Is a Celestyal Cruises Greece and Turkey sailing onboard the Celestyal Crystal a good choice for families with children? As is often the case with family travel, the answer is "maybe."
Parents who are used to the kind of children's programs they might have experienced with companies like Disney Cruise Line, Carnival, Norwegian Cruise Line, Royal Caribbean or Princess Cruises won't find that here.
Yes, there are some arts and crafts activities onboard for children at select times, and there is a pool and a selection of adjoining staterooms, but families with very young children who want their kids to be entertained and not underfoot while at sea might be disappointed in the lack of full-service children's or teens' clubs.
That said, children school-age and older, especially those who are fascinated by the adventures of the gods and goddesses of Greek mythology, might find the experience a perfect fit.
Although I sailed this cruise with my husband this time, I sailed an earlier version (without the overnights in Mykonos and Santorini) with my young adult daughter two years ago, and even though she's a veteran of more cruises than I can count, the trip was a solid hit.
Rather than be disappointed by the onboard facilities, she loved the intimate ambience of the ship, which holds a relatively modest 1,200 passengers, as well as the Greek flair throughout, from the dining to the entertainment and decor.
Even more entertaining for young passengers is the mix of activities on shore. You can spend a morning wandering amongst antiquities that evoke the ancient past of the destination, some of which, like the palace of Knossos in Crete and the ruins of Ephesus in Turkey, are so in-your-face stunning that even bored teens will sit up and take notice. But before history fatigue has a chance to set in, you can also while away an afternoon lolling at any number of Greece's iconic beaches or shopping in tiny boutiques and from street vendors.
And finally, judging not only by my daughter but by the behavior of the scores of young tourists we encountered on our travels, all that extra time on shore translates into Instagram and selfie heaven.