Beyond Disney Cruises: Which Family-Friendly Cruises Should You Choose?
When considering a family cruise vacation, many parents first think of Disney Cruises. However, there are several other cruise lines that cater exceptionally well to families. Let's explore some of the top options that offer a variety of activities and programs for children and teenagers.
Top Choices in Family-Friendly Cruises
1. Disneyland Cruises and Royal Caribbean
Carnival and Royal Caribbean are renowned for their excellent activities and programs for children and teenagers. While Disney Cruise Line sets the standard for kid-friendly family attractions, other major cruise lines are also highly accommodating for family vacations.
NCL, RCCL, Carnival, MSC, and Costa Cruises are all geared towards accommodating infants to late teens. These cruise lines offer a variety of age-appropriate activities and programs that are designed to engage participants from different age groups. This way, parents can enjoy their time, knowing that their children are well taken care of by specially trained staff.
Most of these specialized programs are included in the standard fare, but certain activities such as evening babysitting may incur additional costs. It is advisable to conduct your own research or have a travel agent look into your specific needs before making reservations, as programs can vary across different cruise lines.
2. Royal Caribbean
Following Disney Cruise Line, my next recommendation would be Royal Caribbean. Both Royal Caribbean and Norwegian offer large ships with numerous activities for families and children of all ages.
3. Norwegian
Norwegian is particularly family-friendly. One of the benefits of a Norwegian cruise is the freestyle cruising concept, which means you can do what you want when you want. For instance, we sailed to Alaska with a 3-year-old and a 7-year-old. The kids’ facilities were always open, allowing us to drop off the younger child to sleep while the older one enjoyed social activities.
Conclusion
Most cruise lines are marketed as "family-friendly," but the key is to understand what activities are available for kids. Carnival, for example, has a wide range of programs for kids that are favored by many. Even as our children grew older, I relied on anecdotal evidence from friends and family who have traveled with kids and have cruised with Carnival. They all report that Carnival does an exceptional job with the kids.
Selma's Cruise Reviews recommends Norwegian as a highly recommended cruise line for families looking for a laid-back, freestyle cruising experience. Whether you're looking for organized activities or a more relaxed setup, there are several great options available to suit your family's needs.