Best Cruise Programs for Kids & Families
Cruising is arguably one of the best and easiest ways to travel with large families. The convenience is unbeatable, price unmatchable, and experiences incomparable.
One important aspect of making sure these experiences remain golden is ensuring the kids have fun and are taken care of. This article compares what we think are the five best and most comprehensive programs for kids in cruising. We are confident that any kid, even ones with the most discerning of tastes, will celebrate the fact that each of these programs guarantees they will have a blast on the ship.
Disney Cruises
Saying or hearing the word Disney to just about anyone will instantly resonate a mutual agreement that Disney knows kids. Years of investment in creating the best movies, TV shows, and franchises that appeal to every child has culminated into building Disney’s superb onboard programs for kids. These programs include The Oceaneer Club and Lab, Edge, and Vibe, and each is catered toward a unique age group. Children participate in fun activities like churro making or acting in their own play. Young adults and tweens are given modern venues ideal for independent socialization.
But these aren’t the only things that make Disney the best cruise line for kids— venues that are designed for family fun abound. The D lounge on all ships hosts entertaining games and karaoke that are appropriate for all ages. An expansive arcade offers hours of interactive fun with all the latest games. And finally, to allow the parents a little time to escape, the nursery hosts kids as young as 3 months—the youngest option for babysitting available at sea.
Carnival Cruises
Known for spearheading the “Fun Ship” concept, Carnival Cruise Lines applies the same energy toward making sure their kids programs are as entertaining as possible. Three program levels—Camp Carnival, Circle “C,” and Club O2—make up the core of Carnival’s family-friendly features. Games, dance parties, and even mocktail events for teens ensure never-ending fun on all Carnival ships.
To top this all off with a cherry (as if their highly acclaimed programs weren’t enough), Carnival is constantly innovating to bring the best facilities for family-friendly fun to the fleet. WaterWorks, their nod to big water parks on land, can be found on most ships, with a large waterslide available on others. Their newest ship, the Carnival Breeze, even has a high ropes course. All these features and more are being added fleet-wide with their Fun Ship 2.0 initiative, which will roll out within the next several years. Also look out for what is coming next with the newly announced Carnival Sunshine.
Royal Caribbean Cruises
One of the most well-rounded cruise lines on the ocean, Royal Caribbean does kids programs right. As an alumnus of the teen program on the Mariner and Enchantment of the Seas, I have firsthand knowledge of the prime service Royal Caribbean treats their young adults with. It doesn’t hurt either that RCCL recently partnered with Dreamworks to bring to kids a unique experience complete with their favorite characters from movies like Shrek and Madagascar.
Adventure Ocean offers unlimited options for every age group. The program is broken into three age groups (ages 3–5, 6–8, and 9–11) and each level provides age appropriate activities that are fun and educational, while still teaching independence and creativity.
Celebrity Cruises
Multi-tiered and multi-faceted, Celebrity Cruise Lines has two main programs, the Fun Factory and X-Club, which are then broken down into a whopping six different age groups. Fun is a focus with Celebrity, but they also recently launched a new initiative for both kids and parents called Nerdel. Nerdel is a healthy food and fitness program for kids that teaches young ones how being active and eating nutritiously can be fun!
In addition to guided kids programs, Celebrity is one of the few cruise lines to offer in-cabin babysitting. For a fee, parents can leave their children with one of Celebrity’s kid specialists and head out for a romantic night alone. Award-winning and completely modern, children will love the marvelous care and quality activities provided by Celebrity’s staff.
Norwegian Cruises
Recently revamped, Kids’ Club on Norwegian Cruise Lines has a new unofficial slogan of “more.” Kids aged 3–12 have more sporting activates, more workshops, more fun, and even a new circus school. But don’t go thinking teens aged 13–17 are left in the wake, as they also have their own slew of new activities. Nighttime pool parties, teen-only dinners, and even an oversized Wii screen guarantee new friends and, most importantly, fun.
Emulating Cirque Du Soleil, the Cirque Du Jour on all Norwegian ships offers a unique circus school and staff of entertainers that will delight all ages. Yet another exclusive offering by Norwegian is their partnership with Nickelodeon. Throughout your cruise, popular characters from shows like SpongeBob SquarePants and Dora the Explorer will be singing and socializing with you and your family.