What Are the Best Cruise Lines for Families? (2023)

FAQs

What Are the Best Cruise Lines for Families? ›

A seven-night cruise is usually the best option for a family getaway. While your wallet or schedule might require a shorter sailing or permit a longer voyage, plan a week-long vacation — at least for your first cruise or two.

A seven-night cruise is usually the best option for a family getaway. While your wallet or schedule might require a shorter sailing or permit a longer voyage, plan a week-long vacation — at least for your first cruise or two.

There's so much to do on a cruise, there's little likelihood you'll hear your kids complain, “I'm bored,” once you're on board the ship. Indeed, there are ample amenities and activities on a cruise ship to appeal to all ages, making it the perfect vacation solution for multigenerational trips.

If you're a parent trying to plan a vacation, you may be wondering if a cruise is a kid-friendly option. Cruises promise low-stress and big fun and provide a balance between family togetherness, kids-only time and adult-only time. Cruises, which have plenty of activities to keep adults happy, are also great for kids.

Viking's ocean ships debuted as kid-free ships, and the line recently changed their river cruise ships to reflect the same — you won't find anyone under 18 when sailing with Viking.

starboard side of the ship is best to stay on. Your decision will depend on a variety of factors, from your stateroom type to your cruise itinerary. Here are helpful tips for choosing which side of the ship will suit you best.

In our travel agency, we find that the Mediterranean and Northern Europe dominate our ocean cruise bookings. After that, we find that Alaska, Canada/New England, Australia/New Zealand, South America, Panama Canal, Antarctica, and the Caribbean round out our list of the most popular destinations for ocean cruising.

The cruise line is most popular for offering low fares to sail but plenty of family-friendly activities onboard that won't cost you extra. In fact, Carnival Cruise Line was one of the first companies to make cruising accessible to travelers who couldn't afford the traditional luxury liners.

Are children full price on a cruise? ›

Cruise fares are per person which includes children and infants. When traveling with two full fare guests, additional guests in the same stateroom pay a discounted cruise fare. Children less than 2 years of age are not required to extend gratuities.

November through April is the dry season, and these months are marked by unbelievably clear days when almost any plans you make are safe from the weather's interruption. For this reason, the dry season is one of the best times to go on a cruise to the idyllic Caribbean islands.

If you're bringing the whole family, a 5 or 7 day cruise might be the best way to make sure everyone has an awesome getaway. And for those lucky folks with even more time to spare, a cruise of 10 days or more will give you an incredible experience of all the best things a cruise has to offer.

The biggest potential danger is that veranda balconies have furniture—typically a low table and two chairs—which a small child could, potentially, push next to the railing and climb upon.

Carnival Cruise Kids Activities

Carnival, which carries more children than any other cruise line, boasts plenty of activities for all ages. Depending on which ship you choose, you'll find planning activities like cooking lessons, video games, laser tag, and water parks for kids.

On all cruises and cruise journeys, minors under the age of 18 must be accompanied and share a cabin with a parent, legal guardian or other responsible adult over the age of 21.

Kids Sail Free offer details

The exact offer details may vary, but Royal Caribbean's Kids Sail Free offers are usually consistent in their basics. Third guests and higher who are 12 years old or younger on select 4 nights or longer sailings are eligible for free cruise fare.

Children aged 17 years and under will require a passport or Birth Certificate to travel or government issued photo ID. Children under 16 years of age, who do not have a passport or Photo ID, must have a copy of their birth certificate or their parents Medicare Card.

When traveling with a minor where one parent or both parents or legal guardians are not cruising, we strongly recommend bringing an original signed letter from the absent parent(s) or legal guardians authorizing the minor to travel with you.

Which cruise room category is less expensive? ›

Inside cabins are a great value play

Because most cruisers prefer a balcony, or at least a window, inside cabins are considered the least desirable cabin option. Therefore, the cheapest way to cruise is generally in an inside cabin. On all big ships, the base rates you see are for interior rooms.

Babies and toddlers don't eat much or take up much space, so you'd think they'd be free, right? Wrong! Most cruise lines treat babies and children under the age of two no differently than any other child, meaning that if you have only one adult and a baby in a cabin, you'd have to pay the full adult fare for the baby.

