Families with young children should choose cruises tailored to both parents and children’s needs and interests. Many offer excellent kids clubs, facilities for babies and toddlers, sports activities galore, as well as family shows that will delight everyone.
Royal Caribbean’s Oasis of the Seas offers an excellent kids club for toddlers with baby-specific activities and plenty of private areas. Additionally, it has a wonderful kids’ cinema.
1. Royal Caribbean’s Oasis of the Seas
Royal Caribbean’s newest cruise ship, Oasis of the Seas, arrived from STX Europe in Turku on October 28th 2009 and made her maiden voyage from Port Everglades in Fort Lauderdale on December 5th 2009. Now officially the world’s largest ship, Oasis offers an array of remarkable amenities that are set to revolutionize cruise travel forever.
Oasis of the Seas’ split superstructure has created an expansive interior that feels unlike anything else at sea. With fewer cabin hallways, public rooms lining a central space and pools up top, Oasis is one of the world’s airiest ships – giving guests a real sense of being outdoors.
Young kids are well catered for – from story circles and interactive play, to group games and camps. The complimentary Adventure Ocean program for children 6 months to 17 years old provides a range of activities and spaces, including private family areas.
2. Celebrity’s Beyond
Celebrity’s Beyond, the third in their Edge class of ships, offers an affordable luxury experience that rivals anything else on board. This feat was made possible through an extraordinary design collaboration that brought together notable personalities such as Simone Biles, Gwyneth Paltrow, Nate Berkus and Daniel Boulud.
Onboard entertainment features a theater that blurs the line between performer and audience with its 20-foot tall, 4K LED screen and immersive new floor projection technology. Eden, the ship’s magnificent live-performance space, is sure to be one of the highlights of any cruise experience.
3. MSC Cruises’ Meraviglia
MSC Cruises, founded in Italy in 1989 as part of the Mediterranean Shipping Company, has grown into one of the world’s largest cruise lines. Its ships sail year-round from Brooklyn’s Red Hook cruise terminal with various itineraries to places such as Bahamas, Bermuda, Florida and Canada.
Families with young children will love the MSC Meraviglia. It offers weeklong Mediterranean cruises and three to 14 night Caribbean and Bahamas itineraries that provide a range of activities – including exclusive Cirque du Soleil shows!
MSC also offers a LEGO partnership and frequent Kids Under 11 Sail Free promotions. Furthermore, the line has an expansive kids club for guests of all ages with age-based areas, theaters and 3D printing labs.
4. AmaWaterways’ AmaLea
AmaWaterways has recently unveiled their newest river cruise ship, AmaLea. Owned and operated by a family-run business, this line of custom-designed ships sails the waterways of Europe, Asia and Africa. Constructed in 2018, this Concerto-class vessel offers many features only found on larger luxury longships.
AmaWaterways offers a selection of itineraries and fares tailored to families. Their European itineraries feature plenty of included shore excursions led by knowledgeable guides, giving guests the freedom to customize their travel experience.
AmaWaterways has also joined Disney for Adventures by Disney departures, which feature activities and onboard entertainment that encourage children to explore the culture of each destination. During these voyages, eight Disney counselors join us and lead activities tailored for different age groups.
5. UnCruise Adventures’ Wild Alaska
UnCruise Adventures’ Wild Alaska offers one of the premier small ship cruises to view pods of humpback whales, sea otters and sea lions up close. Plus you’ll have access to expert guided kayaking, hiking and skiff tours that are included in your cruise price – all led by experienced guides!
Itineraries depart and arrive in Juneau, Alaska but spend most of the week outdoors. The company offers a diverse range of itineraries throughout North America’s coastal, island and inland waters – from Alaska south to Mexico’s Sea of Cortes; plus stops in Hawaii, Costa Rica and Panama.
Safari Quest and Safari Explorer offer accommodations for passengers ranging in size from 22 to 86. Their smallest vessel (Safari Quest) features a wet bathroom the size of an airplane toilet while Safari Explorer caters to larger groups with more compact bathrooms.