FOOTY FUN
FAMILIES in search of a high-octane taste of the Emerald Isle have ample opportunities on a week-long round trip with P&O Cruises (0845 355 5333/www.pocruises.co.uk) from Southampton on the 3,574-passenger ship Azura.

A Viking Adventure excursion (extra cost) in Dublin by land and sea on a special Second World War amphibious military vehicle has been introduced this year. You'll experience a real thrill as the colourful Viking captain drives the "duck" into the water for a 20-minute tour of the Grand Canal basin.
Alternatively you can take a high-speed inflatable boat ride from Cork's port of Cobh to the culinary hotspot of Kinsale.

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There are also calls at the historic French city of Brest with its 17th-century buildings and Bilbao in Spain, home to one of the Guggenheim museums.
Back on board P&O has introduced soccer schools on family-friendly superliners Azura and Ventura so that football-crazy children don't have to miss out. There will also be other activities to keep little ones busy, such as arts and crafts in the dedicated children's club The Reef.
A seven-night City & Short Breaks cruise on Azura from ?,418 (family of four sharing a inside cabin), full board.
Departs Southampton July 15, 2011.

OFF THE BEATEN TRACK
Families looking for a summer with a difference can board 804-passenger ship Black Watch on a cruise to Iceland and Greenland from Dover.
This Fred.Olsen Cruise Lines (01473 742424 /www.fredolsencruises.com) sailing will introduce children to a new world with mesmerising landscapes as Black Watch visits some rarely seen ports in southern Greenland with exotic names such as Qaqortoq, Narsarsuaq and Nanortalik.

The ship cruises past extraordinary landmarks including the Mountains of 12 Apostles and Cape Farewell before visiting Ísafjörður and Reykjavík for an overnight stay.
This allows time to visit the "big three" geological wonders of Iceland: the Gullfoss waterfall, Geysir, with its steaming plumes of natural hot water from the Earth's centre, and Thingvellir National Park.

During the school holidays Fred.Olsen offers special facilities for families with children and hosts scheduled activities, special menus and "coke-tails" in the bars.
A 16-night Greenland and Iceland cruise on Black Watch from £1,581 per adult and £75 per child under-16 (sharing a cabin with their parents), full board. Departs Dover August 11 , 2011 .

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BELLA VOYAGE
Welcoming children with Italian-style hospitality MSC Cruises (0844 5611955/www.msccruises.co.uk) is arriving in Southampton for the first time this summer with MSC Opera.

Unlike other cruise lines MSC allows children under 18 to travel free of charge (excepting port charges) when sharing a cabin with two full fare-paying adults.
The 1,712-passenger ship boasts four Italian-themed restaurants (so expect pasta, pizza and chianti), half-a-dozen bars and lounges and there is even a jogging track.
For children there are dedicated pools and play areas, arts and craft lessons plus volleyball and mini-golf while parents can relax, perhaps with a visit to the spa or sauna.

There are some great destinations to explore on this week-long trip including the charming city of Amsterdam with its canals and the French seaside town of La Rochelle.
An eight-night Continental Discovery cruise on MSC Opera from £49pp (two sharing) with children under-18 paying only port taxes of £105 per child, full board. Departs Southampton July 30, August 7, August 15 and August 23, 2011.

CRUISE OF DISCOVERY

For a large ship experience they don't get any bigger than Royal Caribbean International's Independence of the Seas (0844 493 2061/www.royalcaribbean.co.uk).
Brimming with 15 decks of activities from a surf simulator and rock climbing wall to an ice-skating rink and children's water park, it's easy to imagine not wanting to go ashore at all.

Yet on a two-week sailing to the sunny Mediterranean from Southampton, families have plenty of exploring options, ranging from dolphin watching to a visit to the Rock of Gibraltar with its famous Barbary macaques, or you can try a river-rafting adventure in the Spanish countryside.
The 3,600-passenger Independence of the Seas even offers mother-and-daughter and father-and-son spa facilities, a teens-only nightclub and a range of activities as part of the Adventure Ocean youth programme for children.

No-fuss dining options include burgers and milkshakes in Johnny Rockets diner.
A 14-night Mediterranean cruise on Independence of the Seas from £1,525 per adult and ?66 per child (family of four sharing an inside cabin), full board. Departs Southampton September 3, 2011.