The Best Carnival Ships for Kids: Family-Friendly Picks

Table Of Content

• Credit Card Reward Programs
• The Best Carnival Ships for Kids: Family-Friendly Picks
• Best kid-friendly cruises: The 7 best cruise ships for kids
• Best Cruises for Kids: The 6 Most Kid-Friendly Cruise Lines and Cruise Ships
• Best Carnival Cruises for Families in 2024- Complete Guide
• Best for International Cruising

Let me introduce you to the exciting Carnival Celebration, one of the newest additions to the Carnival fleet. With a modern and sophisticated feel, this ship is designed with parents and young cruisers in mind. Its sleek look is accompanied by upgraded amenities and activities that kids will love. MSC Seaside features modular connected staterooms (connect up to three to accommodate up to 10 people), an interactive aqua park with four waterslides, a splash zone and adventure trail ropes course. High-tech fun includes a Formula 1 simulator and XD Cinema, which catapults you inside the film you’re watching.

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Disney ships, including the newest, Disney Wish, which debuted in 2022, are ideal for families with kids ages 4 to 11, as Disney has the best facilities, food options and programs for this age group. From splash park and Sky Zone trampoline park for the younger ones to movie nights for older kids, there’s something for everyone. Kids can test their skills on the Twister Waterslide, engage in a friendly game of basketball, navigate a challenging ropes course, or compete in a heated game of mini-golf. If you choose a newer ship, like Mardi Gras or Celebration, your older kids can also ride the BOLT rollercoaster.

The Best Carnival Ships for Kids: Family-Friendly Picks

The best cruise ships for kids - The Points Guy

The best cruise ships for kids.

Posted: Wed, 06 Sep 2023 07:00:00 GMT [source]

Splash on the Pelican’s Plunge waterslides, snorkel to uncover undersea treasures, run the Castaway Cay 5k or just float your cares away by the sand bar with a Frozen-themed drink in hand. Supervised children’s activities like digging for artificial whale bones, an adults-only beach and a teens-only excursion ensure every member of the family has a memorable day at Castaway Cay. All Disney ships feature themed parties, such as a Pirates in the Caribbean dance party, where pirate costumes are encouraged and the only fireworks at sea blast off overhead.

Best kid-friendly cruises: The 7 best cruise ships for kids

However, Norwegian does offer group babysitting during the evenings for parents to enjoy a child-free dinner. Carnival is known for being the most entertaining and party-filled of the bunch. Whichever of their 26 ships you set out on, the cruise line is all about having a good time. My first cruise (along with my 80-year-old grandmother) was on a Carnival. The company prides itself for having activities and amenities for every generation through dance parties, trivia and live performances. The kids’ club will watch your children between three and 12, offering lunch, dinner, and overnight stays if needed, and the ship even offers babysitting services in your cabin.

Best Cruises for Kids: The 6 Most Kid-Friendly Cruise Lines and Cruise Ships

Best Cruise Ships for Families in 2024 - Cruiseline.com

Best Cruise Ships for Families in 2024.

Posted: Wed, 13 Mar 2024 18:27:13 GMT [source]

Happy Dinners, where children are escorted to the kids’ club after they finish their meals, enable parents to enjoy their food without feeling rushed by antsy little ones. The Celebrity staff will take care of all the details for your birthday, graduation or family reunion. Ten dining options, from sophisticated to casual, ensure every member of the family finds something that pleases their palate.

Why MSC Cruise Ships Are Great for Kids

Circle C® is the spot for them, with an exclusive lounge and fun-loving counselors to get them involved in dance parties, outdoor movies, games and adventures together around the cruise ship. A Circle C Leader is on hand to organize activities and keep everyone making friends and having fun. When selecting a Carnival cruise for your family, the dining options available play a significant role in enhancing your vacation. You’ll discover a variety of dining experiences tailored to cater to both children’s and adults’ palates, from main dining areas to specialty restaurants. A separate baby care area is for the youngest up to toddlers, while Miniclub offers plenty of Lego action and safe-for-kids climbing options (ages 3 to 6).

Which Carnival ships feature the best facilities for children’s entertainment?

(That is until a third sister, Carnival Jubilee, debuts in late 2023.) A ride here is Instagram gold and the ultimate bragging rights for kids on vacation. The coaster dominates the Ultimate Playground area of the ship, where young cruisers can challenge their new friends to miniature golf, waterslide races, basketball and ropes course domination. Norwegian Encore has a more grown-up vibe than many of the family-focused ships on our list, but its onboard attractions make it a huge hit with teens.

