Cruise Lines

[Kilikikina]

Very new at cruising, would like some help. I have only been on the Disney Magic and we loved it so much all we want to do is cruise for vacations now! We would love to take more cruises and thinking about trying some other lines, but having three small children, I am worried about picking the most child friendly line out there.

 

I know they are all trying to cater more towards families, but if Disney was taken out of the picture all together, which would be the next best line?

 

Thanks for your help.

[BroncosFan2010]

Check out the boards under the special interest cruising. They have a family cruising board. The people there might be more knowledgeable and helpful.

[Kilikikina]

Thank you! There are so many boards, I wasn't sure which to post in, still finding my way around!

[Cruzman]

All main stream cruise lines have children's clubs on board and staffed with very qualified individuals. I have had personal experience with those on Carnival, Royal Car. and HAL. I was very pleased with all of them. I must say that Carnival is the most kid friendly of those I mentioned.

[Cruzaholic41]

I know they are all trying to cater more towards families, but if Disney was taken out of the picture all together, which would be the next best line?

 

Royal Caribbean, Carnival, and NCL all offer great family venues. NCL is good if you don't want to be held to any set times, but that does come with it's drawbacks.

 

I have found the best kids programs to be on the larger Royal Caribbean ships.

[Keith1010]

I would higly recommend either Princess, Celebrity or Royal Caribbean for their children's programs.

 

Keith

[Drumbum1977]

Personally I know HAL does a great job with kids. They don't even want to go hang with the parents at the end of the day as they fall in love with all the "instructors". Also I have seen Princess be very pateint with little ones.

[CruisnGram]

The other posters are right in that Carnival, RCCI, NCL and even HA do a great job with the kids. Disney, it's probably not, but then again, their prices aren't Disney either. If you haven't done any research yet you are going to be shocked at the price difference between all the "other" cruiselines and Disney.

 

Also, I think it's nice that the other lines aren't so kid intensive. There are great things for adults too. Not just the kiddies. And most lines offer their kids club or babysitting at various hours so that mom and dad can have a romantic dinner, visit the casino, or go to one of the nightclubs.

 

Don't count on any cruiseline outshining Disney when it comes to their kid activities, or their food (from what I've heard), but all in all, I think that all of the others I've mentioned give a more well rounded cruise for the entire family, including the adults.

 

CG

[ce2000]

I would recommend Royal Caribbean or Carnival for your next cruise with the kids. Royal Caribbean has some fantastic ships, Carnival has better food.