Best Cruise Ships for Families with Children
Cruisings Top Childrens Pools and Youth Facilities
Feb 23, 2009
Today's cruise ships have waterparks, waterslides, splash pads, and swimming pools along with multi-tiered youth programs and family entertainment.
Cruise lines have recognized that more families are cruising with children. In fact, Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA), the worlds’ largest cruise association, reported in 2008 that 25% of cruise passengers bring their kids. And from babies to teenagers, it’s not just Disney Cruise Line offering family-friendly cruise ships, here are a few others.
Family Cruises with Carnival Cruise Lines
- Age Groups for Children's Programs - Their newest ship, the Carnival Dream will have close to 9,000 square feet of dedicated youth facilities. Camp Carnival (ages 2-5, 6-8, and 9-11) comes complete with age appropriate toys, games, PlayStation2, Wii, and a Karaoke machine. Circle “C” (12-14) and Club 02 (15-17) have separate teen facilities featuring a dance floor, DJ, internet, and a soda bar.
- Children's Pools and Waterparks - The Carnival Dream will have a 303-foot-long corkscrew waterslide that is four decks high, a 104 foot-long spiral water slide through a giant funnel, two 80-foot-long racing water slides, squirting fountains, and various other splash park features.
- Other Family Entertainment - There’s an 18-hole miniature golf course, sports courts with stadium seating, pizza-making sessions, and talent shows.
Family Cruises with Disney Cruise Line
- Age Groups for Children's Programs - Disney takes babies as young as 4 weeks old into their Flounder’s Nursery (4 weeks to 3 years old). The Oceaneer Club (ages 3-7) Oceaneer Lab (ages 8-12), Ocean Quest (ages 11-13), and Aloft/The Stack (ages 13-17) all feature age appropriate programs and activities with a Disney theme.
- Children's Pools and Waterparks - Goofy’s Pool is the main swimming pool with a constant depth of four feet. Mickey’s pool is perfect for small children since it's only 24 inches deep. It has a small waterslide, wading pools in Mickey’s ears, and splash areas. Disney Magic also features soft play areas and fountains.
- Other Family Entertainment - Families can enjoy character breakfasts, Broadway-style Disney shows, and Studio Sea, a family club with a dance floor for parties and stage for talent shows.
Family Cruises with Royal Caribbean International
- Age Groups for Children's Programs - There are seven age groups supervising kids from six months old up to 17 years old. Teens have their own clubs as do the younger kids have areas to play and participate in science experiments. When the Oasis of the Seas is launched in December 2009, it will feature the biggest youth facilities at sea, with close to 29,000 square feet of dedicated spaces.
- Children's Pools and Waterparks - The Aqua Park is an expansive area of splash zones, pools, Jacuzzis and a FlowRider surfing simulator.
- Other Family Entertainment - All of the Royal Caribbean ships have climbing walls, many of their ships have ice skating rinks, and the Oasis of the Seas will have a Zipline. Other family entertainment includes the Aquatheater which will feature acrobatic and high diving shows.
Many other cruise lines have year round youth facilities and programs, such as Celebrity Cruises, Costa Cruise, Holland America Line, and Princess Cruises. But the above three have the most elaborate offerings for all ages.
The copyright of the article Best Cruise Ships for Families with Children in Cruise Lines & Routes is owned by Renee Ruggero. Permission to republish Best Cruise Ships for Families with Children in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.
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