Best Family Cruises
As soon as the kids are buckled into the car (after the long struggle to get them packed), the complaining commences almost instantly. How much longer?€ I'm hungry.€ I'm bored.€ I need to pee.€ Can I have some money?€ The chorus of complaints can feel overwhelming after only a few minutes and as you sit there listening to the whining you are quickly awakened to the reality that there's a lot more complaining to come. That's when a little chime goes off in your head and you think of a vacation that would make everyone happyfrom your 4 year-old to your teenage daughter to your husbandseems like a mission impossible. For those family's who love the idea of getting away, spending some quality time together (but not on top of each other), and having floating hotel and entertainment center at your disposal sounds appealing, then it may be worthwhile to look into the many different family cruises out there.
Touted as a vacation where everyone can not only stay occupied (because we all know what happens when you combine kids and too much down time), but kids can also have memorable, fun and even educational experiences while parents can spend a little quality time concentrating on rest and relaxation. Families can spend time all together as well.
The great part about cruises is that they are also all-inclusive and have so many food and drink options, everyone is guaranteed to be fed and happy the whole time. Plus, you won't have to worry about your kids finding you face down in a massage table asking you for more money at any point. With most major cruise lines offering special family cruises and family programs, there is also no shortage of options when it comes to finding the perfect cruise for your next family vacation.
Disney Cruises
Combining family cruise and Disney just seems to make sense, and for those who want a Disney Adventure on the high seas, this is one of the better cruises for those traveling with kids of all ages. Not only do the two Disney ships (the Disney Wonder and the Disney Magic) have a variety of different routes and tripsincluding transatlantic cruises, varying trips to the Caribbean and Bahamas and European cruisesbut the ships are also designed around entertainment and fun for those of all ages. Plus, your kids' favorite Disney characters are all on board.
While your kids are busy being entertained in the different clubs by trained counselors and your teenagers are making friends and hanging out in the teen-only programs, adults can enjoy everything from a fitness center to spa to cocktails on the deck.
Disney is also one of the few cruise lines that has its own private island, called Castaway Cay, which has separate beaches and play areas for adults, teens and kids as well as a full-sized Flying Dutchman Ship from the Disney movie Pirates of the Caribbean.
The Disney Cruise ships are also complete with a nursery for taking care of your littlest ones, poolside movies, a full movie theatre, shopping, restaurants, nightclubs and live shows for the whole family.
Programs for kids
-Disney Oceaneers Club (ages 3-7)
-Disney Oceaneers Lab (ages 8-12)
-Teen-only Space (13-17)
3 Pools
Mickey's Pool2 large wading pools and a separate area just for toddlers in swim diapers
Goofy's PoolFamily pool for everyone. Slides, shallow and deep end.
Quiet CoveAdult-only pool where you can escape the splashing kids and enjoy some time without the little ones in tow
Carnival Fun Ships
As one of the biggest cruise lines out there, it's no surprise that Carnival has some great offerings when it comes to family cruises. The big advantage to sailing on Carnival is also the sheer size of the fleet and the wide variety of itineraries, trips, and dates you'll have when trying to schedule a family vacation. Plus, the Fun Ships are notorious with being able to provide entertainment for families with kids of all ages or wide age rangesmaking sure everyone from Grandma to the baby and everyone in between is having a good time.
Like Disney, the Carnival Fun Ships also have a variety of kids clubs,€ where your kids can stay busily entertained while you sneak away to the spa or lay out on deck working on your tan in peace. These youth programs for kids and teens will not only keep your kids busy and occupied with parties, games, and onshore excursions, but will also allow them to make friends and let you enjoy some downtime.
Programs for Kids
-Camp Carnival (ages 2-11)
-Circle C (ages 12-14)
-Club 02 (ages 15-17)
While Carnival's Fun Ships may not bring cruisers to a private island with the pirate ship from the Pirates of the Caribbean, the ships are full of great amenities from on-board pools, spas, fitness centers, shopping, restaurants, nightclubs and movie theatres, making sure that no matter what your age, you are guaranteed to find something fun to do.
