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If you’re planning a family vacation, going on a cruise is a great option. However, cruises aren’t one size fits all. In fact, some cruise lines are more kid-friendly than others.

When planning your family cruise, having activities that your children will enjoy is important. These days, there are some amazing cruise ships with lots to do for every member of the family. With activities like waterslides, ropes courses and kid’s clubs, your kids will not be bored!

In this post, I share the best kid friendly cruises and cruise lines.

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7 Best Family Kid-Friendly Cruise Lines

Let’s take a look at the most kid-friendly cruise lines, cruise ships and what each has to offer.

1. Royal Caribbean

Royal Caribbean is known for having the largest cruise ships in the world. If you’re looking for a cruise line that offers kid-friendly activities and entertainment, it doesn’t get much better than Royal Caribbean.

The great thing about Royal Caribbean cruise ships, is that there is something to do for the whole family.

Tip: Avoid booking smaller Royal Caribbean ships as they have less onboard attractions for active kids and families.

Royal Caribbean Cruise Ships For Kids:

• Wonder of the Seas
• Oasis of the Seas
• Odyssey of the Seas
• Allure of the Seas
• Harmony of the Seas
• Freedom of the Seas

Royal Caribbean Kid-Friendly Activities:

When you cruise with Royal Caribbean, you won’t have to worry about your kids being bored on sea days! Royal Caribbean cruises are filled with fun attractions, engaging activities and enjoyable entertainment.

The shows and entertainment on cruises are often geared towards adults. However, on select Royal Caribbean cruise ships, you’ll find family friendly shows like the Ice Skating Show in Studio B and Aqua Shows in the AquaTheater.

Here’s a list of kid-friendly activities you will find on Royal Caribbean cruises:

• Flow Rider Surf Simulator
• Water Slides
• Zip-Lines
• Rock climbing walls
• Ice skating
• iFly indoor skydiving
• Mini golf
• North star
• Bumper cars
• Arcade
• Ultimate Abbys (10 story dry slide)
• Splash park

Royal Caribbean Kids Club Information:

Royal Caribbean has great youth programs where your kids can participate in scavenger hunts, themed parties and sports. The Adventure Ocean Youth Program separates children by age group.

Here’s how the Royal Caribbean kids club is separated:

• Aquanauts (ages 3-5)
• Explorers (ages 6-8)
• Voyagers (ages 9-12)

For teenagers, there is a teens club which is for 13-17 year olds. Fuel Teen Club and The Living Room are the two areas designated for teenage cruisers.

This is a great place for you teens to hangout, make new friends, play video games and participate in fun activities.

Royal Caribbean Baby and Toddlers Information:

For those with children between 6-36 months, there is a babies and tots program. If you’re cruising with babies and toddlers, you can leave them in a supervised environment throughout the day on select ships.

Available on:

• Adventure of the Seas
• Jewel of the Seas
• Explorer of the Seas

Related: What to Pack for Kids on a Cruise (clothing & essentials)

2. Norwegian Cruise Line

Norwegian Cruise Line is a family friendly cruise line known for having a fun environment and thrilling attractions.

If your kids like water slides, then they will love the water slides on Norwegian. Norwegian has a good mix of thrilling water slides and relaxed, family friendly water slides.

Norwegian Cruise Ships For Kids:

• Norwegian Encore
• Norwegian Joy
• Norwegian Prima
• Norwegian Getaway
• Norwegian Jewel

Norwegian Kid-Friendly Activities:

When it comes to activities and onboard attractions on a cruise ship, it’s hard to beat what Norwegian has to offer. Kids and teenagers love the virtual reality games, the Go-Kart track and the extreme water slides on Norwegian cruises.

Here’s a list of kid-friendly activities you will find on Norwegian cruises:

• Go-Kart track
• Virtual reality games
• Ropes course
• Mini golf
• Sports court
• Rock climbing
• Water slides
• Splash park

Norwegian Kids Club Information:

Norwegian has one of the best kids clubs at sea. As a kid who grew up cruising, I remember going on Norwegian cruises and my parents having trouble getting me out of the kids club!

Here’s how the Norwegian kids club is separated:

• Splash Academy (ages 3-12)
• Entourage (ages 13-17)

If you’re planning to cruise with children or teenagers 17 and under, they will absolutely love the kids clubs and teens clubs onboard Norwegian cruise line.

Related: What’s Included on Norwegian Cruise Line

3. Disney Cruise Line

A Disney cruise is perfect for younger kids and Disney lovers! Since the Disney cruise line makes Disney themed cruises, you can expect Disney themed restaurants, attractions and character meetups.

Disney cruises is catered towards younger kids because of the family-friendly entertainment and activities.

