A family cruise can be one of the most memorable and enjoyable vacations you’ll ever take. The thought of sailing to exotic destinations together, enjoying fun activities and entertainment, and bonding over amazing meals is a dream come true for parents and kids alike.
My sons still talk about the first cruise we took as a family when they were 9 and 7!
But with so many cruise lines and ships to choose from, how do you select the right one for your family? As an experienced family cruise expert and travel agent, I’m going to walk you through the most important factors to consider when booking a cruise for a family getaway.
Choose a Family-Friendly Cruise Line
The very first decision to make is which cruise line best caters to families. Some mainstream lines like Royal Caribbean, Carnival, and Disney Cruise Line have incredibly robust kids’ programs and take extra steps to ensure families have an amazing time.
For example, Royal Caribbean’s award-winning Adventure Ocean Youth Program splits kids into different age groups (3-5, 6-8, 9-11, 12-14, and teens) and provides age-appropriate activities. My own kids have come home raving about their experiences in Adventure Ocean. From science experiments to video game tournaments to pool parties, they were entertained from morning til night.
Disney Cruise Line takes their signature brand of magic to the high seas. Characters make appearances, Broadway-style shows are family-friendly, areas like the Oceaneer Club and Edge provide immersive entertainment for kids, and adults get their own beautiful District Lounge for a bit of peace. Add in one-of-a-kind rotational dining across three themed restaurants, and you’ve got a cruise experience unlike any other.
No matter which major cruise line you choose, you can rest assured they’ve mastered family vacations and will provide plenty of fun. But those three lines really go above and beyond.
Consider a Ship’s Amenities
Once you’ve settled on a cruise line, the next step is looking at individual ships. Pay close attention to the amenities and activities offered onboard. For families, some key things to look for include:
- Kids clubs – Ships should have dedicated kids’ clubs and teen hangout spaces so parents can enjoy some adults-only time. The more variety of ages they accommodate, the better
- Family cabins – Many ships offer cabins that sleep up to 5 or 6 people, with extra bunk beds for the kids. This saves families money compared to booking two rooms.
- Pools and waterslides – Pools with splash pads, mini waterslides, and other water fun are ideal for keeping kids entertained for hours on sea days. The more variety, the better.
- Outdoor movie screens – What kid doesn’t love watching a movie outside under the stars? Many ships have jumbo outdoor screens airing family-friendly flicks and even dive-in movie events.
- Arcades – No quarters required! Ships have game arcades with all the latest video games to keep teens happy and engaged.
- Rock climbing – Royal Caribbean’s signature rock climbing walls let kids and parents alike pretend they’re adventuring on a mountain. It’s a thrill for the whole family.
- Ice skating – Skating at sea? Yes, please! Several cruise lines offer indoor ice skating as a cool onboard activity.
- Mini-golf – A family staple brought onboard, mini-golf is a hit with kids and lets parents join in the fun too.
- Broadway shows – Big cruise productions appeal to the whole family, with singing, dancing, costumes and plots based on favorite movies. Reserve seats together.
Consider Destination & Ports
The itinerary is crucial when picking a family cruise. Think about what regions of the world you want to explore together and what types of shore excursions will delight everyone.
The Caribbean is a top family destination, with exotic ports, beautiful beaches, kid-friendly shore excursions like ziplining and snorkeling, and local culture to experience. You could swim with dolphins in Roatan or hike through rainforests in Costa Rica together as a family.
Alaska family cruises are also epic, allowing you to see glaciers calving before your eyes. Shore excursions like panning for gold, riding a dogsled, or taking a floatplane to walk on a glacier make for once-in-a-lifetime family adventures. Just be sure you have plenty of layers packed!
In Europe, the Mediterranean provides a dazzling array of historical ports and cultures to discover as a family.
The itinerary should allow for a nice mix of family activities ashore, beach days, and plenty of time to enjoy all the ship has to offer. Look for destinations that will create lifelong memories together!
Consider Season and Weather
Speaking of weather, when you sail makes a big impact, especially in places like Alaska or Northern Europe.
If opting for an Alaskan cruise, summer sailings in June through August are mildest and have the most daylight for exploring. Shoulder season sailings in May and September offer lower costs and fewer crowds, but colder weather.
Caribbean cruises are fantastic in spring, summer or early winter, when the weather is warm. Hurricane season runs June through November, so look for itineraries outside those months if you’d prefer to avoid potential storms.
Mediterranean sailings peak from June to August when kids are out of school. The weather is ideal, days are long, and the ports are lively. If crowds aren’t an issue, May and September still offer pleasant weather.
Think about when you want to cruise and then find an itinerary that best aligns with the ideal weather conditions.
Compare Cruise Costs
Of course, cost is a significant factor when planning any family vacation. With cruise fares, taxes, gratuities, shore excursions, drink packages, specialty dining fees, and other miscellaneous costs, the expenses can really add up, especially when multiplied by 4 or more people per cabin!
To save money on a family cruise:
- Book early – Fares are cheapest when you book a year or more out
- Consider repositioning cruises – When ships relocate between regions, the fares are very low
- Book last minute deals – Cruise lines offer great last minute rates if ships aren’t full
- Get a discounted group rate – Many lines offer group rates if you have 8+ cabins booked
- Use loyalty perks – If you have status with a cruise line, use your discounts
Being flexible on dates and proactive on finding deals can lead to big savings. And don’t forget you can always call your trusted cruise experts at Cruising Duo Travel anytime to help compare costs across cruise lines and ships. We’ll use our insider knowledge to find you the best value.
Pick the Right Cabin Configuration
When selecting a cabin, think about your family’s needs and ages of the kids. Some options to consider:
- Family cabins that sleep up to 6 with bunk beds are cost-effective and keep you all together
- Adjoining cabins allow privacy between parents and kids but with connecting doors
- Suites provide more living space which is great with active kids and teens
- Splurge on a balcony cabin so you have private outdoor space to enjoy ocean views
- Mid-ship cabins experience less ship motion if kids struggle with seasickness
- Cabins near kids clubs make pick-ups and drop-offs quicker for parents
- Accessible cabins offer more space and bathrooms ideal for families with special needs
Think about your family’s unique needs and choose a cabin configuration that will enhance the experience. Our cruise experts can help narrow down the best cabin options across various ships.
Focus on Making Memories
At the end of the day, a family cruise is all about quality time together and making lifelong memories. Don’t get overly caught up in the small details. Focus on selecting a fun, family-oriented cruise line and ship that caters to kids. Prioritize destinations and itineraries that will create bonding moments through new adventures. And choose a cabin setup that suits your family’s needs.
The joy will come from being together and experiencing the amazing activities, entertainment, service and destinations as a family. A cruise lets you spend quality time together without distractions from school, work, and daily routines back home. You have the flexibility to be as active or relaxed as you want. That’s the real value.
Here at Cruising Duo Travel, we absolutely love helping families plan memorable cruises tailored to their needs. Our expertise and passion is finding the perfect cruise for you to forge priceless bonds and create adventures as a family.
Whether you’re looking for non-stop action and entertainment or more relaxation and bonding time, we’ll find the ideal cruise line, ship, itinerary and cabin for your family. Contact us today to start planning an unforgettable cruise! It will be our joy to help craft a once-in-a-lifetime family vacation at sea. Let’s get started!
