Sunday, March 31, 2024

7 Best Cruise Lines for Families

best cruise lines for family

Super Family Cabins consist of two triple cabins, while Executive Family Suites feature two queens along with extra storage space. Back onboard, MSC Cruises has family rooms designed to accommodate families of three or more. These Family Cabins and Super Family Cabins can be economical, too, as they are charged per room and not per guest.

Best Cruise Lines for Families and Kids

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best cruise lines for family

Celebrity, Holland America and Princess

Redemptions start at 180,000 Bonvoy points to save $1,000, followed by 90,000-point increments to save $500. Redeeming points this way is a tough sell, but the earning isn’t too bad, especially paired with a Marriott Bonvoy credit card.. Luxury cruise lines come with a higher financial investment than the cruise lines listed above, but in return, you’ll find more inclusions, often better food, and far fewer onboard guests. Passengers can expect the typical array of dining options aboard MSC Cruises as well as a special kids’ corner available at the buffet. Royal Caribbean has a whopping 27 cruise ships in its portfolio with another, Utopia of The Seas, scheduled for delivery in 2024.

Royal Caribbean

The unique rotational dining system takes families through various themed restaurants, ensuring a new dining experience each night. For parents seeking a quiet, romantic evening, adult-exclusive fine dining options like Palo and Remy offer an exquisite escape. And for those quick meals or late-night cravings, quick-service locations and Disney Cruise Line’s 24-hour room service are always at hand.

P&O Cruises

There are kid-friendly activities such as arts and crafts, game rooms, and pools. So whether you’re looking for a relaxing vacation with kids’ clubs or an action-packed adventure on a Dinsey cruise line, one of these family cruises is sure to be the ultimate family vacation. Royal Caribbean International has a full fleet of ships that are dedicated to family fun. With water parks, swimming pools, tons of entertainment, and family-friendly dining that will suit even the pickiest of eaters, these vessels are made for family vacations. And you can trek around the globe with sailings far beyond the company's tropical home waters to destinations in Alaska, Asia, North America, and the South Pacific.

Paul Gauguin Cruises specializes in luxury cruises in Tahiti, Fiji, and the South Pacific. With just 1 cruise ship in its fleet, Paul Gauguin takes cruisers to ports that larger cruise ships can’t access. Ritz-Carlton is a Marriott Bonvoy brand and as such, you can earn and redeem Marriott Bonvoy points when sailing the Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection. You’ll earn 5 points per $1 spent on the price of your cruise and hotel package and 1 Elite Night Credit per night of your sailing.

The cruise line features the world’s largest ships and the tallest water slide at sea. From arcades to roller coasters, there is never any shortage of thrill-seeking activities to find on board any Royal Caribbean cruise. Shore excursions include private tours, culinary adventures, and accessible excursions in more than 25 countries.

About Annie Davidson Watson, Your Family Cruise Guide

Another great benefit to cruising with Royal Caribbean is that you will be given the chance to visit Perfect Day at Cococay, which is Royal Caribbean’s private island. On this cruise line private island there is a massive water park with slides, a kid’s water park, beautiful beaches and a huge resort style pool, which is loads of fun. Princess Cruises offers a refined and enriching family experience, blending elegance with various activities and experiences that appeal to all ages. Stepping aboard a Princess cruise ship feels like entering a world where classic charm meets modern convenience, creating a welcoming and sophisticated atmosphere. Regarding keeping the younger cruisers entertained, Carnival excels with its dedicated kid’s clubs.

best cruise lines for family

According to the report, Disney receives accolades from families for its whimsical amenities and well-equipped staterooms. The size of Disney's ships varies, but each vessel promises to have approximately one crew member for every three passengers, according to the report. For instance, you and the kids can learn how to blow glass at the Hot Glass Studio, which is not something you see on every cruise ship. Make your next family vacation something truly special on the Celebrity Equinox through the Celebrity Cruise Line. Fostering family togetherness on a ship like the Norwegian Joy is simple. You can take the twists and turns behind the wheel of the Joy Speedway, play a heart-thumping game of laser tag, or tee off at mini golf.

