Family cruises are a fantastic way for the whole family to get together and enjoy themselves aboard a fun-filled and feature-packed cruise vessel. However, some parents may be worried that their children might get bored on a long voyage and that there will be no facilities and activities aimed directly at young people. They could not be more wrong! Many of the biggest cruise lines have designed their ships to cater to both kids and adults, with facilities including casinos and spas for the grown-ups alongside kid’s clubs and water slides for their children. This blog will discuss which cruise lines offer the best activities for kids, so parents can enjoy some time away from their children and young cruisers can have the time of their life at sea!
Royal Caribbean
Family cruises were at the forefront of Royal Caribbean’s mind when they decided which features and facilities to include on their vessels. Young people can have a blast at the Adventure Ocean Youth Programme for kids and teens aged 3 to 17, with different activities aimed at the appropriate age groups. Even younger passengers aged between 6 and 36 months old – and their parents – can spend time at the Fischer-Price Playgroup whilst at sea, a programme developed by the experts from Fischer-Price.
Aside from the excellent on-board kid’s clubs, younger guests can enjoy a range of exciting facilities, including the thrilling Flowrider surf simulator, rock-climbing wall and Water Park. Royal Caribbean also offer dining aimed at the young and young-at-heart at Johnny Rocket’s, where guests can pick up a tasty burger and chips meal.
Carnival
Camp Carnival is the perfect place for kid’s to enjoy themselves and meet other travellers of a similar age whilst at sea with Carnival Cruises. This excellent kid’s club offers an array of terrific activities for children of all ages, dividing them into age groups of 2 to 5 year olds, 6 to 8 year olds and 9 to 11 year olds, so everyone can hang out with someone their own age.
The expert Camp Carnival counsellors are always on hand to take care of your kids and make sure everyone is having fun while you enjoy the ship’s more grown-up facilities. The club will also provide your kids with tasty meals, such as mac & cheese and chicken nuggets. The Camp Carnival Night Owls club will also take care of young guests late into the night, so parents can enjoy the ship’s evening entertainment without distraction.
P&O
P&O Cruises offer a fabulous kid’s club, named The Reef, where children can enjoy a host of wonderful activities lead by the dedicated and charismatic Reef Rangers. Children are split up into appropriate groups so everyone can have fun with people of the same age – ‘Splashers’ for 2 to 4 year olds, ‘Surfers’ for 5 – 8 year olds, ‘Scubas’ for 9 – 12 year olds and ‘h2o’ for teens aged 13 to 17.
Children are also provided with their own separate menus at dinner time, featuring an array of kid’s favourite meals, such as pizza, sausages and fish fingers as well as healthier options including salads, soups, fruits and pasta. Kids are also welcome to take a dip in the pool to cool off or enjoy the vessel’s range of other entertainment and activities.
Thomson
Thomson Cruises sometimes offer cheaper prices for children, which is all the more reason to embark on an exciting family cruises with the kids. Once on-board, the Kidzone and Palmy Children’s Club provide the ideal place to keep younger passengers thoroughly entertained throughout their voyage. These action-packed and exciting kid’s clubs offer a range of activities from story-telling challenges to mini discos. The Kidzone is a great place for guests aged 3 to 11 to meet new friends and Palmy Children’s Club provides bucket-loads of fun for kids aged 3 to 12.
Many of the on-board restaurants also provide additional children’s menus filled with tasty meals, so even the fussiest eaters will find exactly what they want to eat whilst at sea.
MSC
MSC Cruises have also adopted a family-friendly philosophy, offering excellent family cruises for everyone. Kids aged 3 to 17 can be left in the capable hands of highly-trained crew members, whose main job is make sure young cruisers have as much fun as possible. The on-board children’s programmes run from 9am until 10pm, so parents can have all day away from the kids if they wish and vice versa.
The activities on offer at MSC’s fabulous children’s clubs include live shows, sports tournaments, parties, arts and crafts and much more to keep them occupied all day long. Many of the line’s vessels also boast a state-of-the art video arcade, which has become a firm favourite amongst younger passengers.
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