Best Cruises for Families: How to Choose the Right Cruise for YOUR Family

Planning a family vacation sounds exciting… until you start trying to find something that keeps everyone happy.

The little ones want a pool.

The teenagers want something to do that doesn’t involve hanging out with their parents 24/7.

Mom may want a little relaxation.

Dad might want good food, entertainment or adventure.

And someone has to figure out where everyone is sleeping, how you’re getting there and what all of this is actually going to cost.

That is exactly why cruising can be such a great option for families.

One vacation can include accommodations, dining, entertainment, activities and multiple destinations — without packing and unpacking every couple of days.

But here is the important part:

The best family cruise isn’t necessarily the newest ship, the biggest ship or even the least expensive cruise. It’s the cruise that fits YOUR family.

Royal Caribbean: Great for Active Families

For families who want a lot happening onboard, Royal Caribbean is often one of the first cruise lines I consider.

Their ships can offer everything from pools and waterslides to sports, entertainment and dedicated programs for kids and teens.

This can be an especially good fit when you have children in several different age groups because everyone can find something they enjoy.

May be a good fit for:
Families with active kids, tweens and teens; multigenerational families; and families who want the ship itself to be part of the vacation experience.

Carnival: Great for Families Who Want Fun and Value

Carnival can be a great choice for families looking for a relaxed vacation with plenty to do without necessarily jumping into the highest price point.

Carnival offers supervised youth programming along with activities geared toward children and teenagers.

I also like considering Carnival for families who can easily drive to a cruise port. Once airfare is removed from the vacation budget, cruising can suddenly become much more affordable.

May be a good fit for:
Budget-conscious families, first-time cruisers, families wanting shorter cruise options and travelers who would love the convenience of driving to port.

Disney Cruise Line: Great for the Full Disney Experience

For Disney-loving families, Disney Cruise Line is obviously going to be a strong contender.

Disney offers themed youth spaces, family entertainment and activities designed for different age groups while also including spaces where adults can enjoy some time of their own.

And you absolutely do not have to spend every waking moment with Mickey Mouse for adults to enjoy a Disney cruise.

May be a good fit for:
Disney fans, families with younger children, multigenerational Disney trips and families who consider entertainment and service a major part of the vacation.

MSC Cruises: Worth Considering for Family Value

MSC is another cruise line I think families should have on their radar.

MSC offers dedicated kids and teen clubs, including programs for multiple age groups.

Depending on the sailing and current promotion, MSC can also offer some very attractive family pricing, which is one reason I like comparing it against the better-known cruise lines instead of automatically ruling it out. Current promotions vary by sailing and date.

May be a good fit for:
Families watching the overall vacation budget, families willing to try a different cruise line and travelers interested in newer ships and international-style cruising.

But Which Cruise Line Is BEST?

Here comes my favorite travel advisor answer:

It depends.

And I really mean that.

Before I recommend a family cruise, I want to know things like:

• How old are the kids?
• Are you traveling with teenagers?
• Do you need connecting cabins?
• Would one larger family cabin work better?
• Are grandparents coming?
• Do you want to drive or fly to port?
• Is the ship more important or are the destinations more important?
• Do your kids love waterparks and nonstop activity, or would they rather have a quieter vacation?
• How many nights do you want to be gone?
• What is the realistic vacation budget?
• Are there certain weeks you have to work around because of school?

Two families can give me completely different answers and end up on completely different ships — and both can have the perfect vacation.

Don’t Choose a Cruise Based on Price Alone

This is one of the biggest mistakes I see.

You find a cruise online for a great price and think:

That’s the one!

But what happens after we compare it?

Maybe the airfare is expensive.

Maybe you need two cabins instead of one.

Maybe another cruise leaves from a port you can drive to.

Maybe one ship has far more activities your teenagers would actually use.

Or maybe spending a little more for the right cabin configuration makes the entire vacation easier.

That $200 you thought you were saving can disappear pretty quickly.

I would much rather help a family find the best overall vacation value than simply find the lowest advertised cruise fare.

My Advice for Family Cruise Planning

Start with your family — not the cruise ship.

Figure out who is traveling, everyone’s ages, your approximate budget, where you’re willing to travel from and what would make the vacation fun for each person.

Then we can match the cruise to you.

That’s one of my favorite parts of being a travel advisor. You don’t have to spend hours comparing ships, cabin categories, itineraries, ports and promotions trying to figure out which one makes sense.

Tell me about your family.

I’ll help narrow down the choices.

Because the goal isn’t simply to get your family onto a cruise ship.

The goal is to get your family onto the RIGHT cruise ship.

Ready to start planning your family’s next adventure?

Send me a message and tell me how many people are traveling, the ages of the kids and approximately when you’d like to go.

Whisk Me Away Travel
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