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Family Friendly Cruise Line

Dan M.

By Dan M.,
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Dan M.

Dan M.

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Posted

We are considering a cruise, summer of 2025, and would like to take our entire family. This would be three older adults, two middle-aged adults and three children, ages 10, 8 & 6. 

From your experience, what is a family-friendly cruise line other than Disney?

Thank you!

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Mick B

Mick B

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Posted (edited)

Hi,

I have only cruised on 2 cruise lines and the vast majority are with RCI.

Depending on the class of ship, there is something for all ages.

BTW You do not need to book the latest biggest ships. Some of the (now) slightly smaller ships like the Indy or Navigator have enough things to do on board to keep all family members entertained.

 

Also, you need to take into account how long you want to cruise for and which ports of call you wish to visit as these factors may also affect the amount of time you have on board to enjoy all the facilities a cruise ship can offer.

 

I think all have a rock climbing wall, multiple swimming pools and gyms. A good selection of ships also have a flo rider, golf course and various slides. A few of the newer ships have the north star and bumper cars, zip lines and sky diving simulators.

If you go on RCIs website you can select each class of ship and see exactly what they include. It may depend on what interests all your family members have, but I would imagine there will be both enough on board and also ashore.

Don't forget too that RCI have more slides and pools on their private island in the Bahamas - Coco Cay, but some of these cost $$$. Ideal if you are not on a ship already equipped with them.

 

I think you can get some nice cruises out of Cape Liberty that go to places like Bermuda for 5 nights or down to the Caribbean and back for 12 nights. Or you can go out of various ports in Florida if you don't mind it getting busy.

 

Mick.

Edited by Mick B
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leaveitallbehind

leaveitallbehind

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RCCL and NCL's primary demographic focus is families, and their ships are designed with venues specifically oriented towards that demographic.

 

Disney is the pricier of those lines, primarily as they don't have casinos on board, which is a significant revenue generator for cruise lines.

 

I would suggest looking at the ships and their offerings closely on their websites to make comparisons and also talk with a travel agent who can bring that into focus with you.

Edited by leaveitallbehind
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George C

George C

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12 hours ago, Ashland said:

Definitely RCI.

Totally agree , I would pick oasis class , lots of family friendly experiences and entertainment for all ages. 

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charmingtortoise

charmingtortoise

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Whichever line you pick --- Be sure to look at the ship itself to see if it has the amenities you desire. For instance, NCL is an amazing cruise line, love them, but we sail on older smaller ships and they do not have waterslides, go-cart tracks or laser tag. If that's what you are looking for. I would not recommend the the Jewel class of ships for NCL because they do not include all the amenities that kids would adore to have. Honestly, I would love to have at least one waterslide 😁. I don't think Disney Cruise Line is great unless you are huge Disney nerds. The cost is just so much higher than the other brands. 

 

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ldubs

ldubs

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The RCI mega ships have an incredible amount of amenities that will apply to the pre-teens in your group.  I think RCI's smaller ships also have a lot to offer families. 

 

Our cruise experience, which I think might be near 50 cruises at this point,  is with Princess, RCI, Celebrity, and a few on Carnival.   For a family experience I would very easily put RCI at the top of the heap.   Enjoy! 

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GeezerCouple Holiday Sharing Rare

GeezerCouple

Posted
Posted
On 3/21/2024 at 9:42 PM, Dan M. said:

We are considering a cruise, summer of 2025, and would like to take our entire family. This would be three older adults, two middle-aged adults and three children, ages 10, 8 & 6. 

From your experience, what is a family-friendly cruise line other than Disney?

Thank you!

Why don't you browse and also post this question on the CC section about Family Cruises:

 

https://boards.cruisecritic.com/forum/28-family-cruises/

 

Enjoy!

 

GC

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