A cruise is the perfect idea for your next family vacation, because there’s always something for the whole family to enjoy. These days, many cruise lines offer a range of kid focused activities, family cabins, and more, so all you have to do is decide which ship best suits your family’s needs. If you’re thinking about planning a cruise vacation with your family, we’ve rounded up five of the best family-friendly cruise ships. Here are the most fun-filled ships for your next family vacation…
Royal Caribbean’s Oasis of the Seas
Oasis of the Seas is part of Royal Caribbean’s largest group of ships, which makes it perfect for families of all ages because it is filled with an incredible selection of activities and entertainment. The ship offers a rock climbing wall, zip line, Flowrider surf simulators, and the H20 Zone water park. Oasis also offers the Dreamworks Experience, where the whole family can meet with characters from their favorite Dreamworks movies. Families will also love outdoor movie nights by the pool, pool parties, and more! Royal Caribbean offers the largest facilities for kids in cruising today, and have programs for all ages, from interactive classes for babies, to sports competitions and a DJ school for teens. Oasis of the Seas has everything you need for the perfect family getaway!
Disney Fantasy
Whether you’re young or old, there’s something for everyone to enjoy on a Disney cruise. There’s something so magical about a Disney cruise experience that is hard not to love. Disney Fantasy (and all Disney ships) are ideal for kids from 4-11, because they offer the most activities and programs for kids in this age group, but there are plenty of options for teens and tweens as well. Kids will love the AquaDuck water slide, meeting their favorite Disney characters, live Disney shows, Mickey’s and Donald’s pools, deck parties, and Disney themed restaurants on board. Disney’s Oceaneer youth programs offer interactive activities where kids can meet new friends in Disney themed play areas.
Norwegian Breakaway
Norwegian Breakaway was named Best Cruise Ship for Families by USA Today, so it’s no surprise that this ship is perfect for your next family vacation. Norwegian’s Splash Academy offers activities for kids ranging from babies to teens. In the academy, kids can do karaoke, arts and crafts, play video games, and have dance offs on the interactive light up dance floor. Teens will love the lounge space with games and TVs, and a teens-only nightclub. On board, Breakaway offers rock climbing, bowling, a rope course, exciting water park areas, as well as thrilling slides for adventurers. Thrill seekers will love The Plank, which extends 8 feet over the side of the ship!
Carnival Vista
Carnival Cruises are all about fun, which make them perfect for a family vacation with kids. Carnival Vista offers tons of fun on board activities for kids of all ages, with multiple pools, SportsSquare, a multistory IMAX theater, and more. Carnival offers Camp Ocean for kids ages 2-11 with marine themed activities and sports. There are also tons of activities for pre-teens and teens that are catered to them, with teens only excursions, dance parties, and more. Kids of all ages will love WaterWorks, a huge water park on board, SportSquare with a mini-golf course, basketball course, and the thrilling SkyRide where you can cycle on a course that is 150 feet in the air!
Regal Princess
Princess ships offer many different programs and activities for children and teens, as well as many options for family accommodations. Regal Princess is one of their newer ships, which offer even more family focused activities and kids spaces than ever before. Princess offers Camp Discovery, which caters to kids from ages 3-17. For the little ones, there is story time and learning activities, and older kids will enjoy scavenger hunts and themed parties. Princess is also partnered with Discovery Communications, where they have exciting activities based on top Discovery shows like Shark Week. There is also an outdoor movie theater for family movie nights under the stars, and a Jr. Chef at Sea program, where parents and kids can learn to cook together!
If you’re looking for a fun filled family vacation, these ships offer the perfect mix of kid and family activities that everyone will love. These ships have everything from thrilling rides to educational activities. Your next family cruise vacation is going to be your best one yet!
