Sail Away on These Best Cruise Lines for Families
Cruises are a dream come true for parents looking for a family-friendly vacation to take the kids on. From themed breakfasts to afternoon rock climbing to catching an evening Broadway show, kids will never experience a moment of boredom while cruising on the ocean. Meanwhile, parents can relax poolside and enjoy some fine dining, knowing that everyone is having a blast onboard!
Many cruise lines cater specifically to families, offering specialty dining options and kid-friendly entertainment. While venues and entertainment will vary between ships, here is a snapshot of what you can expect from some of the best cruise lines for families.
Carnival Cruise Line
Carnival Cruise Line is one of the best family-friendly cruise companies if you’re interested in heading to the Caribbean. Travel to some of the best beaches and adventure destinations, such as Mexico, Bahamas, Turks & Caicos, Aruba and Curacao. Carnival leaves from multiple ports, including Miami, New York, Los Angeles and Galveston.
Onboard, you’ll find plenty of entertainment to keep your kids busy while away at sea. Depending on the ship, you can find amenities like basketball courts, ropes courses, saltwater pools, waterslides, and activities like karaoke, scavenger hunts, ice cream eating contests, teddy bear workshops, talent shows, theatre shows and more. In addition to their teen lounge and club, they also have Camp Ocean for kids aged two to eleven. Camp Ocean is a place where kids can play, learn, create and have fun doing ocean-inspired activities.
Carnival often offers special reduced family rates on high-occupancy cabins. Dream Vacations travel advisors can help you find the best deal for your Carnival cruise!
Disney Cruise Line
For many kids, a Disney cruise is a true dream getaway. You can enjoy the magic of visiting Disney World without the lines and sore feet! Disney Cruises Lines sails from many destinations, including the Caribbean, Alaska, Mediterranean, Hawaii and even Singapore.
The cruise line is dedicated to making every moment of the cruise a wish come true for children and teens. You’ll find specialty theme dining experiences such as ‘Arendelle: Frozen’ and ‘Worlds of Marvel,’ where you can enjoy themed food and entertainment. Stop to shop at Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique or go to a character greeting where your child can meet their favourite Disney cast member. There is always entertainment for everyone, from full Broadway shows to live bands to family game shows.
Disney Cruise Line also offers the Oceaneer Club for kids aged three to twelve, where they can explore the imaginative world of Disney through supervised activities such as Fairytale Hall or Marvel Superhero Academy. There are also specialty tween and teen lounges, as well as a nursery for babies and toddlers.
Royal Caribbean
Royal Caribbean offers all inclusive family cruises to exciting destinations such as Puerto Rico, Mexico, the Bahamas, Belize, Honduras, Alaska, Spain and Italy. As part of their family vacation packages, you can opt into complimentary service such as the My Family Time Dining program, where service is expedited for kids and then they’re taken to meet the Adventure Ocean staff for evening activities while you continue to dine.
Ships can offer entertainment such as rock climbing, ice skating, surf simulators, mini golf, water slides, theatre performances and specialty pools just for kids.
Adventure Ocean offers educational and fun activities for kids aged three to eleven. Speciality activities for babies and toddlers are also available, as are teen activities, including improv games, DJ academy, open mic and talent shows, climbing competitions, a teen lounge and more.
Book Your Dream Cruise Vacation Today!
These are just a few of the best cruise lines for families. From last minute cruises to the vacation you’ve been dreaming of for months, our travel advisors can help you find a cruise that your family will talk about fondly for years to come! Connect with your local Dream Vacations travel advisor to find an amazing deal for a cruise for your family.
