Cruises can be an excellent choice for families looking to spend quality time together while enjoying a range of activities, entertainment options, and dining choices. With a variety of onboard amenities, age-specific youth programs, and family-friendly shore excursions, a family cruise can offer something for everyone, no matter their age or interests. But with so many cruise lines to choose from, it can be challenging to know which one is right for your family.
That's why we've put together this guide to the top 5 family-friendly cruise lines. Whether you're looking for a magical Disney cruise, an adventurous Norwegian cruise, or an affordable and fun Carnival cruise, we've got you covered. Read on to learn about the onboard amenities, youth programs, and sustainability commitments of each of our top picks. By the end of this article, you'll be well-equipped to choose the perfect family-friendly cruise for your next adventure.
#1) Disney Cruise Line
Disney Cruise Line is a top choice for families looking for a magical and unforgettable vacation at sea. As you might expect, the ships are designed with families in mind, with a wide range of activities and entertainment options that will appeal to both kids and adults.
One of the standout features of Disney Cruise Line is the quality of its youth programs. Kids are divided into age-specific groups, with programming that's tailored to each age range. For example, there's a nursery for babies and toddlers, a kids' club for ages 3-12, and a separate program for tweens and teens. Each program is led by experienced counselors who provide engaging and supervised activities, such as arts and crafts, science experiments, games, and even cooking classes.
Another great feature of Disney Cruise Line is the character experiences. You'll have the chance to meet and take photos with your favorite Disney characters, from Mickey and Minnie Mouse to Elsa and Anna from Frozen. There are also Broadway-style shows and performances featuring popular Disney characters, such as Beauty and the Beast and Frozen.
In addition to the youth programs and character experiences, Disney Cruise Line offers a range of other onboard amenities that are well-suited for families. The ships have large swimming pools, water slides, and other water attractions, as well as mini-golf courses, sports courts, and even a virtual reality experience. There are also family-friendly shows and movies that are screened in a state-of-the-art theater.
For families who want to explore the destinations they're visiting, Disney Cruise Line offers a range of shore excursions that are well-suited for families. These can include activities like snorkeling, cultural tours, and visits to Disney-owned private islands in the Caribbean.
Overall, Disney Cruise Line is a great choice for families who love all things Disney and want a magical and unforgettable vacation experience.
While our family had never cruised with Disney Cruise Lines we have heard only wonderful things from friends that have.
Visit Disney Cruise Line... HERE
#2) Norwegian Cruise Line
Norwegian Cruise Line, also known as NCL is a popular choice for families looking for a cruise vacation that offers a wide range of activities and entertainment options for all ages. One of the standout features of Norwegian Cruise Line is their Freestyle Cruising concept, which allows guests to create a customized vacation experience that suits their individual preferences.
Norwegian Cruise Line has an extensive youth program called Splash Academy, which is divided into age groups and provides supervised activities for children ages 3-12. The program includes everything from arts and crafts to scavenger hunts and even video game tournaments. There's also a separate program for teens, which includes things like pool parties, dance parties, and sports competitions.
In addition to its youth programs, Norwegian Cruise Line offers a wide range of onboard amenities that are well-suited for families. The ships have large swimming pools, water slides, and other water attractions, as well as mini-golf courses, sports courts, and even a ropes course. There are also family-friendly shows and performances, such as magic shows, acrobatic performances, and comedy acts.
Norwegian Cruise Line also offers a range of dining options that are well-suited for families. There are kid-friendly menus and seating options available, as well as a range of specialty restaurants that offer everything from Italian cuisine to sushi.
For families who want to explore the destinations they're visiting, Norwegian Cruise Line offers a range of shore excursions that are well-suited for families. These can include activities like snorkeling, zip-lining, and cultural tours, and they're led by experienced guides who ensure that everyone is safe and having fun.
Overall, Norwegian Cruise Line is a great choice for families looking for a customizable and fun cruise vacation. With their extensive youth programs, a wide range of onboard amenities, and flexible dining options, it's easy to plan a vacation that will keep everyone in the family happy and entertained.
Our family has cruised with Norwegian Cruise Line before and we love them a lot. They are currently our preferred cruise line and we have a 10-day sailing with them coming up in April 2023 and will be talking about it a bunch on Wandering with the Fam.
Visit Norwegian Cruise Line/ NCL... HERE
#3) Royal Caribbean International
Royal Caribbean is a popular cruise line that's well-suited for families looking for a fun and adventurous vacation. With a wide variety of activities, entertainment options, and dining choices, there's something for everyone onboard.
One of the standout features of Royal Caribbean is its youth program, which is divided into age groups so that kids and teens can enjoy age-appropriate activities and make friends their own age. For example, there's a program for kids ages 3-5, one for kids ages 6-8, and a separate program for tweens and teens. Each program is led by experienced counselors who provide engaging and supervised activities, such as scavenger hunts, science experiments, sports tournaments, and even DJ classes.
In addition to its youth programs, Royal Caribbean offers a variety of other onboard amenities that are well-suited for families. The ships have large swimming pools, water slides, and other water attractions, as well as mini-golf courses, rock climbing walls, and sports courts. There are also plenty of family-friendly shows and performances, such as Broadway-style musicals, ice-skating shows, and acrobatic performances.