If you're after views, the best room on a cruise ship will be a balcony cabin at the ship's rear end. Aft balcony accommodations at the ship's corners are also the largest and often give more outside area than conventional balcony cabins, allowing you to enjoy both the beautiful views and the extra space.

Balcony cabins on cruise ships are more spacious due to the outside space. They have spectacular ocean views, fresh sea air, and a private seating area. Although these cabins are more expensive, the rewards of a private balcony sometimes outweigh the cost. If it fits within your budget, balcony cabins are worth it!

The back of the ship tends to be considered the next best cabin position after midships. Whilst the front of the ship gets the most movement the back also does get some. Whilst it's nowhere near as bad as the front of the ship, you may still notice some movement in rough seas.

If seasickness is a worry of yours, the best way to avoid that is getting a room in the center of the ship. As cruise ships tend to bob on waves and slightly roll from side to side, the heart of the ship is its only part that stays virtually in the same place.

Choosing the Wrong Location to Avoid Motion Sickness.

The lower and more centrally located your stateroom is on a cruise ship means the lower the possible threat of seasickness.

Carnival is known for its budget-friendly cruises, with plenty of options for those looking to save money on their vacation. On the other hand, Norwegian Cruise Line often positions itself as a more premium brand, with higher-end amenities and experiences that come at a higher price point.

Carnival Cruise Line identifies their target customers as those who like to "Choose Fun" and live life to the fullest. Carnival Cruise Line has a broad consumer appeal, attracting families, couples, singles, and seniors and carrying nearly one million children each year.

Is Carnival Celebration family friendly? ›

Carnival Celebration is a very family friendly ship with three age-specific youth venues, a video games area, mini-golf, the WaterWorks wet area, the Family Harbor cabin neighborhood with its own lounge and shows and movies and games that are family inclusive.

Although vaccines are not required, we encourage all guests 5 years of age and older to be up to date with their COVID-19 vaccines, when eligible, and carry proof of vaccination.

Minor children under 16 years of age must be accompanied by an adult (18 years or older) within the same travel group in order to debark the ship in port.

Do I need a passport? We recommend that everyone taking a cruise from the United States have a passport book. Though some “closed-loop” cruises may not require a U.S. passport, we recommend bringing yours in case of an emergency, such as an unexpected medical air evacuation or the ship docking at an alternate port.

The risk of a COVID-19 outbreak is higher when a lot of people share a common space, like a cruise ship. Most cruise lines have dropped vaccination and testing requirements. Consider your risk level based on your health status before booking a cruise, and take precautions while on board to avoid getting sick.

What months should you not go on a Caribbean cruise? You can expect the highest level of rainfall in the Caribbean between the months of May and November. September and October are peak hurricane seasons, so there's a higher chance of disruption and some ports of call may be cancelled or changed.

Traditionally, the cheapest months to book a cruise have been January, February, and March, which are also known as "wave season." The trio of months often welcome industry-wide sales that can extend further than just a reduction on cruise fares.

Many people suggest $100 per day, and this has generally worked well for me in my cruising experiences, but there are a lot of variables to consider.

Storms in August and October have a moderate risk of developing into hurricanes while September has the highest risk of all. For these reasons, September is the worst month of the year to take a cruise.

Keep young children under close supervision at all times. The guardrails on most cruise ships are at least 42-inches high, which makes them a challenge for a young child to scale, but kids should definitely not climb them or sit on top. And it's a good idea to be careful any time you're near the edge of the ship.

Is cruise good for kids? ›

If you're a parent trying to plan a vacation, you may be wondering if a cruise is a kid-friendly option. Cruises promise low-stress and big fun and provide a balance between family togetherness, kids-only time and adult-only time. Cruises, which have plenty of activities to keep adults happy, are also great for kids.

Sea sickness isn't often a problem for kids on big cruise ships, but you do have some options to treat and prevent motion sickness, whether it is in a boat, plane, or car.

Viking River Cruises and Viking Ocean Cruises

Viking's ocean ships debuted as kid-free ships, and the line recently changed their river cruise ships to reflect the same — you won't find anyone under 18 when sailing with Viking.

Luxury Ships

The intimate ships of high-end lines like Silversea Cruises, Seabourn Cruise Line, SeaDream Yacht Club and Regent Seven Seas Cruises (or ultra-premium lines, such as Oceania Cruises, Windstar Cruises, Azamara and Viking Ocean Cruises) are refined, dignified and geared to adults.

