I have heard cruises described as “floating caravan parks” or “holiday camps at sea”.
While there are some surface similarities if you sail with some of the more budget lines, the price structure, destinations and experience make cruises feel very different in reality.
Who Are Butlin’s Anyway?
If you are from the UK, you will have grown up knowing about Butlin’s, even if you have never visited one yourself.
Butlins holiday camps were founded by Billy Butlin in 1936 to provide affordable, all-inclusive “luxury” holidays for the average British family.
The first camp opened in Skegness in 1936, featuring rows of brightly coloured chalets and communal dining. Its success led to a second location in Clacton-on-Sea in 1938.
To combat guest boredom, Butlin created the Redcoats – an army of entertainers who served as “friend, philosopher, and guide”. A bit like the entertainment teams onboard cruise ships – but they don’t have the redcoats!
Over the years, hundreds of thousands of people visited Butlin’s. Many have wonderful memories of the redcoats, funfair rides, roller skating, boating – and the “Knobbly Knees” and “Glamorous Granny competitions”!
During World War II, the camps were requisitioned by the government for military training (e.g., Skegness became HMS Royal Arthur).
The 1950s and 60s were the “golden years” of holiday camps, helped along by the rise of statutory paid holidays. New camps opened in Bognor Regis (1960), Minehead (1962), and Barry Island (1966).
As overseas package holidays became popular in the 1970s, Butlins faced decline. The business was sold, and many sites closed, and some were rebranded as Haven Parks.
Only three original resorts remain: Skegness, Bognor Regis, and Minehead. They have moved with the times, shifting from basic chalets to high-end hotels and modern water parks.
Accommodation Size, Comfort And Servicing
Cruise Cabins are in no way similar to caravans and chalets found in traditional holiday camps!
Caravans and chalets are usually larger with self-catering facilities. Cruise cabins are smaller but come with daily cleaning, fresh towels, and sometimes twice-daily service.
I love that on a cruise, the beds are made for you, your rubbish disappears automatically, and you feel well taken care of. You can put all your efforts into enjoying yourself!
Food Costs And What Is Actually Included
On a cruise, your food is all included. There will be a choice of places to eat – the main dining room, the buffet, and often other restaurants/poolside grills, etc. You can get an included snack at any time of the day.
If you stay in a caravan park or holiday camp, you will be self-catering. If you want to pay extra, you might be able to get some sort of meal plan included.
In days gone by, guests at Butlins used to eat at set times, at large trestle tables – a bit like school dinners!
Some cruise lines still have table sharing, but you aren’t going to be seated at a huge table with countless others!
Holiday park holidays often involve supermarket trips, cooking, washing up or paying extra for overpriced restaurants on-site.
Food costs, particularly for a family, can quickly add up, but on a cruise, you know it’s all taken care of.
Have a look at some of the wonderful things I ate when I sailed onboard Norwegian Prima here:
Entertainment And Activities Without Extra Charges
On a cruise ship, you will find nightly theatre shows, live music, and daily activities such as trivia.
There are usually free kids’ clubs, so your children can have a great time meeting new friends too.
Holiday parks also offer kids’ clubs, arcades, and evening shows.
Cruises tend to include most entertainment in the price, while caravan parks often charge extra for activities, passes or premium shows.
Price Comparison And What You Actually Get For Your Money
A holiday park break in an apartment or caravan will be self-catering, unless you choose an expensive add-on to cover the cost of meals. Cruise fares include all meals and snacks.
Cruises bundle accommodation, food, entertainment and transport between destinations into one price.
Caravan or holiday park holidays often look cheaper up front, but the cost increases once food, activities, fuel, and extras are added.
Above is the cost of a basic break at Butlins in July ( school holidays), it doesn’t include any meals – you can add on an expensive package or self-cater.
Above is the cost of an inside cabin for four, on P&O’s ship Britannia in the July 2027 school holidays.
The cheapest cabins suitable for families book up quickly, so you will need to plan and book well in advance.
