Photo by Matt Hannafin
Ziplines, Waterslides, Ice-Skating Rinks, Mini Golf & More
By Heidi Sarna
It's no secret that cruises pack in extra value for families -- most of the larger ships offer free kids' activities, lavish playrooms with computer games and toys galore, and family-friendly diversions like waterslides, miniature golf courses, and rock-climbing walls.
But with dozens of cruises to choose from, how do you know which ship is best for your family?
These 23 ships all have a few things in common: drop-off age-specific programming and well-stocked playrooms, plus after-hours group babysitting (usually starts at 10pm) or private babysitting (usually $6-$8 per hour per child).
What You Need to Know About Cruising With Kids Under 10: Generally, the minimum age to sail on a cruise is 6 months; longer exotic itineraries often require children to be at least 12 months old. If sharing the same cabin with parents, children's fares are typically priced as third and fourth passengers, which cost less than the regular adult fare.
Most ships will have cribs or Pack 'n Plays for use during the cruise if you make a request in advance. But if cruising with babies, definitely bring all your own gear (diapers, formula, lightweight stroller, and baby food) -- unless you're sailing with one of the few lines that allows you to pre-order supplies and have them delivered to your cabin.
Photo Caption: A zipline lets passengers fly nine stories about the Boardwalk neighborhood aboard Royal Caribbean's Oasis of the Seas.
Photo by Matt Stroshane
Disney Cruise Line's Disney Dream
Much to the delight of even the youngest Disney fans, characters from Toy Story. Monsters, Inc., and Tinker Bell's fairy forest make appearances in the Oceaneer Club and Oceaneer Lab children's activity centers. Outside is Goofy's Sports Deck, with a miniature golf course, a full basketball court that can be used for soccer or volleyball, and a pair of digital sport simulators to play soccer, tennis, and other sports.
Though kids will enjoy splashing around the Finding Nemo - themed water play area, more daring passengers will ride the Aqua Duck, a 765-foot-long, four-deck-high flume ride. Sit in two-person inflatable rafts, zip around the edge of the ship's top deck, and zoom 13 feet out over the ocean inside a transparent tube.
Got a picky eater? The Animator's Palate restaurant has video wall displays in which a turtle named Crush (of Finding Nemo fame) actually interacts with passengers and calls kids by name. Other eating venues are popular for their kid-friendly burgers, fries, hot dogs, chicken tenders, and pizza.
The extravagant production shows in the Walt Disney Theatre feature impressive stage props and favorite Disney characters in Broadway-style shows with original story lines. Even Castaway Cay -- Disney's private island in the Bahamas -- is a dream for kids, with a water park both offshore and on.
Minimum Age for Drop-off Programming: 3 months
Private In-cabin Babysitting: No
Photo Caption: The fireworks-at-sea show aboard Disney Dream. Courtesy Disney Cruise Line
Photo by Disney Cruise Line
Disney Cruise Line's Disney Magic and Disney Wonder
If you've got a baby in tow, the nursery for children 3 months to 3 years is a must. For ages 3 and up, the Neverland-themed Oceaneer Club has a giant pirate ship that kids can crawl on, a trunk full of dress-up costumes, plus PlayStations, Disney movies, and more. A toddler-friendly splash pool has interactive fountains and twisty waterslide. Studio Sea is a nightclub for the whole family to enjoy karaoke.
All three Disney ships -- Magic. Wonder. and Dream -- have some of the best cabins for families. Many staterooms have two bathrooms (a shower/tub and sink in one; a sink and a toilet in the other). You can pre-order baby supplies, like diapers and formula, and have them waiting in your cabin when you board. You can also borrow gear, such cribs, strollers, and Diaper Genies.
With the cruise line's great production shows and private island in the Bahamas, a Disney cruise can be just as fun for adults as it is for the kids. After all, drop-off programming is free all day until midnight (most lines start charging for kids' programming after 10pm). The drop-off nursery costs $6 per hour.
Minimum Age for Drop-off Programming: 3 months
Private In-Cabin Babysitting: No
Photo Caption: Disney Wonder
Photo by Norwegian Cruise Line
Norwegian Cruise Line's Norwegian Epic
Norwegian Epic has everything from Wii games and PlayStation 3 to one of the best waterslides at sea: a three-part slide that requires sitting in a giant inner tube before zipping down a giant shoot and into a large open-top bowl to do a few fast spins before splashing down to the end. For younger kids who don't want to feel left out, the Epic has a splash pool with mini slides and spray fountains.
Recreational sports activities include a 33-foot climbing wall with five routes, a trampoline (complete with harness and cables for doing flips), and a 24-foot-tall climbing cage called the "spider web" that's laced with giant rubber bands to climb through. Kids also appreciate the basketball court (that doubles as a mini soccer pitch), batting cage, and the two-deck-high video screen in the atrium that sometimes features special sporting events.
NCL also features Nickelodeon characters at a special breakfast for kids. Another perk: children under 2 sail free if sharing a cabin with two adults.
Minimum Age for Drop-Off Programming: 2 years
Private In-Cabin Babysitting: No
Photo Caption: The Epic Plunge waterslide aboard NCL's Norwegian Epic. Courtesy NCL
Photo by Amy Chen
Royal Caribbean's Oasis of the Seas and Allure of the Seas
The two largest ships at sea each have pretty much everything you need to entertain the kids: a sprawling H2O Zone water park, a pair of rock-climbing walls, a miniature golf course, two surfing simulators, a basketball court, an ice-skating rink, and a hand-carved wooden carousel.
Ten play areas, which are connected to a main boulevard, include a big open gym for romping, rooms for arts and crafts, kiddy theater productions, and even a space for simple science experiments.
Super kid-friendly eating outlets include a donut shop and a pizzeria, both of which are free. At à la carte pricing, there's an ice-cream parlor, a cupcake shop, and a Johnny Rockets diner for burgers, fries, and milkshakes. There are kid-centric shops, too: one selling vat candy by the pound and another selling stuffed animals you can create and dress.
Fleetwide, you can pre-order baby gear (Gerber baby food, Huggies diapers, and more) in the Shop Gifts and Gear section of www. royalcaribbean. com. and the stuff will be waiting for you in your cabin. There is a drop-off nursery for ages 6 months to 3 years ($8 per hour).
Minimum Age for Drop-Off Programming: 6 months
Private In-Cabin Babysitting: Yes
Photo Caption: The ice-dancing show aboard Royal Caribbean's Oasis of the Seasfeatures skaters acting out various Hans Christian Andersen fairy tales, including "The Emperor's New Clothes."
Photo by Royal Caribbean International
Royal Caribbean's Freedom-Class Ships
Aside from a huge playroom and video arcade aboard the Freedom-class ships, kids can't enough of the H2O water park, rock-climbing wall, ice-skating rink, surfing simulator, mini golf course, and basketball court. Kids of all ages love the Ben & Jerry's ice-cream parlor and the Johnny Rockets diner on board for burgers, fries and milkshakes (both venues at an extra charge).