Virgin Voyages, the cruise line created by British mogul Richard Branson, has two adult-only ships already sailing the seas, Scarlet Lady and Valiant Lady, and two more sets to debut in 2023.

Family staterooms are cabins designed to accommodate families. The amenities vary by cabin type and by cruise ship, but most can sleep at least four and sometimes up to 10. These cabins might have sleeping areas in separate rooms or have a room-dividing blackout curtain that you can pull closed for privacy.

Since cabins occupied by only one passenger do not bring in as much revenue, cruise lines levy a “single supplement” charge to make up for some of the lost revenue the additional passenger would have paid.

Tip: Unlike hotel prices, cruise fares are listed per person, not per cabin, with rates based on two people occupying a stateroom. Cruise lines offer single travelers the opportunity to book a double cabin for themselves by charging a “single supplement,” which is basically 1½ or 2 times the list price for one person.

If you're bringing the whole family, a 5 or 7 day cruise might be the best way to make sure everyone has an awesome getaway. And for those lucky folks with even more time to spare, a cruise of 10 days or more will give you an incredible experience of all the best things a cruise has to offer.

What's the ideal cruise length for a first-timer? A week or so is the sweet spot for most first-time cruisers, which will offer three to six ports. Three-day sampler itineraries won't allow you to explore more than one or two destinations, and you can't decompress as thoroughly, either.

What is the most common length for a vacation cruise? ›

Yes! Cruise lengths can run anywhere from a two-night cruise to 250-plus-day world cruises. If you don't have a lot of time, look for two- to four-night weekend itineraries. The average cruise sailings range from five to 14 nights.

As you would expect, Disney Cruise Line's ships are all well suited for the brand's target audience --children between the ages of 4 and 11. But, as the line's youngest and most modern ship, Disney Fantasy offers a particularly special experience for the whole family.

On the average 7-day sailing with a mainstream cruise line a person will spend $1,300 – $2,000.

Since you most likely will be doing a lot of walking and standing in line, comfortable shoes are key. Dress casually, and don't be surprised to see tropical wear on Caribbean cruises or even groups in matching T-shirts. Also make sure you check the weather beforehand.

Although the bulk of sailings are about seven nights, itineraries range anywhere from five to 15 nights. Shorter three- and four-night cruises are also available. These itineraries are often touted as "Western Caribbean" and focus on ports mostly in the Bahamas, Florida, and Mexico.

The nicest and most expensive cabins on any ship are generally on the highest decks. That typically means just below the pool deck. However, the pool deck is often the loudest during the day (and often well into the night).

Travelers under the age of 21 must share a cabin with a parent or guardian. Certain cruises require passengers 21 to 24 years old to be accompanied by someone 25 years or older. Minimum age to leave a Costa ship on your own: Passengers must be 18 or older to go on a ship-sponsored shore excursion on their own.

The average age of a cruise passenger is 47 years old. However, people in their forties make up only 15% of cruise passengers. Most cruises have a mix of all ages, from children to pensioners.

July and August. Now we enter the peak season for many cruise lines and destinations, specifically the Caribbean and other beach destinations. This is when you'll experience the largest crowds and the most expensive cruises.

What is the cheapest month to go on a Mediterranean cruise? ›

Cheap Mediterranean Cruises

The months of October through April offer the best prices, with early fall being the cheapest time of year to cruise. In the autumn, the weather is much more pleasant, and the ports are less crowded. Being the off-season, you can also experience rain.

Kids Cruise Free Offer: Guests ages 18 and under (“children”) are eligible to travel free (Taxes, Fees & Port Expenses are additional) when booked as a 3rd and/or 4th guest on select cruises. Limit up to two free children per eligible booking. Offer excludes Alaska cruisetours; other exclusions may apply.

Guests ages 13 and above are charged a reduced adult fare, while Guests ages 3-12 are charged a child rate. Guests under the age of three also have a reduced rate. The Disney Cruise Line website has wonderful resources to help you narrow down your search for the perfect cruise.

Guests ages 13-17 are charged an adult fare, while Guests ages 3-12 are charged a child rate. There is an even lower rate for Guests under the age of three. The Disney Cruise Line offers a variety of itineraries to suit your vacation dreams and a variety of staterooms to suit your vacation needs.