Table Of Content
- Other Kid-Friendly Features on Princess Cruises
- Sports, games, physical activities
- Best Cruise For Active Families: Hurtigruten, MS Santa Cruz II
- Teens Cruise Activities — Ages 13-17
- The 6 Best Luxury Cruise Lines for Families
- What’s the Best Length of Time for a Cruise?
- YOUTH PROGRAMS BEST CRUISE ACTIVITIES FOR KIDS & TEENS

Redemptions start at 180,000 Bonvoy points to save $1,000, followed by 90,000-point increments to save $500. Redeeming points this way is a tough sell, but the earning isn’t too bad, especially paired with a Marriott Bonvoy credit card.. Guests aboard a Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection vessel can expect the same service they would on land, including the Ritz Kids program. At Ritz Kids, children ages 4 to 12 years old have the opportunity to participate in unique activities based on where they’re traveling.
Other Kid-Friendly Features on Princess Cruises
And Princess-exclusive, Broadway-caliber stage shows from award-winning composer Steven Schwartz are a dazzling way to bring everyone together. You'll also find plenty of opportunities for audience participation with The Voice of the Ocean musical competition, the High Seas Heist mystery challenge and Can You Survive? Laugh until you cry at The Punchliner Comedy Club, which also offers entertainment for adults. Mini and Juniors Clubs give the kids a safe and fun place to play if you need to drop them off, as the rooms are bright, colorful, and full of toys. Your kids will adore the F1 simulators, full-sized bowling alley, sportsplex, and Polar Aquapark with its sloping, looping enclosed slides. Departing from Florida, the Bahamas, and Bermuda, set sail for a world of adventure aboard the MSG Meraviglia.
Sports, games, physical activities
The 6 Best Kid-Friendly Cruises for Your Family Cruise - Cruise Critic
The 6 Best Kid-Friendly Cruises for Your Family Cruise.
Posted: Tue, 25 Apr 2023 07:00:00 GMT [source]
Parents can sneak off to the adults-only solarium or thermal suite while the kids live it up at cruise camp. Disney Wish and soon-to-debut Disney Treasure feature sports areas for free play and competitions attractive to this age group. When it comes to cruise pricing, we’ve found MSC to generally be the lowest in the industry. For instance, there are a number of 7-day cruises departing Miami that come in at less than $500 per person for an interior cabin before taxes and fees.
Best Cruise For Active Families: Hurtigruten, MS Santa Cruz II
We tend to recommend cruise lines' newer ships, because the facilities have been designed for families with kids from the outset and have more space for fun activities such as water parks, ropes courses and rock-climbing walls. Winner of the best new cruise ship of 2022, the Norwegian Prima also happens to be one of the best family cruises available today. The Prima Speedway is a go-kart racetrack spanning the top three decks, providing wannabe race car drivers of nearly every age the chance to rev their engines far away from land. Pulling off the perfect family vacation isn’t always easy, especially when you’re trying to cater to different ages and preferences.
Cruises simplify the bulk of your vacation planning and transportation, as everything you need is in one convenient package. There are endless ways to satisfy kids' curiosity in the Adventure Ocean® Aquanauts group. Pack a swimsuit in your carry-on so you can dive into adventure early. Join me as we set sail to uncover these floating paradises, where each wave whispers a promise of laughter and each shore teems with new stories.
Each restaurant is a port of call, offering delicacies that span continents, from Mediterranean gems to Asian specialties. On the Anthem of the Seas, technology and imagination collide to create a dynamic playground for the young and the young at heart. The SeaPlex, a transformative space, beckons with circus school and bumper cars, while the RipCord by iFLY® gives a taste of skydiving without leaving the deck. Gaming enthusiasts revel in a state-of-the-art arcade that captures the excitement of virtual worlds and high-stakes competition, underpinning family cruise entertainment with touches of tomorrow. Here’s to smooth sailing as we navigate the waters of adolescent adventure together, anchoring in memories that both teens and adults will treasure long after disembarking.
The 6 Best Luxury Cruise Lines for Families
On Holland America Line, I discovered a variety of family-friendly perks that surely make it one of the best cruise lines for children. With their ‘Kids Sail Free’ special on select expeditions, your children can experience the adventure of cruising to idyllic destinations like the Caribbean at no extra cost. The cruise line claims to pay the same amount of attention to the children and teenagers onboard as the adults. Cap’n Knof, Hapag-Lloyd’s mascot, welcomes each family on board every sailing and participates in games with guests. Ocean cruises are what most people have in mind when they think of taking a cruise.
