Fortunately, these cruise lines appeal to travelers of all ages. But though it may be easy to find a cruise line with extravagant amenities, kid-friendly services and family discounts, it's more difficult to know which lines stand out among the pack. For this reason, U.S. News'Best Cruises team has ranked the best family cruise lines using amethodology that factors in health ratings, reputation among experts and approval among families.
No 1:Disney Cruise Line
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From its signature Sail-Away Celebration — a kid-friendly dance party — to its pirate-themed dinners and nighttime fireworks, Disney earns a nod of approval from cruising clans for its emphasis on kids programs and entertainment. Life-size Disney characters can be found mingling with kiddos poolside or wandering the ships' sports and activity areas. But it's not only the youth-oriented amenities that help Disney stands out from competitors: Adults-only dining areas, excursions, nightclubs and quieter pools are perfect distractions for adults while the little ones spend time in supervised kids clubs.
No: 2 Royal Caribbean International
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As one of the largest cruise lines on this list, Royal Caribbean offers versatile amenities that cater to cruisers of all ages. Some of the line's 22 ships keep kids entertained with rock climbing walls and ice rinks, while others feature zip lines and bumper cars. Because Royal Caribbean has a partnership with Dreamworks, kids can hang out with characters from popular animated flicks or tune into poolside movie screenings. And entertainment isn't lost on older travelers who can catch a Broadway-style performances and participate in Mystery Dinner Theaters.
No 3: Celebrity Cruises
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Like Royal Caribbean, Celebrity offers plenty of amenities to satisfy families with young children. Youth programs are split into four age groups so the little ones can make arts and crafts while teens spend time at late-night dances. Celebrity also features a versatile lineup of shore excursions suitable for youngsters and adults alike, including 4×4 safari adventures, snorkeling trips and Segway tours. Plus, Family Veranda Staterooms have just enough space to sleep a family of five.
No 4: Carnival Cruise Lines
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Carnival's frequent sales and budget-friendly fares mean you and your crew can save some money on a getaway that's filled with plenty of family-friendly amenities. This line's sizable fleet includes several ships with water parks, basketball courts and ropes courses. Those looking for a sophisticated scene can head to the ships' casinos, piano bars or the Serenity Adult Retreat area designated for guests 21 and older. And with kids clubs for every age group, teens can be as active as toddlers. Carnival's shore excursions, separated by activity type and exertion level, offer another perk for multigenerational groups.
No 5: Princess Cruises
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Princess Cruises' ships vary in size, allowing families to find the right boat for their at-sea needs. Facilities designated for youngsters can be found on nearly all Princess ships. And aboard 15 ships within the fleet, you'll find age-appropriate youth programming like poolside movie screenings and scavenger hunts, along with adult-focused facilities like the Lotus Spa. Plus, shore excursions cover a wide range of activity levels and vary by port, allowing you to take the kids for a swim with dolphins or sail aboard a pirate ship.
No 6: Norwegian Cruise Line
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Disney and Royal Caribbean aren't the only lines, welcoming TV and movie characters aboard: Norwegian offers meet and greets with some of Nickelodeon's most famous personalities. While adults are relaxing at the spa or testing their luck at the casino, kids can attend supervised youth programs and Dora the Explorer dance parties. Though Norwegian doesn't boast some of the flashy amenities of other lines on this list, some of its ships do that expansive waterparks. Plus, children's menus are offered in all of the line's restaurants, including the specialty eateries, where youngsters ages 4 to 12 eat free.
No 7: Holland America Line
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Compared to more kid-centric cruise lines like Disney and Royal Caribbean, Holland America Line offers fewer amenities designed especially for youngsters. But the cruise line recently increased its efforts to accommodate families with young children: Club HAL offers supervised programs for kids ages 3 to 12, while teen-focused programs like dance nights are hosted at The Loft. When the kids are busy mingling with fellow cruisers, parents can take cooking classes, peruse on-board art galleries or sip cocktails at the many bars or lounges. If you're in search of a family cruise that avoids over-the-top kitsch, then Holland America is an ideal choice.
No 8: Costa Cruises
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The Costa Cruises' ships offer families access to a wide range of amenities like arcades, waterslides and 4-D cinemas. Though families are most likely to be found on Costa Cruises during the summer months, children are welcome year-round in the Costa Kids Program. These clubs, tailored to different age groups, host activities like ice cream socials and pool parties. Meanwhile, parents looking to visit the ships' nightclubs, casinos and bars can take advantage of complimentary babysitting services. Costa also offers children's discounts on shore excursions, and kids younger than 3 can tag along for free.
No 9: MSC Cruises
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With family-friendly promotions, such as “kids sail free” packages that allow Children ages 11 and under to sail for free year-round, MSC is a great choice for clans. But keep in mind that MSC cruises scheduled for dates outside of school breaks and summer months are generally geared toward retirees. Despite this, MSC has no shortage of kid-oriented amenities, such as water parks, 4-D cinemas and bowling alleys. While kids clubs and teen areas keep youngsters entertained, the adults can retreat to the spa, study a new language or listen to live music in the lounges.
USA Records Organization_USKINGS are still collecting more information from many sources and it is our pleasure listening to everybody's comments to have a full evaluation of the USA Around You: “Best Cruise Lines for Families in the US 2015“
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