Sunday, March 31, 2024

Pictures of the 14 Best Cruise Pools

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These days some sections of new cruise ships look more like a mall than a ship. Shopping is a big draw, with a number of stores offering everything from souvenir keychains to high-end expensive watches. First, there is a wide variety of equipment in gyms; it’s not at all what you’d find at a chain hotel. From aerobic machines (treadmills, bikes, etc.) to weight lifting machines and dumbbells, there’s something for everyone. As well, gyms on cruise ships are usually spacious with plenty of room.

Carnival Cruise Line's Serenity Pool

“Ours is a small-ship-style, destination-focused cruise with people who are culturally curious, much like a river cruise,” she says. And the Great Lakes have more than nature; they have lively cities like Toronto, Cleveland, and Detroit. Michiganders might find this hard to believe, but many Great Lakes cruises are marketed in the same way that Antarctica is — as a thrilling upscale “expedition” cruise focused on science and history. If you’re considering a Great Lakes cruise, know that each cruise line has a slightly different vibe. Viking Cruises, American Queen Voyages, Vantage Travel, and Pearl Seas Cruises entice affluent travelers from North America.

Virtual Reality Bungee Trampolines

As was the case with Celebrity Beyond, Ascent will have 179 more cabins than its sister vessels, each of which has 1,467 cabins. As a result, Celebrity Ascent, like Celebrity Beyond, will hold 3,260 passengers at double occupancy. That's up from a 2,910-passenger capacity at double occupancy for Celebrity Apex and a 2,918-passenger capacity at double occupancy for Celebrity Edge.

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MSC World Europa

What’s nice is that it’s an easy go-to when you have kids as they seem to love to play. It’s also an easy-going activity and only takes about minutes to play a round. So when you’re bored or have a few minutes to kill before dinner, you can get a round in as easy entertainment.

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But, if you're more into DIY options, take advantage of Azamara Cruises' Nights in Private Places on a clear night, where you and your partner can fall asleep under the stars. There are few places with less nighttime light pollution than on a ship in the middle of the ocean. If you're already a space aficionado or just want to learn more about stargazing, Princess offers the real deal on clear nights as part of its Discovery at Sea programming in partnership with the Discovery Channel. Since most of the cruise lines' islands are located in the Bahamas, you're likely to visit them on Bahamas or Caribbean itineraries. While there, you'll generally have free access to a buffet lunch and use of the beach and restroom facilities.

MSC Seascape

We've seen everything from waltz to tango and even salsa represented. From scrapbooking and knitting to jewelry making, crafty cruisers can find plenty to interest them when they sail. Specific crafts vary from ship to ship and sailing to sailing, so be sure to check your daily list of onboard events. Note that most cruise lines partner with Park West, a well-known gallery that can sell you a number of works, even if they aren't necessarily available onboard -- no bidding required. This innovative technology at sea is definitely creating a stir in the cruise world.

There, passengers will find -- you guessed it -- a real grass lawn for picnics, bocce and croquet. Although fall foliage sailings are fantastic, you don't have to go on one to experience greenery at sea. But some vessels create additional opportunities to ruin your beach bod by selling added-cost cups and cones in a variety of flavors with an array of toppings. These include Sugar Beach in the Boardwalk area on select Royal ships, Venchi Gelateria and Creperie on MSC's Seaside-class ships and X at the entrance to the buffet on Celebrity Edge.

The 9 most exciting new cruise ships of 2023

It's also notable as the first ship from a North America-based line designed to operate on liquid natural gas. Norwegian Encore also is home to the largest laser tag arena ever put on a ship and a massive gaming and virtual reality zone. Themed after the lost city of Atlantis, the former is at the very back of the vessel and is a romp. For the biggest array of back-to-your-youth amusements, you'll want to stick to the newest, biggest ships from each of the brands, which also boast an overabundance of restaurants, bars, showrooms, spas and casinos. While you're waiting in line for the go-karts, you can ask the nearest 15-year-old. Disney Fantasy is the second ship in the cruise line's Dream Class and originally set sail in 2012.

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Anthem of the Seas

You don't have to be a kid to enjoy the wild array of attractions on the new crop of floating megaresorts. If it's carefree fun you're after in a vacation, a cruise on one of the giant vessels of Royal Caribbean, MSC Cruises, Norwegian or Carnival may be the perfect choice. Norwegian Encore's sister ships — Norwegian Bliss, Norwegian Joy and Norwegian Escape — offer many of the same features, but the lineup varies from one vessel to the next. Only Norwegian Bliss and Norwegian Joy have go-kart tracks, for instance, and their versions of the attraction aren't quite as big. Indeed, if you're the kind of person who has never wanted to grow up — and aren't we all — there are few more enticing vacations than a week spent on one of today's giant megaships.

