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Although there are a lot of activities for kids on a cruise, it’s a good idea to bring a few small toys to keep your child busy in the cabin or even on the airplane. Some cruise lines have a formal or dressy night, where passengers will dress up a little bit more. 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.
HOLIDAY WITH THE FAMILY
Mom Allegedly Left Kids, 6 and 8, Alone at Home for a Week While She Went on Cruise: Police - PEOPLE
Mom Allegedly Left Kids, 6 and 8, Alone at Home for a Week While She Went on Cruise: Police.
Posted: Mon, 15 Apr 2024 17:49:46 GMT [source]
The Festivals of the World Program will introduce your family (especially the kiddos) to new cultures as they celebrate Mexican fiestas, Carnaval de Panama, Celtic Festival, and more. Especially if you are a cruise newbie, work with a travel advisor who is a cruise expert. Princess Cruises and Holland America Line have added more immersive programming and a focus on locally sourced food, especially in Alaska.

FAMILY TIME
These days, you can even charter your own yacht for an expedition from a company like Adventure Smith Expeditions. Share a world of fascinating cultures, natural wonders and engaging adventures with your entire family on an unforgettable Holland America Line cruise. On board, kids can join other young travelers for supervised, age-appropriate games and activities. Plus, the whole family can learn to make tasty brownies at a live cooking show. In port, experience fascinating destinations on family-friendly shore excursions. On carefully selected family cruises with teen activities, parents can unwind knowing their teenagers are engaged in secure, age-appropriate settings.
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The family entertainment offered ensures that every moment spent at sea is filled with joy and laughter. In sum, my search for the best Royal Caribbean ships for families confirms that the company has mastered the alchemy of family entertainment. As a journalist who has a knack for uncovering the best deals, I recommend that families eager for a sea adventure consider these standout cruise lines. 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. From kid-friendly activities to family rooms and family cruise packages, Disney cruises are packed with family-pleasing extras.

Whether you spend your time participating in fun for everyone or the kids want to meet and socialize with new friends their own age, the stage has been set. Your family will love the supervised parties, dinners, arts and crafts, group games, dance classes, sports tournaments, talent shows and more. They know it wouldn't be the same without the little ones right alongside you, but they also know parents like to have some time to themselves. Imagine being able to bask in the sun, enjoy an exercise class or dance the night away in one of the ship's clubs.
While not as heralded as Royal or Carnival, MSC offers a great warm winter getaway for families, thanks to a wealth of activities onboard its European, Caribbean and Bahamian cruises. On Meraviglia specifically, you’ll find a massive water park and splash zone, ropes course, virtual F1 race car driving, flight simulators, 4D movies and an arcade room. For more active pursuits, families can challenge each other to bowling or a soccer match or basketball game on ship’s court. Large families will love the Super Family Cabins on MSC, which combine two balcony cabins and one inside room, sleeping up to 10 people. The best family cruises offer attractions that make cruisers of all ages say “I can’t believe we’re doing this on a cruise ship! It’s a Caribbean destination in and of itself, with views that are the star of the show, thanks to the North Star, a 360-degree observation capsule that hovers more than 300 feet above the ocean and over the sides of the ship.
Fostering family togetherness on a ship like the Norwegian Joy is simple. You can take the twists and turns behind the wheel of the Joy Speedway, play a heart-thumping game of laser tag, or tee off at mini golf. Royal Caribbean International invites families to sail away on the Allure of the Seas, an award-winning ship for family entertainment. Kids will fall in love with the Wonder Playscape, which offers puzzles, games, climbing walls, and slides. The Retreat is the most family-friendly lodging option, as it includes more than 2,500 square feet of lounge space, an ample veranda, and a private sundeck. Of course, with a ropes course, IMAX theaters, and a space program for kids 2 to 11, there’s always something for families to do together.
Food & Dining
Remember to pack pain reliever and fever reducing medication, as well as any other children’s medication you may use in your household. When OJ Stapleton's daughters were 4 and 3 years old, he and his wife, Becky, took them on a cruise for the first time. Carnival’s Mardi Gras is one of its latest and greatest creations, so you should expect the ultimate in entertainment. Disney magic comes to life on the Disney Dream, an enchanting cruise experience. Perhaps a vacation on a Princess Cruise Line is what your family needs.
Enjoy Family Dining & Kid-Friendly Food
There are amazing places to explore — and fun stuff to do while you’re there. Guests must be 18 or older to use our SeaView Pool and 16 or older to use the fitness center, hot tubs and steam rooms. Children wearing any type of diaper, including swimming diapers, or who are not toilet trained are not allowed into the swimming pool and whirlpool areas. We cannot guarantee fulfillment of any items ordered less than 90 days prior to sailing. What could be more relaxing than a San Diego roundtrip cruise to the Mexican Riviera? Get Reader’s Digest’s Read Up newsletter for more travel, tech, humor, cleaning and fun facts all week long.
So if the family all wants to get a large suite together to share, that’s a possibility. If the grandparents want to spend a little more and get a nice luxury suite for themselves while the rest of the family chooses a less expensive cabin type, that’s possible as well. As mentioned above, Royal Caribbean offers so much to do that any age can find something they enjoy. The kids can play in the water while mom and dad relax in the Solarium and the grandparents enjoy a drink in the Schooner Bar.
Kids will love meeting characters, sliding down from the atrium into their own private play space and riding AquaMouse, the first-ever Disney attraction at sea. Take the family on a cruise to Alaska, where you’ll sail through the famous Inside Passage and witness the magic of towering glaciers and the stunning wilderness of the Last Frontier. If you’re looking for a little bit more culture, head on one of our European journeys, where you’ll stroll past ancient buildings, feast on exquisite cuisine, and stop by picturesque towns. As for a sun-soaked vacation, it doesn’t get much better than a cruise to the Caribbean, where white sand beaches and turquoise waters await. Some of the best cruise lines for families with kids include Princess Cruises, MSC Cruises, and Celebrity Cruises. Experience on MSC Seascape brings the world to your table, offering a feast rich with international flavors.
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. It’s easy to see why the new Disney Wish makes the grade as one of the best cruises for kids and their magic-loving parents. Before setting sail with Mickey and friends, be sure to consult this essential cruise packing list.