Best Cruise Lines For Families
From kid-friendly ships and shows to family-favorite experiences and shore excursions, these are the best family cruises and cruise ships.
When Disney Cruise Line launched in 1998, it was a game changer for family cruises. Now in its third decade of operation, Disney Cruise Line consistently tops the list of best cruise lines for families. And with a new ship launching in 2022, parents and kids alike are already buzzing with anticipation for what will undoubtably be one of the best cruise ships for kids in years.
Of course, the best family cruises arent limited to just Disney. Carnival Cruises, Princess, Norwegian, MSC, and a host of other cruise lines have helped usher in a new era of family vacations on cruise ships with amenities like kids clubs, waterslides, age-appropriate stage shows, dining experiences, reduced fares for young children, andperhaps best of allkids sail free deals.
Ship: Diamond Princess Coral Princess And Island Princess
Cruise Line: Princess Cruises Itineraries: Include a seven-night Voyage of the Glaciers between Vancouver and Whittier, Alaska Price: Voyage of the Glaciers starts at $649 per person based on double occupancy third and fourth berth fares from $399 Standout Perk: Killer views of massive glaciers
Princess sealed its reputation as a cruise line for lovebirds by snagging a starring role in The Love Boat, but dont rule it out as a cruise line for families. Just about every voyage features distinct programs for 3- to 7-year-olds, 8- to 12-year-olds and 13- to 17-year-olds. The cruise line is particularly creative when it comes to teens, offering hip-hop dance classes, DJ workshops, hot tub parties, pizza and mocktail socials, formals and even makeup and skincare training. It added to its list of industry firsts when it introduced yoga classes for cruisers as young as 3, and a chef-led workshop where kids in mini toques and aprons learn to prepare dishes such as fruit pizza and sushi rolls. An exclusive partnership with the California Science Center makes Princess ideal for Einsteins-in-training.
6 of 10 Image Credits: Celebrity Cruises
Best Cruise Lines For Families For 2022 And Why
Cruising with kids can be very daunting especially if you have not done it before. When looking at booking a cruise it is important to explore the facilities it has for the age of the children you are travelling with. Does the cruise line cater for children of all ages? Do they have a kids club? Does the kitchen cater for childrens meals? These are all questions asked when trying to look for the best cruise line for families with kids. Some cruise lines are fab for babies on a cruise some are fantastic for teens or may want activities for the whole family?
Or if a bit of adult time is want you need then a cruise line that offers babysitting or kids clubs will be perfect for you to relax knowing they are safely looked after.
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Ama Waterways: Danube River Cruises
Alongside new tours along the Rhine, Rhone, Seine, Douro, Garonne and Mekong rivers, in 2016 AmaWaterways is offering 20 or so Danube River cruises with group booking incentives and plenty of activities for all. Passengers of all ages can get active on enriching bike tours or grab a bike and helmet to explore on your own. On board, complimentary Internet and on-demand entertainment will keep anyone with a short attention span occupied during slower moments, and theres a massage and beauty salon for those in need of some peace and relaxation.
Families will enjoy location-inspired nightly performances, and as small group excursions are offered at three “speeds” gentle walkers, active walkers and late starters for those who like to sleep in you can tailor your daily schedule to suit every member of your group. If your party is reaching extended Brady Bunch family-like proportions, the smaller scale of these river cruises means an exclusive full-ship charter might be the way to go. Options range from the 14-cabin Zambezi Queen to ships carrying around 150 passengers, such as the new 158-passenger AmaViola, debuting in April.
Cruiseable gives AmaWaterways a ½ rating. To book an AmaWaterways river cruise at the best rates, contact a Cruiseable travel advocate.
Are P& o The Best Cruises For Families
P& O offer families lots of choice when it comes to sailing from Southampton they pride themselves on entertainment. They offer Laid-back days ashore which are excursions aimed at families and stress free meals for children. Their drinks on board are cheaper than most other cruise lines too. P& O Cruises is one of the cheapest family-friendly cruise lines. Occasionally they have a kids can sail for as little as £1!
P& Os newest ship is
- The P& O Iona
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Best Cruise Ships For Kids 2020
Considering a cruise for your next family vacation? You might be surprised to see how many cruise ship options there actually are! To help you make your decision, weve chosen the most innovative and entertaining cruise ships for kids. In 2020, sail away on one of these cruise ships for kids, and youll be on cruise control in no time!
Disney Cruise Line Vs Royal Caribbean For Best Family Cruise Line
November 10, 2021 By Nancy
See our Advertiser Disclosure and Editorial Note here.
US News and World Report just announced its 2022 Best Cruise Lines rankings in several categories. The methodology used for the rankings includes expert ratings , traveler ratings and health ratings .
Of course, one has to take these rankings with a grain of salt. Your experience on each cruise line will depend on the ship you sail, the specific crew members you interact with, time of year, etc.
