Now that you’re retired, you have more time to spend with your family. A family vacation is one of the best ways to relax and enjoy your kids and grandkids’ company.
You can create memories with your family that will last a lifetime. Though there are cruise lines and ships that cater to a more “adults-only” atmosphere, there are also cruise lines that welcome families.
Gather your whole crew together for a fun-filled cruise with plenty of exciting offshore excursions for little ones and shows and fine food for the grown-ups. Check out some of the best cruises for seniors and their families.
10 Best Family Cruises
1.Disney Cruise Line
It’s not a surprise that a Disney cruise would be a great bet for your grandkids, but did you know that there’s plenty of fun for adults on a Disney cruise, too?
The Disney Magic and the Disney Fantasy are two Disney cruise ships packed with offerings for everyone in your family. There are even adults-only restaurants, bars, and lounges so you can have some special time with your kids while your grandkids enjoy activities just for children.
There are plenty of spots to cruise to, including the Bahamas, the Caribbean, Mexico, and Europe. While on board, take in live entertainment, several different swimming pools, lots of shops for everyone (grab something pretty at the Tiffany store), and beautiful cabins with ocean views.
Disney’s ships also offer accessible staterooms and accommodations for handicapped or disabled guests, including restaurants and live venues that are easy for disabled patrons to get around in.
2. Carnival Cruises
Carnival isn’t just known for being budget-friendly, but this cruise line has lots to offer for every member of your family no matter what age. There are areas especially for children, as well as onboard waterparks.
But don’t worry, there are places for adults to escape on board too, including an adults-only retreat on the ship. Although small kids will have a blast, there are even things for teens to do, such as teens-only clubs, along with activities for the whole family, like karaoke, live-action Family Feud, murder mystery games, and crafting sessions.
Carnival cruises to a wide variety of destinations so you can tailor your cruise, including Canada, Europe, Australia, Mexico, and Hawaii.
They accommodate seniors in a variety of ways on the ship as well, such as offering senior discounts, accessible staterooms, accessible tables in restaurants and theaters, and handicapped elevators and pool lifts.
You can also order in 24-hour room service which is perfect for the nighttime munchies with your grandkids!
3. Holland America
Holland America is known for their luxurious cruises for adults and seniors, but did you know this iconic cruise line is also family-friendly?
There are swimming competitions in the pool, pajama parties for young people, and karaoke for all ages to enjoy having good, clean fun on the way to a dream destination.
Grab your kids, grandkids, and everyone you love and treat them to a trip they’ll never forget on a Holland America ship, complete with a deck that’s solely for teenagers, nightclubs, juice bars, and numerous restaurants to pick from. There are live performances, too.
If you’re thinking outside the box for a family reunion this year, Holland America may give your crew a cruise discount.
You’ll love staying in a gorgeous suite with a veranda, and Holland America provides for their disabled guests in a number of ways – staterooms with accommodations and fully accessible ships.
4. Norwegian Cruise Lines
Norwegian Cruise Lines has perfected the art of the family cruise with what they call “free-style” cruising. You know how on some ships your itinerary is planned down to each second?
Not on Norwegian. You eat when you want, play when you want, and do what you want. This makes it a lot easier for travelers with kids to enjoy themselves on their own schedule, taking the stress out of dinner reservations or spa times.
Norwegian has a lot to offer kids of all ages. Take in a Cirque de Soleil show together, send your preteens and teens to play video games or do crafts, or they can engage in sports.
There are even themed ships for small kids, such as SpongeBob SquarePants. For grown-ups, there’s also plenty to do. Lots of dining options, open bar, spas, pools, and plenty of ways to relax.
One of the best parts? Kids travel for free!
5. Royal Caribbean
Check out everything Royal Caribbean has to offer you and your family. For small kids, there’s no shortage of things to do onboard, including shows, parades, movies, and character meals.
Kids can even dine before parents and grandparents, so grown-ups can enjoy a leisurely lunch or dinner while kids are whisked off to play.
Older kids will love rock climbing, a teen nightclub, and arcades, and you can keep everyone together by staying in a family suite that sleeps multiple guests for a fun time that never ends.
