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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.
Next Norwegian Ship Will Sail with New Restaurants
For families, a cruise on Royal Caribbean’s massive ships—some can carry more than 6,000 passengers—is as exciting as going to an amusement park. Collectively, the ships offer ice skating rinks, simulated surfing machines, zip-lines, bumper cars, laser tag, carousels, and thrill slides. The Adventure Ocean program (for ages 3-12) includes fun science experiments, while teens get to party in their own disco. The ship sails from Barcelona and Rome (the port of Civitavecchia) this summer and fall. The cruise line is introducing another ship this fall—Celebrity Ascent—that has all of these offerings for kids and teens plus some extra special ones for adults. The spa, for example, is state-of-the-art and includes a kid- and teen-specific menu, making it an activity the entire family can enjoy.
Cruises
The kids' club on NCL Epic has a jungle gym, plenty of room to roam and a cool interactive light-up dance floor. Norwegian cruise ships for kids include the line’s newest vessels, which offer all the mega-ship bells and whistles families have come to expect (though we found NCL Encore and Bliss to have a more adult vibe). Waitstaff will cut your kids' food and the Disney cruise kids' menu offers an array of kid favorites, such as mini-burgers and macaroni and cheese. Two onboard restaurants are adults-only so parents/guardians can take advantage of the kids’ club and enjoy their own evening together. Disney takes a unique separate-but-together approach to its kids’ programming, mainly to accommodate siblings and friends traveling together. Disney Cruises kids' clubs' ages generally span from 3 to 12, with other options for teens.
The Best Cruises For Families
Best Cruise Ship for Families - Newsweek
Best Cruise Ship for Families.
Posted: Thu, 22 Feb 2024 08:00:00 GMT [source]
The Odyssey of the Seas is one of the best cruise lines for families. It offers a wide variety of activities and amenities for families to enjoy. The ship is designed with families in mind, and it has a number of features that make it an ideal choice for a family vacation. This Norwegian Cruise line offers kids clubs which will allow parents to have some alone time. Kids clubs have daily activities, so you can pick which activities to join based on your preferences. The cruise ship offers laser tag, mini-golf, broadway musicals, waterslide adventures, and more.
Families can also enjoy the ship’s mini-golf course, zip line, rock-climbing wall, and sports court. Costa also offers something for everyone in the family with its diverse itineraries. From cruises to exotic destinations like the Caribbean and Mexico to more relaxed sailings in Europe and Alaska, there’s sure to be a trip that appeals to every family member. And with Costa’s affordable pricing, families can enjoy a high-quality cruise without breaking the bank. Carnival Cruise Lines has long been a favorite of families cruising with young children.
The Most Kid-Friendly P&O Cruises Ships
Whilst many of these are only suitable for older children, there are some good options for younger ones too, such as funicular railway rides and pushchair-friendly hiking trails. When planning a family cruise, choosing the best destination is just as important as choosing the best cruise line and the best ship. Whether you’re an adult, teenager or young kid, there is something to do on a cruise for every member of the family. One of the great things about Royal Caribbean is that there is a nursery (on select ships) for children between the ages of 6 months to 36 months.
You'll find children's menus in the main dining rooms on all MSC ships and kid-friendly options at the buffets as well. The line offers the My Smart Card, which is a prepaid card that allows kids to purchase snacks, drinks and even arcade games on their own. A separate baby care area is for the youngest up to toddlers, while Miniclub offers plenty of Lego action and safe-for-kids climbing options (ages 3 to 6). The Juniors Club, for ages 7 to 11, also features plenty of Lego-themed activities plus game shows, video game competitions, and arts and crafts. Select Princess shore excursions are Discovery Family Tours, which are targeted at families with kids ages 3 to 12 and involve hands-on activities that connect kids to the destination.
The ThrillPlex offers activities that will make your kids smile from ear to ear. Or maybe you want to climb a ropes course or race on a track to see who’s the fastest? Pools are also divided for guests of varying ages, such as the Quiet Cove Pool for guests 18 and older, splash pads for kids three and under, and Satellite Falls for adults. The flexibility and choice make it one of the best cruise lines for families, especially those who need to satisfy diverse interests or get bored with the same activities day after day. Guests aboard a Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection vessel can expect the same service they would on land, including the Ritz Kids program.