Royal Caribbean International is one of the most popular cruise ships for families because it has more than 300 destinations to choose from. Picture you and your family in the Bahamas, Florida, Italy, Greece, Alaska, Thailand, and so many more countries. In October, U.S. News and World Report published its 2023 ranking of the best cruises for families. The report ranked the top five ships out of 17 of the most popular ocean cruise lines and gave them a rating of one through five. I’m here to help you make this all-important choice by reviewing 12 of the best cruise ships for kids.

Whether a cruise is family-friendly depends on the type of cruise you’re taking and with which cruise line. The cruise lines listed above all have special programming for kids and guests of all ages. River cruises have traditionally been more popular with older cruisers but are now appealing to the younger crowds as well.

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Now, she helps over 1 million people per month to plan their perfect cruise holidays. Princess Cruises from Southampton and Dover are available on a choice of several ships with various itineraries available. Older children may have more fun on a cruise line with more for them to do on board. Costa doesn’t offer any sailings from the UK – instead you’ll need to fly to Europe, where there are many different departure ports to choose from.

The kids and teen programs include Camp at Sea for kids between 3 and 12. Participants have themed parties, play sports, do arts and crafts, and engage in treasure hunts. There are even kids’ clubs to give parents a break to enjoy nightclubs, fitness facilities, or the adults-only pool. Here are seven of the best cruise lines for families, with itineraries that kids and adults will love. If your intent is to offer your kids the experience of a lifetime, look no further than Adventure Canada, which cruises to the vast wonders of the north with a mix of sailing yachts and ice-defying exploration vessels. Expert-led excursions introduce young travelers to everything from archaeology and botany to the science of glaciers through interpretive hikes, photography outings, and other unique programs.

But they do have some good facilities for kids, including splash parks and dedicated teen rooms that are age-appropriate. Affiliations with Peppa Pig are great for younger kids, including themed water areas and activities in the younger kids’ clubs. The cruise line offers a mix of traditional dining experiences and flexible options, allowing families to enjoy meals at their own pace.

The 6 Best Kid-Friendly Cruises for Your Family Cruise

best cruise lines for family

Deciding on the perfect family vacation is full of tricky decisions, but have you considered setting sail on a family cruise? With options that cater to every age, from toddlers to grandparents, cruises are the ultimate getaway for family bonding and adventure. Holland America's Club HAL provides year-round supervised children's programs for ages 5-12.

Enchantment Of The Seas

She also has 11 public decks, can travel at 22 knots (41 km/h), and her hull was painted to resemble that of classic ocean liners. The Disney Wonder is a cruise ship owned and operated by the Disney Cruise Line, part of The Walt Disney Company. The second ship to be built for the cruise line, she entered service in 1999. Younger kids can ride with passengers on the racetracks, which span over two decks.

Most Popular Family Cruise Lines

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So let your inner child shine, as there’s plenty for older kids and adults to enjoy. All of the large ship cruise lines (with most ships over 1000 guests) offer kid's programs for ages 3 through 17. And, of course, there’s also the chance to visit amazing destinations like the Bahamas and Mexico. Whether you’re a first-time cruiser or a seasoned pro, a Disney cruise is sure to be an unforgettable experience for the whole family. Other cruise lines for families just don’t compare to any of the Disney cruises. If you’re looking for a luxurious cruise experience, look no further than Princess Cruises.

Factors to Consider When Choosing Cruise Lines for Families

The remaining two are adults-only, so make sure you plan your family vacation with the correct ship in mind. Something that makes P&O stand apart is the nursery services for babies and toddlers. Not every line includes baby care in the cost of the cruise, much less nighttime nursery service. However, families with infants will be happy to know that evening child-minding is included for passengers aged 6 months to 4 years. In addition to this carefree vibe, families will find lots of activities to love.

