Family cruises have become increasingly popular over the past decade as cruise lines cater more and more to families. Cruises provide action-packed entertainment for kids of all ages, along with plenty of relaxation time for parents. Multi-generational family trips are also on the rise. best cruise lines for families

When it comes to the best cruise lines for families, there are several major players to consider. Royal Caribbean and Disney Cruise Line are probably the two most popular and well-known family cruise lines. Carnival Cruise Line, Norwegian Cruise Line, MSC Cruises, Holland America, Princess Cruises, and Celebrity Cruises also offer great family programs and amenities.

In this article, we’ll highlight what makes each of these cruise lines unique and well-suited for families. We’ll cover their family-friendly staterooms, kid’s clubs, teen activities, dining options, entertainment, and more. Whether you’re looking for an action-packed cruise or a more relaxed trip, you’re sure to find the perfect family cruise.

Royal Caribbean best cruise lines for families

Royal Caribbean is consistently rated one of the best cruise lines for families thanks to its wide range of ship sizes and onboard facilities tailored specifically to different age groups. From small, more intimate ships to mega ships with a capacity for over 6,000 passengers, you’re sure to find a ship that’s suitable for your family’s size and needs.

Families with younger kids will appreciate Royal Caribbean’s complimentary Adventure Ocean kids club. Staffed by trained counselors, it offers an extensive schedule of age-appropriate activities in dedicated kids-only spaces. There are gaming consoles, arts & crafts, sports competitions, scavenger hunts, and more to keep little ones engaged. Older kids get their own spaces and activities too, like the living room lounge for teens.

Entertainment options abound, from award-winning Broadway-style shows and ice skating spectaculars to parades, karaoke, and lively deck parties that get the whole family involved. Kids will love characters like Shrek and their favorite DreamWorks friends coming to life in storybook adventures on some ships. There’s mini golf, rock climbing walls, ziplines, and simulated surfing too, providing active family fun across the fleet.

With something to please family members of all ages, it’s no wonder Royal Caribbean continues to be a top pick for those cruising with kids.

Disney Cruise Line best cruise lines for families

Disney Cruise Line is one of the most family-focused cruise lines out there. Unlike other cruise lines, Disney tailors the experience specifically for families and kids of all ages.

The ships have separate areas and activities designated for different age groups. There are play areas for toddlers and young kids, while tweens and teens have their own hangout spaces and activities like video games and nightclubs. Parents can have peace of mind knowing their kids are enjoying age-appropriate entertainment.

As you’d expect from Disney, the themes and entertainment onboard are centered around popular Disney characters and films. Kids will love meeting their favorite Disney princesses and Marvel superheroes. Stage shows feature Broadway-style retellings of classic Disney movies. Even the restaurants have a Disney flair, with menus inspired by Disney and Pixar films.

From start to finish, Disney Cruise Line delivers a uniquely fun and immersive Disney experience that families with kids of all ages can enjoy together. Between the exclusive Disney entertainment, activities tailored for each age group, and quality family time, it’s easy to see why Disney Cruise Line is one of the top cruise lines for families.

Carnival Cruise Line

Carnival Cruise Line is one of the top picks for families thanks to its large number of family-friendly ships, Camp Carnival program for kids, and affordable pricing.

Carnival offers a fleet of over two dozen ships, many of which are designed with families in mind. The ships feature large outdoor pools, water slides, mini golf courses, and other amenities catered towards kids and teens. Camp Carnival offers supervised activities and age-specific clubs to keep children engaged while parents enjoy adult time. Programs are available for kids ages 2-17.

One of the biggest draws of Carnival for families is the affordable pricing. Carnival tends to have some of the lowest rates in the mainstream cruise industry. They offer competitive pricing on interior cabins that can accommodate a family of four. Carnival also provides kid-sail-free promotions and reduced third-guest fares. This makes it easy for large families to cruise without breaking the bank.

Between the family-friendly atmosphere, kids clubs, and budget-friendly rates, Carnival Cruise Line is a top contender for the best cruise line for families. The ships offer a casual vibe with plenty of options to keep everyone in the family entertained.

Norwegian Cruise Line best cruise lines for families

Norwegian Cruise Line is a top pick for families looking for a fun cruise vacation. They offer award-winning kid clubs to keep children engaged with activities tailored to different age groups.

Norwegian was the first cruise line to offer a multistory youth facility just for kids. Kids ages 3-12 can participate in arts & crafts, sports, video games, and more at the Splash Academy. There’s also an Entourage club for teens ages 13–17 with video games, sports, and parties.

Norwegian’s ships feature themed youth areas in partnership with Nickelodeon. Kids will love characters and entertainment from SpongeBob, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, and more. Exciting activities include slime time, pajama parties, and meet-and-greets with Nickelodeon favorites.

For dining, Norwegian offers flexible options to suit families. Kids can enjoy favorites like burgers and chicken fingers. Specialty restaurants like the Food Republic offer cuisines from around the world, family-style. The Garden Cafe buffet makes it easy for kids to choose what they want. Norwegian’s dining is casual, with no formal nights.

With exciting youth activities and clubs for all ages and Nickelodeon’s fun and casual, flexible dining, Norwegian Cruise Line has something for every member of the family. Their ships are designed with families in mind, so parents and kids alike can enjoy a memorable cruise vacation together.