Disney Cruise Ships For Kids:

• Disney Wish
• Disney Dream
• Disney Wonder
• Disney Magic
• Disney Fantasy

Disney Kid-Friendly Activities:

Disney has plenty of kid-friendly activities and entertainment options. There are also live shows like Beauty and the Beast as well as character experiences.

Overall, Disney creates a truly magical experience for its cruisers. If your child is into Disney shows, Star Wars or Marvel movies, then they will love going on a Disney cruise.

Here’s a list of kid-friendly activities you will find on Disney cruise line:

• Water slides
• Character experiences
• Sports court
• Disney character themed deck parties
• Pools
• Hot tubs

Disney Kids Club Information:

Since Disney cruises are designed for kids, their kid’s clubs are top notch. Everything from the organized events, to the friendly staff in the kids club have a very good reputation on Disney cruises.

Here’s how the Disney kids club is separated:

• It’s A Small World Nursery (ages 6 months to 3 years old) – small fee
• Oceaneer Lab (ages 3 to 12)
• Oceaneer Club (ages 3 to 12)
• Edge Club ages (11 to 14)
• Vibe Club ages (14 to 17)

Overall, a Disney cruise is perfect for young children and Disney lovers. When you cruise with Disney, you can expect fun activities, good service and tasty food.

Related: 30 Cruise Cabin Hacks Every Cruiser Needs to Know

4. Carnival Cruise Line

Carnival is known for their affordable cruise prices and their fun ships that the whole family can enjoy. Often referred to as “Americas cruise line”, Carnival is one of the best cruise lines for an affordable family vacation.

Onboard all Carnival cruises, there are plenty of activities that are well suited for children of all ages. Carnival has everything from waterslides, to roller coasters and movie theatres.

Carnival Cruise Ships For Kids:

• Carnival Mardi Gras
• Carnival Celebration
• Carnival Vista
• Carnival Panorama
• Carnival Horizon

Carnival Kid-Friendly Activities:

If you’re cruising with Carnival, your kids will have tons of fun. Whether, if it’s at the kids club, participating in pool-side activities or going on the waterslides and other exciting attractions your children will have a blast!

One of the coolest things about the Carnival Mardi Gras is the Bolt Roller Coaster. This is the first roller coaster on a cruise ship and it’s very exciting for teenagers and thrill chasers.

Here’s a list of kid-friendly activities you will find on Carnival cruise line:

• IMAX theater
• Bolt Roller Coaster
• Water slides
• Splash Parks
• Ropes course
• Family Feud Live
• Mini golf
• Arcade
• Sports court
• Sky Zone trampoline park

Carnival Kids Club Information:

The kids club on Carnival Cruise Line is known for being a fun and safe environment. There will be dancing, movie nights, theme parties and much more.

Here’s how the Carnival kids club is separated:

• Camp Ocean (ages 2-11)
• Circle “C” (ages 12-14)
• Club O2 (ages 15-17)

If you’re cruising with family members that are 17 and under, they will have a blast. Both the kids club and onboard activities are tons of fun and will keep them busy throughout the duration of your cruise.

Related: What to Pack for a Carnival Cruise

5. MSC Cruises

MSC Cruises is a family-friendly cruise line that is well suited for kids of all ages. Onboard MSC ships, you will find plenty of kid-friendly activities that will keep your children busy throughout the duration of your family vacation.

Since MSC is an Italian cruise line, the food options won’t be American style. However, there are still great meals and snacks onboard. If you children love pizza, MSC is known for having the best pizza at sea!

MSC Cruise Ships For Kids:

• MSC Seashore
• MSC Meraviglia
• MSC World Europa
• MSC Seascape
• MSC Seaside

MSC Kid-Friendly Activities:

When it comes to activities and onboard attractions, MSC has some of the best out of any cruise line. Their splash parks are amazing for younger kids and they have thrilling water slides for older kids and teenagers.

On select MSC ships there is “Robotron” which is a robotic arm that holds you and flips you upside down 174 feet above the water. This is the first time this has ever been seen on a cruise ship and thrill seekers absolutely love it!

Here’s a list of kid-friendly activities you will find on MSC cruises:

• Water slides
• Splash park
• Bumper cars
• 4D Cinemas
• Robotron (thrill ride)
• Dry slide
• Bowling
• Sports courts
• Zip Lines
• Racing simulator
• Flight simulator

MSC Kids Club Information:

The kid’s clubs on MSC cruises have a modern look and some of the latest video games and gaming consoles. Your kids will be able to hang out, participate in activities and make new friends in a supervised and safe environment.

Here’s how the MSC kids club is separated:

• Baby Club (ages 0-3)
• Mini Club (ages 3-6)
• Junior Club (ages 7-11)
• Young Club (ages 12-14)
• Teen Club (ages 15-17)

MSC creates a really fun, family-friendly environment that the whole family will enjoy. Whether if it’s spending time at the pool areas, in the kids club or on the onboard attractions, your children will have a great time on an MSC cruise.

