| Best Cruise Ships For
The Family Vacation |
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Choosing the best cruise for your family is a lot more
complicated these days than it used to be. Key factors to evaluate are
ages (some ships are better for infants than others, and ditto for
teens) and itineraries (Alaska and Caribbean are super destinations that
tend to be kid-friendly). Add to the mix the fact that not all cruise
lines' ships are identical -- and some are better than others in terms
of onboard accouterments (we tend to recommend cruise lines' newer ships
because these vessels' kid facilities were designed for families, not
just adapted).
Check out Cruise Critic's Editor's Picks favorite family options --
keeping in mind that while these are their favorite choices, by no means
do we mean to imply that unmentioned cruise lines (and ships) won't
offer your family an excellent vacation.
Disney's Disney Magic and Disney Wonder
You have to start with Disney because it (naturally) revolutionized
family cruising when it launched Disney Magic in 1998. That's because
the Disney fleet has the most imaginative play space afloat, with plenty
of activities for kids from 6 weeks old to 17 years of age. Parents stay
connected to their child with a standard issue Motorola Text Pager for
messages and reminders about their child's schedule including pick-up
times. An entire deck is dedicated to two large playrooms, where kids
can dress up in Disney costumes and climb on playground equipment. The
Flounder's Reef Nursery is the largest baby center at sea geared for
children aged 6 weeks to 3 years, loaded with toys, cribs, swings and
everything else baby needs for a fun time at sea. A limited number of
infants are accepted each cruise, so get there early to reserve a space;
there's an additional charge. There is a teens-only coffeehouse and
disco, and even parents get some time alone in adult-only venues,
ranging from a dedicated pool area to a fabulous spa to the romantic
Palo's restaurant. The major differences between the two ships are more
than cosmetic -- Disney Magic sails seven-night alternating Eastern and
Western Caribbean cruises (and next summer will spend a few months in
the Mexican Riviera), while Disney Wonder handles the three- and
four-day itineraries.
Royal Caribbean's
Voyager of the Seas,
Adventure of the Seas, Explorer of the Seas, Navigator of the Seas,
Mariner of the Seas Voyager, Adventure, Explorer, Navigator and Mariner
of the Seas -- Royal Caribbean's biggest ships to date -- are
fantastic for kids of all ages, but particularly for older children
(10-plus). That's because they're equipped with fantastic recreational
features, including an ice rink, rock-climbing wall, miniature golf, and
roller-blading. Adventure Ocean offers supervised programs for ages 3 -
17 divided into four groups -- and the facilities are super and state of
the art. Teens have their own disco, DJ booth and soda bar. Plus there's
miniature golf, a full basketball court, ice-skating rink, rock-climbing
wall and in-line skating. Another major plus? Johnny Rocket's, a fun
national chain of hamburger eateries, has restaurants onboard
Voyager-class ships -- they're big kid-pleasers.
Crystal's Symphony and Harmony
Crystal is really marketing itself to the multi-generational family
traveler, offering top-notch kids programs (facilities have been
revamped and upgraded on both ships) -- particularly on sailings in
destinations like Alaska and generally during school holiday seasons. As
a result, Crystal Symphony and Crystal Harmony are great choices for
grandparents, parents and kids all traveling together. The cruise line's
Junior Activities Program divides kids into three categories (3 - 7, 8 -
12, and 13 - 17). Ships offer a teen's video arcade beyond the usual
kid-oriented facilities.
Carnival's Spirit, Pride, Legend and Miracle
Carnival's Spirit-class ships (Carnival Spirit, Carnival Pride, Carnival
Legend and Carnival Miracle) introduce some crowd-pleasing firsts for
Carnival. Camp Carnival is centered on a 2,400-square ft. enclosed play
area on Deck 5, away from adult activities. The Fun House is
headquarters to a supervised program, divided by age groups, offering
children's activities for kids aged 2 - 15. Three areas are connected by
tunnels: one area for crafts, a second one for computer games and a
third for games; there's also a video wall for movies and cartoons. One
deck below is an arcade with both virtual-reality and video games. An
outdoor play area offers mini-basketball, jungle gyms and other
playground equipment. A children's wading pool and a corkscrew water
slide are also available for fun at sea. Carnival offers a Fountain Fun
card, good for unlimited soft drinks during a one-week voyage for
$19.95. Baby-sitting for children ages 2 and older from 10 p.m. until 3
a.m. at the Fun House ($5 per hour for the first child, $3 for each
additional child in the same family). We love these ships' Supper Clubs;
Carnival's first "alternative" restaurant, they're great for a "mom and
dad" night out.
Princess' Golden Princess, Grand Princess, Star Princess, and
Caribbean Princess
Sisters Golden, Grand, Star and Caribbean Princess are big, and filled
with appealing public spaces -- including graceful three-story open
decks with colorful mosaic-tiled pools and whirlpools. Their charm and
abundant activity programs keep these ships a cut above the mass-market
competition. These elegant ships offer many activities for kids from
ages 3 - 16. Younger children keep busy in the Fun Zone, a cheerful
two-deck play area with games, arts and crafts, and a splash pool, while
teens enjoy a mini-golf course, a private disco and separate area for
sunbathing -- plus a pizzeria and an ice cream shop. Princess'
"Adventures Ashore" tour program offers a wide range of excursions
appealing to families, with special rates for children 12 and under.
Caribbean Princess has a unique-to-cruising feature that's worth booking
this ship alone -- Movies Under the Stars, a drive-in style outdoor film
area. Entertainment staffers put on family matinees during the
afternoon.
Carnival's Conquest, Victory, Glory and Carnival Valor
Conquest-class ships Carnival Conquest, Carnival Victory, Carnival Glory
and Carnival Valor -- Carnival's biggest -- attract the most families,
with a large variety of entertainment and dining options, spacious and
comfortable cabins, friendly and professional service, and an
exceptional value for the dollar. The Camp Carnival program includes an
outdoor area with a kid pool and playhouse for younger children, plus
Children's World featuring arts and crafts, an activity wall and a bank
of educational computer games. Teens enjoy 214-foot water slides,
24-hour pizzerias and video arcades and their own Internet stations in a
coffeehouse environment.
Celebrity's Millennium, Infinity, Summit and Constellation
Millennium, Infinity, Summit and Constellation, Celebrity's "newest
models," have garnered rave reviews from Cruise Critic's readers.
Constellation's Fun Factory program is divided into four categories:
Shipmates (3 - 6), Cadets (7 - 9), Ensigns (10 - 12) and Admiral T's (13
- 17). Activities for the first three are slated for mornings and
afternoons (on port days too) and break for mealtimes (though some
feature special kid-only meals). Teens have their own "space" called The
Tower.
Norwegian Cruise Line's Norwegian Star, Norwegian Sun and Norwegian
Dawn
This line's "Freestyle Cruising" program offers families an unregimented
voyage with a good price tag. Sun and Dawn offer a kids' buffet is a
highlight where wee ones can serve themselves and sit at child-size
tables and chairs. There are numerous activities for kids ages 3 - 17,
including a playroom, movie theater, jungle gym, computer area, painting
area, and Water World -- with slides, a toddler-size slide and a wading
pool stocked with kid-size lounge chairs. The Teen Club has a disco
strictly for teenagers, a cinema and Video Zone with 25 video games.
End of
article
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The above
information is presumed to be timely, but may not be up-to-date
and is subject to change without notice.
Information source: Cruise Line
International Association. Visit the CLIA at
www.cruising.org for further
information.
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agency member of the Cruise Line International Association.
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