The cruise lines and recommended ships that follow are our top picks for family cruises. It's hard to beat a cruise to the Bahamas when it comes to family cruising. For one thing, the island nation is a quick sail from Florida ports like Port Canaveral and Miami. For another, there's a range of activities for adults and kids of all ages on several islands. The best of the bunch might be Perfect Day at CocoCay, Royal Caribbean's private island with a chic beach club and incredibly tall waterslides to entertain both adults and children. You'll also find activities like a Nassau pirate tour and access to the all-inclusive water park at Atlantis resort on your itinerary.
The Oceaneer Club and Oceaneer Lab allow children ages 3 to 12, with programming geared toward younger children in the Club and older children in the Lab. Disney Cruise Line has done a lot more to accommodate tweens and teens -- but its ships offer the best cruise for small kids, hands down. We prefer the line's biggest ships, Disney Wish, Disney Dream and Disney Fantasy, but the refurbished Disney Magic and Disney Wonder are great choices for Disney family cruises, as well. Disney ships, including the newest, Disney Wish, which debuted in 2022, are ideal for families with kids ages 4 to 11, as Disney has the best facilities, food options and programs for this age group.
Animal Planet tours are ideal for parents and kids who want to see whales, sharks, sloths and other critters up close. Royal Caribbean offers affordable family cruises, with a Royal Caribbean kids sail free program and other discounts on third and fourth passengers appearing occasionally throughout the year. Children of all ages can enjoy cruises, but cruise vacations are best for kids older than three years old, as that’s the minimum age for most cruise line kid’s clubs. However, Royal Caribbean and Disney Cruise Line offer paid nursery services for toddlers as young as six months. Carnival Cruise Line has 26 ships most have activities like sports zones, water parks, ropes courses and mini golf. A few ships have Bolt, a roller coaster that allows passengers to control how fast they go.
Adventure Ocean also offers a Late Night Party Zone group sitting for children ages 3-11 between the hours of 10 p.m. And 2 a.m., so you can enjoy a stress-free adults-only night out on deck. Based in Norway, Hurtigruten is a cruise line that clearly understands adventure. Its MS Santa Cruz II ship in particular provides an intimate experience through the Galápagos Islands with just a 90-passenger capacity. To show your family all that the Caribbean has to offer, cruise from Orlando to Haiti, Jamaica, Cozumel and, of course, Mexico's Yucatan Peninsula. Let the adventure begin from Yucatan's laid-back beach town Progreso, which is one of the best places for family vacations due to its pristine beaches and exciting water activities.
Norwegian Prima will be cruising from Port Canaveral (near Orlando), beginning in December. You’ll be hard-pressed to ever feel bored during a Royal Caribbean family cruise. Perfect Day at CocoCay is a child-friendly destination where you can enjoy various thrilling activities. Kids will absolutely love the Splashaway Bay water park, with its fountains, water cannons and drench buckets. Have a splash in the biggest wave pool in the Caribbean, relax in the beachfront infinity pool and conquer the island's 13 water slides, including the tallest in North America. Next, take the whole family up 450 feet in a hot air balloon to find an unrivaled view of Perfect Day.
Expedition cruisers seem to be less concerned about the dining options, however, Lindblad does boast that the dining is delicious and sustainably sourced. The all-suite Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection features ocean views from every room, as well as 6 restaurants and in-suite dining. Guests can enjoy Southeast Asian cuisine from contemporary restaurant Talaat Nam or check out Mediterranean restaurant Mistral.
Ages 12 through 17 can head to the Young Club or the Teen Club, which MSC has stocked with things like foosball, sports tournaments, a Formula 1 simulator, bowling, selfie-sharing and music-streaming stations and more. Disney Dream features a replica of the Millennium Falcon from "Star Wars," where young ones can play pilot or learn lightsaber techniques from a Jedi Master. Panama Canal cruises show not just the human abilities of engineering but also provide a great idea of the diversity and connections in our world. An elegant balance between educational experiences and outdoor exploration characterizes a Northern European cruise. The Galapagos Islands are UNESCO World Heritage Site as the pristine islands are home to unique species of animals and plants. Zodiac shore excursions are tremendous and adventurous as they allow one to have a closer look at icebergs, glaciers, and wildlife.
Families can choose from a variety of staterooms and suites, each designed with comfort and convenience in mind. 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. If you’re looking for a hassle-free cruising experience where your every need is taken care of, then you can’t go wrong with Disney Cruise Line. Sounds like family vacations just got a whole lot easier with Disney Cruise Line.
