Disney Magical Moments For The Whole Family On A Disney Cruise
When looking at best cruise lines for families most people consider Disney. With Disney theres something fun to do every day on a Disney Cruise ship. The itinerary has a touch of disney magic wherever you sail. Disney are known for Deck Parties and themed days such as legendary saga in Star Wars Day at Sea and Marvel Day at Sea.
Disney cruise ships have Splashtacular pools, fun slides and splash zones for little ones. There theatre shows are magical and of broadway standard meaning the whole family can sit back and enjoy the magic of Disney.
The 5 Best Cruise Lines For Kids
No matter how old your kids are, few family vacations are easier than hopping aboard a cruise ship you unpack once, and you dont have to juggle plane and train schedules or maps to chart a course. We scoped out the most family-friendly cruise lines and found out what make these ships rock. If you think were just talking about kids menus, mini-golf, and high chairs, youre in for a surprise these lines work hard to make family travel easy. Read on for the five best cruise lines for kids, in no particular order:
Best For Diversity Of Activities: Carnival Cruise Line
As one of the largest cruise lines in the world, Carnival Cruise Line has the best cruises to Alaska suitable for the entire family. Carnival offers an exceptional experience both on board and at various ports of call, creating the most memorable family trip imaginable.
There are many activities that families can engage in and at various physical activity levels. Guests can view the Great Alaskan Lumberjack Show and then feast on crab and drinks to round out the evening. Discover breathtaking glaciers by helicopter, go dog sledding, or ride in a mountaintop gondola.
For adventure, go on a rafting/hiking adventure on the Chilkoot Trail, rappel and rock climb up a mountain, or go on a self-guided Jeep adventure. If physical activity isnt your thing, there are various cultural events you can attend, go sport fishing, do a Bike and Brew with a glacier view, or enjoy a salmon bake in Skagway.
On this cruise line, there is no shortage of things to do in terms of activity. Guests can choose whether to relax and take in the wildlife and scenery, go on various tours, or experience life at full throttle by taking an adventure tour.
Every destination has something to see and learn. The best part is that guests can choose from a variety of experiences to suit their familys needs.
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How To Find Cruise Ship Cabins That Sleep 5
Cruise lines websites arent the best when it comes to searching for cruise cabins for five people. Often theyll just say call us to make your booking. And travel agents websites are often even worse.
The best resource Ive found online for listing the cabins that sleep five on each ship is this one from militarycruisedeals.com. It also gives you a rough idea of the price of each which is really handy. Other than that, your best bet is to call your travel agent and ask what is likely to be available around the dates you want to travel.
Family Dining & Accommodation
Whether youre a family of 4 or cheaper by the dozen, we have dining and accommodation options to suit each familys needs, including room options for families of five and eight . Cruise comfortably in one of our spacious Suites, or choose our Interconnecting rooms for some extra space. If youre after something more budget-friendly, our interior rooms are a fantastic choice because who wants to stay in their room all day when there is so much to do on a P& O Cruise.
When you get hungry around mealtimes, you can relax knowing the cooking and cleaning is taken care of for you. Enjoy delicious food and ocean views with your loved ones with our family dining options. Aboard each of our ships, we offer a vast range of nutritious and delicious menu options for the whole family, so even your fussiest eaters will find something they love.
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Best Educational Experience: Lindblad Expeditions
Lindblad Expeditions partnered with National Geographic to provide an excursion of a lifetime. 2009-2012 Travel + Leisure award winner for Small Ship Cruise Line, they are known for nature-focused Alaskan cruises and culture. But cruising Alaska isnt just educational on this cruise line its also memorable.
Families can explore Alaska together and create memories to last a lifetime. Whether you are encountering incredible wildlife, going hiking, kayaking, or any other experience, there is something everyone will enjoy.
However, this isnt just a regular trip to Alaska. Lindblad Expeditions provides unique excursions for children as well, enhancing their overall knowledge, appreciation, social savvy, and skills. On this cruise, it isnt just the individual experiencing Alaska it incorporates the entire family sharing a bonding experience that will be remembered forever.
Expeditions involve watching polar bears come so close you can almost touch them, using tandem kayaks, experiencing hands-on science, nature lessons provided by naturalists, and more. Guests can explore wildlife above and under the sea. They can be immersed in heritage and culture along with various types of folklore.
Expert Tips For First
Relax in the swing on your cabins private deck on Virgin Voyages.
Never been on a cruise beforeor havent sailed with kids or other family members? We turned to our advisors to share their must-know advice:
Get there early. If youre flying to the port to catch a cruise, always go a day or two before, says Michael. Flying these days is unpredictable with delays and cancellations. You dont want to miss the boatliterally. Similarly, keep must-have items in your carry-onmedications, bathing suit, change of clothesin case your luggage is late, says Arno. At the very least, having your suit means you can make a beeline for the pool while you wait for your suitcase to be delivered to your cabin, says Mayla.
