Indeed, summer is often the only season parents and children have to travel as a family. And yes, together-time is wonderful, though sometimes kids and parents have different ideas about how to spend a vacation day, which can lead to holiday tension. But when cruising is part of the equation, vacationing together does not necessarily equal spending every waking moment together.
Though you may need to do a little legwork to choose the best family cruise for your family, mainstream lines (and some luxury ships as well) have one common denominator: onboard programs that allow your kids to hang out with others their age. It's a massive benefit on sea days, but did you know that this perk is also available when the ship is in port -- sometimes for no extra cost? Or that some lines plan targeted excursions meant to entertain even the peskiest of age groups (teens)?
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, and not all itineraries are created equal (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 accouterments (we tend to recommend cruise lines' newer ships because these vessels' facilities were designed for families, not just adapted).
Onboard programs and facilities have taken a wide leap, particularly in the past few years. A few interesting evolutions:
The biggest, most important trend: Because kids' developmental stages really do vary drastically, some cruise lines divide them into groups of 3- to 5-year-olds and 6- to 8-year-olds, rather than lump 3- to 8-year-olds in one program.
Teens-only programs incorporate a range of shipwide options, from spa treatments to shore excursions.
Programs have been created in conjunction with popular companies that market to kids, such as Crayola, Coca-Cola and Fisher-Price.
In the accommodations arena, the hottest new concept is family suites -- and many cruise lines building new ships have designed those vessels to incorporate this type of stateroom design.
Entertainment achieved a major pinnacle with the launch of Disney's two ships, but there are numerous productions -- not to mention in-cabin television channels -- designed to distract across the board.
Onboard activities have become as important as shore excursions, if not more so. Cruise lines are creating new attractions (rock climbing walls, believe it or not, are passe!) ranging from elaborate water parks to movie matinees.Special menus for tykes are offered in a variety of dining venues.
Compiling these picks was a bit like splitting hairs: Picking the best isn't simply a matter of settling on a cruise line but also looking at ships in particular (vessels can vary widely within fleets). "The newer, the better" is often a useful mantra for choosing a family-friendly ship ... but not always. Though Holland America as a cruise line did not ultimately wind up in our list of recommendations, ships that feature HAL's brand-new teen area Oasis (such as Ryndam) really do offer something special and unique. (Alas, while the facility is fabulous, this particular example didn't make it to our list of recommendations, because that's pretty much all there is.)
And while these are the ships -- and cruise lines -- we've picked, we will conclude with this caveat: You know your family's tastes and preferences better than we ever could. By no means are they the only ships to consider: Think of them as just a starting point.
Tags : Vacation, Cheap, Cruise, Ships