Formerly, I was an editor at Departures, Travel + Leisure, Glamour and more, and I now contribute regularly to both Forbes and Forbes Vetted. I'm also the founder of @littleackbook, a Nantucket-based publication and concierge service. Discover the magic of Alaska, where snowcapped mountains, towering forests and misty fjords dare you to deny their majesty. And cross once-in-a-lifetime experiences off your list together — on one unforgettable journey.

When Icon of the Seas debuts in 2024, the new megaship will offer an entire section of the ship devoted to family-friendly accommodations and an outdoor dining-and-play space targeted at parents with young children. Family cabins and connecting staterooms give larger families their needed space. It also offers adults-only pool decks and restaurants, a nightlife scene and couples spa treatments to revive exhausted parents who haven't had a date in months. No one will be surprised that entertainment juggernaut Disney offers an amazing family cruise experience. Dubbed Camp Discovery, Princess Cruises kids' clubs include The Treehouse for children aged 3 to 7, The Lodge for ages 8 to 12 and The Beach House for ages 13 to 17.

Norwegian Cruise Line

However, sailors can expect a kids’ club for children as young as 4 years old on Europa and Europa 2, the cruise line’s 2 ocean liners. Activities include language classes, unique children’s excursions designed around the interests of the kids onboard, and even spa treatments for kids as young as 8 years old. For family cruisers in particular, MSC offers family excursions with special pricing for kids, and tours designed to be interactive as well as educational. There are also kids’ clubs aboard their ships in addition to the LEGO Experience on Board, which is a day dedicated to LEGO activities for the whole family. Royal Caribbean family cruise packages include free daytime and early evening access to its popular kids’ clubs. A sizable amount of real estate is dedicated to them, with separate areas for toddlers, kids and tweens/teens.

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Mini and Juniors Clubs give the kids a safe and fun place to play if you need to drop them off, as the rooms are bright, colorful, and full of toys. Your kids will adore the F1 simulators, full-sized bowling alley, sportsplex, and Polar Aquapark with its sloping, looping enclosed slides. Departing from Florida, the Bahamas, and Bermuda, set sail for a world of adventure aboard the MSG Meraviglia.

best cruise lines for family

Carnival is known for being the most entertaining and party-filled of the bunch. Whichever of their 26 ships you set out on, the cruise line is all about having a good time. My first cruise (along with my 80-year-old grandmother) was on a Carnival. The company prides itself for having activities and amenities for every generation through dance parties, trivia and live performances.

River cruise guests generally prefer a quieter sailing so don’t expect a boisterous crowd – the kids can have fun but they won’t be able to run amok. Carnival cruise ships are best suited for children aged eight and over. As someone who cruised with Celebrity as a kid and teenager, I’ve always found that they had some of the most fun kid’s clubs at sea.

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There is also a kids club on board that offers age-appropriate activities and entertainment. Thanks to their excellent travel value, more and more families are turning to cruising when planning their vacations. Its handful of family-oriented ships feature well-equipped and age-appropriate kids’ clubs, a range of family cabins and family-friendly dining options.

best cruise lines for family

This website is using a security service to protect itself from online attacks. There are several actions that could trigger this block including submitting a certain word or phrase, a SQL command or malformed data. As the Mediterranean line grows its U.S.-based fleet, it is staying attuned to the needs of traveling families.

Royal Babies & Tots allows parents to spend the day in port, relax on the pool deck, or enjoy late-night entertainment, knowing their kids are in the hands of experts. Royal Caribbean International has big ships with non-stop activities for children and teens. Some of the ships have those famous rock-climbing walls, ice skating rinks, FlowRider, and ziplining. The RCI supervised year-round youth program, Adventure Ocean, is targeted to kids 3 to 17 in five age groups, but the company also has a nursery program for ages 3 months to 36 months.

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