The variety of what's available onboard these days is staggering: kids programs are offered for different age groups, with all manner of fun activities, sometimes created with a familiar brand such as Crayola or Fisher-Price. And for teens: photography classes, escorted shore tours youth counselors, discos...
- Check Family Cruising at CruiseCritics.com for suggestions about which line's programs might suit your family.
- See also: Best Family Ships - (kids' programs, facilities, nifty features...)
Meanwhile, Royal Carribbean has a new generation of on-board facilities: water park areas, rock climbing walls, ice skating rinks, mini golf, FlowRider surf simulators, roller blading... Royal Caribbean also has kids programs for many different ages, including teens; kids programs include Crayola art camps, theatre activities, Science Adventure, and more. Teens have a lounge supervised with trained staff, plus less-structured activities that could include scratch deejaying, open mic, learn to surf. Also: special programs for preschoolers in partnership with Fisher Price (parent + tot both participate.)
Carnival Cruise Line, at a lower budget, is a crowd-pleaser, hosting hundreds of thousands of kids a year. Karaoke parties, entertainers, lots of arts and crafts; kids' pools, giant waterslides; teen makeovers, teen disco... Camp Carnival has morning to night activities for several age groups. Read a review by a mother of seven of her Carnival family cruise.
Norwegian Cruise Lines:
-- is known for "freestyle cruising", i.e. meals can be eaten whenever, and at whatever table, you like. Kids Crew has programs for Junior Sailors (ages 2 to 5), First Mates (ages 6 to 8), Navigators (ages 9 to 12 - Sega and video games, pajama parties, movies, camp-outs), Teens (ages 13 to 17 -pool parties, volleyball and basketball, games, teen disco.)
For details about many kids programs see Family Cruises Online, or see Family Cruises (at Atlas Travel):
- Carnival Cruises
- Celebrity Cruises
- Holland America
- Norwegian Cruise Line
- Princess Cruises
- Disney
- Royal Caribbean
Booking your Family Cruise
Check tips about deals and promotions. In the past, cruises were almost always sold through agents, but the industry has changed; feel free to shop directly from the cruise line, online or by phone. Also, several online agencies specialize in families:
* Kids' Programs change; always check the cruise line web site for the latest info!