But its no surprise that in the category of Best Cruise for Families, the results are:
#1: Disney Cruise Line
#2: Royal Caribbean
Having been on both cruise lines, I agree with this ranking. You can see all of the category rankings here.
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Family Entertainment On Ncl
Onboard family entertainment is vast with a variety of things to do. Their latest ship the Encore hosts a karting track, laser tag and an American diner. There is plenty to do for the adults as well with a Cavern club and top theatre entertainment. If your kids are tech minded they will absolutely love the Galaxy pavilion onboard the encore which is a whole floor of VR! Norwegian Cruiseline have The Plank! Walk on the wild side in a harness as you extend 8 feet over the side of the ship!
Ponant: The Ultimate Family Expedition
A leader in polar expeditions, French-based Compagnie du Ponant offers multigenerational groups the shared experience of a lifetime, cruising from Ushuaia in Argentina through the heart of the Antarctic Peninsula. Each day, you can head out in Zodiac dinghies for close encounters with penguins, whales, seals and sea leopards and be dropped at trails for scenic hikes through terrain few ever get to see. On the Great Austral Loop itinerary aboard Le Boreal in November 2016, youll visit the Falkland Islands, South Georgias glaciers and black sand beaches and the Northern Peninsulas floating ice fields and majestic marine mammals. Theres also a new stop for 2016: a visit to the Brown Bluff, located at the tip of the Antarctic Peninsula to see volcanoes and thousands of gentoo and Adélie penguins.
To book a Ponant luxury cruise at the best rates, contact a Cruiseable travel advocate.
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Newer Cruise Ships Can Be A Better Choice For Families
Cruise lines newer ships can be better choice for families now. Ship building has come on leaps and bounds and with each company competing for passengers designing the best activities for children onboard is a must. The ship companies design these new facilities for families from the outset. Cruise lines are looking at ways of offering more exiting innovations all of the time including new things for babies, tots, teens and adults.
New ships also tend to be the biggest ships which offer more space and new innovations such as such as Bowling alleys, Simulators, Karting, Water parks and even Zip lines. Having said that cruise lines are also always looking at ways to adapt existing ships with ships often going back in to dry dock to have new updates added. So when looking at the best cruise for families with the cruise line you wish to travel with look at the individual ships to see what they also include onboard.
Additional Carnival Cruise Line Ships
The Dream-class is the next largest class of ships in the Carnival Cruise Line fleet. These three ships feature many of the same bars, restaurants, and amenities that Carnival cruisers love. The variety of onboard offerings make these ships highly appealing to families as well.
Further, Carnival Radiance , has undergone an extensive $200 million refurbishment. Carnival Radiance will now debut in Spring of 2021 from Long Beach, California. This new ship will sail 3 and 4-day cruises to Baja Mexico visiting Catalina Island and Ensenada.
Among Carnival Radiances many offerings will be the first-ever Big Chicken at sea restaurant, created by the lines Chief Fun Officer, Shaquille ONeal.
Lets not forget the brand new Carnival Mardi Gras that is also set to debut in 2021. This first ship in the new Excel-class will feature some of the latest and greatest onboard attractions and restaurants.
This ship will be home to the new Emerils Bistro 1396, in partnership with celebrity chef Emeril Lagasse. Carnival Mardi Gras will also debut the first rollercoaster at sea, as well as the new and improved RedFrog Tiki Bar, a two-story poolside watering hole.
Evaluating Carnival Cruise Line
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Family Entertainment On Carnival
Carnival also have the whimsical world of Dr. Seuss onboard with Cats in Hats and Fish Red and Blue Dr. Seuss leaps off the page and onto Seuss at Sea. There are timeless stories that whole family can enjoy including special onboard character parades. You will also find and IMAX theatre onboard as well the Punch liner comedy club.
Additional Family Cruise Destinations
Families seeking out unique vacations on small ship cruises have plenty of options from which to choose. Other enticing destinations include family cruises in the Galapagos and the Amazon region, Central America/Panama Canal voyages, family-friendly river cruises in Europe and Asia, and small ship Arctic and Antarctica cruises. There are plenty of kid-friendly cruise destinations out there just waiting for you to explore!
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The 5 Best Cruise Lines For Families
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The best cruise lines for families allow parents and kids to have fun together and apart, while taking the stress out of group travel.
Our favorite family ships mix wow-factor activities with attractive kids clubs, plentiful and convenient dining, and thoughtful touches like bathtubs and babysitting. Your family might be happy anywhere theres a beach or a pool, but if you want a family vacation at sea youll always remember, book a sailing on one of our top five cruise lines for families.
Interested in more tips and tricks for cruises? Sign up for TPGs free cruiseletter.
Additional Norwegian Cruise Line Ships
As mentioned above, the cruise lines Breakaway-class features many of the same amenities as the brands larger Breakaway-Plus class of ships. These include the Waterfront with bars and lounges, as well as their own signature entertainment in the main theater along with Howl at the Moon, a dueling pianos bar.
