If you’re planning a cruise and wondering which has best family friendly cruise ships experience, you’re in luck. No matter how many times you’ve cruised, the right cruise line can mean the world. Some cruise lines take it up a notch and go beyond to make sure guests have the best experience when onboard, assisting with every single moment to be relaxed, fun and stress free.
In this post, we’ll review some of the best family friendly cruise lines and how their staff, onboard atmosphere and services combine to make for a truly magical cruise, whatever your family type.
What Makes a Cruise Line Friendly?
Let’s talk first about what makes family friendly cruise lines and welcoming before we run through specific cruise lines.
- Friendly Crew – Great staff start a great cruise. Cruise lines with the most welcoming crew members who will do anything to make you feel like home.
- Family-Friendly Atmosphere – Catering to families, kids, solo travellers wanting to make friends, some ships provide for couples or favour luxury travelers.
- Great Customer Service – If you have a problem, how quickly and efficiently does the cruise line solve it?
- Activities for Everyone – Cruises that are the best make sure that there’s something for people of all ages so nobody feels left out.
- Casual, Relaxed Vibe – While some cruises are more formal, most encourage their cruising with a ‘no judgement’ or laid back, social atmosphere.
And now we are going to check out the family friendly cruise lines and ships that offer the most friendliness!
Disney Cruise Line: The Magic of Hospitality
For a truly and best family friendly cruise ships experience, give Disney Cruise Line a call. Disney is famous for how great their customer service actually is on land, and on their cruise ships as well.
- Guests’ names are recalled and kids are made feel special, along with personalized service.
- Disney characters onboard make this experience extra magical for kids.
- Character meet and greets, Broadway-style shows and themed dining experiences are included in special activities.
- The kids’ clubs on the ships keep the kids entertained from kids clubs for different age groups, meaning parents get a rest.
Best for: Shoppers, families with kids, Disney fans, and travelers who want outstanding hospitality.
Royal Caribbean: Fun and Friendly for Adventurers
Royal Caribbean is simply one of the best family friendly cruise ships companies because it’s both exciting and warm. The crew members are just really enthusiastic and engaging and they make sure there are a lot of great laughs with everyone as well.
- Rock climbing, ice skating and surfing onboard, adventure focused activities.
- There are plenty of interactive social events such as dance parties, trivia nights, game shows and so forth.
- Dedicated kids’ and teen clubs on board for kids and teens of all different ages, with large ships.
- Among them are the best cruise ships with family friendly ones like the Wonder of the Seas and Symphony of the Seas with waterparks, sports courts and zip lines.
Best for: Active travelers, families with teens, and those who love exciting activities.
Carnival Cruise Line: The Fun Ship Experience
- Affordable pricing, making it great for families on a budget.
- Fun onboard entertainment, including deck parties, live comedy, and karaoke nights.
- A very social atmosphere, so it’s easy to meet new people and make friends.
- Dedicated family-friendly ships like Carnival Vista, with water slides, mini-golf, and family movie nights.
Norwegian Cruise Line: Freestyle and Friendly
Norwegian’s “Freestyle Cruising” means you’re not stuck to a schedule. This makes it one of the best family-friendly cruise lines for travelers who prefer flexibility.
- No strict dress code, no rules about when to eat.
- Very LGBTQ+ friendly, with an inclusive and welcoming environment.
- It offers single traveler options (perfect for solo travelers).
- Norwegian Encore, for example, has fantastic kids’ clubs, and was designed to be family friendly with a go-kart track, a virtual reality arcade.
Best for: Relaxed travelers, solo cruisers, and LGBTQ+ guests looking for an inclusive experience.
Celebrity Cruises: Luxury with a Personal Touch
- Crew members provide personalized service, often remembering guest preferences.
- Less crowded and more peaceful than party-heavy cruise lines.
- Great for multi-generational families, offering activities for both kids and adults.
- Modern family-friendly cruise ships, like Celebrity Edge, come with amazing rooftop gardens and high-tech entertainment.
Holland America Line: Friendly for Relaxed Travelers
- This is because their crew members are known as being one of the most attentive.
- A bit more laid back and more sophisticated (than Carnival or Royal Caribbean).
- Relaxation is the focus aboard best family friendly cruise ships, like Koningsdam, that have kids clubs.
Princess Cruises: Friendliness with a Classic Touch
- Polished, yet friendly, never too formal service.
- Ideal for multi generational households as it caters to everyone from seniors to kids.
- Outdoor movie nights, family activities and family shore excursions are part of best family cruise ships such as Sky Princess.
FAQs:
For the kids, Disney Cruise Line is best, with Disney character meet-and-greets, themed activities and great top notch entertainment.
Carnival Cruise Line is one of the best family friendly cruise lines, most affordable options, offering great family entertainment at a lower price point.
Activity at sea stays exciting, with things like zip lining and Broadway style performances.
The relaxed, flexible approach Norwegian Cruise Line takes to cruising makes it a great option for beginners.
