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The cruise line's largest ships are the best Royal Caribbean vessels for kids of all ages, as well as for multigenerational family groups. The ship's Lego-themed Doremi Land kids club has dedicated spaces for babies, kids and teens. Sun Princess will be the first Princess cruise ship to feature an expansive upper-deck activity zone that kids will love. Named Park19, it will feature nine fun-in-the-sun activities spanning three decks. The attractions include the Sea Breeze Rollglider (imagine a safer version of hang-gliding from an elevated track), a climbing structure with obstacles and a slide, a ropes course, a splash zone and a sports court. If you're looking for the best cruises for kids, Carnival Celebration and its near-identical twin fleet mate, Mardi Gras, are the only cruise ships boasting a top-deck roller coaster called Bolt.
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New Orleans native and Food Network star Emeril Lagasse is the newest Chief Culinary Officer for all 24 ships with 3 original restaurants. There are plenty of dining options to choose from across the fleet with cuisines including Italian, Creole, burgers, and teppanyaki. Cruising has long been a popular way for people to travel, especially for those that are retired. There’s something about getting to enjoy an endless amount of food, drinks, and onboard activities while the ship takes you from one destination to another. If parents want some late-night fun, group babysitting is available for a fee for kids ages 3 to 12. There are live shows for kids, fireworks, pools, splash pads, deck parties and more.
Best Cruise For Families With Young Children: Disney Cruise Line, Disney Wish
You'll also find a theater, arts and crafts workshop, science lab, video arcade and the Scratch DJ Academy (not on Anthem of the Seas). Pack a swimsuit in your carry-on so you can dive into adventure early. 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.
No. 3: Margaritaville at Sea
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And that's not even mentioning the ever-expanding range of onboard entertainment options aboard these "Fun Ships," including water parks, game rooms, ropes courses, and a deck-circling SkyRide. The only thing I knew about cruising was from my 58-year old aunt, who was constantly traveling all over the Caribbean via ship. From her, I thought cruises were basically laying by the pool all day, checking out the views and eating at speciality restaurants. (I mean, it is, but there’s so much more.) But in 2018, I finally set “sail” on a vacation at sea of my own, and my mind was completely changed. From the fun trivia to the adventure-filled excursions, cruises are for everyone!
best cruise lines that offer fun and adventure for the whole family
Just like when you choose a hotel, families look for certain amenities for a cruise vacation. Carnival’s youth program is fleetwide and is divided into groups based on age ranging from 6 months to 17. Beach time, boat rides, water sports, luaus and volcano tours combine for an epic family trip, with the ship taking the stress out of meals and transportation. Norwegian Cruise Line is all about giving cruisers options to create different versions of the perfect cruise vacation, all within the same ship. Families keen on rooming together can take advantage of frequent "kids sail free" fares and pay only the taxes and fees for children under 18 who are the third and fourth passengers in a cabin. Families don't need to pull out their wallets to feed ravenous teens or sugar-fueled children.
MSC Meraviglia
On NCL Epic, "Priscilla Queen of the Desert the Musical" is a great inclusive musical option for kids of all ages. Epic, Breakaway and Getaway also have two-bedroom family villas, which are cruise ship rooms for six people. We love that kids can experience finger sandwiches and cakes at the children’s afternoon tea -- and there’s no shortage of pizza and complimentary ice cream onboard.
Their ships sail to destinations all over the world, so you’re sure to find an itinerary that interests you and your family. They also offer family cabins so you can all stay together (up to 10 people). Off the ship, Carnival’s private island, Half Moon Cay, is a great place for families to spend the day together. There’s a playground, water sports, and plenty of beach space to relax and soak up the Caribbean sun. The program is available on cruises in the Galapagos, Alaska, Baja, Mexico, and Antarctica—all places you can spot wild creatures and the kids are encouraged to record sightings in a field book. Princess Cruises’ affiliation with Discovery TV makes it an excellent choice for multigenerational families—especially in Alaska.
Animal Planet™ invites local animals onboard
Norwegian Prima will be cruising from Port Canaveral (near Orlando), beginning in December. The cruise lines and recommended ships that follow are our top picks for family cruises. We tend to recommend cruise lines' newer ships, because the facilities have been designed for families with kids from the outset and have more space for fun activities such as water parks, ropes courses and rock-climbing walls.
An interactive splash pad with giant whale feature will entertain kids of all ages with showers, sprays and a water jet from the whale's spout! Oversized backyard games in the all-ages game zone set the stage for some good natured family competition. Celebrate after with playful mocktails for the kids and refreshing cocktails for the parents at our kid-friendly bar area.
The 11 Best Cruise Lines and Ships for Families and Kids - Upgraded Points
The 11 Best Cruise Lines and Ships for Families and Kids.
Posted: Tue, 09 Jan 2024 08:00:00 GMT [source]
Norwegian Cruise Line, with destinations around the world, features a wide range of family-friendly programs and activities. For children ages 5-12, there’s Splash Academy, with complimentary activities like sports, creative play, parties, and theme nights. Entourage, for year olds, features complimentary supervised activities such as video games, movies, music, art, and a special lounge just for them. While the kids are having fun, adults have a spa, adults-only pool, theater, casino, and private beach club. Opportunities for family togetherness include mini golf, scavenger hunts, family nights, casual dinners, and shore excursions. The Norwegian Prima, the newest ship in their fleet, actually features a three-level race track that all ages will enjoy.
The kids clubs are divided by age, and care for babies and toddlers under 3 is included in the fare. Once the kids are on board, there are a variety of activities for them in Disney's Youth Clubs. These feature several distinct physical spaces and activities that are based on the child’s age and vary by ship. Also, free kids meals at extra-charge restaurants mean parents can sample Brazilian, Japanese, French or seafood dishes while the littles gobble up pasta and chicken fingers.
Brunch here steals the show, though you can also chow down at dinnertime and late at night — The Mason Jar is open until 1 a.m. If you and your fam want a little extra privacy and space, you can reserve one of the ship's casitas. Each of these poolside cabanas comes with exclusive attendant service, delivering snacks and sips directly to you. 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.
But Ritz-Carlton hotel loyalists, eager to experience the 5-star hospitality at sea, waited patiently for the first yacht to embark. Select ships feature a fully-immersive virtual reality experience, a movie theater, and an arcade room. In addition to excursions that you can book for an additional fee, Norwegian Cruise Line has a private island, Great Stirrup Cay, in the Bahamas. Onboard activities include Family Feud Live, waterslides, karaoke, and The Punchliner Comedy Club.
You’re not likely to find a cruise line or ship that exclusively caters to 1 age group. Even without a rollercoaster that jets out over the sea, MSC Cruises is still a popular option for family travelers. Carnival has a private island that it shares exclusively with Holland America called Half Moon Cay. However, the prices can rarely be beaten, which a lot of family travelers can appreciate. The ships bring a lot of the Disney experience on board with character interactions, immersive experiences and themes. Here’s a starting point to help you decide the best cruises for your family.
Passengers can also enjoy stingray encounters and dolphin swims on two- and three-night cruises to Grand Bahama Island. Family-friendly excursions range from whale watching and kayaking to glaciers to zip lining and encounters with penguins and green monkeys. Adults who want to build some "me time" into their family vacation will appreciate Norwegian's special kids programs, while a wide range of on- and off-ship activities guarantee plenty of bonding opportunities, too.