MSC Cruises

MSC Cruises is another top pick for families thanks to their kid’s free deals. Children under 11 years old can sail for free on select itineraries when sharing a cabin with two adults.

MSC Cruises offers excellent kids’ clubs and entertainment options for families. The kid’s clubs are grouped into age ranges like the Young Club for 3-6-year-olds, the Junior Club for 7-11-year-olds, and the Teen Club for 12-17-year-olds. The kid’s clubs feature activities throughout the day like arts and crafts, games, sports, treasure hunts, theater performances, and theme parties.

The MSC cruise ships have amenities catered towards families as well, like water slides, sports courts, 4D theaters, and video game arcades. Nightly stage shows offer family-friendly entertainment. Newer MSC ships like the MSC Seashore have an interactive aqua park for hours of water fun. Families can also enjoy time together at the family-focused restaurants, pool areas, mini golf courses, and more. MSC Cruises offers a very enjoyable, activity-filled experience for vacationing families.

Holland America

Holland America is another great cruise line for families. They offer the Club HAL program for kids and teens, which provides supervised activities tailored to different age groups. Some popular activities include arts & crafts, video game tournaments, scavenger hunts, and dance parties.

There are also family-friendly entertainment options like poolside movies, live music and shows, character meet-and-greets, and more. Many Holland America ships have dedicated kids’ areas with places for playing like an outdoor basketball court, video arcade, lounges just for teens, and kids’ pools. The kids’ areas provide a space where children can enjoy activities while parents get some time to themselves.

Some Holland America ships, like the Koningsdam, have dedicated spaces designed just for families. There is a Family Boardwalk with a basketball court, video arcade, pool, and spaces for kids’ programming. Having consolidated areas for kids helps make cruising with children more convenient.

With all the entertainment options plus high-quality service, dining, and accommodations, Holland America is a memorable vacation choice when cruising as a family. The kids’ programs and activities ensure children stay engaged while allowing parents to also enjoy a refined, sophisticated cruise experience.

Princess Cruises

Princess Cruises offers award-winning family programs that cater to kids, teens, and parents. At the youth centers, kids can participate in fun activities with trained counselors in an engaging environment. Some activities include arts & crafts, video games, sports competitions, talent shows, pajama parties, and themed events.

Teens have their own separate spaces on Princess ships called The Beach House. This lounge offers video games, DJ workshops, mocktail parties, late-night movies, sports tournaments, and pool parties. Counselors host events every day to keep teens engaged.

For families, Princess Cruises has specialty dining options, including family-style restaurants and pizzerias. There are also shore excursions designed for families to explore ports of call together. From kayaking adventures to museum visits, families can easily find an activity for every interest level. With dedicated youth spaces, family dining, and tailored shore excursions, Princess Cruises is a top choice for families looking to cruise.

Celebrity Cruises

Celebrity Cruises is another excellent option for families looking for a fun and relaxing cruise vacation. They offer a wide array of kids’ programming and family-friendly activities.

The Camp at Sea program provides supervised activities for kids ages 3–17 in separate age groups. Activities range from arts and crafts to video games, talent shows, and scavenger hunts. For toddlers ages 3-5, there are Playground @ Sea areas with toys, games, and crafts.

The Night Owls program provides complimentary evening babysitting from 10 pm – 1 am for kids ages 3-11. Reservations are required. For teens, there are exclusive parties, mixers, and programming just for them.

Family accommodations include staterooms that can sleep up to 5 guests. Some connectable staterooms allow families to be near each other while still having their own space. The Family Veranda staterooms feature a partition for privacy between the verandas.

With all of these great kid’s programs, activities, and family-friendly staterooms, it’s easy to see why Celebrity Cruises is a top choice for families looking for an amazing cruise experience.

Conclusion about best cruise lines for families

When it comes to the best cruise lines for families, there are several factors to consider. The most family-friendly cruise lines offer a wide variety of activities and entertainment options for kids of all ages, from toddlers to teens. They also provide plenty of dining choices for picky eaters, family-friendly accommodations with connecting staterooms, and programs that give parents a break.

Based on the key factors that appeal to families, Disney Cruise Line and Royal Caribbean International emerge as the top picks. Both lines cater extremely well to families with young children. They offer some of the most extensive kids’ clubs and activities at sea, with counselor-led programs for kids starting at age 3. Both also have large ships packed with family activities like water slides, mini golf, Broadway-style shows, and deck parties.

For families with tweens and teens, Royal Caribbean excels with activities tailored to older kids like FlowRider surf simulators, rock climbing walls, ice skating rinks, and escape rooms. The line offers the widest range of stateroom categories to accommodate all family sizes and budgets. With Oasis-class ships that function like floating resorts, Royal Caribbean is a one-stop shop for family cruising.

Disney Cruise Line offers the unmatched theming and entertainment that Disney is known for, with several restaurants themed to favorite Disney characters and shows exclusive to Disney Cruises. While Disney has more limited itineraries than Royal Caribbean, no one does family cruising quite like Disney. For the ultimate family vacation on the high seas, it doesn’t get better than a Disney cruise.

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