The 5 best cruise lines for families

Table Of Content

• $3,201 pp — 8nt Luxe Greece Balcony: exclusive $400 back, up to $1,150 OBC + free drinks & tips
• Celestyal Cruises is a Great Budget Option for Cruises to the Greek Islands
• What Are the Most Affordable Cheapest Cruise Lines?
• Norwegian Cruise Line Reminds Guests of Delayed Embarkation
• Ready to start planning your next getaway? Start exploring cruise deals now.
• Royal Caribbean Cruise Line

It's also important to note that lines have by no means neglected these older ships; most have gone under the knife for multimillion-dollar refurbs. Cruise Hive was established back in 2008 and among the earliest blogs in the industry. Since the start, it's been our aim to provide the latest cruise news covering all the major cruise lines. We make sure cruisers are fully prepared for their cruise vacation with tips on ships and ports.Millions of travelers rely on Cruise Hive in the United States, Europe, Australia, and around the world. These cabins are the cabins that line the interior hallways of the cruise ship and are usually the smallest. While space and storage in these cabins are limited, they’re a great option if affordability is your priority and you plan to spend more time enjoying the ship’s many amenities.

$3,201 pp — 8nt Luxe Greece Balcony: exclusive $400 back, up to $1,150 OBC + free drinks & tips

THE 25 BEST Cruises from Florida 2024 (with Prices) on Cruise Critic - Cruise Critic

THE 25 BEST Cruises from Florida 2024 (with Prices) on Cruise Critic.

Posted: Mon, 23 Oct 2023 15:07:40 GMT [source]

There are many dining options and onboard amenities, thanks to its younger fleet age. Two ships that most Caribbean cruises go on include Adventure of the Seas and Voyager of the Seas. The cruise line’s newest ship is the Odyssey of the Seas that can be one of the best experiences. Holland America tends to have appealing deals; at time of publication, we saw a two-week transatlantic sailing from Rome to Fort Lauderdale for $57 per person, per night -- and on the line's newest ship. Cruises on older ships tend to have lower rates for two reasons -- the ships lack the amenities and the hype of the newest vessels, and they tend to be deployed on shorter or less popular routes. But that doesn't mean you can't have a grand old time on an older ship, and if you're a first-time cruiser, you won't even realize you're missing anything -- other than higher fares.

Celestyal Cruises is a Great Budget Option for Cruises to the Greek Islands

And with so many complimentary shows and attractions onboard, you can easily fill every sea day without spending a single dollar extra. You only unpack once, yet you wake up in a new country or island every morning. You also never have to worry about where to eat, there are nonstop activities onboard that keep everyone entertained—and most everything is included in the price. So you don’t have to worry much about overspending once you’re on board if you book on one of the most affordable cruise lines. With an itinerary that includes both Maui and Mickey, this cruise aboard the 875-stateroom Disney Wonder is perfect for families and Disney lovers alike. Departing from Vancouver, you’ll spend the next six nights at sea, with entertainment ranging from Broadway-style musicals with Disney characters to a Marvel-themed superhero academy in the Oceaneer Club for kids.

What Are the Most Affordable Cheapest Cruise Lines?

Swimming pools, hot tubs, miniature golf, Discovery at Sea programs, movies, dancing, and shows ensure plenty to do during the four days at sea on the way to Hawaii. Shipboard programs for youths, teens, and families provide something for everyone. On the Big Island, guests can zipline through the rainforest or ride to the top of Mauna Kea, the world's tallest mountain. Next is Oahu, where activities include a tour of Pearl Harbor, snorkeling in Hanauma Bay, and a tour of the only royal palace in the United States. After four days at sea, passengers get a day to explore Ensenada, Mexico, on the Baja California peninsula, before the Crown Princess sails back to San Francisco. If you’re looking to have a fun, action packed vacation, then you have to check out Royal Caribbean cruises.

Most ships used to cruise the Mediterranean in fall and return only in the spring. Now, more ships are staying into November and returning in March; a few lines, like Costa and MSC Cruises, even stick out the winter in European waters. East Coast to Europe (or vice versa) with stops in the Canary Islands or Azores along the way.