Tour the kids club. For families, tour the kids club and let your child get familiar with the area so they feel comfortable when you drop them off, says Mayla. Also, book the time you need right away as it tends to get booked. On my first cruise as a mom, I thought my son wouldnt want to stay at the kids club and I only booked it for a couple of hoursbut then he asked to go back the next day and it was full. On our second cruise, I knew better and booked the whole week, adjusting as needed.
Check Out All the Breakfast Options. Skip the buffet on your first day and see if you can find other venues on board to get a snack, says Arno. The buffet is like Grand Central at rush hour on the first day.
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Norwegian Cruise Line For Kids
Norwegian loves families and is fast becoming one of the best family friendly cruise lines. There are so many onboard amenities and a childrens clubs for all ages. While adults are relaxing at the spa or sipping a cocktail kids can attend supervised youth programs where they can play with their friends, learn to circus skills, play dodgeball or attend themed parties. There are childrens menus which are available in all of the restaurants.
Family Cruises To The Bahamas & Great Stirrup Cay
Norwegian’s 2023 Bahamas cruises include a stop at Great Stirrup Cay, a private island available exclusively to Norwegian cruise passengers. You can spend the day relaxing on the beach or splurge for a private cabana or villa for your family.
You’ll find plenty of things to do on Great Stirrup Cay. Go snorkelling, zip lining, kayaking, paddle boarding, and more. You can also book an excursion to see the Swimming Pigs of Treasure Island, which are only a 10-minute boat ride away.
Great Stirrup Cay features plenty of food options after you’ve worked up an appetite. Create tacos in the complimentary Abaco Taco or try out the new food truck, Tropic Like It’s Hot. Travellers older than 18 in your family can have a freshly muddled mojito at Bacardi Bar or a margarita on the rocks at the Patron Bar.
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Kids Clubs Age Ranges On P& o
Each ships children clubs are slightly different, but the Reef clubs are separated in to different age groups.
- Splashers is age 2-4
- H20 is the cool club for teens aged 13-17.
P & O also offer Carefree nights a Night Nursery which is available free of charge on all family friendly ships for children aged between 6 months and 4 years of age.
Youth Facilities & Amenities
Adventure Ocean youth facilities are designed to meet the needs of younger guests. Kids will have a blast at our complimentary, award-winning Adventure Ocean® Youth Program. We break kids and teens out into age groups so that they can enjoy specialized programs made to expand their imaginations in interactive, multi-room spaces designed just for them. Its an awesomely fun, totally edu-taining adventure.
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Consider Taking The Grandparents
If you need to book two cabins but are a bit put off by the cost of paying full adult fare for the children, then consider taking two more adults with you. This way, you can have two adults and two children in one cabin and two adults and one child in another.
If you do this, you wont be tied to interconnecting cabins you can have cabins nearby or across the corridor, which hugely increases the availability of accommodation for your family.
If youre lucky enough to find an offer of kids sail for free, then bringing along their grandparents as well would cost you virtually nothing!
Aside from the cost savings, there are lots of reasons why cruises are a great option for multigenerational travel. Im sure youll all have a fantastic time together.
Have you sailed as a family of five, six, seven or eight? Which accommodation option did you choose? Let me know in the comments below
Kids Club Age Range On Celebrity Cruise Ships
Camp at Sea is the Celebrity Edges kids club. There are three different sections
- Shipmates 3-5Celebrity
- Captains 10-12 year olds
- Admirals the teen club for 13-17 year olds.
The Camp at Sea program on Celebrity is a new innovation. The schedule of activities changes on every sailing based on the interests the junior cruisers. Celebrity have partnered with world-renowned companies such as Anturus, Lonely PlanetTM, Xbox, Fat Brain Toys and Budsies.
The categories of activities are Art, Recreation, Culinary, and S.T.E.M. The Youth daily programme promises to be engaging and exciting.
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Top 7 Best Alaskan Cruises For Families
When booking an Alaska cruise, you will need to consider the ages and tastes of everyone involved. Depending on how many people are traveling with you, this may be a monumental task.
Teenagers may or may not appreciate a Disney cruise. They may love Disney to some extent, but they may feel they are too old for this type of cruise. Furthermore, if you are taking the extended family, seniors may experience mobility issues when boarding the ship.
Just like all children are different, everyones tastes will have a wide range. We provide ample options for everyone to equip you with the cruise the entire family will enjoy.
Newer Cruise Ships Can Be A Better Choice For Families
Cruise lines newer ships can be better choice for families now. Ship building has come on leaps and bounds and with each company competing for passengers designing the best activities for children onboard is a must. The ship companies design these new facilities for families from the outset. Cruise lines are looking at ways of offering more exiting innovations all of the time including new things for babies, tots, teens and adults.