But, if you're less of a gym rat, you can take advantage of other options, such as jogging tracks, shuffleboard and mini-golf, which are found on most vessels. Live music is about as synonymous with cruising as food, sun and fun. You'll hear it just about everywhere throughout the day on most vessels. From steel drums on deck, jazz trios in the atrium and rock 'n' roll bands in the lounge to opera and live orchestras in the theater, there's a venue and musician to fit just about every taste and genre. If you simply miss sitting in your backyard, head up to Celebrity's Lawn Club, found on the line's Solstice-class ships.

How one river cruise line works to beat the heat - Travel Weekly

How one river cruise line works to beat the heat.

Posted: Wed, 09 Aug 2023 07:00:00 GMT [source]

They want ships that are bigger, better, and more technologically advanced than anything else at sea. Of course, the definition of "bigger and better" varies from cruise line to cruise line. Regardless, they want their ships appeal to all cruisers by packing them full of different fun activities.

There’s loads of fun to be had in the casino, whether at the tables or machines, it’s easy to forget what time it is. One of the more popular things to do on a cruise ship in the evening – although there are still plenty of other options, too. Choosing a cruise ship with an indoor pool is a good idea for anyone with kids. Even better, head to the adults-only solarium while they’re in the kids’ club for a much more relaxing time.

This ride is free, and spits out a thin layer of fast-moving water. With some practice you can ride a boogie-board or a special surfboard over the water, carving back and forth. Carnival is making waves with its new ships like Mardi Gras and Celebration.

Like Scarlet Lady and Valiant Lady, Resilient Lady has been designed to shake up the cruise industry with a new, hipper style of cruising. The ship will have everything from a tattoo parlor to a colorful karaoke lounge where you can get your Lizzo on. To ensure a proper party vibe, it also will be a kid-free travel zone, with a minimum age to sail of 18. Originally scheduled to debut in 2022 but delayed by nearly a year, the 2,770-passenger ship will be a nearly identical sister to the two earlier vessels, which began sailing in 2021 and 2022, respectively. Vista will be the first of two sister vessels in the line's new Allura class.

Often, they'll allow you to stay connected with your party while onboard without having to pay for an internet connection. Note that you should always keep your phone in airplane mode when onboard to avoid pricey data roaming charges. Who doesn't enjoy a secret (or not so secret) mission every once in a while? For kids, they can be found frequently on kids club daily schedules. For younger kiddos, storytime is often scheduled at least once per day in the children's areas. Sometimes the stories are even read by characters like the Cat in the Hat (Carnival).

Family Cruises: The Ultimate Family Holiday

children's cruise

Learn how your crew will have the experience of a lifetime cruising with Holland America Line. From sportfishing off Ensenada to swirling and sipping in wine-country ports, such as San Francisco and Monterey, you'll enjoy a delightful vacation. Discover the magic of Alaska, where snowcapped mountains, towering forests and misty fjords dare you to deny their majesty. And cross once-in-a-lifetime experiences off your list together – on one unforgettable journey. Kick family bonding up a notch at Perfect Day at CocoCay in The Bahamas – voted Best Private Island Experience by Travel Weekly readers. Turn up the thrills, like conquering Daredevil’s Peak®, the tallest waterslide in North America.

DIY a family first aid kit

You'll find children's menus in the main dining rooms on all MSC ships and kid-friendly options at the buffets as well. The line offers the My Smart Card, which is a prepaid card that allows kids to purchase snacks, drinks and even arcade games on their own. The kids' clubs are outfitted with foosball, air hockey and even Skee-Ball. Teen cruisers can choose from sports tournaments, themed parties, dance classes and late-night movies.

Consider a newer ship

Think of them as a starting point as you narrow your choices for fun, kid-friendly cruises. The children’s clubs are open every day and will operate a number of sessions throughout the day. In addition, a night nursery is also available from 6pm to Midnight, with the option to book our Night Nursery Extra on selected evenings for children aged 4 and under. However, the opening times may differ across the fleet depending on the time of year. Young travelers on cruise ships are introduced to the worlds of creativity and art through interactive courses covering anything from cuisine and science experiments to crafting and painting. The onboard theaters are graced with interactive presentations, character meet-and-greets, and family-friendly productions, exhibiting engaging productions that leave young viewers excited and inspired.

Research the theme parties or formal nights your cruise might offer

But don’t panic—you can always book an alternative dining venue or skip the public areas in the evening if you really dislike dressing up. But lots of things that we know as a family are rules to live by can get ignored on vacation, and especially on a cruise where older elementary kids and tweens might have their first taste of “freedom”. You can all take turns sharing the childcare duties during the times when the kids club isn’t open. With larger family groups, consider swapping designated babysitter duties each evening to allow every adult plenty of grownup time (and all the kids can have sleepovers with their cousins). Having the kids be an integral part of the vacation planning process gives them a sense of agency.

Fun for all the family!

Third Disney Cruise Worker Arrested on Child Porn Charges - Miami New Times

Third Disney Cruise Worker Arrested on Child Porn Charges.

