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Choosing the best cruise for your family is a lot more complicated than it used to be. Some ships are better for infants than others, and ditto for teens. Not all itineraries are created equal, either. (Alaska and Caribbean are super destinations that tend to be kid-friendly.) Add to the mix the fact that ships vary greatly, not just from line to line but within fleets, and that some are better than others in terms of onboard activities.
TOP PICKS OVERALL FOR FAMILIES
Royal Caribbean's Allure of the Seas, Oasis of the Seas, Freedom of the Seas, Liberty of the Seas and Independence of the Seas
Royal Caribbean has the most impressive display of family activities and entertainment, and the choices on their mega-ships appeal to kids of all ages and interests. Rock-climbing walls, ice-skating rinks, miniature golf and roller-blading are just a smattering of the activities these ships offer. The Oasis-class ships continue under the assumption that bigger is better. Allure of the Seas has four fantastic pools, 10 hot tubs, two FlowRiders and a zip-line. No shortage of real estate is dedicated to the kids' clubs, and the counselors are some of the friendliest and most professional in the business. Did we mention the ships' indoor promenades, which feature all manner of parades and special events?
Carnival's Carnival Dream and Carnival Magic
Carnival Cruise Line's Dream class may lack the flash of Royal Caribbean's Oasis duo, but it offers a marvelous all-around alternative, with separate clubs for 'tween and teen travelers. The pair offers a terrific array of family activities and spaces, plus top-notch kids clubs that accept children as young as 2 years old. Families will make good use of two outdoor pools, 10 whirlpools and one of the largest at-sea water parks.
NCL's Norwegian Epic
NCL's Freestyle Cruising and casual atmosphere make it a great choice for families who don't want to be beholden to strict dining times and venues. Its newest ship offers all the mega-ship bells and whistles families have come to expect.
TOP PICKS FOR YOUNGER KIDS
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Disney's Disney Dream
First, let us qualify what we mean by younger -- in this case we're talking about families with kids in the 4 to pre-teen range, and Disney has the absolute best facilities, dining schemes and programs for this age group. With the launch of its newest ship, Disney Dream, Disney Cruise Line has done more to accommodate 'tweens and teens -- but its ships still hold the most appeal for the younger set.
Princess Cruises' Ruby Princess, Crown Princess and Emerald Princess
These ships were designed with families in mind, with expansive programs, facilities and accommodations for parents and children.