New ships also tend to be the biggest ships which offer more space and new innovations such as such as Bowling alleys, Simulators, Karting, Water parks and even Zip lines. Having said that cruise lines are also always looking at ways to adapt existing ships with ships often going back in to dry dock to have new updates added. So when looking at the best cruise for families with the cruise line you wish to travel with look at the individual ships to see what they also include onboard.
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Best Cruises For A Family Of 5
The vacation world is built for families of four — two parents, two kids. Add a third kid, and families of five find it trickier to accommodate their brood with rental cars, hotel rooms and, yes, cruise cabins. But some cruise lines are attuned to larger families than others, offering accommodations that can sleep five.
Whether you’re looking for a deal or enough space at any cost, here are the best cruise lines for a family of five.
Cruise With A Family Of 5
Hi we are a family of 5 2 adults and 3 kids just wondering if the cruise ships accommodate for family’s of 5 all in one cabin do they do large family cabins for family’s we are thinking about ncl or Royal Caribbean has anyone any experience with cruising with a family of 5
NCL Breakaway out of NYC has some family oceanview cabins that hold 5. It has a bed for the adults, a pull out couch for 2 kids and a pullman bed that comes down from the ceiling at night for the 3rd kid. . I am guessing the sister ship Getaway out of Miami has the same type of cabin. You need to book these early, as they only have a few and they sell out.
Royal has family rooms too but you cannot book online you have to call. Carnival has some ships that have 5 in a room. With Carnival and NCL you can search directly on their websites – put in 5 passengers in the cruise search engine. With Royal you have to call for those rooms.
What’s the best option for you can depend on the age of your children, which you don’t mention. Some lines will allow a crib to be added to a cabin for 4 to accomodate a baby, but the number of lines is shrinking:
Two cabins are often your cheapest choice, and almost always the one which gives the most space. Two bathrooms!
Hugs, good luck.
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Family Activities On Princess Cruises
Princess cruises have many family zones such as the Reef Family Splash Zone which is the perfect place to relax, have fun and enjoy the water. This interactive splash pad with a giant whale feature entertains kids of all ages with showers, sprays and water jets. You will also find oversized backyard games in the all-ages in the game zones.
Adventures By Disney River Cruises
Courtesy of AmaWaterways
River cruises offer many advantages, from visiting a variety of destinations to the intimate size of the ships. Recognizing their appeal largely to travelers in the 50+ age range, river cruise companies are taking steps to attract younger travelers. Adventures by Disney and AmaWaterways have teamed up to create river cruises especially designed for families, adding trained Adventure Guides and activities aimed at diverse interests. Disneys Adventure Guides supervise young kids and teens with events like welcome parties, movies, and Disney-themed games. Adults-only dinners and events are also on the itinerary.
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Lindblad And National Geographic
Courtesy of Lindblad Expeditions
Since 2004, Lindblad Expeditions and National Geographic have collaborated on exploration, research, conservation, and technology, joining forces to provide superb expedition travel experiences. The company offers adventures in world-class expedition vessels that offer both space and togetherness along with daily activities for a range of interests and fitness levels. Onboard naturalists inspire young travelers interests in science and nature. Whether paddling a kayak in Alaska, snorkeling in the Galápagos, or cruising in a Zodiac in the Arctic, travelers learn while they enjoy the adventure. Family-friendly dining choices and activity options are ideal for multi-generational groups. Every expedition includes a certified photo instructor and often a National Geographic photographer, so guests take home new skills .
The Msc Kids Club Age Range
The kids club on MSC age range is from babies to teens. There are different clubs to suit the ages of the children
- The Chicco baby club is for babies 1-3
- The Mini club age 3-6, 7-11
- Young teen club 12-14 and the Teen club ages 15-17.
All kids clubs on MSC offer a range of craft activities, games, dance classes and sports tournaments.
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Here Are Seven Of The Best Cruise Lines For Families With Itineraries That Kids And Adults Will Love
Steven Diaz/Courtesy of Disney
With planned itineraries and excursions, a range of activities for all ages, and the ease of unpacking just once while visiting multiple destinations, cruises are a great option for family vacations and multi-generational travel.
Cruises are ideal for family vacations. For starters, they offer exceptional value, as theyre inclusive of dining, lodging, and transportation to amazing ports around the world. On top of that, many cruise lines offer both family activities and things for kids and parents to do separately so they can have a fun vacation that suits everyones tastes and needs, Colleen McDaniel, editor-in-chief at Cruise Critic, recently told Travel + Leisure.
Cruise vacation options range from small-ship expeditions to larger ships with pools, water slides, game rooms, and an array of restaurants, so the choice depends on your familys interests and capabilities. Here are seven of the best cruise lines for families.
