Cruising isn’t just for adults and there are plenty of kids cruises to enjoy.
Cruise lines have really bumped up the activities and special programs for families in recent years as more and more children are joining their parents on cruise vacations. Cruises for kids, with special foods on the menu, supervised clubs and activities, and water parks are more popular than ever.
The best cruise ships for kids are those who have made accommodations for the whole family. With family cruises becoming more popular, expect to see cruise lines adding new things to appeal to parents and children.
Carnival Cruise Line
Carnival has expanded the capability of its HUB app to help parents stay aware of day-to-day schedules of onboard activities and programs for children and youth. The update provides the ability for parents to “like” favorite activities and to receive reminders and updates.
Programs included in the app include Camp Ocean (ages 2-11), Circle “C” (ages 12-14), and Club 02 (ages 15-17). Build-A-Bear Workshop, Hasbro, The Game Show, Outdoor Attractions, Punchliner Comedy Club, Suess at Sea, and Zumbini time schedules are also included on the HUB app, which now allows guests to have all the information they need to navigate their days and evenings literally at their fingertips.
Disney Cruise Line
Disney has always been in the business of entertaining children and the whole family. Children enjoy special interactions with Disney characters that provide unforgettable memories. There are Disney youth clubs for every age level. Younger kids are excited to discover they can play alongside Disney, Marcel, and Star Wars characters.
There are numerous activities and games for teens. Pools and water fun is for kids in all age groups and includes a thrilling water coaster ride with a 4-deck drop. Deck parties provide more opportunities for the family to meet, hug, and snap photos with some of the favorite Disney characters.
A special dining program for kids – Dine and Play – allows kids to eat earlier and then be escorted to youth clubs by kid’s counselors. Disney Cruises makes sure each aspect of the cruise, including port excursions, are memorable for kids as well as adults. Puppet shows, a butterfly farm, dolphin encounters, and similar delightful adventures await children on various cruise destinations.
Norwegian Cruise Lines
Norwegian and Nickelodeon come together to entertain and delight children with “Nickelodeon at Sea” featuring SpongeBob Squarepants, Dora, and Diego. Norwegian offers a number of kid-centered cruises that are full of family-friendly events including meet and greets with favorite characters, character breakfasts, interactive games, show premieres, SlimeTime LIVE! with Nick’s signature slime, Nick Live! poolside entertainment, Nick-themed dance parties, and character story hours.
That’s not all Norwegian and Nickelodeon have planned. Nick-themed elements are found in the Kids’ Crew program with special appearances by the network’s live talent. Kids have chances to take part in mock TV game shows. Nick and Norwegian kid cruises are held on ships with water play areas, water slides, and water squirters.
Royal Caribbean Cruises
Royal Caribbean Cruises and DreamWorks Animation partnered several years ago to make it possible for young sailing guests to cruise along with some of their favorite animated movie characters. Enjoy your favorite ogre Shrek, along with characters from “Kung Fu Panda,” “Madagascar,” and “How to Train Your Dragon.”
Parents and kids can have fun with Shrek, Donkey, Skipper, and lots of other DreamWorks characters for meals, parades, movie-themed games, DreamWorks Animation movies in 3D, special character shows, and plenty of character photo ops. Interconnecting staterooms, multi-room family suites, and other amenities are features Royal Caribbean offers to make cruising more fun for families and super comfortable for its youngest guests.
Click here to discover more about Royal Caribbean’s Coco Cay Water Park.