It’s safe to say, kid-friendly cruise ships have come a long way in recent years, catering to families more fully than ever before. And while most cruise lines have some kind of children’s programme, others really go out of their way to promote innovative family travel.
Newer ships, in particular, have amazing children’s facilities, with lots of things for kids of all ages to see and do, both on and off the ship. The best cruises for kids break out dance classes, gaming arcades, scavenger hunts, table sports, basketball courts, and mini-golf – those are pretty standard – with the more innovative travel companies also offering water slides, wall-climbing, surfing pools, science experiments, go-karts, laser tag – are you played out yet?
With Royal Caribbean, the bigger ships are the best, featuring numerous pools, ice skating, a zipline, surfing simulators, bumper cars, roller skating, even a sky-diving simulator. Their kid's clubs have lots of room to spread out, with a lot of different age groups heading to the science lab, craft workshop, and more.
The newer Princess Cruises ships have things like a laser shooting range, a batting cage, and gigantic pool decks complete with water and light shows. Their kids club Camp Discovery is broken into three age groups for scavenger hunts, science workshops, video game tournaments, art projects, and more, along with themed parties and dance classes. Movie Under the Stars is a big hit here: an outdoor theatre-pool area great for showing movies and live sporting events. Princess is also really good at organizing shore excursions that connect kids to the destination more.
Disney Cruise Line is an especially solid choice for children aged 4 to 11; there seems to be more for them to do, and here again, the largest ships are the best. Right from the nursery and babysitting to themed play areas and interactive activities to the pools and waterslides, this age group truly scores. Not to be forgotten, tweens have their own games, karaoke, and computers activities and teens have a club of their own. Walt Disney movie night? Absolutely – and everybody loves them.
With Carnival Cruise Line, WaterWorks is a big draw, all slides and sprayers, and soakers. SportsSquare facilities feature outdoor mini-golf, basketball, and other games. There’s an IMAX theater and even a rollercoaster on one of the new Carnival ships. Clubs break into three groups: age 2 to 11, tweens, and teens. There’s even a free drop-in program for 2-year-olds. (And yes, they will even change diapers.)
The best cruise lines for families will also make in-room entertainment plentiful and functionality comfortable via family rooms, bunk beds, cabins with loft suites, and other configurations. Food is never a problem for kids on cruises, because there are ample ways to satisfy them, including the dietary restrictions. For example, kids are picked up at the table by staff when they’ve finished their meals and taken to the kids club, so the parents can enjoy the rest of dinner in peace.
Keep in mind that the destination itself can also affect the family fun factor. Ports of call that are great for kids to learn things can be both adventurous and empowering, taking them outside their shells. Popular places currently topping the must-do family list include Mexico’s Yucatán Peninsula, the Bahamas, the Hawaiian Islands, and Alaska.
Families come in all shapes and sizes. Luckily, cruises do, too! Whichever cruise line you favor and wherever you end up heading, Tully Luxury Travel can help fine-tune your family cruise plan so you get the absolute most out of your trip.