Both Norwegian Breakaway and Norwegian Getaway actually have more outdoor activities that are included in the cruise fare, such as a waterpark featuring drop slides and an aqua park for the little ones. Both ships also have a full-fledged ropes course complete with zip lines and a plank that extends off the side of the ship, as well as mini-golf courses.
Many of the same restaurants exist on these ships too, offering a mix of up-charge and complimentary dining venues with over 15 different options to choose.
For those looking to go big, both classes of ships have the Haven. This exclusive area of the ship features its own private pool, restaurant, bar, and other perks available to only guests with staterooms in this category. The Havens larger rooms offer more comfort and luxuries than your typical stateroom cabin. Of course, rooms in this secluded part of the ship do come at a premium!
Evaluating Norwegian Cruise Line
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The Best Cruise Lines For Families
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Planning a family cruise can be tough, and one of the main problems that families face is being overwhelmed by all the options. There are so many cruise lines for families to choose from, each with their own unique offerings.
Some cruise ships which are fantastic for teenagers, would be a nightmare for parents of toddlers. Some family cruise lines have lots of activities for parents and kids to do together, where others have fantastic kids clubs that your children wont want to leave.
When considering the best cruise lines for families, you should look at all the options and decide which aligns best with what you and your kids will enjoy.
Oasis Of The Seas Cruises
Operated by Royal Caribbean, the Oasis of the Seas is the world’s largest cruise ship. Boasting everything from teen centers to yoga studios, this cruise offers ample attractions for every teen. Some examples include DJ lessons, juice bars, hip youth lounges designs to feel like ultra-luxurious nightclubs, and even teens-only spas that deliver treatments like pedicures and facials. Additionally, Oasis of the Seas Cruise staff host a variety of themed nighttime events for teens, such as slumber parties and costume events. Finally, teens can take advantage of the on-board surf simulator, rock climbing walls, zip lines, and cupcake shop.
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Kids Love Active Adventure Cruises
Family cruises integrate activity and learning with opportunities for personal discovery and exploration. Relax and enjoy your vacation, secure in the knowledge that your trip is fun, safe and hassle free. Share their enthusiasm as kids are immersed in the excitement of learning and experiencing diverse nature and rich culture. Our small ship cruises utilize childrens natural curiosity and quest for fun with plenty of flexible activities and interesting diversions. Cruises for kids should be about more than dance classes and a teen club so our child friendly cruises focus on bringing the family together versus separating youth programs and adult activities.
Scheduled family cruise departures are planned around summer, winter and spring breaks from school, and some designated family departure dates allow kids of common ages and interests to travel together. For more information, browse our destination-specific information for Galapagos family cruises and best Alaska cruises for Families.
Family Entertainment On Msc Cruise Line
They have many great shows suitable for all of the family from children to grandparents. The Cirque de Soliel at Sea is a fantastic show with circus acts and illusions. They also pride themselves in Family Friendly activities. With a range of activities for families such as bowling, VR games, Sports games and theatre shows.
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Msc Cruises: Mother’s Day In The Bahamas
What better way to pamper Mom on Mother’s Day than joining her on a cruise to the Bahamas? I know Id take it! MSC Divina from MSC Cruises departs Miami on May 7 for an eight-day, seven-night sojourn in St. Maarten, Puerto Rico and assorted Caribbean islands. Gifting mom onboard experiences such as dinners at slow-food specialty restaurant Eataly and authentic Balinese spa treatments in the MSC Aurea spa will earn you brownie points. Youngsters will love hanging out at kids and teens clubs while Grandma and Grandpa put their feet up in the butler-serviced VIP Yacht Club. And when everyone is ready to spend time together, there’s a banner of activities to try each day, from the Lego experience and chilling at the Top Sail lounge and pool to a 4D theater and Broadway-inspired shows in the evening.
Cruiseable gives MSC Cruises a ½ rating. For information about MSC Divina cruises or other sailings, contact a Cruiseable travel advocate.
Tips For Traveling With Teens
When you choose to take your family on any one of these seven cruises, your teens will thank you. Packed with fun, teen-specific activities, these cruises cater to everyone in the family. Whether you have a teen who loves rock climbing or one who just wants a pedicure and a glass of fizzy soda, these cruises are sure to deliver amenities that will make everyone in the family happy. Additionally, many cruise lines offer teen-specific travel tips to help families better plan their upcoming adventure.
Once you’ve chosen your cruise, ensure that you’ve adequately prepared everyone in the family. Do some research to make sure that nobody needs additional vaccines or medications prior to the cruise, and consider purchasing international travel insurance if your cruise will take you out of the country.
There is nothing quite as beautiful, majestic and exciting as a cruise, and families with teens can rest assured that these companies understand their needs. Designed to offer a fun, relaxing experience for everyone in the family, these cruise lines will take the burden of being entertainer and parent off your shoulders. So go ahead, kick your feet up and relax as your teen enjoys any one of the fun, unique, teen-specific activities these cruises have to offer.
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