One-third of Spaniards will be traveling with children this summer

With another school year coming to an end, the 2024 summer season officially begins. Many Spaniards are already planning their vacations, especially those traveling with their families and children.

According to the Second Survey of Today’s Travelers: Preferences and Their Relationship to Cruises, one in three Spaniards will travel with their children this summer. To better understand how families travel, MSC Cruises has researched their priorities when planning vacations.

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

Ranking of Spaniards' Priorities When Traveling with Their Families

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 where you can relax while the children have fun (32%).
7. Flexibility: services always available so you can plan your schedule without rushing (29%).
8. Socializing: family-friendly environments to share with other children and parents (13%).

Fernando Pacheco, managing director of MSC Cruises in Spain, stated:“Given families’ priorities, we are convinced that a cruise is one of the best vacation options for them. We’re an ‘all-in-one’ option, which makes it easy to plan a hassle-free vacation and ensures that every member of the family will have a great time. This summer—and beyond, into the fall and winter—we’ll 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 leisure trips among Spaniards (73%), one-third travel with their family. This figure is higher among respondents aged 40 to 54, as nearly half (42%) say they travel with their children.

By region, Castilla-La Mancha, Aragón, and Extremadura are the autonomous communities where the highest percentage of parents travel with their children, at 38%, 37%, and 34%, respectively. At the bottom of the list are the Canary Islands (21%), Asturias (21%), and Catalonia (24%).

Family Cruises: 3 out of 10 cruise passengers travel with their children

Choosing an interesting destination, the most convenient lodging, or the fastest way to get there are decisions that become more complicated when traveling with children. For many, a cruise is a convenient option, since it combines everything into a single booking: transportation, lodging, destinations, entertainment, and dining.

According to the Second Survey of Today's Travelers, 3 out of 10 cruise passengers travel with children. The parents who do so are, above all, the youngest: more than 40% of those who take a family cruise are between the ages of 25 and 39, followed by those aged 40 to 54 and those over 55 (28%).

By region, the Community of Madrid accounts for the highest percentage of 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 with their families, the most highly valued aspect on board is:

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