Best cruise lines for Families with Kids
The best cruise lines for families with kids as ranked by verified reviews submitted over the past 12 months. This list is continuously updated as we receive new reviews from our members, so be sure to check back often! Note, a minimum of 40 reviews are required to be part of this list.
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There is arguably no better line for families than Disney Cruise Line. Kids love the movie-themed play spaces, character meet and greets, and a water park fit for pint-sized cruisers. Plus, the main dining rooms are imaginative with entertainment and interactive elements, and stage shows allow little ones to see their favorite movies come to life.
Royal Caribbean’s Adventure Ocean Clubs on its Oasis-class ships have designated areas for toddlers and kids of all ages. Families with young children are sure to love the Royal Tots and Royal Babies programs which allow parents to drop off the little ones for an hourly fee.
Celebrity is a great choice for families looking for a more upscale onboard experience without stepping up to luxury-line prices. The kids’ program onboard will keep ages 3 to 17 engaged in various activities and events throughout the cruise. There are even family-friendly shore excursions and a kids menu in the main dining room and room service.
Fun-loving families with kids will love all that Carnival has to offer. Ships have kids’ clubs divided by age filled with lots of activities to keep young cruisers busy. Onboard pools, a water park, sports courts, and game shows provide fun for everyone. And Carnival’s large variety of dining options mean that even the pickiest eaters will find something they love.
Kids have a blast in MSC’s youth clubs, which are divided up by age. There, they have dance parties, play games, and participate in activities with new friends. Ships also offer water parks with different features for the whole family. As part of MSC’s partnership with LEGO, select ships also offer a LEGO event with themed activities.
Princess has The Treehouse kid’s club for ages 3-7, and The Lodge for 8-12 year olds. Activities in the clubs and across the ship for kids include sports tournaments, dance classes, video games, and ‘Discovery at Sea’ science and nature-based activities. Kids can also learn cake decorating, make Klutz crafts, and join in on paper airplane and boat-building challenges.
It’s not difficult to see why Norwegian is known as one of the best cruise lines for families. Ships feature a plethora of kid-friendly amenities such as a kids’ water park, sports courts, and dedicated kids’ clubs that are divided out by age. At the clubs, kids can play games and participate in a variety of activities such as scavenger hunts and dance parties.