For families who want to explore the destinations they're visiting, Royal Caribbean offers a range of shore excursions that are well-suited for families. These can include activities like snorkeling, zip-lining, and cultural tours, and they're led by experienced guides who ensure that everyone is safe and having fun.
Overall, Royal Caribbean is a great choice for families looking for an action-packed and fun-filled cruise vacation.
Our family has been on a few Royal Caribbean cruises and have thoroughly enjoyed them, but I would be remiss if I didn’t mention that we recently had a terrible experience with their customer service which caused us to have to cancel a cruise and lose out on some money. Due to this experience, we are holding off from cruising with Royal Caribbean for the foreseeable future.
Visit Royal Caribbean International... HERE
#4) Carnival Cruise Line
Carnival Cruise Line is a popular choice for families looking for a fun and affordable vacation at sea. With a range of activities, dining options, and entertainment choices, there's something for everyone on board a Carnival cruise.
One of the standout features of Carnival Cruise Line is their youth program, called Camp Ocean, which is designed for kids ages 2-11. The program offers a range of activities, including arts and crafts, games, and educational experiences. There's also a separate program for tweens and teens, which includes things like pool parties, talent shows, and video game tournaments.
Carnival Cruise Line also offers a range of other onboard amenities that are well-suited for families. The ships have large swimming pools, water slides, and other water attractions, as well as mini-golf courses, sports courts, and even a sky ride. There are also family-friendly shows and performances, such as comedy acts and live music.
For families who want to explore the destinations they're visiting, Carnival Cruise Line offers a range of shore excursions that are well-suited for families. These can include activities like snorkeling, zip-lining, and cultural tours, and they're led by experienced guides who ensure that everyone is safe and having fun.
Another great feature of Carnival Cruise Line is its affordable pricing. They offer a range of staterooms that are well-suited for families, and their all-inclusive options can help families stay within their vacation budget.
Overall, Carnival Cruise Line is a great choice for families looking for a fun and affordable cruise vacation. Their wide range of activities, amenities and shore excursions make it easy to plan a vacation that everyone in the family will enjoy.
While our family has never cruised with Carnival Cruise Lines, we have cruised with Princess Cruise Lines which is under the same ownership group along with Holland America and Cunard Lines. Princess tends to cater to an older crowd and would probably not be preferable for younger families. We have had several friends cruise with Carnival Cruise Lines to mixed reviews. Some loved their trips and would only cruise with them, while others had less-than-desirable experiences and have sworn them off. I should say, those who had poor experiences say it was more because of the other cruisers on the boat, and less about the actual cruise line itself.
Visit Carnival Cruise Line... HERE
#5) MSC Cruises
MSC Cruises is a popular choice for families looking for a European-style vacation at sea. With a range of activities, dining options, and entertainment choices, there's something for everyone on board an MSC cruise.
One of the standout features of MSC Cruises is its youth program, which is designed for kids ages 3-17. The program offers a range of activities, including arts and crafts, games, and educational experiences. There's also a separate program for teens, which includes things like pool parties, dance parties, and sports competitions.
MSC Cruises also offers a range of other onboard amenities that are well-suited for families. The ships have large swimming pools, water slides, and other water attractions, as well as mini-golf courses, sports courts, and even an F1 racing simulator. There are also family-friendly shows and performances, such as magic shows and acrobatic performances.
For families who want to explore the destinations they're visiting, MSC Cruises offers a range of shore excursions that are well-suited for families. These can include activities like snorkeling, zip-lining, and cultural tours, and they're led by experienced guides who ensure that everyone is safe and having fun.
Another great feature of MSC Cruises is its flexible dining options. They offer a range of dining venues, including kid-friendly menus and seating options, as well as specialty restaurants that offer everything from Italian cuisine to sushi.
Overall, MSC Cruises is a great choice for families looking for a European-style vacation at sea. Their wide range of activities, amenities and shore excursions make it easy to plan a vacation that everyone in the family will enjoy.
Visit MSC Cruises... HERE
In conclusion, there are a wide variety of family-friendly cruise lines that cater to the needs of families with children of all ages. Whether you're looking for onboard activities and entertainment, flexible dining options, or fun and educational shore excursions, there's a cruise line out there that's perfect for your family.
Royal Caribbean is a great choice for families who want an action-packed vacation with plenty of activities and amenities. Disney Cruise Line offers a one-of-a-kind experience with themed activities, character meet and greets, and top-notch entertainment. Carnival Cruise Line is a more affordable option that still offers a range of family-friendly amenities and activities. Norwegian Cruise Line is a great choice for families who want to experience Freestyle Cruising and flexible dining options. MSC Cruises offers a European-style vacation at sea with a focus on youth programs, activities, and dining.
No matter which cruise line you choose, you're sure to have a memorable and enjoyable vacation with your family. With so many choices available, it's easy to find a cruise line that fits your family's needs, preferences, and budget. So start planning your next family cruise today and get ready to create some unforgettable memories together!
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