A nursery onboard lets adults have some “me” time with other adults, which can be anything from drinks to dinner to dancing to taking in a show or a trip to the spa. There’s movies, golfing, and even a library onboard to satisfy every interest.
Don’t want to be a bummer because you’re disabled? You won’t be – Royal Caribbean caters to disabled guests and offers plenty of accommodations so you can get in on the fun.
6. MSC Cruises
Voted one of the best cruise lines for families, your journey on an MSC ship is just as fun as the destination you’re headed to.
Kids cruise at no cost, and there are plenty of activities onboard, including bowling, swimming, dancing, and LEGO building for smaller kids.
For bigger kids, there are also lots of activities, and while you’re headed to the Caribbean, your grandkids can enjoy water parks, nightclubs just for teens, arcades, karaoke, and plenty of live shows to check out.
Younger kids are always supervised, so feel free to have some adult fun of your own with a nice dinner or a trip to the spa. Does MSC cater to handicapped and disabled guests?
Yes, they do. There are accessible staterooms as well as onboard assistance for guests who have special needs, so you don’t have to worry about enjoying yourself alongside your family.
7. Costa
Costa Cruises has so much to offer families with kids of all ages, as well as the grown-ups onboard, too!
Parents and grandparents can be confident their grandkids are being taken care of while they enjoy supervised activities like treasure hunts while the older cruisers relax in the spa or enjoy dinner and drinks.
There are clubs for young kids and for teens, and once you’re ready to hang out together as a family, get it on bingo, a talent show for all ages, games at the pool, or karaoke!
Costa offers accessible staterooms for seniors as well as lots of accessibility features for guests that require accommodations, such as spots for your wheelchair in theaters, plenty of options for dining, and wider doorways for added mobility.
Contact Costa in advance to make reservations for an accessible offshore excursion so you can enjoy your vacation as much as your family does!
8. Lindblad Expeditions
You and your family can enjoy the trip of a lifetime and have some up-close encounters with nature when you travel with Lindblad Expeditions.
It’s not your run of the mill cruise experience, that’s for sure! Do something different with this cruise line, who partners with National Geographic to bring cruisers of all ages close to nature in a brand-new way.
Kids can not only learn about animals but see them, too. You can take a journey to the Galapagos Islands and Alaska and get a look at everything from penguins to blue-footed boobies on one of two ships.
This trip is just as much of a treat for parents and grandparents as it is for kids. Everyone will learn something new, and if you’re a fan of nature and wildlife, you’re definitely in for an experience like no other.
Read here about why going on an expedition is a great way for family members of all ages to bond.
9. Princess
There are many ways for multi-generational families to enjoy spending time together on a Princess cruise.
Enjoy watching a movie under the stars, do a dance party with your grandkids, take little ones to a carnival on the ship, or take in a magic show kids are sure to love.
Princess knows what activities are perfect for families, and you’ll never hear your grandkids say they’re bored! Solve an escape room together, play ping pong, go for a swim, or play basketball!
For the adults, there’s also lots to do, including a casino, dance classes, upscale shops and dining, an art gallery, and wine tastings. At the end of the day, take a much-needed soak in a hot tub.
For disabled guests, there’s no need to worry – you’ll be taken care of! Reserve a wheelchair-accessible stateroom, and make sure you reserve excursions that accommodate your needs.
10. CroisiEurope
CroisiEurope offers your family the trip of a lifetime. Imagine taking your grandkids on a completely kid-friendly trip to such amazing places as Venice, Spain, or Portugal.
Kids 16 and under can travel free, and there are plenty of onboard activities for everyone. They’ll also help you plan excursions that everyone in the family can enjoy once you reach your destination.
You’re never too young or too old to enjoy traveling overseas and making memories of museums, landmarks, and delicious food and drinks.
These are also all-inclusive cruises, which makes cruising less stressful since you don’t have to worry about money while you’re enjoying your trip.
There are plenty of special offers if you’re on a budget, and if your teen grandkids are at that age where they want to be alone, book them an adjoining suite so they feel a little more grown-up!
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