If you’re cruising with family, there’s no need to worry about anyone getting bored and the majority of cruise lines offer kids’ services, facilities and entertainment, ensuring the little ones are kept entertained. The majority of cruise lines also offer family-friendly staterooms and suites with additional sleeping arrangements, which not only save you money on the cost of your cruise fare but keep the whole family together.
Here are a few of our favourite cruise lines and their family-friendly offerings.
Royal Caribbean
A brilliantly family-focused cruise line, Royal Caribbean’s offerings seem endless. From rock-climbing walls to surf machines, dodgems to basketball courts, there are some great activities. But it doesn’t end there for your kids.
Their Youth Programme is fantastic, placing children in groups with others of similar ages giving them friends for the whole holiday. They can be taken for dinner with their club too, leaving you the opportunity to dine à deux. Or take the whole family for a hotdog at Johnny Rocket’s (and enjoy one yourself!). Plus, you will never forget their faces when you take them to the DreamWorks® Experience, full of fun with character meet and greets and parades which bring the kids’ favourite movies to life. Royal Caribbean’s award-winning Adventure Ocean® is already filled to the brim with exciting activities – just imagine how exciting it will be when their favourite characters pop in for some fun! These popular characters will interact with the kids in fun activities such as story time, dance parties and more.
Celebrity Cruises
On-board Celebrity’s ships you’ll find dedicated Xbox stations and mobile consoles, creating one of the largest digital game and entertainment experiences at sea. Whether playing solo, or participating in an Xbox tournament or gaming theme night, there’s something for everyone in your family—from our youngest gamer to our most savvy teens. There is even programming for adults (but we won’t let the kids in on that little secret).
Celebrity cruises also have a programme for budding young directors and screenwriters where they will be taught how to create a film from scratch and there’s even an awards ceremony! There are fantastic youth programmes with activities arranged by age group, from games and treasure hunts for the little ones, to teens-only late night dances. There’s so much on-board to suit the whole family.
Norwegian Cruise Line
When it comes to keeping the kids happy, Norwegian Cruise Line have got it all covered. From dodgeball to cupcake decorating, the cruise line even offers complimentary youth programmes to keep your kids occupied throughout your cruise.
Guppies programme is for parents and babies 6-months to three years, offering hosted activities and open play. Splash Academy is for three to 12 year-olds, and Entourage is for ages 13 to 17-years, offering lounge areas and places to hang out with others of the same age. Parents can also drop off the kids at the Late Night Port Play, where kids between the ages of 3 to 12 can relax during the days at port.
Sticking to their freestyle policy, you will find a host of suites and staterooms on-board your vessel to ensure that you find the perfect accommodation for you and your family.
MSC Cruises
No one understands families better than MSC Cruises and they will ensure you and your loved ones enjoy every moment to the full. The Aqua Park, pools, water slide and games consoles are all included and much more.
The family will always be made to feel welcome with MSC Cruises – special welcomes, beepers and a whole programme of activities, social events and entertainment all combine to make it the perfect family holiday. Your children are free to explore a social life of their own, meeting new friends from around the world in a safe environment on a holiday they’ll never forget. As for the grown-ups, you can relax in the knowledge that your children are being looked after and are enjoying the time of their lives.
Carnival Cruises
The award winning Carnival youth program is certainly one they are proud of and it’s not hard to see why. With pool parties, dance competitions, arts and crafts, video games, exclusive teen shore excursions, sleepovers and karaoke, your youngsters certainly won’t be bored on their holiday. Additionally, on-board you can expect waterslides, spray fountains, countless swimming pool and on Carnival Vista the first ever IMAX screen. In the evenings, Carnival ships truly come alive, when you can enjoy exceptional production shows in the show lounge
Here at Cruise118, we have a team of dedicated Cruise Concierge who are on-hand to help to plan every aspect of your cruise. If you’d like some help in choosing the ship that’s best for your family or any advice about the types of staterooms that are available to accommodate you, please don’t hesitate to give us a call on 0808 1234 118.
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