost half (42%) reporting that they travel with their children.

By region, Castilla-La Mancha, Aragón, and Extremadura are the Autonomous Communities where families travel most frequently with their children, at 38%, 37%, and 34% respectively. At the other end of the spectrum are the Canary Islands (21%), Asturias (21%), and Catalonia (24%).

Family cruises: 3 out of 10 cruise passengers embark with their children

Choosing an interesting destination, the most convenient accommodation, or the fastest transfer can be complicated when traveling with children. For many, a cruise becomes a convenient option, as it combines everything into a single booking: transfers, accommodation, destinations, leisure activities, and dining.

According to the second survey of today's cruise traveler, 3 out of 10 cruise passengers travel with children. The parents who do so are primarily younger: over 40% of those taking a family cruise are between 25 and 39 years old, followed by those aged 40 to 54 and those over 55 (28%).

By region, the Community of Madrid is the one that takes the most family cruises (42%), followed by Catalonia (36%), the Basque Country (36%), the Valencian Community (35%) and Andalusia (33%).

What do they value most on board?

For Spanish cruise passengers who have traveled as a family, the most valued aspects on board are:

1. Excursions (70%).
2. Cabin (65%).
3. Dining (60%): variety of restaurants and good quality food.
4. Entertainment (56%): a wide range of shows and activities.
5. Views (40%): corners and areas designed to enjoy the scenery.
6. Nightlife (35%): variety of activities such as theme parties, live music, and karaoke.