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Adventure calls on the Encore, including many of the fun activities for families featured on other Norwegian cruise ships. The kids and teen programs include Camp at Sea for kids between 3 and 12. Participants have themed parties, play sports, do arts and crafts, and engage in treasure hunts. Apart from rock-climbing, bowling alleys, mini-golf, and sports courts, the line one-ups the competition with a bevy of over-the-top ship attractions that teens can’t get enough of.
Unique Theme Nights You Shouldn’t Miss When on a Cruise Ship
And for eye-popping, high-energy acrobatic, tightrope and high-diving shows, the AquaTheatre will leave kids breathless as they watch beneath the stars. No one is surprised that Disney is such a kid-friendly cruise line — but what might be surprising is how much there is for adults to do and enjoy, too. That's especially true on the new Disney Wish, which debuted in the summer of 2022.
Animal Planet™ invites local animals onboard
Family-friendly excursions include cultural tours, water sports, volcano and glacier hikes, and swimming with dolphins. Family-friendly excursions and tours include a wildlife safari and beach bonfire on an Alaskan cruise, panoramas and painting in Grand Turk, and a stingray adventure in the Bahamas. There are 3 types of cruises to choose from — ocean, river, and expedition cruises. But either way, the square footage matters — even more so if you’ll spend quite a bit of your time onboard the ship.
Themed Adventures: Star Wars Day at Sea and Marvel Day at Sea

At your next stop, hop in a 4x4 jeep wrangler and journey along tree-studded roads and up grandiose mountains for breathtaking views of st. Kitts. Or stroll by pastel-colored houses and boutiques lining the cobbled streets of pelourinho, a unesco world heritage site, and relive brazil's portuguese colonial past. During your last few days, visit the 125-foot christ the redeemer statue and the iconic rio de janeiro cathedral for insight into the country’s rich spiritual history that has influenced cities around the world. Wherever your journey takes you, capture timeless photos and make awe-inspiring memories for your children along the way. Dive into the Horizon pool, which is open day and night (although there are dances and parties at night, so maybe visit sans kids).
MSC Seascape’s International Flavors for the Whole Family
Activities like story time, theater, art, and science will enchant the young’uns, who you will definitely want to bring, as kids sail free. Norwegian Cruise Lines visit Asia, New England, Florida, Alaska, the Bahamas, Canada, the Caribbean, the Panama Canal, Europe, and Hawaii. The cruise line also embraces simple pleasures like free-flowing soft-serve ice cream and pizza and a day spent lounging by the pool. After a hard day of play, worn-out families can refuel at a variety of restaurants, including burger and milkshake mecca Johnny Rockets, Italian and Mexican eateries and an all-day buffet. Parents can sneak off to the adults-only solarium or thermal suite while the kids live it up at cruise camp.
VACATION WITH THE FAMILY
Activities might range from Caribbean-shark-themed scavenger hunts to hands-on "Mythbusters"-style challenges and learning the science of magic. Other kid-approved activities include video game tournaments, art projects and storytime. While all ships have parent-child play areas and care for babies 6 months to 3 years, only NCL Escape offers drop-off, extra-fee childcare for very small children in the Guppies Nursery. All ships feature the Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique, where children are transformed into princesses, pirates, knights and sea captains. In short, Disney family cruises are excellent choices for families and leave little room for boredom for everyone. The Adventure Ocean play spaces cater to Aquanauts (ages 3 to 5), Explorers (6 to 8) and Voyagers (9 to 11).
5 Best Cruise Ships for a Family Reunion Cruise - Cruise Critic
5 Best Cruise Ships for a Family Reunion Cruise.
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However, sailors can expect a kids’ club for children as young as 4 years old on Europa and Europa 2, the cruise line’s 2 ocean liners. Activities include language classes, unique children’s excursions designed around the interests of the kids onboard, and even spa treatments for kids as young as 8 years old. Or if you’re looking for full-on immersion, the line returns to Greece in 2020 with a trio of nine- to 12-night Greek Island voyages, with stops in classic isles like Santorini, Mykonos, and Crete. With so much to keep the kids occupied all day and night, Mardi Gras could also double as one of the best cruises for couples. Norwegian Encore has a more grown-up vibe than many of the family-focused ships on our list, but its onboard attractions make it a huge hit with teens. Its top decks lure older kids with one of the biggest go-kart tracks in the Norwegian Cruise Line fleet and an open-air laser tag arena ideal for shooting matches under the stars.
