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It’s a smaller ship in the fleet, so better suited to adults who want a more relaxing break. Norwegian Gem is very similar to other ships in the Gem class, and so doesn’t have any particular features or notable attractions to shout about. It’s still a good mid-size cruise ship that doesn’t feel too crowded though, and there’s enough on board to keep families and couples entertained with ease. This tells you that Encore’s slight shift in focus to maximising family areas isn’t as important as the adults-only spaces that Bliss has. It’s still a very popular ship – and people do love the exclusive Onda restaurant – but most cruisers prefer that extra adults-only space that Bliss has in comparison. The ship has some incredible features including go-karts, and she has some of the best Broadway shows too, including SIX and Jersey Boys, which are extremely popular with guests.
Best Norwegian Cruise Ships For Families
But, for the most part, these movies were all PG-13, with the exception of one night designated as “family” movie night where the ship screened Christopher Robin. The other screenings included films such as Crazy Rich Asians, Lion, Lincoln and Wonder Woman. Some activities were expressly designated as family activities and included a family circus workshop, a Beat Your Bedtime game show, a glow party and a dance challenge. One noteworthy special event was a circus-themed escape room activity. Throughout the week the counselors hosted a variety of scheduled activities that included tournaments, game shows, dance parties, trivia, video games, a pool party, and an exclusive session of laser tag.
Best Royal Caribbean Ships for Kids
Cruising with kids is probably one of the most exciting family vacations you’ll take. You'll find a seemingly endless array of fun, educational, and entertaining cruise activities — both at sea and on land — to keep even the most finicky kids engaged. Not to mention you’ll find plenty of fun and relaxation for yourself.
Norwegian Epic – Overall Score: 8.7/10
This ship is a celebration of the arts, with the Tony Award®-winning musical “Kinky Boots” headlining its entertainment lineup. The Haven suites, with their spacious layouts and dedicated butler service, are a an excellent choice for those who want an upscale experience. We have cruised with kids at all ages from babies to teenagers straight through and although we have enjoyed all the crusises we have found some ages better than others. We love the fact that all Norwegian Cruise pools are heated which make them useable for kids even if you are cruising to Alaska with young kids.
Kids (and parents) who like a good show can gasp as ice skaters land jumps on a rocking ship, and acrobatic divers flip and splash in the AquaTheater, now up high on the ship under a glass dome. Don't miss pizza and parades on the Royal Promenade, Icon's indoor shopping strip. The Wanderlust Project is a website that offers all the info you need for your next cruise trips.
Other Kid-Friendly Features on Princess Cruises
Waitstaff will cut your kids' food and the Disney cruise kids' menu offers an array of kid favorites, such as mini-burgers and macaroni and cheese. Two onboard restaurants are adults-only so parents/guardians can take advantage of the kids’ club and enjoy their own evening together. Whatever your family likes to enjoy — including the challenge of trying something new — Norwegian Cruise Line has a shore excursion for that option. If you'd like to include an educational experience without your kids knowing it, check out the Whale Watching and Wildlife Quest in Juneau, Alaska, or the incredible Great Barrier Reef Adventure in Australia. Norway is full of wonders and surprises in every port but is it good for children?
The 12 Most Kid-Friendly Ships
Included with your stay are kids and teen programs and access to the H2O Zone Water Park. The park boasts waterfalls, water cannons, pools, and sculptures the kids can climb. Geysers send water high into the sky, splashing down and refreshing your children all afternoon. The kids and teen programs include Camp at Sea for kids between 3 and 12. Participants have themed parties, play sports, do arts and crafts, and engage in treasure hunts.
Another of the popular mid-sized Gem Class ships, Norwegian Pearl scores slightly lower than her sister the Norwegian Jewel but she is still very popular among cruise passengers. While she lacks some of the exciting features of the latest ships, she still packs plenty of fun, whether that’s the bowling alley or just the decor. Norwegian Jewel is one of the older ships in the NCL fleet, and it’s a ship that aims to be more of a couples ship than a family one. As proof, just consider how, in the 2018 refurbishment, the ship’s waterslide was removed, while two new bars were added. So, instead, I’ve looked at three of the biggest websites that collate cruise ship reviews – Cruiseline.com, Cruise Critic, and TripAdvisor.