What’s the Best Length of Time for a Cruise?
Whether it’s a whimsical wall art enticing children’s imagination or a private balcony allowing parents to unwind under the stars, the brilliance is in the details. These family cabins transform into sanctuaries, where the laughter and stories of the day’s adventure echo into the tranquility of the night. They are not just a room—they are accommodating spaces on cruises designed with families in mind. Features like split bathrooms allow for a seamless morning routine, while extra space ensures kids have room to play and parents have an oasis to relax. 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.
YOUTH PROGRAMS BEST CRUISE ACTIVITIES FOR KIDS & TEENS
All ships feature the Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique, where children are transformed into princesses, pirates, knights and sea captains. The Adventure Ocean play spaces cater to Aquanauts (ages 3 to 5), Explorers (6 to 8) and Voyagers (9 to 11). Tweens and teens (12 to 17) have their Living Room coffeehouse-style hangout and Fuel disco.
The Basement on Celebrity Beyond is a robust space designated exclusively for teens, while other onboard sports activities and scavenger hunts are available throughout the ship. For youngsters looking to kick their feet up, the spa on Beyond has a teen-focused menu of treatments, such as facials for sensitive skin, nail care and mini vacation–approved mother-daughter spa time. As a travel aficionado, I’ve observed that the cruise suites for families which stand out are those that blend comfort with a splash of innovation.
The result is that there are plenty of ships within driving distance of the majority of people. So instead of having to pay for airfare for an entire family to fly to Miami to take a cruise, they can drive to a nearby port, saving even more. This bright, whimsical, forest-themed center for children features hands-on activities and programs surrounded by captivating creatures. Interact with Stanley throughout the voyage — at photo ops, story time, bear games, and crafts! You can even get your own Stanley exclusively on board and bring him home as a reminder of your special journey. And don’t forget to share your adventures on social media with #StanleyAtSea.
The kids can hop around and burn off energy at the bungee Sky Zone, make a new friend at the Build-A-Bear Workshop at Sea, play mini golf, spend the day at the arcade, or compete in a friendly game of basketball. The sizable suites and staterooms are family-friendly and accommodate larger groups of up to eight. Your room includes concierge and butler service, large rooms for privacy, and a balcony you’ll love to look out from. Family fun awaits at every turn, such as arcades, pinball, water slides and pools, rock-climbing walls, mini golf, and plenty of other organized sports like soccer, baseball, basketball, and bowling. Pools are also divided for guests of varying ages, such as the Quiet Cove Pool for guests 18 and older, splash pads for kids three and under, and Satellite Falls for adults. Go ahead and put your feet up — this is a teens-only space where you can hang out and just chill, play games and video games, and even compete in tournaments.
Carnival Mardi Gras, which launched in 2021, features the first-ever rollercoaster at sea. There are waterslides aplenty and you’ll also find Dr Seuss characters on board. On sailings from the UK you can expect a lot of British travellers, whereas, on Caribbean sailings, the passengers will be mostly American.
Royal Caribbean excels at offering something for everyone on its ships. It’s a masterpiece that couples beauty with excitement, proving that sophistication can go hand-in-hand with bumper cars and skydiving simulators. The Royal Caribbean kids’ program brilliantly integrates educational components with sheer fun, ensuring that young minds grow even as they frolic. Stateroom configurations range from inside to suites and can accommodate between 2 and 4 guests. This information can be found on the highlights page of each sailing’s itinerary.
As the Mediterranean line grows its U.S.-based fleet, it is staying attuned to the needs of traveling families. The underdog on our list, MSC Cruises might not be a household name yet, but any cruise line that has a partnership with Lego should be on every family's radar. Want to try surfing, sky diving, rock climbing, laser tag, go-karts or zip lining?
It's called Surfside and is an open-air space located at the back of the ship. It will feature a splash area with junior waterslides for kids and an infinity pool for adults. It will also have a beach-themed carousel, dry playground, arcade, multiple family-friendly restaurants (so you don't have to go far when hunger strikes) and a mommy-and-me cocktail/mocktail bar. Embarking on a family cruise transforms from mundane to magical when the accommodations cater to each family member’s needs. My experience tells me that the best cruise ship suites for kids and adults are more than mere sleeping quarters; they’re vibrant hubs where memories are made.