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As mentioned, I’ve been going on cruises since 2018 and will be heading on my sixth cruise this year. I’ve been on Carnival, Royal Caribbean and Norwegian, so I have first-hand experience on how each cruise line’s amenities, activities, entertainment, food and more. I also spent hours researching everything you need to know about each cruise line, from the ships themselves to the offerings available for each.
Best Cruise For Families Overall: MSC Cruises, MSC Seascape
Carnival cruises are fairly cheap, although this could be outweighed by the fact that you have to pay for flights in most cases. Carnival’s newest ships have amazing facilities such as the SkyRide (which is a bit like riding a bike around a track in the sky). The most exclusive and inclusive cruises are the Regent Seven Seas Scenic, Seabourn Silversea Viking Virgin Cruises & Azamara. Royal Caribbean has a long tradition of providing great family holidays with an appeal to people from multiple generations. The Solarium includes a pool, whirlpool, and deck chairs which are placed under a retractable crystal canopy.
What Are the Ships Like?
Family-friendly shore excursions are probably more targeted at older kids too. Don’t expect anywhere near the facilities that you would get on an ocean cruise ship. However, there are kids clubs at least, which offer various programs for kids aged 4 to 15 with experienced entertainers. Anyone who loves Disney World or Disneyland will love Disney Cruises. The Disney characters entertain the kids on the ships, and there are numerous family activities.
Sarah Christie and Donna Christie of Cruising Kids UK
Carnival Cruise Lines has long been a favorite of families cruising with young children. With its “Fun Ship” atmosphere, kids can enjoy plenty of activities both onboard and off while parents can relax knowing their little ones are well cared for. Club Mariner operates during the summer and select holiday sailings. Cunard Line's Queen Mary 2, Queen Victoria, and Queen Elizabeth are three of the largest cruise ships afloat. They have a British flair for their children's programs, including real children's nurses and trained British nannies.
Carnival Cruise Line
Norwegian has something for everyone, with tons of kid-friendly activities, adult-only areas (such as the adults-only sun deck), and plenty of family-friendly dining options. Crystal does not set the youth program activity schedule until the ship knows the ages and numbers of kids who will be sailing. Royal Caribbean’s Adventure Ocean kids club has a variety of activities, many with an adventure and science theme, making the vacation fun and educational. Aquanauts is for kids ages 3 to 5, Explorers is for kids 6 to 8, and Voyagers is for kids 9 to 12, and the activities and physical spaces are age-appropriate. There are also programs for tweens and teens with hangout spaces and arcades. Costa isn’t known for being super-innovative so don’t expect fancy features like roller-coasters or go-kart tracks.
SET SAIL ABOARD THE BEST SHIPS FOR FAMILIES
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. Nothing fuels bolder bonding like an epic adventure with your squad. On the family vacation you’ve been waiting for onboard the best cruises for kids. From whale-watching in Ensenada to post-card pretty shores in Puerto Vallarta and lounging on Cabo’s world-famous beaches — make memories that last a lifetime.
Costa Cruises
Cloud 9 Spa staterooms and suites offer Elemis toiletries, spa-branded bathrobes and slippers, and priority spa reservations. And lastly, Havana staterooms and suites are located close to the Havana Bar and Pool. Carnival Cruise Line has a reputation for being a party cruise line. However, the prices can rarely be beaten, which a lot of family travelers can appreciate. His work has also appeared in the Washington Post's travel vertical, By The Way, DCist and elsewhere.
The 11 Best Cruise Lines and Ships for Families and Kids in 2024
You choose between inside cabins, window cabins, balcony cabins, or suites. But sometimes, the price difference between a balcony cabin and a window cabin can be minimal, depending on where on board the cabin is located. Look out for any special offers or campaigns the cruise line is running. And what better way to spend time together than on a family cruise?
About Annie Davidson Watson, Your Family Cruise Guide
Cap’n Knof, Hapag-Lloyd’s mascot, welcomes each family on board every sailing and participates in games with guests. All 3 of the dining venues aboard The Gauguin offer a well-thought-out menu with both formal and informal dining options. The National Geographic Global Explorers program can be found on cruises to Antarctica, Alaska, Baja California, and Galápagos. 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. Redemptions start at 180,000 Bonvoy points to save $1,000, followed by 90,000-point increments to save $500.
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. The "booze in the blender" may be for adults only, but Margaritaville at Sea is first and foremost about lighthearted fun, and that includes guests of all ages. Of course, there's plenty of Caribbean-themed live music in the onboard entertainment mix, but also game shows, karaoke, kids clubs, theater shows, and a Cheeseburger in Paradise Burger Bar. Passengers can also enjoy stingray encounters and dolphin swims on two- and three-night cruises to Grand Bahama Island. 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.
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Are there any parts of the ship you do not want to live close to? For example, a cabin close to elevators is excellent if you don’t want to walk so far. Cabins directly under pool decks or near the theatre can also be noisy.
Entourage has a hangout area and offers activities for teens that can take place around the ship. P&O Cruises are relatively traditional in their style of cruising. This one is very popular with British families when looking for family-friendly cruise lines for multi-generational cruising. This is a good choice if you are traveling from a port in the UK, most likely on a cruise from Southampton. The ships are big, airy, and fun but still quite traditional in their style of cruising.
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There are more upscale and low-key cruise lines that cater to more discerning travel habits while also considering the needs of your youngest family members. In the luxury cruise category, you’ll find expedition and river cruises. Shore excursions include private tours, culinary adventures, and accessible excursions in more than 25 countries.
The free-of-charge kids’ clubs for three to 12-year-olds are out of this world. On board, you’ll find excellent entertainment packed with Disney magic and bump into characters such as Donald Duck as they stroll the decks. The company has been in business for over 70 years and is known for its excellent customer service. Costa offers a variety of itineraries, including family-friendly options, that are sure to please everyone in the family. 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.
Younger kids can ride with passengers on the racetracks, which span over two decks. Norwegian ships are also some of the most innovative and modern at sea, so you can be sure you’re getting a top-notch experience. Beyond the baby center, they even offer guests a baby laundry service to make life extra easy for parents on board. Royal Caribbean International also offers The Ultimate World Cruise, which lasts 274 nights and goes to over 60 countries. In 2019, Royal Caribbean International announced it has plans to open a private island in the South Pacific.
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