TRAVEL
Best Cruise Lines for Kids
Source: Disney Cruise Line
Cruising has become so popular with families cruise liners are now bringing out larger ships with more amenities geared towards their pint-sized passengers. Taking a cruise can be a wonderful family vacation with kid-focused activities and clubs that allow mom and dad time to relax and enjoy some time together. Here our some of the best cruise liners for kids.
Royal Caribbean
Thanks to Royal Caribbean’s ‘Kids Club’ you probably won’t be seeing much of you adorable tot once onboard. They are the largest kids club in cruising and cater to ages three up through those pesky teenage years. The ‘Kids Club’ is divided by age – Aquanauts cater to 3 to 5 year olds, Explorer, 6 to 8 year olds, and Voyagers are for kids aged between 9 and 11. Tweens and teens get their own special teen lounge, rock wall and various other activities, including a special spa treatment. For those families with infants and toddlers, Royal Caribbean’s ‘Royal Tots and Babies’ offer parent accompanied classes and drop-off babysitting services.
Norwegian – Escape Cruise Ship
Just like Royal Caribbean, the Norwegian Escape offers their own kids club called the Norwegian Splash Academy, which divides groups up according to age. The 2-story splash academy offers the largest water park at sea and includes rock climbing and a ropes course. Teens and tweens will love the Entourage, which is their own special place away from annoying younger siblings eager to cramp their style. There is also drop off childcare for younger children, so mom and dad can snag some alone time. Families can also book ‘The Haven’ – a two-bedroom family suite which sleeps up to six passengers.
Carnival – Vista
Camp Ocean is Carnival Vista’s kids club, with children aged 2 – 5 spending time in the Penguin club, Stingrays are for 6 – 8 year olds, and 9 – 11 year olds in the Sharks program. Pre-teens aged 12 – 14 get their own club and 15 – 17 year olds can enjoy Club O2 Teens. The Vista comes complete with a Waterworks Aqua Park, a Sports Square with mini golf, basketball, foosball and sky ride cycling. The ship also has a huge multiplex cinema so kids can watch the newest releases.
Disney – Dream & Fantasy
What cruise liner for kids list would be complete with Disney Cruises. These liners are best for kids under the age of 12 and the cruise ship allows multi-aged kids in their Oceaneer Club and Oceaneer Lab – a bonus if mom wants an older sibling to stay with a younger brother, or sister. The Oceaneer Club consists of themed play areas, including Andy’s Room (Toy Story), Monsters Academy (Fantasy ship only), and Millennium Falcon Replica (Dream ship only). The Oceaneer Lab will appeal to your budding filmmaker with an animator’s studio and mini sound lab. The Disney Dream and Fantasy ships have magic play floors, which allow kids to use their feet to play interactive games. Parents with small infants and toddlers will appreciate the ‘no fee’ nursery for little ones aged 6 months to 3 years. Princesses in the making can get a makeover at the Bippity Boppity Boutique and families can watch first-run movies at the Walt Disney Theatre. Of course kids love the water and Disney Dream and Fantasy offer Mickey’s Pool for younger children, and Donald’s Pool for families to use. There is also an Aqua Dunk Water Slide and best of all the ships pull up to their own private island in the Bahamas, called Castaway Cay!