For the extra £704 you will be paying, all meals are included, so you never have to think about catering.
You can travel to France and Spain, and hopefully get better weather than in rainy old England!
Children’s Entertainment
If you are travelling as a family, you will be interested in what is available to keep the children happy and occupied.
Holiday parks like Butlins have long been known for providing family entertainment.
NON-STOP ACTION DAYS
Butlins
At Butlin’s, there’s no off switch. Quiet strolls? Lazy afternoons? Not here. We’re all about huge Splash Waterworlds, unlimited fairground rides, and enough action to make you wonder if you’ll need a holiday after your holiday.
Most cruises have kids’ clubs for children up to the age of seventeen, with activities to suit all age ranges.
Kids clubs are included within the price of the cruise holiday – although, as always, some activities cost extra…
Extra-Cost Activities & Services on P&O cruises include:
- Mission Control & Altitude Skywalk (P&O’s Arvia): An immersive, multi-sensory submarine simulation game for families and an outdoor adventure experience.
- Oasis Spa Treatments: Pamper parties, manicures, and pedicures for younger guests.
- Extended Night Nursery: While free until midnight, extending care from midnight to 2 a.m. incurs a fee.
I took my nieces on a family trip on Royal Caribbean’s Anthem of the Seas.
We sailed in June, not in the school holidays. Find out whether it was a success and what we thought of the overall trip here:
Weather Reliability And Chasing The Sun
Holiday park holidays in the UK rely heavily on the weather, while cruises allow you to travel to destinations with more reliable sunshine.
Warmer climates allow you to avoid rain and enjoy outdoor spaces more consistently, depending on where and when you sail.
This is a big difference for people who have been disappointed by washed-out UK holidays!
Visiting Other Countries Without Packing Again
You will be holidaying all in one place in a holiday park. On a cruise, you can wake up in a new country or port every day.
Cruises include transport between destinations; you don’t have to worry about border crossings – all accommodation and food are included, so there is no need to repack or drive long distances.
Cruises appeal to people who want to see multiple places without the hassle of planning hotels and travel.
Who Each Type Of Holiday Works Best For
Caravan parks and holiday camps are often heavily family-focused and school-holiday driven.
Cruises cater to couples, families, solo travellers and older guests too.
Cruising outside peak school holidays can feel very different to cruising in the school holidays.
Holiday parks are full to capacity in the school holidays – as are family focused cruise ships, such as P&O’s Arvia and Costa’s Smeralda.
If you are planning a cruise holiday in mid-summer and are worried about it being full of families with children, maybe pick a smaller ship in the fleet, or perhaps an adult-only ship.
There is a cruise out there to suit everyone.
Why People Still Compare Cruises To Holiday Parks
People who have never cruised often assume holiday parks and cruises are very similar.
If you sail on a mega ship in peak summer holidays, there will be a lot of children around, particularly if you are on a family-orientated ship with waterparks, rock climbing walls, etc.
That might be when people complain that the ship “feels like Butlin’s”.
While there are a few similarities – Accommodation, entertainment, price, destinations and weather make the two experiences feel very different once you are actually there.
Have a look at the cruise I took on the Italian mega ship, Costa Smeralda. There were so many children onboard of many nationalities – and they all seemed to be having a great time! It wasn’t even the school holidays, it was in January:
Before You Go
Find out why cruises make great getaways for families with kids here:
5 Surprising Reasons Why Cruises Are the Best Family Getaway with Kids!
Worried about whether children would be safe on a cruise ship? Don’t be. Find out more here:
Book a Cruise (I’ve Launched My Own Travel Agency)
I’ve spent the last 10 years creating cruise content online and over that time I’ve learnt that having a great travel agent makes a HUGE difference.
That’s why in 2026, I launched my own agency and built a team of real cruise experts who love cruising as much as I do.
We combine great prices with personal service. Just click the button below and we’ll find you the perfect cruise. No request is too big or too small, we’re here to help.