Luxury cruise lines such as Regent Seven Seas and The Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection will no doubt have a superb menu, but they may not be expert kid-pleasers like Disney Cruise Line when it comes to food. We may be compensated when you click on product links, such as credit cards, from one or more of our advertising partners. See our Advertising Policy for more about our partners, how we make money, and our rating methodology. Interact with Stanley throughout the voyage — at photo ops, story time, bear games, and crafts! You can even get your own Stanley exclusively on board and bring him home as a reminder of your special journey. And don’t forget to share your adventures on social media with #StanleyAtSea.
Best Cruise Ship for Families - Newsweek
Best Cruise Ship for Families.
Posted: Thu, 22 Feb 2024 08:00:00 GMT [source]
For those seeking an epic journey, themed Disney cruises offer Star Wars Day at Sea and Marvel Day at Sea. These singular experiences present an opportunity to be part of some of the most iconic universes ever created. With immersive activities and character encounters, guests of all ages can become part of their favorite intergalactic saga or superhero story—truly a highlight for any family entertainment seeker. The Disney Dream and Disney Fantasy maintain Disney Cruise Line’s legacy with an array of family cruise packages. Family rooms on these ships are spacious retreats crafted for comfort and convenience, providing a harmonious balance between adventure and relaxation.
The Adventure Ocean® Voyagers group gets active with games, competitions and educational activities. Discover the magic of Alaska, where snowcapped mountains, towering forests and misty fjords dare you to deny their majesty. And cross once-in-a-lifetime experiences off your list together — on one unforgettable journey. Kick family bonding up a notch at Perfect Day at CocoCay in The Bahamas — voted Best Private Island Experience by Travel Weekly readers.
Adventure Ocean also offers a Late Night Party Zone group sitting for children ages 3-11 between the hours of 10 p.m. And 2 a.m., so you can enjoy a stress-free adults-only night out on deck. You'll find exclusive clubs (and childcare) for children from infancy to age 12, plus teen spaces for those up to 17 years old aboard all MSC ships.
You can also sign up for the Deadliest Catch Crab Fishermen’s Tour, inspired by the Discovery Channel show, and get up close and personal with bears, whales, mountain goats and massive glaciers. Kids who love a good food court can meet up with friends or family at several no-fee, casual eateries, including Shaq's Big Chicken restaurant and a trio of Street Eats venues featuring dumplings, meat on a stick and loaded French fries. All-hours pizza and ice cream will keep the whole family fueled up for the interactive "Family Feud Live" show. It’s a masterpiece that couples beauty with excitement, proving that sophistication can go hand-in-hand with bumper cars and skydiving simulators.
Royal Caribbean Cruise Line is known for offering ultimate family vacation experiences with activities for kids of all ages, including the Kids Sail Free program. As a travel aficionado, I’ve observed that the cruise suites for families which stand out are those that blend comfort with a splash of innovation. Whether it’s a whimsical wall art enticing children’s imagination or a private balcony allowing parents to unwind under the stars, the brilliance is in the details. These family cabins transform into sanctuaries, where the laughter and stories of the day’s adventure echo into the tranquility of the night. They are not just a room—they are accommodating spaces on cruises designed with families in mind. Features like split bathrooms allow for a seamless morning routine, while extra space ensures kids have room to play and parents have an oasis to relax.
Entertaining kids on any vacation is usually top of mind when planning a trip. A kid-friendly cruise line will have entertainment for its youngest sailors. Kids’ and teens’ clubs, pools, and water slides are just a few of the kid-specific amenities that you’ll find on a lot of the cruises on this list. New on the Caribbean Princess®, the Reef Family Splash Zone is the perfect place to relax, have fun and enjoy the water. An interactive splash pad with giant whale feature will entertain kids of all ages with showers, sprays and a water jet from the whale's spout!
Littles have big-time fun in the Babies and Tots programs at Adventure Ocean®. Super Family Cabins consist of two triple cabins, while Executive Family Suites feature two queens along with extra storage space. Back onboard, MSC Cruises has family rooms designed to accommodate families of three or more.