Best Cruise Kids – Part I
The best cruise for kids are the ones offering:
- a full day of supervised activities on sea and port days
- spacious and bright playrooms
- after-hours group and private babysitting
- outdoor play space
- mini fridges in all cabins
- children’s menus and activities at the restaurants
- possibility to dine with the youth counselors in the evenings
- activities that range from arts and crafts, to basic science projects, free play, computer games, karaoke and pizza parties, story and movie time, and more.
Based on this criteria the best ones are:
- Disney Cruise Lines
- Carnival Cruise Lines
- Royal Carnival Cruise Lines
Disney Cruise Lines
Obviously these ships have been designed for children in mind. Disney Cruise Lines outperform every other major cruise line in offering services for children who are at least 12 weeks old and less than 3 years old.
Children can participate in organized programs or enjoy activities available all day long throughout the ship.
Children may make new friends, watch television, play videogames, listen to music, surf the Internet and enjoy a variety of social activities throughout the day by going to the many youth clubs onboard.
They could also slip and slide down into Mickey’s Pool, splash and have fun in the sun in Goofy’s Family Pool. These are the only ships having pools with separate filtration systems that allow diapered tots to swim, competing cruise lines generally prohibit diapers in all of their pools.
Your children could also watch a Disney movie in one of the theatres, play a board game or learn how to draw Mickey Mouse. Play video games or go to one of the live entertainment shows featuring some of Disney’s characters.
You could also enjoy character greetings, allowing your children and yourself to meet and greet Disney Characters, this occurs all day long, throughout the ship, both in designated places and during special surprises appearances. Your children will enjoy free meals with Disney characters, like having tea with Wendy from Peter Pan.
Disney Ships offer the biggest playrooms and most extensive teen hangout areas at sea, see by yourself:
Aloft, a teens-exclusive activity center is a hip hangout where teens ages 13 to 17 can make new friends, watch television, play videogames, listen to music, surf the Internet and enjoy a variety of social activities throughout the day.
Flounder’s Reef Nursery, a nursery for young children is a delightful Little Mermaid-themed daycare center that provides care for little ones ages 3 months to 3 years.
Disney’s Oceaneer Club, a children’s activity center is the perfect place for kids 3 to 7 years of age to dress up as their favorite princess or hero, play computer games and enjoy a wide variety of supervised activities throughout the day.
Disney’s Oceaneer Lab, a children’s activity center is the ideal place for children 8 to 12, to play games, use computers, conduct experiments and enjoy a wide variety of supervised activities throughout the day.
Ocean Quest, a children’s activity center is an interactive play space designed to look like the ship’s bridge where kids 11 to 13 years of age can steer a virtual ship, play videogames, watch television and participate in arts and crafts with kids their own age.
Quarter Masters, an arcade is a cozy spot featuring the latest videogames hits-and thrilling air hockey-where Guests of all ages can get their game on while onboard.
Studio Sea, a family entertainment center is a television studio-themed hotspot where parents and children are invited to sing, dance, play games and enjoy live entertainment together.
The Stack lounge, a teens-exclusive activity center is a trendy haven where teens ages 14 to 17 can make new friends, watch television, play videogames, listen to music, surf the Internet and enjoy a variety of social activities throughout the day.
In addition to all these activities, it is important to note that:
- Each Disney stateroom has a bathroom with a bathtub, the competition only offers showers unless you pay the hard price. For young kids this is very important.
- Supervised activities for ages ranging from 3 to 17, are divided into five age groups and are free until midnight or 1am.
- Group babysitting is available for ages ranging from 3 months to 3 years ($6/h/child).
- There are free unlimited fountain sodas.
- Disney has a dock at their private island Castaway Cay in the Bahamas eliminating the trouble of tendering back and forth. Castaway also offers bike rentals for the whole family.
- Disney’s nurseries charge $6/h/child.
Read Best Cruise For Kids – Part II
