The Best Family Caribbean Cruises

The Best Family Caribbean Cruises

beach chairs and cruise ships image by Elke Dennis from <a href='http://www.fotolia.com'>Fotolia.com</a>

Every year, families embark on an American rite of passage called the family vacation. Deciding where to go can be a daunting task. The kids want lots of fun activities, while parents want something affordable. Many families are finding out that cruises fit the bill, making all parties happy with lots of activities and affordability. One of the most popular destinations for cruisers, the Caribbean, offers destinations that appeal to active travelers of all ages.

Royal Caribbean

Explore the rain forests of Puerto Rico.
Puerto de Navacerrada image by fgr1966 from Fotolia.com

The Royal Caribbean fleet features some of the most unique ships with activities you never thought possible at sea. Ice-skating rinks, arcades, zip line, carousels, wave-simulators and in-line skating top the list of fun activities for families aboard Royal Caribbean ships.

Once off the ship, the fun continues with stops at Caribbean ports full of family fun. Explore ancient ruins in Cozumel, discover rain forests in Puerto Rico, participate in whale watching in the Dominican Republic and climb waterfalls in Jamaica.

Royal Caribbean's own private destinations, CocoCay and Labadee, offer even more outdoor families activities that include swimming, snorkeling, parasailing and a zip line.

Royal Caribbean International
1050 Caribbean Way
Miami, FL 33132
800-256-6649
royalcaribbean.com

Holland America

Holland America's private island, Half Moon Cay.
at the beach image by Lily Forman from Fotolia.com

Known more as a cruise line for couples and vacationers without kids, Holland America has made over its kids' program, Club HAL. Younger children and tweens will enjoy playgrounds, arts and crafts, video games and movie times.

Teenagers can escape to the teen-only Oasis and The Loft, with karaoke, Internet, a private waterfall and hammocks. Off the ship on Holland America's private island, Half Moon Cay, take a bike tour around the island or kayak in the blue waters. Visit Coral World in St. Thomas, horseback ride in Grand Turk or tour St. Maarten by ATV.

Holland America Line
300 Elliott Ave. West
Seattle, WA 98119
206-281-3535
hollandamerica.com

Disney Cruises

Family activities abound on Castaway Cay.
children image by Ahmed Zahir from Fotolia.com

Synonymous with family fun, the Disney franchise also offers Caribbean cruises. Considered "one of the best cruises for kids," Disney specifically caters to children and families. With spaces on the ship just for children and teens, families can enjoy time away from each other as well as together.

Family time can be spent on the sports decks playing basketball or mini-golf, or on the pool decks swimming and playing on the water slides. Disney also has its own private island, Castaway Cay, where guests can access a private snorkeling lagoon and numerous biking and hiking trails. Explore underground caves in Barbados or visit the only drive-in volcano in the world in St. Lucia.

Disney Cruise Vacations
P.O. Box 10238
Lake Buena Vista, FL 32830
800-951-3532
disneycruise.disney.go.com

Carnival Cruises

Snorkle with sharks in Belize.
Diving's ABC image by Tomasz Pawlowski from Fotolia.com

With more kids traveling on board than any other cruise line, Carnival offers top-notch activities for kids and families. Camp Carnival caters to ages two years and older, keeping kids and their parents busy all day with swimming pools, jungle gyms, dance parties, scavenger hunts, dodgeball and pool parties.

Off the ship, ride a Jamaican bobsled in Montego Bay, drive a dune buggy in Progresso, snorkel with sharks in Belize or sail a catamaran in Grand Cayman.

Carnival Cruise Lines
3655 NW 87th Ave.
Miami, FL 33178
888-227-6482
carnival.com

Article Written By Lindsey Thompson

Lindsey Thompson officially began her writing career in 2001, although her love for writing started in grade school. Her work has been published in the Cincinnati Art Museum's "Member Magazine" and "The Ohio Journalist." Thompson holds a degree in journalism from The Scripps School of Journalism at Ohio University.

Write for Trails.com
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