Best Cruise Lines for Families

Are you thinking of a family cruise vacation and want one with the best programs for your kids and a good range of standard cruise amenities – pool, spa, good dining, evening shows and a range of destination – for all family members? Following are my suggestions for the best cruise lines programs for kids:

Disney Cruise Line

Disney Cruise Line remains my number one choice for best cruise lines for families, especially for those with children – or adults – who love the Disney characters. An experience on a Disney cruise is total immersion into the world of Mickey and Donald and Minnie and all the other family favorites. The Disney Wonder and Magic are top-rated cruise ships with luxurious features and a full-range of amenities for every age (including adults’ only areas for those who need a break from the excitement).

Offering 7-night cruises through the Caribbean and 3 or 4-night cruises with an optional stay at DisneyWorld, Disney is a premium family cruise vacation experience.

Royal Caribbean

For families with active, older children – those for whom the Disney characters have disappeared into depths of overfilled closets – who are eager for extreme experiences, I suggest Royal Caribbean’s fleet. Featuring rock-climbing walls, ice skating rinks – even wave /surf simulators on the newer ships – plus the Adventure Ocean program for ages 3 through 17, a cruise with Royal Caribbean provides a great setting for an active family cruise vacation.



Families can join together while learning to scuba dive in the pool; kids can join Adventure Ocean’s daily activities or join their new friends in the teen-only nightclub in the evenings; adult family members can explore the daily onboard activities, lounge at the pool, indulge in the spa or just relax with a good book.

Each evening, the mini-golf course provides a place for families to unwind after the meal. And whilst mentioning meals, I learned at the Boston Travel Show last week a fleet-wide priority is to improve the food. This is good news and promises increased quality and diversity for dining.

Carnival Cruises

Carnival has been working hard to change its image from the “Party Animal” cruise line to one that is family-oriented. As part of this initiative, Carnival offers a diverse kids program that is especially beneficial for families with children in different age groups.

Camp Carnival offers activities for kids between the ages of 2 and 11 years old in three separate age groupings. A range of fun activities are scheduled so kids can join others their age or take a “day off” to be with their family.

A separate program – Circle "C" – offered for kids ages 12 to 14, features daytime activities designed for teens. Every night, Circle “C” members get together in their “private” club to dance and mingle with new friends.

Club O2 is designed for teens from ages 15 to 17 and features group sports activities (basketball, volleyball) with a mix of movies, pool parties and on some ships, a special lounge only for Club O2 members. Carnival also offers a choice of teen-only shore excursions that teens can enjoy with their friends.

To celebrate its 36th anniversary, Carnival announced earlier this week its “Funtennial Celebration” -- special promotions and savings on all cruises booked during March. Each week offers different special – including cabin upgrades and onboard credits. Every guest who books a cruise will be entered into a weekly contest with a grand prize of a free cruise for two in the Owners Suite aboard either the Imagination or the Inspiration.

If you’re planning a family getaway for later this year or next, March is a good time to choose Carnival. The details are “highly confidential” and each week’s offerings will be announced on the preceding Saturday. Give me a call toll-free at 1-888-825-4529 or send an email to learn about the special of the week.

Small Cruise Ships

The best large cruise lines provide a wide range of activities for family cruise vacations. If, however, you’re looking for a more personalized family vacation experience that combines on-the-ground adventure in different ports with educational exploration, come back for my next posting on the best family cruise vacations on small cruise ships.