Sunday, March 31, 2024

The 6 Best Kid-Friendly Cruises for Your Family Cruise

best cruise lines for families

Ships on any cruise line offer a variety of activities for almost every age group and a multitude of dining options for even the pickiest of palates. Also, many ships have places where kids can go and participate in activities or just hang out with other kids, allowing the adults some time alone. Norwegian's Splash Academy features separate activities for kids ages 3 to 5, 6 to 9 and 10 to 12.

Symphony of the Seas

best cruise lines for families

The cruise lines and recommended ships that follow are our top picks for family cruises. Kids will love the Celebrity cruises, pools, waterslides, and kids’ clubs, while parents can enjoy the spa, fitness center, Trivia contests, night clubs, and adult-only dining options. With so much to do onboard, families will never be bored on a Celebrity Cruise. Carnival offers a number of kid-friendly amenities such as a waterslide park, mini golf, arcade, and kids clubs for different age groups.

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I’ve rounded up seven of my favorites, which I’ll share in the first part of this guide. Carnival has 25 ships that depart from all over the world, including New York, Baltimore, Los Angeles, Miami and more. The cruise line offers trips to Mexico, Hawaii, Europe and the Caribbean, to name a few. When it comes to dining, parents can rest assured that Carnival has you covered.

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Disney Cruise Line

Participants have themed parties, play sports, do arts and crafts, and engage in treasure hunts. Celebrity Cruises are catered to families, with excursions, programs, and activities for kids and adults. They even offer autism-friendly activities, which are highly inclusive.

No. 7: Disney Cruise Line

One of the best things about MSC Cruises is that they have a wide variety of itineraries to choose from and Family Explorer Club tours. The kids club will watch kids aged 3-11 for free, and there are play spaces for babies. Whether you’re looking to relax by the pool, enjoy some time at the spa, or get active with the kids at bumper cars and laser tag, Royal Caribbean International has you covered. I’m here to help you make this all-important choice by reviewing 12 of the best cruise ships for kids. Then I’ll recommend the most kid-friendly cruise ships for booking your next vacation. In October, U.S. News and World Report published its 2023 ranking of the best cruises for families.

Activities that will build lifetime memories include swims with sea turtles, sharing beaches with seals, and add-on family safaris to Patagonia. The National Geographic Global Explorers program can be found on cruises to Antarctica, Alaska, Baja California, and Galápagos. Its National Geographic Global Explorers program offers exclusive and family-friendly programming for kids and teens. Camp at Sea is Celebrity Cruises’ kids’ club for kids 3 to 17 years old.

From the moment you step onboard, you’re immersed in the world of Disney, with all the fun and excitement it entails. Themed dining rooms, character meet-and-greets, Broadway-caliber shows, and deck parties are just some of the ways you can enjoy your time on a Disney cruise. Families can participate in family-friendly game shows, dance classes, and arts & crafts projects. There is also a kid-friendly pool and water slide for the little ones to enjoy. For those families looking for some quiet time, there is a library and an adult-only pool (called the Solarium).

Best Cruise Lines for Families (and Their 12 Most Kid-Friendly Ships)

Multiple dining venues have kids’ menus, featuring everything from chicken nuggets to peanut butter and jelly sandwiches. Plus, the ships have complimentary all-you-can-eat pizza and soft serve that’s available through the wee hours. Hints of Disney can be found throughout the ship just as on Disney Cruise Line ocean ships. Mouse-shaped treats and Disney-themed karaoke are just a few of the features you’ll find on board.

Princess Cruises

Disney entertainment comes to the big stages as only this brand can, with costumed characters singing, dancing, and entertaining guests all day or evening. Eat well no matter the cuisine you and the family crave, from simple burgers to Brazilian steakhouses, Japanese food, seafood, or global cuisine. Some establishments offer buffet-style dining, and others are open 24 hours so you can always fill your belly.

Many cruise ships also offer other entertainment options, such as Broadway-style shows, games nights, laser tag and mini golf, sports courts, and even a large open deck screen for movies. The options range from single-family-focused staterooms, perfect for families with small children, to interconnected cabins that give teenagers some privacy while ensuring they stay close. Splash Academy has a variety of activities for kids, like creative play and games, that are offered only when the ship is at sea. Entourage has a hangout area and offers activities for teens that can take place around the ship.

The line caters to families in a big way with waterparks and twisting slides, outdoor ropes courses, and video arcades. A “Seuss at Sea” program encourages kids to read Dr. Seuss classics, with The Cat in the Hat appearing at a Green Eggs and Ham Breakfast (complete with themed food). Family Harbor cabins and suites come with access to a private family lounge for breakfast, snacks, and video-game play. Camp Ocean entertains kids ages 2-11 with everything from crafts to dancing to video gaming, with separate clubs for tweens (ages 12-14) and teens (15-17). Seven-night Eastern Caribbean sailings from Port Canaveral on Mardi Gras this summer from $549. Odyssey of the Seas also has a kids’ club for children ages 3-12, where they can participate in arts and crafts, movies, and games.

It’s fun to see the kids around the ship with their new friends enjoying activities like costume parades, scavenger hunts and more. Speaking of kids clubs, MSC's ships offer play spaces for babies, kids, tweens and teens. Its ships not only offer a drop-off Baby Club with educational toys by Chicco but also a special baby laundry service to take care of that pile of dirty onesies. Onboard an MSC cruise ship, you’ll find water slides, a sports court, a really fun kid’s club and teen club. The kid’s club area is a great place to leave your children so they can meet new people, do fun activities and play video games. Families that want the ultimate family vacation with all the bells and whistles, it’s best to book one of the newer Carnival cruise ships, such as Carnival Mardi Gras or Carnival Celebration.

Nowadays, popular cruise lines like MSC, Royal Caribbean and Disney are going the extra mile for families of all sizes and age ranges. With just about everything taken care of, these cruises are a perfect choice for families traveling with young children or teenagers, when the last thing you want to think about is another thing to think about. The interconnecting Family Suites onboard Princess Cruises ships can accommodate up to eight, and in-room amenities include full-size bathtubs. Camp Discovery features kids clubs for ages 3-7 and 8-12, while teens get their own beach house to hang out in. Carnival Radiance is a great cruise line for families because it offers a wide variety of activities and amenities that are perfect for kids of all ages. There are several pools, a water park, a mini golf course, and a kids club on board, so there is always something for the little ones to do.

Take a dip in a pool, chill out in a hot tub, play every sport imaginable (from shuffleboard to mini golf), and catch a tan at the Reef Family Splash Zone, a mini water park with games, pools, and water features. Cross-country skiing in Antarctica, visiting sea lion colonies, and spotting bears and bald eagles are among the guided outings that will earn bragging rights back home. Get the kids set up with one of the on-ship Camp Discovery programs including The Treehouse (3-7), The Lodge (8-12) and The Beach House (13-17).

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