Norwegian Cruise Lines
The great advantage to sailing on a Norwegian Cruise Lines' ship is the sheer number of choices when it comes to destinations and departure ports. Norwegian has cruises in Alaska, the Bahamas, Hawaii, Europe, South America, the Panama Canal and more, giving your family a few more choices when it comes to finding a cruise to/in the perfect destination.
Norwegian, like the other cruise lines also offer complimentary youth programs for all ages as part of their Kids Crew, which is supervised by Education and Recreation University students and makes sure that no matter what age your child, there is plenty to do on board--from painting to shows to playing in the pool.
Programs for Kids
Juniors (ages 2-5): Storytelling, painting and developmental activities and games.
First Mates (ages 6-9): Games and parties, children's pool area, crafts and classes, pizza making party.
Navigators (ages 10-12): Sports, team-building challenges, games and parties.
Teens (13-17): Teen disco, sports and water activities, video arcade, movies and parties.
Like the other major cruise lines, Norwegian also offers plenty to keep adults occupied while you kids are off gallivanting with their peers. The on-board amenities include several restaurants, shopping, movie theatres, pools, nightclubs, spas and fitness centers along with some great on-shore excursion options. With plenty to do all together as a family, as well as opportunities to spend some time apart, Norwegian offers everything you'd need and want and more.
Royal Caribbean
Another major cruise line, it is no wonder that Royal Caribbean also has many family friendly cruises that are designed to ensure families and kids of all ages have a great time during their vacation on board the ship. With kids activities and their Explorations! Shore excursions creating family-friendly activities in every port city.
Being a major cruise line, Royal Caribbean has all of the on-board amenities of the other cruise lines, including both lots of family friendly activities as well as ways for adults to get away. Royal Caribbean ships have ice0skating, karaoke, talent shows, bingo, family discos, mini-golf and a family rock-wall for time spend all together as well as a spa, fitness center, nightclub, shops and other adult centered places on board.
Like Disney, Royal Caribbean also has a private islands (CoCo Cay and Labadee), which have great family adventures for those of all ages. Both islands have pristine beaches along with water parks, play areas, snorkeling and diving opportunities and parasailing. Royal Caribbean's shore and land excursions can also help families plan and map out the perfect time on shorewhether you want to sight see, go on an adventure or check out ancient ruins.
Programs for Kids
Fischer-Price Playgroups: (ages 6-16 months): Interactive playgroup sessions developed by early-childhood experts that expose children to new experiences (parents must attend session with children)
Adventure Ocean (ages 3-17): This complimentary program spolits kids into different age groups, focusing on activities that teach younger kids about science and local customs and the gives older kids (12 and up) more freedom and options to participate in theme parties, sports, movie nights, and a teen-only nightclub.
For parents who want to take advantage of the all-inclusive childcare on board, there are plenty of things to keep adults occupied. And, for those adults who want to sneak away for a romantic dinner without the kiddos, the ship also offers babysitting services, where a staff member will come to your cabin and take after your kids while you sneak away.
Princess Cruises
Princess' tag line is enjoy what you want, when you want,€ which seems to work especially well when applied to a family situation with lots of different people who probably want lots of different things at different times. While the usual on-board cruise ship amenities will please the adults (and Princess' trademark private balconies),
Princess also strives to keep their younger cruisers happy too. With a Fun Zone area for kids and a Teen Center for those older, everyone is sure to be happy during their time at sea. Plus, the ships also now boast a special area dedicated to help kids learn more about marine life and science in a fun, interactive waymeaning your kids can be both learning and having fun at the same time (all while being out of your hair).
Princess' Anytime Dining€ also allows cruisers to eat at any of the dining facilities whenever they'd like, taking the stress off parents who had to endure hungry kids waiting for a fixed eating time in the dining room.
Programs for Kids
Princess Pelicans (ages 3-7): The youth programs at Princess have gotten great reviews and offers all kids opportunities to participate in arts and crafts, scavenger hunts, galley tours, sports tournaments, ice cream parties and more.
Princess Pirateers (ages 8-12): The older kids will have the opportunity to do many of the same activities as the Pelicans, along with being able to participate in disco nights, movies and more.
Off limits (ages 13-17): Teens can make friends and go to teen-only disco parties and dinner events, as well as participate in shipboard Olympics, t-shirt painting and basketball tournaments.