We just got back from our very first family cruise and it was amazing. We have a nine & five year old and they had a ball. We cruised for 11 days/10 nights and felt that time was perfect for both us and the kids. Having not cruised with kids before it was recommended that we got a balcony room and I would also highly recomend this. We didn\’t spend heaps of time in our room, but we did have a bit of \”down time\” most days and having the balcony was great – it also gives you \’another room\’ to sit and if need be separate. I did let my kids go around the ship on their own, but not in the beginning – once we were all comfortable with getting around and knowing where our room was and how to get back there…….and reiterating the rules of being quiet, and not annoying people + the no swimming without mum or dad watching you.

This is something I would like to do too. My kids are 15, 11 (nearly 12) & 3. Would love to go on a family cruise to Fiji but am reluctant to take our youngest.
I’ve heard they are great for all ages as there is heaps to do. As for letting them go off by themselves, it would depend on their ages. 13 and older maybe but I’d still be worried something might happen

Maybe check a travel site for cruise reviews too?

I imagine children on cruises would still need adult/parental supervision, unless it was a designated and dedicated childcare area with trained staffed.