Related: 7 Affordable Cruise Lines for Families (Kids Sail Free Deals)

6. Princess Cruises

Princess Cruises is known for its beautiful cruise ships, great food options and dining. They also have a fun kids club (Camp Discovery Kid & Teen Centers), which is a great place for your children to make friends and participate in interactive activities.

Princess Cruises is a fantastic cruise line for families that enjoy a traditional cruising environment and family friendly fun. There are poolside games, Movies Under the Stars and entertainment including game shows, guest entertainers and production shows.

Princess Cruise Ships For Kids:

• Regal Princess
• Sky Princess
• Crown Princess
• Royal Princess
• Caribbean Princess
• Ruby Princess
• Sun Princess

Princess Kid-Friendly Activities:

Although Princess doesn’t have waterslides or a race track, it doesn’t mean that there aren’t fun activities onboard. As a kid who grew up cruising, I always had fun on my Princess cruise family cruise vacations.

The kid’s clubs are fun, there are always activities going on around the ship and the pool areas and hot tubs are great. There is also movies under the stars which will show movies, concerts and live sporting events.

Here’s a list of kid-friendly activities you will find on Princess cruises:

• Basketball court
• Shuffleboard
• Mini golf
• Arcade
• Pools
• Hot tubs
• Movies Under the Stars

Princess Kids Club Information:

Princess has a fun kid’s club (Camp Discovery Kid & Teen Centers), which is a great place for your children to make friends and participate in interactive activities.

There are theme parties, scavenger hunts, hands-on science experiments, video games, air hockey tables and areas for your kids to hangout.

Here’s how the Princess kid’s club is separated:

• The Tree House (ages 3 to 7)
• The Lodge (ages 8 to 12)
• The Beach House (ages 13 to 17)

If you’re cruising with your kids, Princess is a family friendly cruise line. While Princess cruise ships don’t have roller coasters and wave pools, the ships are comfortable and kid-friendly!

Related: Princess Cruises vs Royal Caribbean – Everything You Need to Know

7. Celebrity Cruises

Celebrity Cruises isn’t the typical cruise line for families. However, Celebrity might be the perfect cruise line for kids and adults who enjoy a relaxed but upscale cruise vacation.

Although, Celebrity Cruises doesn’t have water slides and thrill rides, they do offer a luxury family-friendly experience. Plus, Celebrity has a fantastic kid’s club and activities that are fun for all.

If you’re considering cruising with Celebrity for a Christmas cruise, or a family cruise during the summer or school breaks, you’ll find other children onboard. During the off season and when children are in school, there will be fewer kids onboard.

Celebrity Cruise Ships For Kids:

• Celebrity Beyond
• Celebrity Summit
• Celebrity Apex
• Celebrity Edge

Celebrity Kid-Friendly Activities:

If you’re planning a Celebrity cruise, don’t expect water slides and thrill rides. Celebrity prides themselves on being a modern luxury, family friendly cruise line.

Your kids will be able to participate in the pool-side activities and other activities going on around the ship. There are also some nice pool and hot tub areas, which are the perfect place to hangout during a sea day.

Here’s a list of kid-friendly activities you will find on Celebrity cruises:

• Pool-side games
• Arcade
• Basketball court
• Hot tubs
• Pools

Related: Celebrity Cruises Always Included – Everything You Need to Know

Celebrity Kids Club Information:

The Celebrity kid’s club (Camp at Sea) is perfect for kids between the ages of 3-17 years old. There are a variety of activities like trivia, sports games, dance parties, video games and there will also be areas to hangout and make friends.

As someone who cruised with Celebrity as a kid, I remember spending tons of time in the kid’s club. The kid’s camp is super fun and the staff were always very friendly.

Here’s how the Celebrity kids club is separated:

• Shipmate (ages 3-5)
• Cadets (ages 6-9)
• Captains (ages 10-12)
• Teens (ages 13-17)

Celebrity Cruises if a quality cruise line with great food and service. Even though you won’t find water slides and rock-climbing walls, it does still have some fun activities for kids and teenagers.

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Final Thoughts on the Best Kid-Friendly Cruises

Well there it is, everything you need to know about the best kid-friendly cruise lines!

A cruise vacation is a great way to travel with kids and spend some quality time together as a family. The cruise lines mentioned above, do a great job at being kid-friendly and fun for the whole family.

No matter what cruise line you decide to travel with, your kids will have the time of their life and it will be a great family vacation.

In his post, I shared the 7 best kid-friendly cruises and cruise lines. What cruise line are you planning on cruising with? Please let me know in the comments below.

Happy Cruising!

Ethan

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Author Bio: Ethan Schattauer writes about fashion, travel and college advice on the website WhatToWearMen.com. As a frequent cruiser, Ethan shares his unique perspective on what cruising is like for teens and young adults.