The Best Cruise Lines for Families

Over the past few months, I have joined quite a few forums to assist travelers. One of the most frequent questions I see among new potential cruisers is which cruise line is best for a family. There are a few things you need to think about first in order to determine which ship is best for you. After that, you can pick from the best cruise lines for families.

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Premium Family Option

Disney Cruise Line

• Disney currently has 4 ships (Magic, Wonder, Dream, and Fantasy) with a new one on the way (Wish).
• What’s included: Food (except specialty restaurants), Character Meet n Greets, Soft Drinks, Onboard Entertainment, Stateroom, kids program, and onboard activities.
• Onboard Ship Features (vary per ship): Themed kids areas, Aquaduck Slide, Adults Only Pool, Kids themed pools, Broadway-style shows, and Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique.
• The kids’ programs are spaced out for different age groups.
• Primarily sails in the Caribbean, Mexico, Bahamas, Alaska, and Europe.
• Has a private island in the Bahamas called Castaway Cay where food and some activities are included.
• PRO: Extended kids hours included compared to other cruise lines, a more private Disney experience with characters, fireworks at sea, and the excellent Disney Service that is legendary.
• CON: Higher price points out of most family lines. Depending on your teenagers, they might feel as if they’ve outgrown a Disney ship.

Mid Level Family Options

MSC Cruises

• Currently had 13 cruise ships that sail on itineraries all over the world.
• What’s included: Food (except specialty restaurants), Coffee, Tea, Water, Juice, Kids Program, onboard entertainment, Room Service, and Onboard Facilities (Casino, Fitness Center, Card Room, Library, Nightclubs).
• The kids’ programs are spaced out for different age groups.
• Has a private island in the Bahamas called Ocean Cay where food and some activities are included.
• PRO: Has a vast amount of itineraries and ships. They will status match other cruise lines. The newer ships (Grandiosa, Meraviglia) has an expanded ropes course and aqua park.
• CON: Since the cruise line has a strong European following, the entertainment and service could be different than American travelers are used to. You need to reach out to a travel agent to help you navigate this. Some of the older ships are not necessarily best suited for kids.

NCL Cruises

• Currently had 17 cruise ships that sail on itineraries in the Caribbean, Alaska, Asia, Mediterranean, Hawaii, Bahamas, and Northern Europe.
• What’s included: Food (except specialty restaurants), Coffee, Tea, Water, Juice, Kids Program, onboard entertainment, Room Service, and Onboard Facilities (Casino, Fitness Center, Card Room, Library, Nightclubs).
• The kids’ programs are spaced out for different age groups.
• Has a private island in the Bahamas called Great Stirrup Cay where food and some activities are included.
• PRO: Has a vast amount of itineraries and ships. They will status match other cruise lines. The newer ships have go-carting, slides, bowling, trampoline park, mini-golf, and more.
• CON: This line features rotating dining which can be confusing. You need to reach out to a travel agent to help you navigate this. Some of the older ships are not necessarily best suited for kids.

Royal Caribbean

• Currently had 26 cruise ships that sail on itineraries in the Caribbean, Alaska, Asia, Mediterranean, Bahamas, and Northern Europe.
• What’s included: Food (except specialty restaurants), Coffee, Tea, Water, Juice, Kids Program, onboard entertainment, Room Service, and Onboard Facilities (Casino, Fitness Center, Card Room, Library, Nightclubs).
• The kids’ programs are spaced out for different age groups.
• Has a private island in the Bahamas called Coco Cay where food and some activities are included.
• PRO: Has a vast amount of itineraries and ships. Their mega Oasis Class Ships have revolutionized the cruise industry with their neighborhoods and massive slides. Onboard these ships you will find ice skating rinks, FlowRiders, Ziplines, and more. Some of these great features are available on their smaller ships as well.
• CON: There is a big discrepancy between the ships you see on their commercials and the ships you don’t. You need to reach out to a travel agent to help you navigate this. Some of the older ships are not necessarily best suited for kids.

Economy Family Option

Carnival Cruises

• Currently had 22 cruise ships that sail on itineraries in the Caribbean, Alaska, Asia, Mediterranean, Bahamas, Hawaii, and Northern Europe.
• What’s included: Food (except specialty restaurants), Coffee, Tea, Water, Juice, Kids Program, onboard entertainment, Room Service, and Onboard Facilities (Casino, Fitness Center, Card Room, Library, Nightclubs).
• The kids’ programs are spaced out for different age groups.
• Has a private island in the Bahamas called Half Moon Cay where food and some activities are included.
• PRO: Has a vast amount of itineraries and ships. They typically have the cheapest rates.
• CON: There is a big discrepancy between the ships you see on their commercials and the ships you don’t. You need to reach out to a travel agent to help you navigate this. Some of the older ships are not necessarily best suited for kids.

The biggest thing you need to keep in mind is that each of these cruise lines offers a different experience. Your older kids will likely be more satisfied with lines like NCL and Royal Caribbean whereas little kids would prefer Disney. The crowds are different on these ships. Carnival tends to have a livelier crowd because of the cost so there is a lot more partying onboard.

I personally recommend if this is your first cruise with your family trying Royal Caribbean. They have some of the newest at-sea experiences and their newly renovated ships, Navigator and Mariner, are doing cheaper, short sailings for you to get a taste. As always, I recommend using a travel agent to get the cheapest rate and to help guide you towards picking the right ship.

Thank you for joining me on this article about the best cruise lines for families.

Check out my review of the newly renovated Oasis of the Seas here.