Cruising with the kids along can be a great form of family vacation. But it pays to do a little research. Some cruise lines are more kid-friendly than others. Some, such as Disney Cruises, really focus their efforts on creating kid-oriented fun. Others try to balance their kid-friendly activities with their more adult-oriented activities. What works best for you depends on the age of your kids and how you like to spend your vacation time.
Disney Cruise Line offers all the family-oriented fun that you would expect from an entertainment giant built around making childhood dreams come true. The Disney Wonder sails on regular four and five night cruises to the Bahamas from Miami. The ship offers special youth clubs that provide entertainment and activities for kids of various ages. They even provide separate spaces for tweens and teens. And when you want to bring the whole family together for some fun, there are venues for that too. Although the focus is on family fun, Disney cruises aren’t short on activities for adults. The Disney Wonder has a variety of nightclubs and lounges for the grown-ups.
Carnival Cruises are known as the “Fun Ships” and they provide fun for the whole family. Carnival ships cruising from Miami include the Breeze, Conquest, Ecstasy, Glory, Splendor, and Victory. They offer itineraries that range from three night Bahamas cruises to seven and eight night cruises to the Caribbean. The short three night cruises are a good option if this is your first time cruising with the kids.
Norwegian Cruise Line offers age-specific youth programs to keep your kids busy and happy. Their Splash Academy for kids ages 3 through 12 features creative play, sports, and theme night activities. Entourage is a spot for the older kids, ages 13 – 17 to hang out together, play video games, watch movies, and even have their own dance nights. Accommodations on their ships include family mini-suites, suites, and connecting rooms to make traveling with a family more convenient.
Royal Caribbean also has a variety of programs and amenities that make for a fun family cruising experience. Their Adventure Ocean youth program offers fun and educational experiences divided into three age groups: Aquanauts for kids ages 3 – 5, Explorers for kids ages 6 – 8, and Voyagers for kids ages 9 – 11. Special tween and teen-only spots are also provided. Royal Babies and Royal Tots programs provide more age-specific activities. The Majesty of the Seas specializes in short 3 & 4 night getaways from Miami, which is good length for a trip with kids. The ship also has a rock climbing wall, which is sure to be a hit with both kids and adults.