Cruise Activities for Every Family Member

Cruises truly offer something for everybody, no matter if you’re young or simply young at heart. There are more options than ever for family cruises with a nearly endless variety of activities for every age group. Whether you’re looking for a little grownup time while the kids have their own adventures, or you want to have adventures together as a family, there’s an activity for you. Read on to discover fun cruise activities for the whole family.

Babies and Toddlers

While even the youngest members of the family are welcome aboard cruise ships, most lines do have minimum age requirements to sail. These requirements vary widely from 12 weeks to 12 months, depending on the cruise line. However, there is plenty to do for the little ones including:

• Themed nurseries with plenty of toys.

• A toy lending program so parents don’t have to pack a suitcase full of toys.

• Toddler playgroups, some of which feature interactive toys such as LeapFrog.

• Playgroups with themes such as art and music.

• Story time.

• Imaginative play.

• Learning about the places being visited throughout the cruise.

When bringing your children on a cruise, always check ahead of time what policies are regarding diaper changing and children who are potty training. It’s also a good idea to check on the ratio of caregivers to children, as well as the communication policy the cruise line has for reaching you while your child is in care.

School Aged Children

The opportunities for children aged three and up expand exponentially. Nearly every line offers activities such as swimming, video games, scavenger hunts, and craft projects, as well as customized menus just for kids. However, each line also offers a unique selection of activities including:

• “Science on the Seas,” a partnership between Princess Cruises and the California Science Center. Children can study coral reefs, meet with rangers in Glacier Bay, and even build roller coasters.

• Culinary arts programs.

• Dancing with characters from DreamWorks and Disney.

• Theater programs in which children can act and produce.

• “Adventure Ocean” from Royal Caribbean offering activities for a variety of age ranges with activities geared toward learning about local customs, doing science experiments, and making new friends.
Tweens and Teens

Teens and tweens are given special consideration aboard cruise ships and have plenty of exciting things to experience including:

• Teens-only pools and clubs, dance parties, outdoor movies, sports, rock-wall climbing.

• Improv Games, a Scratch DJ Academy, and teens-only ice skating offered by Royal Caribbean.

• Teens-only shore excursions such as snorkeling, kayaking and horseback riding with Carnival Cruise Lines.

• Teen dinners with photographs in the main dining area including a group night out at a stage show on Princess Cruises.

• Teen-only hideaway with a waterfall and hammocks, complete with a secret passageway from the teen Loft on Holland America’s Oasis.

At this age, kids are often granted a bit more independence by cruise lines by offering an option where kids can sign themselves out of various activities instead of needing a parent. Check with individual cruise lines to see what regulations each one sets.

Fun as a Family

Many cruise lines offer amenities that make family time easier and more enjoyable for everyone.

• Dining – There are plenty of options depending on the age range of your children. Older children can accompany adults to most dining facilities, and some lines even offer a babysitting service at the end of the meal where kids can go play while adults can enjoy a bit of quiet time over dessert. Some lines offer 24-hour pizza and ice cream while others offer an ever-changing variety of themed venues.

• Baby supplies – Disney Cruise Lines will deliver everything from strollers to freshly blended baby food right to your room.

• Family cabins – Some lines offer larger cabins to accommodate larger families, while other lines offer cabins with two bathrooms and a curtain to separate off a section of the room.

There is also a wide range of entertainment and activities the whole family can enjoy together:

• Private islands operated by individual cruise lines.

• Games, crafts, sports, and shows.

• Deck parties and fireworks.

• Mini-golf, water slides, board game tournaments.

• Beach games, ice skating, and karaoke.

• Interactive detective games and stage shows.

• Promenade parades.

When planning your family cruise, take into consideration the things your family likes to do together. Is your family active and into sports, or do you enjoy arts and crafts more? Are you movie-lovers, or would you rather explore the scientific side of things? Even if your family happens to be a combination of all of those, there’s a cruise line that will appeal to you and your family. With the nearly endless variety of things to do, the last thing you’ll hear during the cruise is, “Mom, I’m bored!”

This guest post was provided by Shannon Pierce, who is a freelance writer and cruise coordinator. She helps hundreds of people book great cruises, and believes that whether you are booking a Mexico cruise or visiting New York City, it is important to get out and experience the world.