Top Ten Family Cruises
A Cruise To Remember: Top Ten Family Cruises
During my two decades of cruising, I’ve learned that family vacations can take one of two tacks: Either they are full-on disasters or they go down as one of the “best vacations ever.” Over the years, I’ve experienced both.
On the full-on disaster side, my wife and I had been a little too ambitious, hauling our daughter, not yet six months old, to Walt Disney World and, only a few months later, across six time zones to England. What were we thinking?
Compare that to the “best vacation ever,” of which there were many, both here at home and abroad. Quite simply, my kids (and yes, your kids too) love to cruise. And why not? After all, where families are concerned, a cruise ship is little more than a floating, self-contained family resort, with all the features and activities that adults and kids could ever wish for.
This site is designed to help you make the best choices for your family cruise vacations. I took the liberty to provide my top ten personal favorites starting with the cruise line that I felt offered the best overall family cruise vacation.
You should know, however, that I had a tough time ranking the cruise lines, I applied no formal methodology. Rather, I relied on my personal experience, input from others, advice from travel agents, and of course, the final word from the experts: kids, and especially my two children.
The rankings, in fact, are not that important. My kids, for example, had a tough time choosing between the many cruises they’ve been on. You won’t go wrong choosing any of these cruises. They are the top ten of several hundreds ships and possible cruises.
Please participate and share your own experiences. In doing so, you help other families like mine and like yours choose their perfect family cruise.
Bon Voyage!
Ralph Grizzle
Editor, The Avid Cruiser & Family Cruise Advisor
Top Ten Family Cruises
1. Disney Cruise Line: Port Canaveral
2. Royal Caribbean’s Freedom Class
3. Carnival’s Caribbean
4. Brilliance of the Seas: Mediterranean Medley
5. Alaska Cruisetours
6. San Diego to Mexico
7. Holland America Line’s Caribbean
8. Norwegian Dawn: Big Apple to Bermuda
9. Costa’s Caribbean
10. America’s Paradise: NCL’s Hawaii
{ 9 comments… read them below or add one }
Ralph,
I enjoyed seeing you on Cruise Do’s and Don’t's on the Travel Channel. My family of 5 (2 adults, one 20 year old girl, 17 year old boy and 13 year old girl) are thinking of the Northern Europe cruise in July, 2010, either on the Disney Magic or on Royal Carribean Jewel of the Seas or an NCL cruise. In 2007 we went on a great Mediterranean cruise on the Disney Magic. This time, the kids are a bit older and when checking the prices for 2 cabins, the Disney Magic was close to $17,000 without air while the Jewel of the Seas was less than $10,000. I’m just curious what you’d recommend for this age group. We were very impressed with the whole quality of the Disney experience although my son didn’t do much with the teen program. We aren’t big gamblers but that wouldn’t bother us either. Main thing I guess is the entertainment, food and teenage activities. Any advice?
First, I think you’ve made a terrific choice with regard to the destination. I’ve traveled with my two kids in Northern Europe (they were 9 and 11 at the time, and we were on Holland America Line’s Westerdam).
Given your circumstances, Disney sounds like a good choice. You’re already familiar with the Disney experience, so you know you’re going to get a quality vacation. Disney typically gets my vote on family entertainment and kids’ programs.
However, ah, you knew this was coming didn’t you? That’s quite a difference in dollars that you’re talking about, so it is smart to give Jewel of the Seas a close look. After all, Royal Caribbean (Freedom-class) was the runner up to Disney in my Top Ten family cruise choices (Jewel of the Seas is, of course, a Radiance-class vessel, but with some of the trimmings of the Freedom-class, such as the rock-climbing wall.)
I’d like to get some good travel agents to chime in on the subject.
Ralph,
I just now noticed your reply. As you can see I am still procrastinating. I wondered if you’d heard from any travel agents? Most of the reviews I’ve seen on Jewel of the Seas have been very good, although the entertainment was not highly rated and the food was good to above average but not great. Now I’d like your thoughts on one more ship if you know about it. It’s the Regent Seven Seas Voyager, quite a bit higher (like $32,000) for 5 but air for 4 is included (with about $6,000) and free shore excursions, which I feel are probably worth $5,000 so this would be comparable to a $21,000 versus Disney at $17,000. And there’s a chance I would just make it for 2 people. So, any last thoughts on Disney vs Jewel of the Seas vs Regent Seven Seas Voyager?
Thanks, Jim
Jim,
Just so happens that I board Regent Seven Seas Voyager on Friday from Stockholm. I’ll be reporting every day. If there is anything specific you want to know, just comment here, and I’ll execute your request. How’s that for service? I think Regent is an exceptional value, given the free shorex and air. Of course, you know that alcohol and soft drinks are included, and internet is cheap(er) than on the other two ships, gratuities are included (not on the others, however), food is fantastic, and I think the kids would be entertained. 700 passengers is a good number. You’re going to have a much easier time dealing with St. Petersburg (and the customs officials) on a smaller ship, and probably a more pleasant overall experience. I leave Friday July 17. Ralph
Ralph,
How is the Baltic cruise on Regent Seven Seas Voyager going?
JIm
Jim,
It’s good, although there are not many, if any, teens on this ship. And there does not seem to be so much for teens to do on the ship. There is ping pong and paddle tennis and a few hundred movies that they can watch for free. I’m sure there are other activities, but of course, the best activities for teens is having other teens to hang out with. The Regent product itself is fine, and the shore excursions are good, especially since nearly all are now included free of charge.
Thanks very much. Looks like you are up early! Sounds like a family of 5 might prefer Royal Carribean or Disney.
When you get further along I’ll ask what you think about Regent versus Royal Carribean Jewel of the Seas vs. Disney for an adult couple in their early 50′s.
Jim
Hope you had a good trip. Now one last question. What do you think of the Celebrity Eclipse Baltic Tour June 26, 2010 versus Disney? It looks like a brand new ship and maybe $2,000 to $3,000 less than Disney.
Jim
Hi Jim, What a great summer we had here in Europe.
Doesn’t have to be your last question, by the way. I enjoy the dialogue. But to answer your question, the Solstice-class Celebrity ships are great. I have one article about Solstice-class here: http://www.avidcruiser.com/blog/2008/11/19/celebrity-solstice-celebritys-newest-ship-breaks-the-mold/
In the last few months, however, I’ve confirmed that if I can afford it, I’d rather avoid any mass-tourism experiences, and ships carrying more than 1,000 passengers fall in that category for me. It’s nice not to have to stand in line, wait for tenders, etc. Did you see my piece about luxury cruise lines?
http://www.avidcruiser.com/blog/2009/08/03/the-razor’s-edge-who’s-the-best-luxury-cruise-lines-square-off/
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