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Each family is unique, so finding the cruise line that best matches your needs and preferences will contribute to a fantastic cruise vacation for everyone. For Christmas, there are festive decorations; caroling and singalongs; Catholic Mass and interdenominational services; and a special visit from Santa Claus. During each night of Hanukkah, a celebration and candle lighting is held for Jewish guests, and latkes are served daily for lunch in the Lido Market.

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

Kids are welcome to participate in the themed events frequently held on cruise ships. Kids can dress up, dance, and have a memorable night at sea at these events, which may be a pirate night, superhero party, or tropical luau. Many ships offer classes where children can learn about astronomy, cooking, marine biology, and other topics. Kids come away from these engaging programs with a mixture of knowledge and skills to demonstrate at home.

Young kids will have so much fun splashing in a water park, while older children might enjoy activities like rock wall climbing, zip lines, or ice skating. A new ship might also feature expanded youth programs and teen centers. Adventure Ocean youth facilities are designed to meet the needs of younger guests. Kids will have a blast at our complimentary, award-winning Adventure Ocean® Youth Program. We break kids and teens out into age groups so that they can enjoy specialized programs made to expand their imaginations in interactive, multi-room spaces designed just for them.

Day Alaskan Explorer

Texas mother accused of leaving young children alone while she went on a cruise - Spectrum News

Texas mother accused of leaving young children alone while she went on a cruise.

Posted: Mon, 15 Apr 2024 16:47:00 GMT [source]

My Family Time Dining is offered for the first seating time in our main dining room, for children ages three to 11. Kids enjoy their meal within 40 minutes of seating, before heading to the evening's Adventure Ocean activities. Whether hanging out with other cruisers or checking out games, sports and parties, our teen-only spots are the places to be. Our Teen Program also allows older kids the freedom to come and go as they please. They’ll love it so much the only thing you might wish for is a little more time with your kids.

children's cruise

Will my kids be able to go on shore excursions with Holland America Line?

At Camp at Sea, children can take art classes, participate in sports activities, and sign up for special STEM-based programs focused on marine biology and environmental conservation. While not as heralded as Royal or Carnival, MSC offers a great warm winter getaway for families, thanks to a wealth of activities onboard its European, Caribbean and Bahamian cruises. On Meraviglia specifically, you’ll find a massive water park and splash zone, ropes course, virtual F1 race car driving, flight simulators, 4D movies and an arcade room. For more active pursuits, families can challenge each other to bowling or a soccer match or basketball game on ship’s court.

Here’s to smooth sailing as we navigate the waters of adolescent adventure together, anchoring in memories that both teens and adults will treasure long after disembarking. When it comes to European charm, Costa Cruises sweeps you away with deals that waive kids’ fares. Their broad range of itineraries ensures that traveling to your family’s dream European destinations is not only accessible but also filled with an ambiance of all-ages entertainment.

Whatever type of cruise you’re on, odds are there’s going to be some kind of theme party or dress-up night where both you and your kids can join in on the fun. Obviously, depending on the age of your kids, your cruising experience, and your own family’s rules and expectations, your cruise family meeting might look a bit different. Every family is different, and kids of various ages will have different rules.

Royal Caribbean International frequently offers promotions where kids under 12 sail for free. These deals span across multiple dates throughout the year, providing exciting itineraries packed with unique island experiences and shipboard adventures. At Norwegian Cruise Line, not only do kids sail free on select journeys, but the family benefits are impressive.

And thanks to our award-winning Adventure Ocean® youth program, children love their cruise vacation just as much as their parents. Many children dream of space travel, exploring the moon and planets as an astronaut. And while a life-size rocket is something you won’t see on cruise ships, NASA experiences have become one of the most talked-about parts of the Carnival Celebration cruise. When this brand-new ship sets sail, kids ages 2 to 11 can blast off with the Space Cruisers program, developed in partnership with the Kennedy Space Center. On the ship, they can take part in NASA-inspired activities, including building a Mars Rover, hands-on learning about orbit, designing their own mission patch and more.

Kids 12 years old and under dining with their parents at specialty restaurants eat for free (but only from the complimentary kids’ menu). The Reef, the main kids' club, is divided into rooms for each age group with brightly adorned spaces filled with fun activities and age-appropriate toys. Known worldwide for its epic theme parks, Disney offers some of the best family cruises. They are particularly outstanding for those traveling with youngsters. Packing some reusable water bottles for your family vacation is a great idea. This way, you can bring water off of the cruise ship and you won’t have to purchase water bottles when you are onboard the ship.

The largest passenger ship ever built also happens to be one of the best cruises for large families, thanks to the sheer volume of stuff to do. The best family cruises need to be the ultimate people pleasers, and Wonder of the Seas will please your toddlers and teens equally. On-deck waterslides, go-karts, escape rooms and never-ending soft serve! A Princess family cruise is a perfect chance to celebrate together while enjoying the hundreds of amazing activities taking place on Princess ships from morning to night.

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