The underdog on our list, MSC Cruises might not be a household name yet, but any cruise line that has a partnership with Lego should be on every family's radar. After a hard day of play, worn-out families can refuel at a variety of restaurants, including burger and milkshake mecca Johnny Rockets, Italian and Mexican eateries and an all-day buffet. Teens might roll their eyes at the ever-present Mickeys, but Disney Cruise Line does not ignore its older kid guests. Tweens and teens get their own cool hangouts, Edge and Vibe, with video games, foosball and hip seating areas. In January, Ponant kicks off the first of 12 expeditions in partnership with the Explorers Club, the science-minded nonprofit.

$2,798 pp — 7-Nt. Romantic Danube – Free Transportation Credit + Land Packages

Its ships not only offer a drop-off Baby Club with educational toys by Chicco but also a special baby laundry service to take care of that pile of dirty onesies. Our favorite family ships mix wow-factor activities with attractive kids clubs, plentiful and convenient dining and thoughtful touches like bathtubs and babysitting. If your family enjoys exciting attractions and fun activities, then they will love cruising with Norwegian. Onboard certain Norwegian cruises, you will find water slides, virtual reality, bowling, mini golf, basketball courts, ropes courses and more. Plus, cruise lines have “kids sail free” deals and promotions, that are particularly attractive to family cruisers.

Royal Caribbean Cruise Line

Although, Celebrity Cruises doesn’t have water slides and thrill rides, they do offer a luxury family-friendly experience. Although, newer Royal Caribbean ships can be pricey, they do offer some great deals on their older ships. Additionally at certain times of the year, Royal Caribbean will have Kids Sail Free promotions. If you’re planning to cruise with children or teenagers 17 and under, they will absolutely love the kids clubs and teens clubs onboard Norwegian cruise line. For example, at the time of writing this article, a 5 day Bahamas cruise leaving out of Miami that is $350 per adult in an interior cabin before taxes.

On Maui, guests can stroll through historic Lahaina, snorkel among coral and sea turtles, or kayak in a marine sanctuary. Lanai is the next island, where guests can paddleboard or kayak past 1,000-foot-high sea cliffs, go snorkeling, or visit the quaint Lanai Culture and Heritage Center. On Molokai, guests can learn how taro is cultivated and turned into poi, or they can hike to a spectacular waterfall in Halawa Valley. At the Molokai Museum, a lesson on the island's history is followed by a pa'ina (feast), complete with traditional music. Passengers disembark the next morning at Kaunakakai, where they can either transfer to Molokai Airport or extend their stay. Speaking of kids clubs, MSC's ships offer play spaces for babies, kids, tweens and teens.

From split bathrooms (allowing one family member to take a bath while another uses the toilet) to waiters who will cut up your child's food, Disney Cruise Line takes the pressure off parents. The new Regent Seven Seas Grandeur is headed for the Caribbean and then Europe, but will return to the U.S. in the fall for a series of scenic New England cruises that also hit New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, and Quebec. Both will tour the Mediterranean next summer, visiting in-demand ports in Greece, Italy, and Spain. Little feels better than sitting down to an incredible meal in Manfredi's Italian restaurant and not signing a room charge at the end.

Choose from the best cruise deals and specials from a variety of cruise lines, destinations, departure ports, sailing dates and cruise lengths. We break down the best budget cruise lines and how to find budget-friendly cruises on other mainstream cruise lines. Families can have a great time on any cruise line, hanging out by the pool, visiting exciting new destinations and simply spending time together.

The innovative brand is known for many firsts at sea, including an ice-skating rink, bumper cars, zip-line, rock climbing wall, robotic bartenders and the Flowrider surf simulator. Its latest ship, the Icon of the Seas, which is set to begin sailing in January 2024, will be the world’s largest cruise ship. Generally speaking, the further in advance you book, the better prices you’ll find. But the opposite is also true, because cruise lines will happily sell unused inventory at a significantly reduced rate in the form of last-minute deals.