Best Carnival Cruises for Families in 2024- Complete Guide

The kids and all family members will love Waterworks, an incredible water slide and water park area onboard the ship. This Carnival cruise ship has multiple pool areas, water slides and serenity, which is the adult only area. Serenity is a great place to relax while your kids are on the water slides or at the kids club. The Carnival Sunrise has two waters slides, a splash park and a ropes course.

Best for International Cruising

But don’t let its sophisticated appearance fool you – this ship is packed with kid-friendly activities and entertainment. Shows at the AquaTheater enthrall cruisers with high-diving, acrobatics, aerial tricks and other exuberating antics. Families love the glow-in-the-dark laser tag, escape room (for older children), mini-golf and ice skating. Fast, flavorful and fun dining options are available for families aboard the Carnival Panorama. Kids will love the burgers and fries served at Guy’s Burger Joint, as well as the Shake Spot and pizzeria. A New England-inspired Seafood Shack and Asian kitchen, as well as Mexican and Italian eateries, provide a diverse variety of cuisines.

A cruise to Hawaii offers all the water-based action you’re looking for, but you don’t have to wait until you venture onshore. WaterWorks is Carnival’s onboard water park with rides to suit all ages, including fun-loving parents. Teens will love the racing action of Speedway Splash, and you’ll get to experience a family soaking with PowerDrencher. At night, Camp Ocean turns into Night Owls, a late-night, mixed-age group slumber party. It offers movies, toys and snacks for kids, as well as rest areas (including cribs) for sleepy cruisers.

The Punchliner Comedy Club is a great spot to go see some hilarious comedians onboard the Carnival Dream. Like its sister ships, the Carnival Horizon has a ropes course, SkyRide and water slides. Families staying in these cabins will have access to an exclusive family lounge and receive extra perks, including a free group babysitting session and free meals for kids at select specialty restaurants.

MSC also offers in-room dining menus in case your kiddo gets a little restless at the dinner table. Plus, the cruise line is especially loved for being sensory- and autism-friendly, offering a wide range of services like priority checking, Camp at Sea flexible grouping and more. Included with your stay are kids and teen programs and access to the H2O Zone Water Park. The park boasts waterfalls, water cannons, pools, and sculptures the kids can climb. Geysers send water high into the sky, splashing down and refreshing your children all afternoon. I’m here to help you make this all-important choice by reviewing 12 of the best cruise ships for kids.

Carnival Horizon has its fair share of family-friendly entertainment in the form of trivia games, karaoke and lip sync battler, song and dance showcase and its own poolside theater. There's even a kids club with experienced counselors to provide supervision as you cheat a few hours without worrying about the kids. So, if you're heading out to the Caribbean, then Horizon is one the best carnival ships for the entire family.

As one of the largest cruise brands in the world, Carnival Cruise Line has more than two dozen vessels in its fleet, offering everything from megaship adventures to smaller-ship experiences. Many variables — price, embarkation dates, travel companions, ship size and amenities, and destination — can shape the way you make your choice. Carnival Cruise Line offers a variety of special events and themed cruises designed with children and families in mind. Your family can enjoy celebrations that cater to every age group and interest. Before choosing the best Carnival cruise for your family vacation, consider your budget and the affordability of options offered. Balancing cost and amenities ensures a memorable experience for kids and adults alike.

If you’re cruising with older children who are afraid of water slides, there is a splash park which is also really fun. Are you planning a Carnival Cruise and wondering about the best cruise ships for families? As someone who has cruised with Carnival with my own family, I know first hand which Carnival cruise ships are best. At Circle C, for kids aged 12 to 14, the “C” stands for “cruise”, “chill” and “connect” with other travelers their age. Club O2 is for teens aged 15 to 17, with karaoke sessions, movies and even our own version of prom.

For South Florida families seeking an unforgettable cruise vacation experience, it’s time to meet Carnival Magic®! This large-scale Dream class ship is packed with food, entertainment, and family fun from bow to stern. Occasionally, Carnival features “kids sail free” promotions or reduced rates for the third and fourth guests in a stateroom, which can include children. Checking with a travel agent or Carnival’s special offers can keep you updated on these deals.