Is Norwegian Cruise Line Kid Friendly?
Or go for gold at live game shows like The Price Is Right, Press Your Luck and Deal Or No Deal. Back onboard, MSC Cruises has family rooms designed to accommodate families of three or more. These Family Cabins and Super Family Cabins can be economical, too, as they are charged per room and not per guest.
Sign them up for our complimentary youth program programs where they can enjoy creative play, active games, and more; the youth staff have a knack for this stuff. Select Princess shore excursions are Discovery Family Tours, which are targeted at families with kids ages 3 to 12 and involve hands-on activities that connect kids to the destination. Animal Planet tours are ideal for parents and kids who want to see whales, sharks, sloths and other critters up close. The kids' clubs are outfitted with foosball, air hockey and even Skee-Ball.
The sizable suites and staterooms are family-friendly and accommodate larger groups of up to eight. Your room includes concierge and butler service, large rooms for privacy, and a balcony you’ll love to look out from. If you want to splash and play on your family vacation, you can ride the AquaDunk or AquaDuck water coasters, romp in Donald’s Pool or Goofy’s Pool, or enjoy the sparkling pool at Mickey’s AquaLab. During the regular schedule, for the first hour of each day and the first hour after the lunch break, the club offered Freestyle Free Play. That meant that the kids weren’t segregated by age, and could play together as they wished. Whether you are a frequent cruiser or a first-timer on a cruise ship, our selection below will help you better choose your dream vacation.
You can rest assured knowing that your children are in good hands because the Royal Caribbean kids' program counselors are some of the friendliest and most engaging in the business. Adults-only solariums are perfect for parents and grandparents, and there are a plethora of dining and evening entertainment options. Star was the first ship that was designed with the Freestyle Cruising mantra in mind and yes, there is a lot of choice on board and an atmosphere that is worlds apart from traditional cruise formality. For a ship that launched in 2010, it is starting to feel like it’s quite old compared to the vibrancy of the Breakaway and Prima Class ships. Instead, the destination is the main attraction here, with itineraries planned around maximising the time spent among Hawaii’s magnificent scenery, with some fun-packed excursion options available. I’ve then looked at the average score for each ship on those three sites to rank the ships in order.
They also have dozens of dining options to meet the tastes and preferences of even your pickiest eater, most of which are quite casual so you don't have to worry about forcing your kids to dress up. Teens can hang out in Entourage -- a lounge space complete with televisions, video games and air hockey tables -- which serves as a teens-only nightclub. The largest ship in the NCL fleet is Norwegian Encore, the last of the Breakaway Plus ships. She has a maximum capacity of just over 4,000 guests and includes exciting features including a race track, VR gaming, and Broadway shows including Kinky Boots.
Looking for things to do on Norwegian Escape? See what cruise experts had to say about Norwegian Escape activities ... - Cruise Critic
Looking for things to do on Norwegian Escape? See what cruise experts had to say about Norwegian Escape activities ....
Posted: Wed, 12 Jul 2023 16:14:00 GMT [source]
I have to say that cruising the Norwegian Fjords with kids took my breath away! They spent their time cycling, skimming pebbles across lakes, climbing waterfalls and getting up close to nature. We travelled on the Independence of the Seas but there are many cruise lines that explore the fjords.
People often comment on how good the crew are on NCL ships but for some reason, Pearl’s staff get even more mentions than usual. Norwegian Bliss is considered to be quite upmarket by NCL’s standards – not that NCL ships are cheap anyway, but Bliss just has an aura of being more refined. It does have very stylish decor, and the Alaskan summer itineraries are definitely more attractive to those who prefer sightseeing over partying. She’s reviewed particularly well in 2023 and has risen to the top of the rankings! Proof that the best Norwegian ships aren’t always the newest ones. I’m not the same as you and so our views of the ships would be different.
Norwegian Prima and Norwegian Viva were built with a higher ratio of space to passengers than earlier Norwegian vessels, which itself is an upscale touch. The ships also have a higher crew-to-passenger ratio than many Norwegian ships, leading to better service. For starters, Norwegian Encore is home to some of the most thrilling waterslides at sea, as well as a kiddie splash zone that will have your little ones squealing with delight. But those are just the appetizers when it comes to family fun on the top deck of the ship.
