Children's Travel - Cruises

The number of children on board cruises is growing steadily, and more than 2 million kids younger than 15 sailed on cruise lines in 2013, according to the Cruise Lines International Association. Yet, despite the great strides made by cruise lines in accommodating children on board, choosing the best cruise for your family is still complicated. Once it was a struggle to find ships that were kid-friendly, the challenge now is wading through the bevy of activities, kids clubs, and child-themes many of the newer ships offer to determine which cruise ships are best for your youngsters. 

Here's a list of 3 cruise lines we've compiled, but we will conclude with this caveat: You know your family's tastes and preferences better than we ever could. By no means are these the only ships to consider. 

Royal Caribbean International

Allure of the Seas and Oasis of the Seas are two of Royal Caribbean's largest and they are ideal for families with kids of all ages. Oasis and Allure have an impressive display of family-friendly activities and entertainment -- four fantastic pools, 10 hot tubs, a 3D theater, rock-climbing walls, ice-skating rink, two FlowRider surf simulators and a zip line -- and an array of family cabins to accommodate groups of varying sizes. And did we mention the ships' indoor promenades, which feature all manner of parades and special events? A sizeable amount of real estate is dedicated to the kids clubs, and the counselors are some of the friendliest and most engaging in the business. Parents and grandparents can enjoy adults-only Solariums and a plethora of dining and evening entertainment options. With nursery care, after-hours fun in the kids clubs and in-cabin baby-sitting, adults can enjoy grown up time in the evenings while kids play or sleep.  

Norwegian Cruise Line

Norwegian's Freestyle Cruising and casual atmosphere make it a great choice for families with kids of any age, particularly those who don't want to be beholden to strict dining times and venues. Norwegian's newest ships, along with Norwegian Epic, offer all the mega-ship bells and whistles families have come to expect.  Norwegian's Splash Academy features separate activities for kids ages 3 to 5, 6 to 9 and 10 to 12. Children can do arts and crafts, sing karaoke and play video games. Epic's facility has a jungle gym, plenty of room to roam and a cool interactive light-up dance floor. The two-story Splash Academy, found on both Breakaway and Getaway, is the line's largest children's space at sea, home to high-tech games, a circus school and a small cinema. Lower-level activities are divided for age groups 3 to 5 and 6 to 9, while kids 10 to 12 occupy the upper level of the club. Entourage is a space for teens 13 to 17, and it has air hockey, video games, plush couches and flat-screen TVs. Entourage turns into a teens-only nightclub at night. Both ships have small nursery play areas for babies 6 months to 2 years, where parents can come and interact with their children. Late-night group baby-sitting is available for a fee.  

Disney Cruise Line

Who better to host family fun than the folks at Disney. Their ships are ideal for families with kids ages 4 to 11, as Disney has the best facilities, dining schemes and programs for this age group. Disney Cruise Line has also done a lot more to accommodate tweens and teens -- but its ships still hold the most appeal for the younger set. The Oceaneer Club offers several themed play areas, including Andy's Room (from "Toy Story"). On Fantasy and Dream, you'll find the Laugh Floor (from "Monsters, Inc."), while on Magic you'll encounter Marvel's Avengers Academy, a S.H.I.E.L.D. command post, where kids can interact with the Avengers through a virtual game The Oceaneer Lab has an Animator's Studio and a mini sound studio. Cool additions to both spaces are Magic Play floors, which allow kids to use their feet to play interactive games. There is a for-fee nursery available to care for little ones, ages 3 months to 3 years. If you're up for a swim, Mickey's Pool, for the youngest cruisers, is on one side of the ship, and an adults-only pool is located on the other, with Donald's Pool in the center for families or general use. 

Call Rawhide Travel and Tours and start planning that special vacation or event today. 602-843-5100 or visit our website rawhidetravel.com. 

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Rawhide Travel and Tours Inc
6008 West Bell Rd # F105
Glendale, Arizona  85308-3793
(602) 843-5100
rawhidetravel.com